Episodes

Have you ever caught yourself asking, “Was it really that bad, or am I overreacting?” That question is often the first sign that gaslighting has taken its toll. In this episode, I’m joined by relationship coach Heather Melville, founder of Healthy Relationships, to discuss the messy, non-linear reality of healing after leaving an emotionally or physically abusive relationship. We break down what “toxic” truly looks like—from the exhaustion of walking on eggshells to the quiet erosion of your ow...

We’re building a recovery podcast that skips the dry lectures and speaks to real sobriety, from sober curious to early recovery to long term healing. We name the hard parts like trauma, mental health, and dual diagnosis while focusing on how to build a meaningful life after addiction. • A clear welcome for sober curious listeners and people in early sobriety • Why we prioritize honest conversation over textbook advice • Mental health and trauma as core parts of addiction recovery • D diagnosis ...

Burnout doesn't always announce itself with a crash; for many high-achieving professionals, it’s a slow-burn reality characterized by constant stress and emotional exhaustion. In this episode of the Recovery Catalyst Podcast, we explore practical mental health and healing tools for navigating career-driven burnout through the lens of Lexi Reed’s "Creative Reset" approach. We discuss how nervous system regulation and micro-creative breaks can interrupt the stress loop, offering a path to susta...

Shannon Darrow is a divorce coach and mediator, and the host of In Between Them — a podcast featuring honest conversations with adults about what their parents' divorce shaped, broke, and built in them as children. Her desire is to bring to light all of the impacts children suffer from their parent's divorce so parents can become aware and do better In this episode we discuss: • Shannon’s path from law school to corporate life to divorce coaching and mediation • Why adult children can recall s...

What happens after the operating room doors close? For most, it’s not the heroic scene depicted on screen—it’s the weight of high-stakes decisions and the pressure to remain unshakeable. In this episode, Cat York sits down with trauma surgeon, educator, and author Dr. Daniel Eiferman to discuss the hidden emotional reality of surgery. Drawing from his book, Cut Open: A Surgeon’s Stories of Resilience, Loss, and Growth, Daniel shares an honest look at the profession and provides actionable strat...

We sit with the raw truth of losing someone to addiction and the extra burden of shame that families carry in silence. Katie Rizzo shares how she uses poetry and community to keep Nicholas’ story alive while pushing back on stigma and broken systems. • Nicholas’ anxiety, addiction, and the five to six year family battle • Shame around overdose death and why secrecy protects the problem • Al‑Anon as a tool for families and the idea of being a loving witness • ICU withdrawal, relapse realities, a...

We talk with Dr. Larry Smith about how addiction can start young, hide behind achievement, and keep us trapped through an inner voice that promises relief while stealing our lives. We also lay out the daily practices that keep him sober for 26 years and why purpose and connection matter more than chasing the absence of cravings. • His first experience with alcohol at age 11 and the sudden shift from euphoria to shame. • How prescription drugs and weekend drinking evolved into substance abuse. •...

We talk with attorney Mark Astor about what families can do when addiction or severe mental illness hijacks a loved one’s decision-making and the stakes keep rising. We break down how civil legal tools can create safety, accountability, and time for treatment without turning crisis into punishment. • Mark’s path from prosecutor to behavioural health crisis intervention work • Why families feel trapped between jail and doing nothing • How the Marchman Act and Baker Act differ in purpose and outc...

I share practical updates that make it easier for us to stay connected and shape Recovery Catalyst together, from a new website to simple ways to send feedback. I also explain why I’m adding more solo episodes. • Launching a new website with episode listening, comments, and a blog that expands on each topic. • Inviting listener feedback through comments, questions, suggestions, criticism, and compliments. • Offering a free Buzzsprout voice note link for quick audio messages. • Building a once-a...

We talk with Bryan Blackmon about leaving Texas for a Los Angeles dream, sliding into addiction and homelessness, and finding an unexpected lifeline through an 85-year-old landlord named Elaine. Bryan shares the mirror moment that made him choose sobriety, the reality of withdrawal, and how his viral TikTok story turned into Crab Life Crew and a recovery mindset built on self-worth. In this episode we cover: • How glamorized party culture feeds denial and escalation. • What homelessness feels l...

We share a raw, late-night check-in about living with debilitating anxiety while staying sober and trying to keep life moving. We talk honestly about panic attacks, the long list of things we try for relief, and why kindness matters when there is no simple cure. • hosting the Recovery Catalyst Podcast with curiosity rather than cure • describing what anxiety feels like in the body and mind • naming the exhaustion and stigma behind “just take a pill” • the difficulty of starting medication • how...

We talk with veteran and shamanic trauma specialist Jeremy Chenvert, host of “The Shaman Stories Podcast” about how trauma can linger even when you “should be fine,” and how healing starts when the nervous system finally feels safe. We share concrete tools, hard-earned boundaries, and a grounded look at shamanic work, generational trauma, grief, and finding practitioners you can trust. In this episode we will talk about: • Jeremy’s military background and the slow build of anger after deploymen...

