Grow Yourself Up

In this episode Cath speaks to how much our own inner child may be triggered in parenting and makes some suggestions about what to hold in mind to support yourself. She speaks to the important psychological role of the mother/primary caregiver and how much this is to hold, learn and practise. She answers a listener question about criticism and comments from our kids. And weaves in psychological th...

In this deeply personal episode Cath reflects on what often trips us up when we spend long periods of time with our kids, particularly when we have childhood trauma. She highlights some of the key issues we deal with when we have experienced trauma and gives some tips and suggestions for how you can make the most of time spent with your kids (while holding onto your sanity). If you're enjoying thi...

In episode 120 of Grow Yourself Up Cath was joined by Clint Davis. Cath and Clint talked about culture and patriarchy, how Clint parents differently to how he was patented and how he continues to grow himself up in fatherhood. Cath and Clint talked about Clint’s book and how the conversations you have with your kids when they are young provide an important basis for later communication and much mo...

In episode 119 of Grow Yourself Up Cath was joined by Lisa Marchiano. Lisa is an award-winning author, podcast host, and certified Jungian analyst. She is the author of three books published by Sounds True,  Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself,   The Vital Spark: Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire  and  Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams....

It can feel really confusing as a cycle breaking parent learning to hold space for our child's feelings without taking responsibility for them. Often there is entanglement where we may feel we need our children to be a certain way so we can feel ok. Cath speaks to all of this and the overlap around holding space for feelings, stress responses and getting more comfortable with the displeasure of ou...

In this episode Cath was joined by Dr Kathrin Stauffer. They chatted about how the body remembers in multiple ways and how not getting what we need in childhood impacts multiple systems in our bodies (not just the nervous system). When we are on a healing journey the expression of sadness and grieving are an important part of this journey. However, it may be that we are blocked from crying by our...

In this episode Cath is joined by Dr Catherine Clinton. Catherine shares all about her own healing journey, how she prioritises time outside, how she walks her talk and how she honours her own emotional life to bring in emotional flow and coherence.  Dr. Catherine Clinton, a licensed naturopathic physician, has spent over 17 years helping people overcome their health issues. She completed her...

In this episode Cath links trauma healing to the healing we need to do in the collective and for our world. She speaks to how owning all parts of ourselves is essential to bringing in a healthier world, the importance of our imagination and how tending to ourselves is key to each of us playing our part in the revolution. You can read more about this on Cath’s Substack here . And also more here . I...

In this special bonus episode released on Christmas Day, Cath talks about what can sometimes derail us over the holidays. She makes suggestions around how to return to our own centre, to consider what is important to us and to focus on our own values.  Grow Yourself Up will now be on a break for 2 weeks and will return in the new year with the first episode on Tuesday 7th January 2025. Thank...

Ironically Christmas is often a time when many of us struggle with our mental health and with staying in a regulated enough place. Cath addresses why this may happen, focuses on why an understanding of our nervous system is so helpful in de-shaming this experience and suggests some practical tips to help you if you are feeling like this. Please know that you are not alone if you struggle at Christ...

In this episode Cath was joined by Stephen Terrell. Steve Terrell is a Healer, Teacher, and Author and sees clients at Austin Attachment and Counseling Center in Austin, Texas. He founded this center over 20 years ago for the treatment of Developmental Trauma and Adoption related issues. He has a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and a Doctorate in Psy...

In this episode Cath speaks to the general craziness that happens at this time of year and makes some actionable suggestions. Assisting you in bringing more ease, joy and harmony to your life and your family life.  If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture. Heal. Grow (on Sub...

In this episode Cath was answering questions on 'The Body Love Binge' podcast hosted by Victoria Kleinsman . We discussed a huge range of topics including developmental trauma, shame, childhood coping strategies, attachment styles, eating disorders, the role of control and much more. This episode is full of rich storytelling, hope you find it supportive. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please lea...

In this episode Cath was joined by Alita Blanchard. Alita Blanchard is an Australian based parent coach, holistic counsellor, and mother of four boys, committed to helping parents create safe, connected, and compassionate homes. With training in nervous system care, Rites of Passage, and Women’s Circles, Alita guides mothers through the transformative journey of parenthood, off...

In this episode Cath explains why on earth we bother with validating those pesky emotions. As parents, it can seem this is a NEVERENDING task, and it may be the exact opposite of what you learnt as a child. So why bother? What is the point? Cath explains this simply and clearly in this episode. If you have a partner who wants to shut you or your kids down this is a great listen. This is also ideal...

In this episode Cath was interviewed by Nikki McCahon for her 'Seasons of Matresence' podcast. We had a gentle, compassionate and open hearted conversation about the ways in which experiences of childhood trauma can shape and impact how we experience mothering and raising children. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, the ways in which childhood trauma can impact and shape our experience of m...

In this episode Cath speaks to how hard it may be to just 'feel our feelings'. Many of us have been taught the exact opposite and Cath speaks to some common psychological defence mechanisms to block emotions with examples and anecdotes. Cath talks about interoception and how essential this is and makes reference to Stephen Porges book 'The Polyvagal Theory'. Emotional Flow is a process and improvi...

In this episode Cath speaks to self abandonment and how for many of us this feels absolutely necessary. She links it to childhood patterns and speaks to how unfamiliar it can be to start tending to needs, making some suggestions around prioritising your needs. Please also find details about my forthcoming workshop I mention listed here here . You can also read more on abandonment on substack (link...

In this episode Cath speaks to the desperation that can arise when we are cycle breaker and are working really hard to give our kids a different experience to the experience we had in childhood. It can feel like we have to get everything RIGHT (whatever that means) and when we overgive and abandon ourselves it is unhelpful (and damaging) for both us and our kids. If you're enjoying this podcast. P...

In this episode Cath talks about how emotional health is connected to emotional flow and how this has been the absolute opposite of what many of us have learnt in our families of origin. She provides context about why it is important to learn to actually BE with our emotional selves and shares some personal examples of this. This episode also covers hate, dissociation, Cath's concept of Emotional...

In this episode Cath shares about some of her personal journey with unwinding from chronic stress, the patterns that perpetuate chronic stress, burnout, how we are set up for this in childhood and much much more. Healing is a layered and ongoing journey, in service of breaking down shame Cath speaks to parts of her journey and how she has negotiated chronic stress, physical symptoms and challenge...

Cath was joined by Fran Liberatore in episode 101. Cath and Fran talked about Fran's path to motherhood and how she felt she found her purpose through motherhood, her becoming and growing up in motherhood. Fran talked about her own neurodivergence, how she learnt to let go of control in parenting and how she continues to focus on this. Cath and Fran talked about the imprecise nature of diagnosis a...

Cath spoke with Julie Walter in episode 100. They talked about Julie’s motherhood journey, home educating her children, how she left teaching, unschooling from whatever position we are in and what Julie is currently involved in. Julie's BIO: Julie is a certified teacher with years of experience in the classroom, a degree in fine arts, and long-time homeschooler. She has taught students from Kinder...

Cath was joined by scientist Concetta Ferretti in episode 99. Cath and Concetta talked about Concetta’s path to motherhood, how she used science to support her in thinking about birth, how she does this on an ongoing basis and all about how Concetta is growing herself up in motherhood. We talked about her relationship with her mother in law, how she manages it and how she got to this place. This i...

In this episode Cath is joined by Anna Butcher. We talked about Anna's journey to motherhood, how she experiences mothering and how the act of becoming a mother is an intrusion into our lives (on multiple levels). There is some deeply personal storytelling illustrating the concepts being discussed and we focused on how control turns up for both Cath and Anna and the antidote to this.  Anna Bu...