What is the secret talent or creative dream you keep tucked away? Is there something you shy away from or do you love to write or paint but don’t share it with others? Today’s episode encourages you to create the world you live in by following where your imagination takes you!

Our guest today is my mother, Joyce Peterson. My mom has been an artist all her life. She has not hidden her talent. It has always been her expression of communication with others. What she transformed is her art form, it's technique and style.

When most people were settling into mid-life, my mom decided to challenge herself by switching from oil painting to watercolor painting. After making the swap, she discovered watercolor was her favorite medium!

What if she had never tried it? She never would have known her full potential as an artist, and she would not have experienced the most joy in her works. She is challenging herself again at age 79 to take on-line classes from an artist in the UK, Jean Haines who paints with a very loose style using salt on her canvas to add texture. 

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

On this week's episode, I get a chance to interview my podcast producer, Cassie Potts. As a mother of three young children, a business owner, a mastermind leader, and a part-time employee - Cassie has had to learn to juggle all the balls she has in the air.

She and I discuss how even though we each have very different strategies, we both have managed to find a rhythm when it comes to catching one ball at a time while keeping the others in the air.


Episode links:
Cassie Potts - Instagram

References:

PLANNER: Franklin Covey Planner

BOOK: Getting Things Done - David Allan

PODCAST: The Productivity Paradox (Please note, the title of this show has recently changed to The Intentional Advantage)

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

When we first talked with Phillip Wright on our second episode, he graciously shared how his beliefs and overall theology has been transformed by his experiences. This time, Phillip is back to give us even more insight on how he continues to shift his beliefs and gives us some guidance on what we can do to continue learning about and loving one another.

Episode links:
Philip Wright - Bio
The Venues - Website - FB - Instagram - Twitter

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Facebook
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

Right now in the middle of the unknown, do you believe you will find something incredible? Or do you feel stuck in a nightmare that you can’t wake from?

The unnerving character of Liminal Space is that it doesn’t allow us to know what’s coming next. It’s impossible to know the impact until we look back.

The trick is to not force the outcome we want. So how do we flow with it, not resist if it appears to be going badly? Tim Mitchell helps us do just that in this episode.

Have you ever been curious about what leads someone to downsize their stuff, sell their belongings, and transition into weeks, months, or even YEARS of living in an RV? What would possess someone to do that? Today we chat with Darin and Johnell Ramlow, a couple determined to live life to its fullest by exploring as much as possible in their Winnebego! They share why they decided to live the RV life, what they've been most surprised by, and how simplifying has completely transformed their lives. 

Darin and Johnnell minimized their stuff so they could explore and capture the most out of life. Their journey began with two simple questions. One, “Is how I’m living my life really serving me?” and two “Do I own my things or do my things own me?”  

As a couple, they made a deliberate decision to find answers to these questions by taking a leap of faith and spent the next 3 years selling their belongings and changing how they spent their time, and ultimately – their lives.

The Ramlow’s dive into several misconceptions about RV life beginning with the fact that they “are not Cousin Eddie.” They debunk some common myths like how the average aged “RV-ers” are all over 60. In fact, the majority of those they've met who have transitioned from the standard way of life to live full time in RVs are in their 30’s.

This younger age group are even bringing their kids with them and homeschooling as they go, a term referred to as “road schooling.” Darin puts our nerves to rest when he shares that cleaning out the toilet tank is not as bad as we suspect. He claims it's no worse than changing a diaper!

Surprisingly, even when they're living in a smaller space, they find the RV is more freeing then confining. You may be envious when you hear their answer to my question about their new “luxury”. 

The husband and wife pair make a case for how there are lots of advantages to living in an RV and how new advances in technology work in their favor. The number of apps and tools available really allows people to get out and enjoy the world untethered even more!  

Hopefully, this episode gets you thinking more about how you're spending your life and your most precious resource - your time. I hope it helps you decide to finally make any changes you want that will help you get the most out of your life. What changes have you made to help simplify your life? We'd love to hear about them! Share any changes you've made with us via the Conversations With Catt Instagram!


Episode links:
Ramlow's on The Roam: Instagram

RV Apps:
Allstays App
Wayze
RVParky
Winnebago
RV LIFE

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Facebook
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

Listen to the sound of the Universe with Samin Solum as she teaches us the depths of yoga. Samin began her journey by attending university to study IT (as many other students her age did at the time) but she ended by becoming an internationally known yoga instructor. Ironically, she did not even enjoy her first yoga class. 

As many students do, Samin left for college expecting a mild four years away from her family and friends. Unexpected changes in the world and her personal life made it more of a permanent change. Sadly, she faced the reality that she might never see her parents again in person.   

Samin doesn’t regret how her journey has developed or the choices she had to make in the wake of these unforeseen difficult circumstances. She accepts this is the way of her path.  

Early in her journey, she was searching for something, but she couldn't describe WHAT. Later, she talks about when a random disappointing turn of events turned again into the joyful answer for her wedding!  

Giving us insights from her 12 days of silent meditation, Samin shares the four stages of her yoga journey: physical, known, unknown, and spiritual. She also speaks about her teaching philosophy of chanting where you will discover why this episode is titled “the sound of the Universe”.  

