Cate & Ty Break It Down

On today's episode, Cate & Ty have a candid conversation about neurodivergence, women aging, psychiatric recovery, and modern spiritual practices. From autism masking in women and navigating postpartum trauma to deconstructing Catholic rituals and breaking down misconceptions of folk witchcraft, Aphantasia Indigo shares all things from overcoming generational trauma and reclaiming personal aut...

In this episode, Canada’s dating coach, author, and sociologist Chantal Heide joins Cate & Ty for an unfiltered discussion on modern relationships. Drawing from 20 years working as a sober stripper while studying sociology and psychology, Chantal shares her core philosophies—including Observation Before Selection, her mandatory 3-month vetting rule, and the distinction between short-term think...

In today's episode, Tyler sits down with Christy Gilvear, creator of The Rooted Pedal , to discuss identity and healing through nature. Christy shares how her journey as an adoptee led her to create Green Alchemy, which she describes as the practice of transforming pain, grief, and trauma into fertile soil for personal growth. Together, they dive into: the healing power of plants, unpacking the un...

Today, Tyler reunites with psychotherapist Dr. Mike Dow ( @drmikedow ) and documentary filmmaker Kerthy Fix ( @kerthyfix ) for an in-depth exploration of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Drawing from their shared history - including filming Tyler’s televised therapy session on Teen Mom - the group unpacks how Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) reprocesses trauma, addresses treatment-resistan...

In Part 2 of conversation, Renee and Tyler pivot toward solutions, systemic accountability, and what Saving Our Sisters (SOS) really does. Renee details how temporary crises like housing affordability and broken support networks push women toward adoption—and how providing just a few weeks of rent, basic supplies, or simple encouragement can preserve families. They also discuss human rights issues...

In Part 1 of today's interview, Tyler sits down with Renee Gellin, founder of Saving Our Sisters (SOS), to explore her personal experience with infant relinquishment and the systemic issues within private adoption. Renee recounts the "perfect storm" of temporary crises that led her to relinquish her son in 2011. Tyler and Renee unpack common industry misconceptions, breakdown the psychological imp...

Tyler and Cate return for Part 2 with filmmaker, and adoptee, Lisa Elaine Scott to discuss her upcoming documentary, All You Have Is Love . For more info on the film and to subscribe to the newsletter, please visit https://allyouhaveislove.com For all inquiries about the film, you can reach Lisa directly at lisa@seechangela.com, and follow @allyouhaveislovefilm for updates. Thank you to our sponso...

In today's episode, Tyler and Cate sit down with filmmaker and adoptee Lisa Elaine Scott to discuss her upcoming documentary, All You Have Is Love . Drawing from her experience as a Baby Scoop era adoptee, Lisa exposes the hidden realities of the multi-billion dollar infant adoption industry and examines how open adoption is often used as a marketing tool. Together, they offer an unique look at th...

This is the FINAL PART of a three-part discussion! Cate and Tyler finish their conversation with Elle and Bri talking about the importance of having original birth certificates, education on guardianship & kinship, and the framework to differentiate between healthy boundaries and demands. Also, comments about the modern adoption industry being predatory and profit-driven, and that it ultimatel...

Cate and Tyler are back with Bri and Elle to continue PART 2! The group continue discussing the misunderstandings the audience has had with Cate & Ty's story, the infamous text messages, and more about Bri's experience with religious aspects of adoption. They break down the different options available when it comes to placing a child in a safe environment. Follow Bri: https://www.tiktok.com/@b...

Join Ty and Alé ( @wildheartcollective ) as they go through the complex realities of maternal mental health, using the high-profile Lindsay Clancy case. Sharing her own journey through a psychiatric emergency, Alé sheds light on the invisible struggles of severe depression and dissociation, while highlighting why the current mental health and crisis support systems continue to fail vulnerable moth...

Cate and Tyler sit down with marriage and family therapist, and fellow adoptee, Bri to pull back the curtain on the American adoption industry. Moving past standard narratives, they openly discuss the grief and systemic flaws of the birth-parent journey, and how "open adoption" can be leveraged as a coercive tool. From deconstructing hospital postpartum pressure to exploring child-centric alternat...

