Cate & Ty Break It Down

On today's episode, Cate & Ty answer some questions and open up about their 19-year relationship, sharing the unfiltered truth about how they've made it work throughout the years. They discuss the importance of communication, the role of therapy early in their relationship, and how they navigate disagreements and build a lasting connection. They address some of the haters, and conspiracy theories about themselves, and talk about how they have come to deal with it. Plus, they answer listener questions about balancing household duties and navigating a possible separation, offering their perspectives on building healthy and fulfilling relationships

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In today's episode Cate & Ty sit down with Sydney Curtin, a birth mom who shares her complex journey of open adoption. Sydney opens up about the coercion and pressure she faced from the adoption agency, the promises made by the adoptive family, and the heartbreaking reality when those promises began to unravel. She also describes her initial hopes for an ongoing relationship with her daughter even after deciding for adoption. Cate and Ty share their thoughts on the stark differences between the idealized version of "open adoption" and its often-painful reality. Sydney also discusses the often-unseen effects of adoption on her other children and her ongoing fight to maintain a connection with her daughter even as the adoptive parents have tried to cut ties.

For more information on Sydney's work check her out at www.coachcurtin.com and @coach_sydneycurtin . Also visit https://www.unplannedgood.org/

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Cate & Ty sit down with DezaRay, The Outspoken Adoptee, to breakdown the long standing narrative that all adoptees should be grateful, lucky and blessed. In this powerful conversation, Dez shares her deeply personal story of adoption, revealing the harsh realities that often lie beneath the surface of 'lucky' and 'blessed' narratives. From navigating racial identity in a predominantly white community in Utah, to confronting family secrets of sexual and physical abuse. She explains the complexities of reunion, the varied experiences that each adoptee will and can have, and emphasizes the many ways the adoption system needs reform.

Check out Dez @theoutspokenadoptee for more information.

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Ask and you shall receive! Cate & Ty are back for a solo episode and they tackle everything from dealing with the haters, Ty's toxic TikTok algorithm, the truth about Cate's driving skills and their upcoming first family trip to Disney World. They also give updates on what's been going on with the kids like Vaeda's kindergarten journey, Nova's cheerleading chapter ending, and Ty's niece who's been living with them for the past year. Also, hater have a problem with Ty being an involved dad? Cate shares some unfiltered thoughts on partnership and parenting, while Ty has some beef with those who keep making inappropriate comments on his workout videos.

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​​Cate ​& Ty sit down with Melissa Guida-Richards, an Adoption Educator and transracial late discovery international adoptee. Melissa shares her ​adoption ​journey, revealing the complexities and challenges of discovering her adoption at 19 after a lifetime of being raised ​as an Italian-Portuguese.​ ​Melissa opens up about ​the profound impact it had on her sense of self​,​ how she dove into educating herself about the trauma of maternal separation, ​and the multi-billion dollar adoption industry​. Melissa also delves into the nuances of transracial adoption, the importance of acknowledging a child's heritage, and the often-unseen struggles faced by adoptees. ​She shares her eventual reconnection with her birth mother in Colombia and other siblings who were also placed for adoption.

Learn more about Melissa's work and her book "What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption" at adopteethoughts.com. Follow her on social media ​@adoptee_thoughts

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On today's episode, Cate & Ty sit down with Kelsey Ranyard, a co-author of "Adoption Unfiltered," as well as a birth mom, to get another perspective on adoption. Kelsey shares her story of relinquishing her child in 2016, opening up about the lack of support from those around her, societal pressures, and the emotional aftermath that followed. Kelsey emphasizes the critical importance of open and honest communication in adoption, navigating the challenges of the ongoing relationships in her life, and the wide range of emotions birth parents face. They continue to highlight the flaws within the current adoption system, advocating for crucial policy changes and separate legal representation for birth parents. Plus, Ty brings up the unique journey of parenting after relinquishment, the impact on subsequent children, and Cate speaks on the often-unspoken experience of postpartum depression. This episode is a call for understanding, reform, and a reminder that every adoption story is profoundly different.

Find Kelsey on Instagram @fromanothamotha and her book Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Allies wherever books are sold

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Join us for a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Alé (@wildheartcollective), who shares her incredible journey as an international adoptee. Adopted from Brazil at just four months old, Alé's story is one of emotional complexities, and ultimately, profound self-discovery. Alé opens up about the unique challenges she faced growing up—navigating feelings of difference, grappling with mental health struggles, but also shares the remarkable tale of how, with the support of her adoptive family, she was able to find her biological family in Brazil. Alé passionately advocates for a fundamental shift in how society views adoption, emphasizing the critical importance of prioritizing the child's needs above all else - the raw, honest, and eye-opening exploration of adoption from the inside out.

For more information visit Alé Cardinalle at wildheartcollective.care

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Join us for a powerful conversation with Erin, known as Adoptee Advocate Erin (@woodorwater) on Tiktok​, who shares her deeply personal adoption story, revealing the complexities and hidden truths behind the "beautiful" narrative​ that adoption has sold. Erin ​explains "the fog," a common experience where adoptees suppress their true feelings, and details the shocking discovery of her adoptive mother's lies about sealed records. She passionately advocates for adoption reform, highlighting the need for education, birth mother support, and an end to the commodification of children. Erin emphasizes the crucial importance of listening to adoptees and creating space for their diverse experiences. ​A must-listen for anyone touched by adoption​ or wanting to learn more than what we've been told.

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On today's episode, Gretchen Sisson, author of ​Relinquished, ​sits down with ​Cate & Ty​ to discuss​ about her research​ on the gap between the cultural perception of adoption and the lived experiences of birth parents.​ Gretchen talks about the coercion and ​lack of ​resources​ playing a significant ​part that often le​d women to choose adoption​, emphasizes that many would have chosen differently had ​t​hey had more financial stability​ and support. The conversation also delves into the adoption industry​ using marketing tactics, ​their financial aspects,​ and the ethical concerns ​surrounding the system's inherent inequalities​. ​Is every adoption a failure of society to provide adequate support for families​? Cate & Ty break it down with Gretchen as she provides a nuanced look at adoption, challenging common assumptions and highlighting the need for change to better support birth parents, adoptees, and families in need.

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Cate & Ty are joined by Teen Mom castmate Maci and her Expired podcast co-host Natalie Gard to talk all about how they decided to start their podcast, how Natalie has dealt with the Teen Mom audience, and how they've seen teen pregnancy numbers go down in this generation. Maci also shares how she's been dealing with Bentley getting older and filming, how her journey has been with therapy and accepting that she is not responsible for the other parent's issues.

(Previously recorded in 2024)

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Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month.

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