Cat Unmuted Podcast

Cat, Unmuted

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I’m Catherine (Cat) Carnell, an author, unconventional healer/coach, and storyteller. I normalize taboo topics through lived experience and reflection, often avoided until life high-fives us in the face. No rushing. No pressure. No judgment. catlcarnell.substack.com

4d ago

The Stories We Carry — Part 1

Episode 32 of Cat Unmuted is here, and this conversation got so big that one episode couldn’t hold it. 😂 This is Part 1 of my conversation with spiritual life coach Kevin Day. We talk about forgiveness, responsibility, childhood beliefs, addiction and recovery, trauma, the stories we attach to what happened to us, and one question I think is worth asking ourselves: Does the belief that once protected me still serve the person I am today? We also get into something I feel very strongly about: healing doesn’t necessarily require deciding who gets the blame. Sometimes the more useful question is: What do I do with what happened now? And just as we’re beginning to dig into Kevin’s personal story... Part 1 ends. 😏 There is another full hour of this conversation coming in Part 2. 🎙️ Listen to Episode 32: The Stories We Carry — Part 1 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe
Sep 1

The Life I Didn’t Plan

Sometimes the life we planned isn’t the life we end up living. In this episode of Cat Unmuted, I look back at some of the biggest turns in my life, from being forced to leave Japan 20 years ago, joining the military out of desperation, leaving the military, becoming a massage therapist, experiencing pregnancy loss, closing my business, becoming a writer, putting our house on the market, and now finding myself stepping into speaking and communication work I never planned to create. Very little of it happened the way I imagined. And yet, one unexpected decision kept leading to another. Right now, our house has been on the market for almost five months. We were supposed to already be in Japan. Instead, because I finally stopped sitting around waiting for the move to happen, I started saying yes to what was happening here. That led to my first speaking engagement at a Maternal Mental Health Summit, new relationships with organizations, conversations about training professionals to communicate with families experiencing loss, and the beginnings of something I’m still watching take shape. I don’t know exactly what this becomes yet. And maybe that’s the point. Not everything is going to happen the way we planned it. Sometimes the thing we’re desperately trying to control has to loosen its grip before we can see what else is trying to happen. This episode is about the detours, the decisions, the things we never asked for, and what can happen when we finally allow ourselves to follow where they lead.For more on my books and the speech: B-Unhinged.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 25

Episode 30: When There Are No Words

After my Make It Sayable speech at the Maternal Mental Health Summit, one woman asked me a question I hadn’t considered: “Were you able to finally put words to what you felt and went through?” My answer was no. Two years after my miscarriage, I still can’t fully describe what that experience felt like. But that conversation made me realize something else: maybe the people who love us don’t need to completely understand our pain in order to support us. In this episode, I talk about the difference between understanding someone’s experience and understanding what they need from you. I also share how Josh and I communicated about support, why trying to “fix” someone can sometimes make things harder, and why simply asking “What do you need from me?” can be more powerful than searching for the perfect thing to say. Sometimes there are no words for the pain. But there can still be words for the support we need. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 23

Ep. 29 | Make It Sayable: My Kassy’s Kause Maternal Mental Health Summit Talk

Ep. 29 | Make It Sayable: My Kassy’s Kause Maternal Mental Health Summit TalkA special Sunday episode of Cat Unmuted. This week, I’m sharing the talk I gave at the Kassy’s Kause Maternal Mental Health Summit: Make It Sayable. Two years ago, after experiencing a missed miscarriage and the depression that followed, I found myself trying to put words to something I had never felt before. That experience eventually led me to look deeper into postpartum depression, communication, grief, identity, and what happens when the people we love are going through something we simply cannot fix. In this talk, I share my own story and explore why telling someone to “speak up” is only half the conversation. We also have to become people they feel safe speaking to. I talk about: the emotional overlap I recognized between my experience after pregnancy loss and women’s lived experiences with postpartum depression the grief of losing pieces of your identity after becoming a mother why spouses and partners can become lost and overwhelmed too the H.E.A.R. approach: Hear, Explore, Acknowledge, Respond why consistency matters when building emotional safety and what I call Generational Permission, giving future generations a different relationship with difficult emotions and conversations Because sometimes the thing someone needs most isn’t an answer. Sometimes they just need to know the hard thing is allowed to be said. Make it sayable. And for your social post today Surprise Sunday episode. 🎙️ I’ve been quiet the last couple of Tuesdays, but today felt like the right day to share something a little different. Episode 29 of Cat Unmuted is the full talk I gave at the Kassy’s Kause Maternal Mental Health Summit: MAKE IT SAYABLE. We talk postpartum depression, pregnancy loss, identity, partners, communication, why “speak up” is only half the conversation, and what we can do when someone finally tells us the hard thing. This one is personal. And yes... there was a microphone incident. 😂 🎧 Episode 29: Make It Sayable This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 4