When you meet her in person, Samin beholds you in her presence, envelops you into her kind spirit, and in response, you shine your true essence out into the world. This is the light she has brought to our family.

I hope you heed Samin’s words to let go of perfection.  Seek instead for living according to your true worth—what you value.  Her most important message to you is to be YOUR own voice.

Episode links:
Samin Solum (Samin Yoga): Instagram | Youtube | Website
Direct link to April 18th Instagram Post

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Facebook
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

We often send ourselves wandering in circles because we are trying to go back to what was familiar instead of moving towards what we have hoped for all along. This episode shares how I quit walking in circles in frustration and removed the seed of doubt I had planted in my mind.

A popular question in interviews is, “What would you tell your former self?” My answer to that and what I tell myself today is, “Don’t romance the past.”  

I can now view my past differently which changes how I view myself today. I used to think I was a failure. Now, I realize I only failed to follow the “other” path in front of me. I just walked right past it without noticing. 

Today it’s easier for me to distinguish what I would consider a failure from who I consider a failure. “A failure is an event, not a person” is a lesson I learned while I was part of Mary Kay. :-)  

The analogy of a kaleidoscope helps me; the slightest click gives me a whole new array of colors and designs to see both my past and my future from different perspectives.  

We can hear the right message but misinterpret its meaning. The correct message was for me to get me behind a microphone, but with the information I had at the time, I simply misinterpreted which microphone. Finally, I was introduced to a podcast microphone and this seems to be the right fit…so far.

Episode links:
Meditation Information: Headspace 101
Mary Kay Cosmetics: Company Site

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Facebook
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Peter Carolla - Audio Editor (Seattle, WA)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

Why the Ellis Fund instead of the Ellis Foundation? Why partner with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks instead of just donating my money? Dot 3 connects my past experiences as a Director of a non-profit and my experience of surviving a child who died of cancer and brings us to today.  

During this episode, I hope you learn to discover how, with just a little bit of effort, you can make a big impact on those who need you. Ask people what they need the most. Look to fill the needs of others and you will feel fulfilled.

Pay attention to your dreams, and I do mean your literal dreams at night. They will guide you. Believe that one person can start a chain reaction to make this world a better place. Believe that person is you. Simply start where you are. Now.

Episode links:
Book: The Land of the Blue Flower —Frances Hodgson Burnett
Book: Do Hard Things—Alex & Brett Harris
Book: Start Something That Matters—Blake Mycoskie

Community Foundation of the Ozarks:  https://www.cfozarks.org

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Facebook
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Peter Carolla - Audio Editor (Seattle, WA)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

In this episode, I share how quickly the trauma of physical and emotional abuse took control of me, even though I had considered myself to be a smart, independent, confident person.

I don't share a lot of details about the abuse itself, just enough to show the deep psychological impact. This is a message of how I was brave enough to look into my behaviors and being open to allow changes in my coping patterns to get to a better life.

So many people who meet me today comment on how I exude sincere joy and it transmits to them feeling better too. Usually, people assume I had an easy, sheltered life.

As we get to know each other better, they are surprised to discover I had several very real tragedies to overcome in my past. I share this so you KNOW that if you are currently in a bad place, YOU can still find your way to enjoy each day. 

Be warned though, the courage does not come from speaking badly about the “enemy” the courage comes when you take the journey within. 
"If we do not transform our pain, we most assuredly will transmit it."--Fr. Richard Rohr

Episode links:
Harmony House - Survivor Resources

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Facebook
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Peter Carolla - Audio Editor (Seattle, WA)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom

During the month of June, we are running a mini-series of solo cast episodes. These minisodes will be about 15 minutes of me sharing a snippet of my story. They have been separated into four sections along a timeline in my life.

As you listen, you will see throughout this series how everything connects from 26 years ago to today. My sincere hope is these stories from my life might shed some light on your path and set you in the direction which will fulfill your soul.  

This first episode explains how losing EVERYTHING: children, jobs, home, and eventually, marriage is what gave us the freedom to begin a successful company. Much like the current situation in our world today, I could not have predicted, prepared, or controlled any of the circumstances, therefore I could not have created the coincidences leading to where I am today—all these years later.  

Just a little background for those of you who like to know the significant hints behind the scenes. There's a picture of me sitting beside a water feature we used as the header on our social media this month. This is where the theme of this podcast was formed last Fall. 

I would sit in my favorite meditation spot, listening to the water flowing, drowning out all my thoughts until they were replaced with the messages you will listen to me share this month. It seems we are often searching for answers or at least some reason for what seems like random events in our lives.

These times of meditation clarified for me how some events fit together and many other answers came to me as well. I will be sharing these answers with you throughout this podcast. One theme became very clear, "I am standing in the middle of every decision I ever made."

Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy it.

Episode links:

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Facebook
The Ellis Fund
Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits
Peter Carolla - Audio Editor (Seattle, WA)
Cassie Potts - Podcast Production (Springfield, MO)
Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design (Chicago, IL)
Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom