Episodes

Cat York interviews Ashley Dillard, a former firefighter and paramedic turned licensed counselor, hypnotherapist and podcast host, about her journey out of emergency services and into trauma-informed care for first responders, military members, and families. The episode covers cumulative burnout, identity shifts, integrative approaches like clinical hypnosis, neuro-somatic work, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, and offers compassionate guidance on finding help, nervous system regulation, and h...

In this episode, Host Cat York speaks with Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and addiction specialist Kevin Odom about his personal journey—from serving in the U.S. Army National Guard to clinical care—and his recent kidney donation. They discuss the philosophy of the One Moment Podcast and explore critical topics like common misconceptions in addiction and mental health, trauma-informed and person-centered care, relapse prevention, and patients’ rights. The conversation is framed by hop...

Nikki is an INELDA certified death doula and a grief coach, serving the terminally ill, dying, elderly and their loved ones with dignity and respect. Her goal is to help others embrace the end of life and share open and honest communication with their loved ones. She can take the burden and hold space so you can focus on what matters most in your final days and leave this world at peace. The conversation explores disenfranchised grief, anticipatory versus sudden loss, using humor in grieving, se...

Adam Schaeuble is an online business coach for podcasters. He teaches simple strategies to help them grow their audience and turn their content into new clients. He's been podcasting since 2015 and he's the host of the Top 100 ranked entrepreneurship podcast Podcasting Business School. With over 1,000 episodes and more than a million total downloads in his career, he knows a thing or two about what works. Adam covers starting audio-first, the power of a consistent weekly cadence, using newsle...

In this episode Dr. Herman SJR — a metaphysical psychologist and systems architect — explains his concept of holistic vision, the bridge between mind and metaphysical realities, and why "divorce" (stepping outside yourself) is the core exercise for seeing interconnectivity across any situation. He discusses the power of language and linguistic framing, offers practical exercises to reframe identity and break procrastination, and shows how redirecting energy and changing self-talk leads to clear...

On this episode of Call Her Cat, host Cat York interviews Jack Hager, a 78-year-old veteran who shares his raw journey from addiction and crime to incarceration, faith, and recovery. Jack discusses growing up in a military family, his military service in Korea and Vietnam, the choices that led to prison, and how discovering Christianity transformed his life. He also reflects on the ongoing challenges of sobriety, the importance of personal responsibility, prison ministry, and facing a recent mu...

Host Cat York talks with recovery coach and author John Merkel about his book Sobriety Breakthrough and his day-long workshops that guide newcomers through the 12 steps to jumpstart lasting recovery. They explore common early-sobriety traps, why meetings alone aren’t enough, and how immediate, paired action brings real change. The episode outlines practical steps for newcomers: partner work, focused step-taking, and using desperation as momentum to engage in recovery now. Resources and workshop...

Host Cat York talks with Tony Harte, founder of A Stoic Sobriety, about how ancient Stoic principles compliment AA’s 12 steps. Tony shares his 36-year sobriety journey, explains stoicism’s true meaning (not emotion suppression), and shows practical tools—like the dichotomy of control and the power of the pause—to manage guilt, shame, and social media pressures in recovery. Tony explains how stoicism supports the 12 steps, encourages actionable daily practices, and emphasizes community duty. The...

In this powerful episode, Cat York sits down with Pat Schultz, founder of Ready4Takeoff and contributor to The Rise of Her anthology, to discuss Pat's journey of profound reinvention after 50. Pat courageously traces her path from decades of untreated depression and self-medication with alcohol to finding stability through psychiatric care and sobriety with AA. They delve into the stigma around mental health, the challenges women over 40 face, and how stabilizing one's mental well-being is the e...

TW: This episode discusses sensitive and potentially triggering topics. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode Cat York speaks with Peggy Sharr, a psychotherapist and author who grew up inside a religious cult her mother founded. Peggy recounts life in the “Kingdom,” the fear-based tactics, family control, abuse, and isolation that shaped her childhood, and how she eventually escaped and rebuilt her life. Peggy also discusses how those experiences informed her work, her memoir Survivi...

Host Cat York and guest Sabrina Militello discuss food addiction, recovery, and the identity work required to break destructive patterns. Sabrina shares her lived experience—losing over 100 pounds, recovering from bulimia and food addiction, rebuilding relationships, and becoming a coach—and practical strategies like abstinence, community support, and mindset shifts. With over a decade of experience and 1,900+ hours of 1:1 coaching, Sabrina has worked internationally with women at every stage o...

Stuart L. Morris is a bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, and master celebrant whose work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurial thinking and sacred ceremony. He is the author of the Amazon #1 Bestseller, Choose Now: The Expert Guide to Elite Entrepreneurial Living, and has spent decades teaching at institutions like Henley Business School, helping people design lives of autonomy and purpose. As the Founder and Chairman of the International College of Professional Celebrants (ICPC), S...

G. Scott Graham is an author (of 30 books and counting), a career coach , a business coach , and a psychedelic support coach located in Boston, Massachusetts. When he is not coaching people to be their very best, Scott manages a non-profit farm animal rescue. Scott participates in Tough Mudders, teaches Sun 73 Tai Chi, stand-up paddleboards with his dogs Groot and Rocket, and goes camping at State Parks throughout New England as much as possible. His daily spiritual practice focuses on anāpānas...

David Bennett is a hypnotherapist, author, and speaker. He has multiple degrees from Ohio University and Emory University, and spent 6 years working in the addiction field, and continues to do consulting in the field. With his identical twin brother, he has co-written 9 books on relationships, manifestation, affirmations, and weight loss. His TikTok accounts, focusing on self-development, have over 130k followers and millions of likes. He spends his time with his girlfriend and daughter, and enj...

Diana Palmisano is a storyteller, mother of three, and adoption advocate known for her raw, thought-provoking conversations about identity, generational healing, and what it means to break cycles. As an adoptee with a highly complex origin story, Diana uses her voice to challenge common narratives around adoption while creating space for nuance, truth, and emotional honesty. Through her rapidly growing TikTok platform, she has built a deeply engaged community drawn to her fearless storytelling ...

Mark Blacknell is the author of Just Stare at the Damn Wall! (Simplify Your Mind) and founder of StareattheWall.org A former U.S. Marine and working-class kid from Philadelphia, Mark’s path has been shaped by resilience, service, and a long search for simplicity. After reaching a personal turning point, he discovered the stabilizing power of stillness and the clarity that can arise from simply sitting down and paying attention. Over more than three decades of meditation practice, he has develope...

Brian Townsend is a retired Supervisory Special Agent/Resident Agent in Charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Brian proudly served in law enforcement for 28 years; 5 years as a police officer in Joplin, Missouri, and 23 years with the DEA where he held a variety of assignments with increasing responsibility. Within the DEA, Brian served in three different formal leadership roles, managing diverse teams, complex programs, and critical resources. In these capacities, he led large...

Toni Will is a sports executive, speaker, author, and alcohol-free performance coach who believes you can lead boldly, live fully, and build a meaningful life without alcohol. She currently serves as the General Manager and Governor of the Kalamazoo Wings, a professional hockey team in the ECHL, where she has spent more than a decade leading teams, driving innovation, and navigating high-pressure environments in a male-dominated industry. Outside of hockey, Toni is the founder of ToniWill.com, ...

Ryan Anthony Hernandez is a survivor of the Alliance of the Holy Family International, a high-control religious group he now recognizes as a cult. After breaking free, he channeled his experiences into healing and advocacy. He hosts two podcasts: The Truth That Heals, where he explores religious/spiritual abuse, recovery and personal growth and Creativity Worth Expressing, focused on authentic self-expression and creativity. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Ryan now call San Antonio Home. Foll...

Holidays are already difficult never mind when you have to face them alone here are some tips that maybe can help you navigate them Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

A poem I wrote about the passing of my father and the fragments he left behind Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

Sibling relationship can be some of the most rewarding and complex relationships in our lives. Let’s talk about it. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

To know where nit all went wrong lets start at the ending. Sometimes endings are just the beginning. After not seeing my father for 13 years a facebook message changed all that and me…forever Send us Fan Mail Support the show Thanks for listening to this episode of the podcast! If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please follow, or subscribe to the show so you never miss an update. Want to connect? Visit me at podpage.com/recovery-catalyst/

Welcome to Recovery Catalyst Podcast. I’m Cat York and as a woman in recovery, I created this show for anyone navigating the ups and downs of sobriety without the dry, textbook lectures. Whether you are sober curious, finding your footing in early recovery, working through traditional programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, or exploring an alcohol-free lifestyle, you have a home here. We talk openly about mental health, the heavy weight of trauma and the complexities of dual diagnosis. Our mission i...