Breaking Bad Communication

Your story isn’t just something you’ve lived through—it’s the bridge that connects you to your audience. In this episode, Cathy sits down with story coach Leslie Capps to talk about how sharing your authentic journey builds trust, creates deeper connections, and becomes a powerful tool for business growth. Learn how to uncover, shape, and share your story in a way that turns heads—and turns into g...

After two months on the road—speaking, serving, showing up—I hit a wall. And maybe you’ve felt it too… that bone-deep exhaustion from doing all the things for everyone else. Here’s your reminder: you don’t have to earn rest —but you do have to honor it. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why slowing down isn’t lazy—it’s necessary if you want to lead well, live fully, and show up with...

You know that moment when your buttons get pushed and your brain goes into overdrive? Yeah, we’ve all been there. But reacting on impulse often leads to more damage than resolution. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple yet powerful tool to help you handle conflict without spiraling—PACE: Pause, Acknowledge and Assess, Clarify, and Engage. This framework gives you the structure to stay grounded, c...

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dave Sanderson—survivor of the “Miracle on the Hudson” and a man who has turned adversity into purpose. We explore what it really means to focus—not just on what you want, but why you want it. From reframing the negative into fuel for something greater, to understanding that proximity is power, to shifting from how to who, Dave shares how focus became the fo...

Wait… What Did You Hear? The 3 Steps to Real Communication Most communication breakdowns don’t happen because we said the wrong thing—they happen because we assume we were understood. That’s the trap. You say one thing, they hear another, and before you know it… you’re in a mess that could’ve been avoided. In this episode, we’re getting to the root of what communication really is—and spoiler alert...

Let’s face it—rejection stings. Whether it’s a missed opportunity, a passed-over pitch, or a flat-out “no,” it’s easy to let rejection mess with your confidence. But what if you could see it differently? In this episode, we’re flipping the script on rejection. I’m sharing 3 powerful ways to reframe rejection so it doesn’t stop you—it fuels you. Because every “no” isn’t the end of the story… someti...

Confidence isn’t something you wait to feel—it’s something you choose to embody. In this episode, I’m joined by confidence and success coach Vanessa Raymond, who shares how the way we carry ourselves physically sends powerful signals—not just to others, but to ourselves. Vanessa breaks down how your posture, energy, and presence is the secret sauce to confidence. Also, when you look confident, you...

You think you said it clearly. They nodded. You moved on. But somewhere along the line... things got lost. Sound familiar? In this episode, we’re digging into the real reason communication breaks down—and it’s not just about what you said or what they heard. There’s a missing piece most people overlook. I’m sharing a simple but powerful framework that will shift how you approach every conversation...

The Silent Connection: Horses Teach Us To Own Our Impact In this powerful episode, I sit down with Michelle Kaye of Operation Equine, to explore how horses do something extraordinary—they help humans heal and own their impact. Communication goes beyond words. It’s rooted in nonverbal communication, trust, and presence. Horses mirror our emotions, meet us where we are, and help us reconnect with ou...

You might not expect life-changing communication lessons to come from a horse—but my BeauJo had a lot to say. And even without using words, he taught me more about leadership, presence, and connection than most people ever have. In this episode, I’m sharing the powerful and sometimes unexpected truths I learned from my time with BeauJo. Tune in and let BeauJo’s barnyard wisdom give you a new persp...

Your style speaks before you do—make sure it’s saying the right thing. In this episode, I’m joined by style expert Nina Fountain, and we’re getting into the real truth about fashion—it’s not about trends or hype. It’s about identity. Your style is one of the first ways you communicate with the world. What you wear tells a story, whether you realize it or not. When you align your wardrobe with who...

What do our kids really hear? The way we talk to ourselves matters—because it doesn’t just stay in our heads. It becomes the tone we use, the words we choose, and the way we speak to our kids, whether we realize it or not. In this podcast, we explore how shifting your inner dialogue can transform your relationships, your parenting, and your life. Mirror work:   www.freegiftfromcathy.com  

Are You Really Listening?  Let’s be real—most people don’t actually listen. They’re too busy planning what to say next, zoning out, or waiting for their turn to talk. But great communication starts with great listening—and in this episode, expert Kathy Rushing is dropping a fabulous 3-step process that will completely change the way you connect with others. Tune in for this game-changing conversat...