Episode 28: The Hardest Goodbye Is Sometimes the Greatest Act of Love

There are moments in life when love doesn't ask us to hold on tighter. It asks us to let go. In this deeply personal episode, I share the heartbreaking journey of rehoming my dog, Maya, as Josh and I prepare for our move overseas. This wasn't a decision made overnight. It was months of tears, conversations, self-doubt, and asking one difficult question over and over: What is truly best for her? I walk you through everything... Why our move to Japan changed everything. The complicated reality of bringing a dog overseas. The emotional weight of choosing between what I wanted and what Maya deserved. The unexpected cruelty of strangers on social media. How one flyer, one neighbor, and one phone call changed everything. Meeting the family that would become Maya's new home. Watching Maya find happiness faster than I ever imagined possible. Learning that grief and gratitude can exist together. This episode isn't really about a dog. It's about every decision we've ever had to make that shattered our own heart so someone else could have a better future. Sometimes strength doesn't look brave. Sometimes strength looks like crying your eyes out while still doing the right thing. If you've ever had to let go of someone or something you loved...If you've ever questioned whether you were making the right decision...If you've ever carried guilt simply because love hurts... This conversation is for you. Sometimes the greatest expression of love isn't holding on. It's having the courage to let go. Question for Reflection Have you ever had to let go of something you deeply loved because it was the right thing to do? I'd love to hear your story in the comments. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 28

Episode 27: When Letting Go Is Self-Respect

Episode 27: When Letting Go Is Self-Respect Not every relationship is meant to last forever. Some people enter our lives to teach us something, to help us grow, or to walk beside us for a season. Others stay much longer than they should because we're holding onto hope instead of reality. In this episode of Cat Unmuted, I share three deeply personal stories about relationships I eventually had to let go of: A stepmother I spent years hoping would become the mother I needed. A marriage that slowly isolated me from the people I loved. Friendships that ended in betrayal, disappointment, and the difficult realization that protecting my peace had to come first. This conversation isn't about resentment or revenge. It's about self-respect. It's about recognizing when you've done everything you can, accepting that not every relationship can be saved, and giving yourself permission to stop carrying what no longer belongs in your future. Sometimes letting go isn't giving up on someone else. Sometimes it's finally choosing yourself. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever had to let go of a relationship that no longer served you? What did that experience teach you? As always... Through Courage Comes Bliss. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 21

What If the Delay Is the Point?

Waiting can feel like failure. When you've packed your house, made the plans, and emotionally said goodbye to a chapter of your life, every extra day can feel like you're standing still. This week, I share what it's been like to prepare for our move to Okinawa... only to still be here more than 90 days later. At first, I saw the delay as an obstacle. But slowly I realized something unexpected. Life wasn't putting me on pause. It was making room. During this "waiting season," I found clarity about Maya's future, rediscovered my books, met incredible new people, reconnected with my relationship, accepted an opportunity to speak about miscarriage and postpartum mental health, and found myself letting go of something I've always struggled with: Control. Sometimes the timeline we create isn't wrong. It's simply incomplete. In this episode Why waiting has been harder than I expected The emotional reality of preparing to move overseas Why I made the heartbreaking decision about Maya How delaying our move unexpectedly reopened doors Learning to stop fighting timelines I can't control Why patience isn't passive... it's active trust One of the biggest lessons I've learned is this: Just because nothing looks like it's happening doesn't mean nothing is happening. Sometimes the biggest transformations happen while life appears completely still. Mentioned in this episode Kassy's KauseAn organization dedicated to raising awareness about postpartum depression and supporting families. I'll be speaking at their event on August 21 in Albuquerque. More information:https://kassyskause.org If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear: What delay in your life ended up becoming a gift? Through Courage Comes Bliss. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 14

Living Your Best Life, No Matter What

Episode 25: Purpose, Loss, Adventure, and Living Your Best Life with Jane Bradley In this episode of Cat Unmuted, I sit down with my mentor, Jane Bradley, one month before her 88th birthday. Jane has lived many lives: ranch girl, mother, artist, writer, businesswoman, mentor, traveler, and adventurer. She shares stories of love, devastating loss, reinvention, courage, and the deep question that shaped her book, Your North Star. We talk about grief, identity shifts, childhood wounds, purpose, joy, bliss, and what it means to live your best life no matter what life hands you. Jane’s definition of bliss stayed with me: Bliss is sustainable joy. This conversation felt like sitting beside a campfire with someone who has walked through storms, dust bowls, heartbreak, and wonder, and still chooses purpose. In this episode, we talk about: Jane’s life as a creative spirit Growing up in New Mexico ranch country The grief of losing the love of her life Reinventing yourself after loss Why purpose changes as we change The difference between happiness, joy, and bliss Women, courage, adventure, and breaking old rules Jane’s book, Your North Star The question: “Who do you want to be?” Connect with Jane Website: janebradleysays.comBook: Your North Star by Jane Bradley, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble online Jane also generously shared her personal email address and phone number during this episode for anyone interested in connecting with her. You can hear those details near the end of the conversation, or visit her website to learn more. Thank you for being here with us. With courage comes bliss.Editor's Note During our conversation, I mention that I may have covered the fear of sharing my story and being accused of lying in a previous episode. After looking through my episodes, I realized I haven't dedicated one to that topic after all. That conversation deserves its own space, and it's now on my list for a future episode of Cat Unmuted. We'll explore what it's like to tell your truth, the fear of not being believed, and what it takes to share your story anyway. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit catlcarnell.substack.com/subscribe

I’m Catherine (Cat) Carnell, an author, unconventional healer/coach, and storyteller. I normalize taboo topics through lived experience and reflection, often avoided until life high-fives us in the face. No rushing. No pressure. No judgment. catlcarnell.substack.com

Creator

Cat, Unmuted
Years Active

2026
Episodes

31
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Catherine Carnell
Show Website

Cat Unmuted Podcast