the Grow Yourself Up Podcast
a podcast to support all of us in our adult lives
Many of us did not get our needs adequately met in childhood. The devastating legacy of childhood trauma, wounding and traumatic stress lives on in our brains, our bodies, our nervous systems and our behaviour/reactions impacting the way we turn up to our lives in many ways.
We are going to unpack all of this on Grow Yourself Up. This podcast will be a companion as you journey on your own road of healing and recovery.
You will learn you are not alone. Someone has been where you are. There is hope.
We will break down shame together and learn to cultivate self compassion. There is always the possibility for change. And regardless of what has happened in our past, as adults we have to take responsibility for our own lives.
We have to tend to our pain, our sadness and our dysfunction so that we can live a life we love and shift toxic patterns for our children.
Each week we send out journal questions based around the podcast’s topic. If you would like to receive these questions, please sign up here.
Support my work
Thank you for listening to and loving the podcast. If you’ve benefitted from these conversations and would like to contribute to podcast creation costs, I’d greatly appreciate it!
Looking for a specific topic or guest? Search below:
Ep 113: Understand your Nervous System to Support Yourself
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.
Ep 112: Developmental Trauma, Healing and Growing Up in Fatherhood with Stephen Terrell
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 Psychology California Coast University and sees his clients under his license as a professional counselor in Texas.
Ep 111: Welcoming in More Ease and Harmony
In this episode Cath speaks to the general craziness that happens at this time of year and makes some actionable suggestions.
Ep 105: Breaking up with Self Abandonment
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.
Ep 104: Desperation, Cycle Breaking and Self Abandonment
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.
Ep 103: Emotional Flow, Dissociation and the Complexity of Allowing and Processing Emotion
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.
Ep 101: Neurodivergence, Unschooling, Consent Based Living and Growing Up in Motherhood with Fran Liberatore
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 and some of their thoughts on this. Fran talked about the schooling journey in her family and how she uses a consent based model in life and education and much more.
Ep 100: Home Education, Extracting ourselves from Systems and Growing Up in Motherhood with Julie Walter
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.
Ep 99: Birth, Postpartum, Mother in laws and Growing Up in Motherhood with Concetta Ferretti
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 is a conversation packed with realism and richness, hope you enjoy it.
Ep 98: Intrusions, Control and Growing Up in Motherhood with Anna Butcher (Re-release)
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.
Ep 97: Power, Systems, Gardening and Growing Up in Motherhood with Marchelle Farrell
Cath was joined by author and medical psychotherapist Marchelle Farrell in episode 97. Cath and Marchelle chatted about Marchelle's childhood in Trinidad and Tobago, the systems her parents operated in, how those systems still operate today, privilege, power, relationships and so much more.
Ep 96: Partner Rage, Postpartum Health and Healing in Motherhood with Molly Caro May. Re-release
In episode 96 Cath was joined by author Molly Caro May. This rich and beautiful conversation covered so much ground. They touched on Molly’s memoir ‘Body Full of Stars’, talked about Molly’s postpartum health experiences, breaking cycles in motherhood, rage and self responsibility.
Ep 95: Hypervigilence, Knowing Ourselves, Enoughness and Values in Parenting
Cath speaks about the core of people pleasing and how carrying this into parenting sets us up to feel bad, she touches on ‘metrics’, getting to know ourselves and having an embodied sense of our enough-ness. There is also discussion around values.
Ep 94: People Pleasing, Boundaries and Our Needs
In today's episode Cath focuses on people pleasing. She looks at how and why it arises in our family of origin, how it manifests in the way we are in relationships and how it can turn up in parenting. She suggests ways in which to counteract this urge. And next week there will be more on this subject.
What people are saying…
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Wonderful, thought provoking, validating & comforting
“I love your podcast & have listened avidly since happening across it. I’ve just listened to the episode on Matrescence with Lucy Jones. Oh my word, how this just encapsulates so much of my experience & how I feel about the culture we’re struggling to exist in as mothers. Thank you both for this profound conversation - have immediately sought out Lucy to read more of her work. Change is bubbling - I can feel it through coming across more like minded people like you 2 doing such great work. Thank you both for this gift of a podcast. 🙏🏼
If you’re thinking of listening to Cath, don’t hesitate!”