We talk with sober travel writer Teresa Bergen about how to protect sobriety on the road without shrinking your life. We share practical ways to handle social pressure, build sober-friendly plans, and travel with more freedom and better memories. • Teresa’s long-term sobriety story and why it feels liberating • Why alcohol is so baked into travel culture and how to stop it ruining your mood • Picking destinations where alcohol is not the main focus • Travelling with friends who drink and priori...

We sit down with Dr. Ellyn Hilliard-McLeod to talk about why real healing takes more than a perfect diet and how symptoms can reveal what needs to change in our lives. We dig into processed food traps, core beliefs around eating, and the inner work of forgiveness, identity, and responsibility that can shape long-term health. Dr McLeod’s journey from a Crohn’s diagnosis to a holistic path How “organic” labels can hide ultra-processed foods that still drive inflammation Why calming the nervous ...

Fenix Shephard recounts leaving home at 14, surviving abuse, addiction, homelessness, being part of the LGBTQ+ community along with multiple arrests before finding sobriety and a personal relationship with God beyond organized religion. Fenix discusses the healing tools she used and now offers—havening, EMDR, TMS, CBT and DBT—alongside spiritual coaching, veteran and community work, and a message of unconditional love and practical steps to get help. For more on Fenix, her coaching services or...

Certified IFS practitioner and trauma‑informed coach Kurt Bush shares his journey from manufacturing and ministry into Brimstone Coaching Group, helping leaders overcome imposter syndrome and lead with authenticity. Through the simple framework Encounter + Reflection = Transformation, Kurt shows how self‑awareness increases impact, interrupts burnout, and creates sustainable leadership. Learn about his book, podcast, and accessible coaching approach that equips people across work and life. For...

Gazit Chaya Nkosi, an autistic AFAB trans non-binary Jewish mystic and somatic coach, discusses neurodivergence and "neurocomplexity," somatic parts work, and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) — a passive, auditory method that helps the nervous system re-establish safety and social engagement. The conversation covers practical tools like resourcing before/during/after stressful events, setting compassionate boundaries, working with children and parents, and everyday practices (breath, movemen...

Cat York sits down with Daryl Dittmer, who overcame severe addiction at 19 to become an entrepreneur, author, and life coach. Daryl shares his recovery story, the role of treatment and AA, and the moment he chose to change his life. The conversation explores how showing up, humility, and service guided his path into business, writing, and coaching, and offers practical encouragement for anyone facing addiction, burnout, or a desire to reinvent their life. For additional information rega...

Host Cat York candidly shares her sobriety journey, describing early detox, repeated relapses, and the support and limitations she found in Alcoholics Anonymous. She discusses challenges specific to women in recovery—difficulty finding sponsors, childcare barriers, and spiritual mismatch—and explains how she built a personalized recovery routine including meetings, church, meditation, and coaching. This episode calls for compassion after relapse, broader conversations about alternative recover...

Host Cat York interviews Barb Nangle about her transformational recovery through ACA and OA, how she healed codependence, built internal safety, and developed strong boundaries that reshaped her life and relationships. The episode covers Barb’s personal story, practical communication and boundary tools, forgiveness and self-compassion practices, and resources for anyone curious about 12-step fellowships and coaching. To learn more about Barb, inquire about her coaching or to give her po...

Host Cat York speaks with spiritual medium and consciousness mentor Gloria Battini about her path from anxiety and toxic relationships to becoming a medium and guide. They discuss how intuition and mediumship can support healing, especially in complicated grief. Gloria explains what to expect in a session, how spirits communicate, the importance of energetic boundaries and self-care, and simple steps listeners can take to start sensing messages from loved ones. The episode also covers Glor...

Cat York interviews Dr. Jeffrey Bone — chronic illness coach, author, and host of To the Bone — about his personal journey from years of misdiagnosis to a diagnosis of chronic inflammatory response syndrome and common variable immune deficiency. He describes the emotional toll of not being believed, the hidden loneliness of chronic illness, and the long road to proper treatment. Dr. Bone shares practical mental tools for coping with pain and uncertainty, including expressive writing, asking f...

On this episode of the Call Her Cat Podcast, host Cat York interviews licensed therapist and author Johnzelle Anderson about his powerful debut, Mixtape: A Memoir. Told uniquely in "tracks" instead of chapters, Mixtape charts Johnzelle's personal journey from childhood trauma and feeling silenced to building a career in mental health and finding triumph. He shares his story of mixed-race identity, healing, and reclaiming his narrative. In their discussion, Johnzelle and Cat delve into topi...

Host Cat York interviews Paul Granger about his decades of full-time volunteer ministry, the challenges of inconsistent income, and the daily practice of loving God and loving others. Paul shares honest stories of loss, perseverance, and small acts of faith—what he calls mustard-seed moments—and explains how to seek God in simple, practical ways amid real-life messiness. The episode also highlights Paul’s community Bible study work, his creative book “Something in the Froth” and a call to ...