Conversations with Catt The Podcast

Why build a school in Africa? And how? Listen to what Kathy Greene learned about this when she left her accounting job to embark on this mission. 

Sometimes it’s a change in someone else’s life that changes the course of our own life. For today's guest Kathy Greene it began when her daughter, Heidi, had a conversation with a man she sat next to on a plane.

The man was Bill Rankin, the CEO of Global Aids Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) a non-profit that serves needs in Africa. Soon after Kathy left her full-time accounting position and joined her daughter working with the Hamels Foundation to raise funds and build schools in Africa.

The real transformation part of this story is that Kathy had no experience in the non-profit world until she began this portion of her journey and discovered it’s what everything was leading up to all along.

Episode Links:
The Hamels Foundation - Website
Facebook: @hamelsfoundation
Twitter: @TheHamels
Instagram: @thehamelsfoundation

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

Today's episode is a conversation between myself and Cassie Potts. We talk about the transformations we've seen Covid-19 bring to our daily lives. It seems to me we are continually contradicting ourselves more and more and using our common sense less and less. We talk about how finding common ground with each other is can be a helpful tool to connect with each other on a human level. We also talk about a MindUp - a website that helps kids understand and cope with stress.

Episode Links:
MindUp - Stress Management and Mindfulness for Kids
Melbourne Australia - On Lock Down Article

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

Today’s guest, Stephen Henady, has lived through multiple obstacles along his path, culminating with being a survivor of the tragic EF-5 tornado that ripped through Joplin Missouri. It’s remarkable that I even discovered this about him. Stephen and I work together and as we were sitting on break one day, he started telling me his story.

As he was going into the details he suddenly paused to say, “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this…” as if he was even surprised by where the conversation had led. I hope you enjoy listening to Stephen's amazing story. Thank you for joining us!

Episode Links:
Stephen Henady - Facebook
Stained Glass Theater - Joplin, Missouri - Website  |  Facebook
Crowder College - Neosho, Missouri - Website
Missouri Southern State University - Website

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

Today’s guest is the Missouri State Bears Men’s Basketball coach, Dana Ford. Coach Ford was gracious enough to agree to meet with me he even squeezed in our conversation between practice and a luncheon.

When I asked him how practice went, he answered, “It’s about what you want it to be.” This statement seems to be his life philosophy wrapped up in his opening sentence. Life is what you make of it, so might as well make it great. It’s clear that the sincerity of his attitude bleeds into every aspect of his life. His life has been a true transformation. Join me as I find out how he makes his life great.


Episode Links:
Coach Dana Ford - MSU Website | Coach Dana on Twitter
MSU Men's Basketball Facebook | Missouri State Bears Twitter
Bears, Badges, and Kids Program

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

Today I get to have a conversation with New York Times Bestselling author, Nancy Allen. She's written multiple books and has even worked with James Patterson! She has a great story and an interesting path that led her to where she's at today. So, what path led Nancy Allen to become a famous author? Well, it was not a straight one that’s for sure. Join me for an entertaining chat with Nancy Allen.

Episode Links:
Nancy Allen - Website | Facebook| Twitter 

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

You will really enjoy today’s guests who went from reality TV star to News Anchor, to MSU’s Director of Athletic Development. Here’s Callie Carroll!

Callie knew as early as 12 years old that she wanted to be a news anchor.  So she set out on that path. While attending Missouri State University she trained with names you’ll recognize from our local KY3: Ned Reynolds and Lisa Rose.  At this point, she decided she wanted to cover sports broadcasting. One of her sports stories developed into a more personal story as a player was fighting cancer. That influenced her decision to cover a broader range of stories and circled her back to her dream of becoming a news anchor. 

NOTE: Since this episode was recorded the name of the Bears Unite campaign that was mentioned, has changed to "We Are One". When that link is open to the public we will add it to our website show notes of this episode.

Episode Links:
Callie Carroll - Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Youtube

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

This episode is truly an example of focusing on the solution when feeling in crisis. The quote in my mind is by Henry Blackaby:  

“For many, if they cannot understand exactly how everything is going to happen, they choose not to proceed.”

I have had a serious case of writer’s block this week. Every topic I aimed for turned into an editorial of my recent frustrations with society. Notes for episodes and stories from my life that I'd planned to share were left at home in MO while I am in CO. I really just wanted to stay on the mountain top and never have to face life decisions again. 

Listen in as I discuss how I plan to "proceed anyway" and share some true transparency about why I am simultaneously ecstatic and panicked about the changes in my life right now.

Episode links:
Harmonica Arch Trail
Henry David Thoreau

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom  

Not long ago my friend Linda mentioned the book, Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” by Dr. Joe Dispnenza. In his book, he talks about wanting to create a new life, but we’re stuck in a rut of the same routines from the time we wake up in the morning until we go to bed. How can we expect something new to evolve out of routine or constant repetition? That's when I started to ponder my life and I realized…I really did change EVERYTHING!!  

Recently I’ve noticed we keep using the phrase “new normal” when talking about the new rules for our current situation.  I’ve also noticed this phrase is often followed with a comment similar to this: “I can’t wait until this is over and we can get back to normal.” 

It got me thinking about how I’ve personally made multiple major transformations in my own life to create my “new normal”. In this episode, I’ll tell some stories of how I did it and share a few ideas that could help you find your “new normal”…if you’d like to give them a try.

Episode links:
Book: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” by Dr. Joe Dispnenza

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom  

This episode is for those of you who suffer from Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, IBS, or any of those other diseases that get passed off as being “all in your mind.” Lucy is here to say she believes you. She understands. 

She is eager to share with you what has helped her and to encourage you to believe you too can enjoy life again.  She is right there with you.  She will certainly lift your spirits and get you moving in the right direction.  

Read Lucy's success story in popular health and wellness magazine Experience Life. 

Episode links:
Find out more about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on the CDC Website
Lucy’s Zumba Class Schedule – Website
Lucy’s email address – [email protected]

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

On today’s episode, I have the honor of introducing you to the smartest man I know, my Dad, Bill Peterson. He’s a man of wisdom and many adventures and he’s quick to correct me when I say he’s smart, he says he’s “just curious”. 

Every conversation I have with my dad I learn something.  But for today we decided to keep it light and just talk about some of his adventures. You will enjoy his hike into the Grand Canyon, flying a glider plane, sailing, and fly fishing.  

 I hope you enjoy this conversation. Thanks for listening!

Episode links:
Jean Haines - Online Art Classes
Arc - Website

Show links:
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Adelino Mendes - Audio Editing & Website Design (Branson, MO)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom