Cate & Ty dive into listener questions, tackling some personal topics such as whether Cate considered abortion when she found out she was pregnant. Her and Ty talk about the fear and panic surrounding an unplanned pregnancy at sixteen, emphasizing the importance of an educated decision when facing a crisis pregnancy. They also provide an update on their relationship with adoption facilitator Dawn, and discuss the complex state of their open adoption with their daughter Carly. Cate & Ty address the leaked photos of Carly, discussing the irony of being vilified for sharing their story while others now break privacy boundaries.

Lastly, they share updates on their current relationships with their own parents, including maintaining a healthy and safe environment for their family. They discuss their own relationship and how they've worked to have a strong partnership but have never considered the work "hard"

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
• Quince: Go to Quince.com/breakitdown for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cate & Ty are back from Thanksgiving break to recap a week of sick kids battling laryngitis and raging fevers. Ty continues his deep fried Turkey tradition and gets a kick out of the reaction from international fans.

The conversation takes a sharp turn to discuss the fallout from a photo of Tyler in his Superman costume on Halloween, where he was accused of "going commando". They unpack the ridiculous comments, the mindset behind deleting the photo, and the double standard being applied to Tyler's form fitting outfit.

Lastly, Cate reads some Anonymous Secrets about Thanksgiving dinner revenge, suspicious Husband activities, and breastfeeding Homelander.

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
• Quince: Go to Quince.com/breakitdown for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jordy Cray (@jordycray) comes in hot on Break It Down! In today's episode, Cate & Ty explain why they continue to talk about their adoption story despite the backlash with the public and the growing issues with the adoptive parents. While acknowledging a better understanding of the adoption community​ and learning of the adoptive parent's hypocrisy, Jordy still questions Cate and Ty's choice to vent publicly on social media​ but agrees that there is always more to the story than what everyone sees online.

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
• Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your next gift at UncommonGoods.com/CATEANDTY

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Monte is back for part 2 of the conversation on the collision of faith and politics. Cate, Tyler and Monte discuss the toxic roots of Christian nationalism and the power of young voters in the most recent NYC elections. Plus, Monte shares her intensely personal journey of deconstruction, discussing how to find peace, freedom, and self-acceptance after leaving a fundamentalist upbringing, and why anger is a necessary step towards authentic forgiveness.

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Cozy Earth: Go to cozyearth.com/ and use code BREAKITDOWN for up to 40% off!
• Me Undies: Visit MeUndies.com/Breakitdown and use code BREAKITDOWN to get up to 50% off.
• Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your next gift at UncommonGoods.com/CATEANDTY

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On part one of a two-part episode series, Cate & Ty sit down with Monte Mader (@montemader), who has dedicated her platform to tackling the complexities of Christian nationalism and deconstruction.

Monte shares her difficult upbringing in a far alt-right, Christian nationalist family, where her home life was a hybrid of religion meets politics. She recounts the strict, often abusive, regimen of independent study, how her father prepared her to be the next Amy Coney Barrett, and the deconstructing she did in her early 20s. Monte also breaks down Fundamentalism, the Tradwife Movement, and the political hijacking of Christianity.

For more on Monte, visit https://montemader.com/

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
• Quince: Go to Quince.com/breakitdown for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.
• Uncommon Goods: Get 15% off your next gift at UncommonGoods.com/CATEANDTY

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Cate & Ty this week as they sit down with good friend and psychic medium, Linda Spellman. Cate tells the story of meeting Linda at an in-patient care facility and how their friendship impacted her. Linda shares her personal journey from a corporate career to embracing her abilities after several traumatic experiences. They discuss how spirits communicate through dreams, energy, and the challenges and validations of being a psychic medium. They also discuss trusting your intuition, having empathy, and not fearing what you do not understand.

For more on Linda, visit LightOfThePhoenix.com

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
• Quince: Go to Quince.com/breakitdown for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cate & Ty are back with Kristina as she continues to recount her unbelievable reunion story with her birth mother. From awkward first meetings, to restrictive visitation rules, and her determined efforts to maintain contact with her birth mom in secret, Kristina takes us all on an emotional rollercoaster. In the end, a change in environment doesn't automatically bring happiness. Kristina reflects on the shock of moving from a privileged upbringing to living with five younger siblings, her decision to reconnect with her adoptive parents, and the complex feelings of not fully fitting in either family.

Check out Kristina on Tiktok @kristinarichie and her newest book Unraveling Adoption: Weaving Between Two Worlds wherever books are sold!

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Me Undies: Visit MeUndies.com/Breakitdown and use code BREAKITDOWN to get up to 50% off.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On today's episode, Cate & Ty sit down with Kristina Richie, whose adoption story is so emotional and full of tense moments that we had to split it in two parts. For Part 1, Kristina begins by talking about her childhood being filled with secrets and a desperate search for identity, to a dramatic reunion with her birth mother at her high school pep rally. Kristina recounts the emotional toll of hiding truths, the rebellion that followed, and the eventual reckoning once the truth was out. Join us for Part 2 next week as Kristina shares more of her enduring quest for connection.

Check out Kristina on Tiktok @kristinarichie

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Little Spoon: Simplify your kids' mealtimes. Go to: littlespoon.com/BREAKITDOWN and enter our code BREAKITDOWN at checkout to get 50% OFF your first Little Spoon order. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Cate & Ty are joined by Rei Clarke (@rei_clarke) who talks about the dynamics of social media, especially TikTok, where controversial hot takes often gain the most engagement. She also brings the heat and asks Cate & Ty some questions that followers have been asking regarding the recent catfishing attempt. Rei also shares her personal story of growing up with an addict mother and an absent father, being raised by her grandparents, and how the search for love and affection affected her relationships in adulthood. She reflects on the importance of breaking cycles and the transformative power of therapy.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Cate & Ty as they sit with Connor Howe, known as @Adopted_Connor on social, as he challenges conventional narratives surrounding open adoption and exposes the often overlooked complexities of the adoption industry. As an adoptee himself, Connor discusses how open adoption, while intended to be a solution, can still lead to pain, confusion, and a sense of not belonging for adoptees.

Connor also explains the profit-driven nature of adoption agencies, including their marketing tactics, and the role of unregulated adoption consultants. He also emphasizes the traumatic impact of adoption on adoptees, birth parents, and even adoptive parents, highlighting the need for adoption-competent therapy and support. Buckle up!

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
• Little Spoon: Simplify your kids' mealtimes. Go to: littlespoon.com/BREAKITDOWN and enter our code BREAKITDOWN at checkout to get 50% OFF your first Little Spoon order. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.