Conversations with Catt The Podcast

Keisha Ridpath is a graduate of the Stone County, MO Drug Court program—6 years out. She shares candidly about her life of drugs, arrests, and what the drug court program did to set her straight. Today she views herself as a woman with a future and is determined to give that hope for a better tomorrow to her children, her family, her friends.

Coming from the destitution of no one to love and care for her, heading into a life of drugs and crime, ironically her life was turned around by an arrest and she emerged instead as a compassionate woman leading others to a better life with hope.

Because the drug court team saw her as a person and believed she could use the tools they provided, she has transformed and is now a homeowner, manager at her job, and can provide the care for her children that she missed growing up.  

Her most important message is to look beyond the problem behavior to see the person. She also makes it clear this is not a temporary change during an 18-month program, it is a lifetime commitment. You will enjoy her hearty laughter as she carries her message to you in this conversation. Thanks for listening!


Episode links:
Keisha Ridpath - Facebook
Missouri Treatment Court Factsheet
NADCP Website
Drug Court FAQs

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

Before COVID-19 hit headlines, it was opioid addictions captured our attention.  We heard lots of stories about the pains of addiction but were rarely told about the other side. This episode is all about the Drug Court system and how it helps people and gives them an opportunity to transform their lives and strive for life after drugs.  

Today’s guest is Judge Alan Blankenship. Judge Blankenship has been a huge proponent in the drug court model for many years. His belief in the system has helped carry it from its creation to his county courtroom and even setting the template for drug court at a national level. 

He replaces the objectified label of “offender” with “people” or “participants”. He clears up the false perception that the drug court’s approach is “soft on crime”. By focusing on the whole picture, the team expects a change in the fundamental lifestyle of the participant, with weekly accountability, and 200 hours of cognitive behavior therapy.  Preparing these people to come back into our community is how this program has a 90% success rate; saving our tax dollars while they’re at it.  

Words of hope from Judge Blankenship, “I’m glad treatment courts developed during my career and that I am a piece of it.”

Side note:  there was a brief power outage during our recording, although we could edit much of it out, you will hear some beeps in the background towards the end. I appreciate your grace while you disregard the distraction. Thank you!

Episode links:
Judge Alan Blankenship - Website
Missouri Treatment Court Factsheet
NADCP Website
Drug Court FAQs

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
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

Want to know what really goes on in the mind of a criminal defense attorney?  Do they have a heart? Listen as one lawyer tells how he used to think, how he felt, and why his attitude changed about money, material possessions, and people’s opinions.  

Many of us, no matter our professional status have problems trying to impress other people for false approval. Larry Catt shares how he gave up that mindset. 

His life experiences led him to really start paying attention to things and start following what his spirit knew to be true, rather than only intentionally seeking bigger and better results. Ultimately, he realized you don’t have to sign up for an expensive course or follow the “7 Laws To A New Personality”. Listen to his story and take from it what you like.   

Although making a lot of money was the initial appeal of being a lawyer, his sincere belief that people deserve second chances is why he stayed in the field of criminal defense.  Larry learned to translate his belief about second chances into “If you give people a second chance, you must also give yourself a second chance, too.” 

Once he came to this realization that he deserved a second chance just like everyone else, his life changed. It brought peace to his soul and helped him rest at night. He often jokes that he has a terrible memory, but really he’s always had the uncanny ability to let go of a grudge. 

By releasing our hard or negative feelings, it allows us to focus on the joy and possibilities for the future instead of being stuck in the past. It releases us from hate or dissatisfaction about who wronged us or what they did so we can finally seek love and joy in our lives. 

Episode links:
Larry Catt - Bio - Website - Twitter
Richard Rohr
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
Change Your Thoughts Change Your Life by Wayne Dyer (Tao-te-Ching)

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
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

Elise Crain helped reshape an entire industry. Her transformation story lies in how she managed to completely redirect a standard belief that the construction industry was meant only for men. In this episode, Elise shares her story of how she helped shift the ideas of a previously male-dominated industry and to allow women to gain their seats on the bus. 

As an active member of her community, Elise has served on multiple councils & boards over the years. She has spoken at several live local events and been featured in multiple news reports and business journals. She is a staple in the community who shows her support by staying active and being constantly involved. 

Elise is so much fun to listen to and I wish you could see the twinkle in her eyes as she shares her story of transformation. She’s witty and smart and has an absolute heart of gold. The most important message Elise wants you to hear is to always have one hand reaching up and one hand reaching back to bring someone else along. Help me honor her by looking for those who need a hand and then do your part to help them find their seat on the bus.

Episode links:
Elise Crain - Bio - MSU Article - More about Elise
The Gillioz - Website - FB - Instagram - Twitter

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram
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

EP 2: Transfiguration of Theology with Phillip Wright 

This episode is a conversation with a long time friend. As you listen, you will notice there is an enormous amount of trust and we get into some very vulnerable conversations. 

When we were talking, both Phillip and I almost forgot about this being recorded for a podcast to be shared with the world. 

About halfway through our conversation, I unexpectedly share part of my story. I want to mention, I speak solely about my own life experience and I do not represent any specific group or organization. It’s just me openly sharing a part of myself and my life.

I really appreciate how Phillip truly digs deep into his own personal transformation. As a pastor, he transitioned from what he thought he was supposed to say, to deliver a message from what he believes to be true and how he really speaks to others.

Phillip shares how sometimes, the church retracts what we want to share, and sometimes it's the congregation who puts limits on what they really want to hear. His message is now all about being open and exploring different views on thoughts and ideas. He helps us learn to be better listeners so we can truly connect and learn more about each other. 

Please visit Phillip’s blog or listen to one of his services on The Venues website. We’re planning another episode where he plans to share even more and teach us how we can go deeper to open our eyes to new beliefs and continue to grow.

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

Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram

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


Show links:
Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram

The Ellis Fund

Contact Catt

EP 1: Welcome to Conversations with Catt The Podcast 

Welcome to the very first episode Conversations with Catt The Podcast! Launching a new podcast has been an absolute adventure and I am so excited to finally be in a place to share Conversations with Catt The Podcast with the world. 

This podcast was born from the idea that we, as humans, are not always subject to walk the path we think has been laid out before us. 

Over the last few years, I’ve had many conversations with people who have been happily walking one path and then, oftentimes suddenly, something happens to completely shift their original way of thinking. 

These shifts might occur due to a single traumatic event, a specific eye-opening experience, or a radical new thought that presents itself and leaves the person questioning everything they've ever believed to be true. 

Friends of mine have said, “Catt, you have so many stories and interesting perspectives. You should start a podcast!” As a speaker and facilitator with expertise in social behaviors and personal growth, I feel it’s a vital part of the human experience to share our stories with each other. 

It’s by sharing these stories and engaging in deep conversations with each other that we help others learn from our experiences and show them other ways of thinking. Perhaps we can show them that there is always another way and no matter our struggles, we can find the good from any situation.

We are here on this Earth and have been given an extraordinary opportunity to truly connect with each other. To listen deeply to one another. And ultimately, together we can share the joy this world has to offer. This is what I hope Conversations with Catt will bring to the world. Thank you for choosing to listen. I hope you enjoy every conversation. 

Episode links:

Conversations with Catt The Podcast on Instagram

The Ellis Fund

Contact Catt

Special Thanks & Credits

Peter Carolla - Audio Editor 

Cassie Potts - Podcast Production

Kenneth Peterson - Graphic Design

Music Credit: Spirited Away by Gyom