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Highly relevant and actionable
“An excellent podcast for anyone parenting today who perhaps didn’t have an ideal start themselves. Easy to consume as episodes are not too long.
I find this complements the work I do with my own therapist trying to understand the impact of my past on my present and how I can do things differently. I’m very grateful this support exists.”
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Genuinely life changing
“This podcast has been the most fantastic help with starting to overcome trauma from my childhood. I started to listen because I wanted to be a “better” mother but continue because it is in understanding and caring for myself that I can show up for my loved ones. I listen as often as I can (with young children about) and always finish an episode feeling that I have learnt something new whilst not being judged at all. At the moment, I can’t access therapy but I feel this is the next best thing. I have made huge changes to my life as a result of the learnings from this podcast - relationships have changed (either for the better or I have let them go) and my coping mechanisms have shifted. Thank you.”
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Wonderful supportive safe space!
I was recommended the podcast by my counsellor and it is wonderful. Cath has a wonderful way of bringing things down to earth, such compassion, insightful sharing and soothing and empowering understandings of human patterns of relating.
I’ve found it a very supportive accompaniment to a period of de-tangling some of my family history stuff while trying to consciously break some links in the chain for my son. Recommend to everyone!
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Essential listening!
“Whether you’ve been working with a psychotherapist for a while or you’re entirely new to psychotherapy, this podcast is the perfect space to find warmth, wisdom and support in your journey towards a life of self-compassion and emotional integration.
Cath’s wonderfully soothing voice explains profound concepts in a truly practical and digestible way. Your new, invaluable companion to navigate the challenges of adulting, starting with the essential task of parenting your own inner child.”
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My favourite podcast
“This podcast has been so incredibly helpful to me. I have very little time as a mum of two little ones but I try to find time each week to listen. I find it very cathartic to listen to Cath speak so wisely and clearly and the topics are so relevant to me right now. I love the way she uses real life examples from her own experience, often these concepts are quite abstract but these examples have helped me grasp how I might make changes to meet my own needs. I also like the length and her style, I could honestly listen to her all day! Big fan - thank you Cath for giving such good podcast!”
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Great podcast!
“I love this podcast - it is down to earth and very realistic when talking about the daily ups and downs of raising children. I like the way Cath frequently acknowledges the messiness of life.
Cath has a really nice voice to listen to which is another bonus! I’ve certainly gleaned some insights from many of the episodes and it’s one of those podcasts that I listen to every week.”
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The most powerful 15 minutes of the day
“Thought evoking and challenging but deeply soothing.
Cath navigates the topics of the core aspects of our relational humanity with vibrant, witty and honest care. Wonderful stuff!
I dare you to have a listen, you won’t be disappointed by what you find!”
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Pure Gold
“You try so many things to soothe, fix and better understand yourself.
Netflix, exercise, alcohol, late nights, chocolate, yoga, all in an attempt to live better and tend to yourself and those you love. If all of the above have failed you then my hunch is that you’ll find some perspective in these podcasts to live better in so many areas of your life.
With zero fanfare and simple language, Cath gently allows you to examine your past and present. Honest stuff that will get you a better road.”
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Like a hug in a podcast
“This is a wonderful podcast for any parent who struggles with any of the usual challenges of motherhood/parenthood.
I felt seen, understood and validated and Cath explains concepts and theories in such a relatable and down to earth way. Thank you Catherine for your amazing content, I also have so many of your Instagram posts saved for tricky moments ❤️❤️”
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Inspiring podcast
“Stumbled across this podcast and just love it. From the minute I heard the music start I was drawn in and I love Catherine’s voice and delivery. It’s put together to an exceptionally high standard and I stopped what I was doing to really listen - and I’ll listen back again!
This was so relatable and inspiring - it made me question things in my upbringing and many things you said served as a lightbulb moment! I’ve been waxing lyrical about this podcast and I’m really hoping I can make changes in my life with the tools you mention. Can’t wait for the next episode.”