In this episode of Cate and Ty, Tyler sits down with Desiree ( @mojaveandwolf ) to explore the messy, beautiful landscape of religious deconstruction. After being abruptly cast out of her church community, Desiree shares how she rebuilt a solid, unshakeable spiritual foundation from the ground up. From uncovering the lost gospels to understanding the power of collective consciousness, this convers...

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Dr. Kristen Kirkland for a multi-layered conversation about the complexities of the adoption industry. Drawing from her professional background in public health and her personal experience as a private infant adoptee, Dr. Kirkland shares her journey of coming out of the adoption "FOG" (Fear, Obligation, and Guilt) and recognizing the parallels between private...

In this part 2, Amber Boone returns to unpack the beautiful and complex reality of motherhood across generations. Amber shares her journey of becoming a grandmother at 32, navigating the shock of her daughter’s teenage pregnancy, and the battle against a broken foster care system to bring her granddaughter home. She explains the devastating toll of addiction, the long road to three years of recove...

In part one of this conversation, Cate and Tyler sit down with fellow Detroiter Amber Boone ( @getrealwithab ). She opens up about the reality behind her viral 25-million-view TikTok, surviving severe childhood trauma and system failures, escaping a life-threatening teenage marriage, and talks about the complexities of navigating generational trauma as a helicopter mom—only to watch her own daught...

Cate is back with D.A. ( @difficult.adoptee ) to continue the exploration of trauma, systemic failure, and survival. DA shares her journey of growing up in a controlling, highly restrictive kinship adoption and the moment she realized her family was built on performance and lies. From navigating a volatile reunion with her biological mother and a dangerous encounter with her biological father, DA...

In this deeply personal episode of Break It Down, guest D.A. ( @difficult.adoptee ) joins the show to deconstruct her experience growing up within a kinship adoption. She shares her journey of discovering at age seven that the woman she thought was her cousin was actually her biological mother. She discusses navigating preverbal trauma, surviving a toxic and narcissistic home environment, and the...

Mercury is in retrograde and out to get us. Cate & Ty are back from their camping trip and share how they plan to keep up with the kids this summer. They share their thoughts on the double standards between young girls and boys when it comes to dressing "appropriate" Thank you to our sponsors! Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to...

Let's revisit an episode from 2025 Cate & Ty sit down with psychotherapist and adoptee Amy Silvia ( @psychotherapist.amy_ ) , who shares her personal journey through the Baby Scoop Era and the complex process of reconnecting with her birth family. Drawing on decades of clinical experience working with thousands of adoptees and birth parents, Amy unpacks the profound impact of genetic mirroring...

Let us go back into the vault and listen to an episode from 2025 when Cate & Ty sat down with Dr. Abby, a transracial adoptee, birth mother, and adoption-informed therapist. Dr. Abby breaks down the true meaning of informed consent in adoption, revealing the systemic issues and personal traumas often hidden beneath the surface. She also shares her personal journey, from her coerced relinquishm...

Summer is officially here, and Nova is back on the mic to break it all down! Fresh out of the fifth grade, Nova sits down with Mom to tackle a lightning round of fun and thought-provoking questions from the "Children Are Human" card deck. From her current obsession with The Sims and the mind-bending physics of colliding black holes, to a blunt critique of the middle school dress code and what it r...

Bri shares her incredible journey from childhood abuse and foster care to becoming a mother at 14. She opens up about being groomed by an adult predator, navigating the foster system, resisting adoption pressure, and fighting to keep her child against overwhelming odds. In this candid conversation, she reflects on the experiences and turning points that shaped her life and led her to where she is...

Cate, Ty, and Elle dive into the latest shocking updates surrounding Unexpected , including Hunter and Bella’s breakup, custody developments, and the ongoing court drama involving their families. The conversation then shifts into a deeper discussion about reality TV ethics, child exploitation, addiction, and the pressures that come with growing up in the public eye. They also react to the recent A...

Cate and Ty are finally back in today's episode! The episode begins with Tyler sharing stories of his late grandmother, a resilient matriarch who raised eight children. Ty also shares his dream he had of her the night before her passing. They shift to discussing the upcoming Hollywood Demons series and the positive impact 16&Pregnant had on their lives. Lastly, the episode ends with some anony...