The Art of Asking for Help: 3 Strategic Steps to Stop Struggling Alone Why is asking for help so dang hard? Whether it’s at work, at home, or in your personal life, so many of us hold back—worried about being a burden, looking weak, or feeling like we should be able to handle it all. But here’s the truth: asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a power move. In this episode, we’re breaking down how...

Owning Your Financial Power: Ask the Right Questions & Take Charge For way too long, women have been told not to worry about money—just let someone else handle it, right? Well, let’s not forget that women in the U.S. couldn’t even open a bank account without a male co-signer until the 1974. That wasn’t that long ago! But times have changed, and it’s time to step into the conversation, ask the righ...

The Power of Your Smile - Want to know one of the simplest yet most powerful tools for better communication? Your smile. It’s not just about looking friendly—it’s a game-changer in how people perceive you, how conversations unfold, and even how persuasive you are. In this episode, we’re diving into the science and strategy behind using a smile to enhance communication, build trust, and navigate di...

Mindset Magic: Ask the Right Questions to Unlock Wealth & Joy What if the key to joy, purpose, and making boatloads of money isn’t about working harder—but thinking differently? In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Armstrong with Wealth Mastery Systems, a wealth and mindset expert, who breaks down how asking yourself the right questions can unlock your true passion and purpose. We’re diving into h...

The Secret Sauce to Speaking with Confidence:  Speaking with confidence isn’t easy—it’s tough, uncomfortable, and downright complicated at times. But here’s the truth: every single one of you listening has what it takes to do it. In this episode, we’re diving into the messy but rewarding journey of finding your voice and using it with confidence. The more you step into it, the easier it gets, and...

Networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards or making surface-level connections—it’s about building real relationships that lead to collaborations, friendships, and yes, growing your business. In this episode, I’m joined by Expert Networker Phyllis Marlene Benstein, and together we’re diving into how networking, when done right, becomes a game-changer for both your personal and professio...

Unleashing Your Voice - Owning Your Worth to Self Advocate Do you struggle to speak up for yourself—at work, at home, or even in your relationships? You’re not alone. Let me ask you this: when was the last time you really needed help but didn’t ask for it? If that question stings a little, this episode is exactly what you need. We’re diving into the fear and hesitation that stop so many of us from...

Unlocking Possibilities: Moving Past the Limitations to Embrace Your True Self with Guest Tim Salmans What’s holding you back from stepping into the best version of yourself? In this episode, I’m joined by the inspiring Tim Salmans as we explore how to break free from self-imposed limitations and unlock the incredible possibilities waiting on the other side. Tim shares his personal journey of over...

Finding Your Happy Place: How to Recharge After the Holidays The holidays are magical, but let’s be real—they’re also downright exhausting. Between family gatherings, parties, school functions, gift exchanges, cooking marathons, and the endless cleaning up, it’s easy to feel like you’ve given every ounce of energy you had. As an introvert, I know how important it is to protect your energy and carv...

Forget the Resolutions - Focus on the Gameplan that leads to results How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution, only to forget about it by February? Resolutions are like glitter on New Year’s Eve—shiny at first but impossible to stick to. In this episode, we’re swapping out those fleeting resolutions for real, actionable results. You’ll learn how to create clear, flexible goals that actu...

Do you dread the awkward silence in conversations? Do you not know what to say when meeting people? Fear not! In this episode, we dive into how you can hold a conversation—even if you’re afraid—by mastering the art of asking questions. Having a few go-to questions in your toolbox can help you start or keep a conversation going in any situation, whether it’s at a networking event, a party, or a one...

The Power of Presence: Ditch the Stress to Own Your Worth and Transform Your Conversations In this episode of Breaking Bad Communication, we’re diving into the art of being present—because let’s face it, if you’re stuck in your head, you’re not showing up where it matters. Learn how staying mindful in the moment can help reduce anxiety, cut through stress, and put you back in the driver’s seat of...