There Were Signs

How do we stay open when life keeps asking us to be tough?

In this heartfelt episode of There Were Signs, Cassie sits down with bestselling author, psychologist, and speaker Jody Carrington for an intimate conversation about vulnerability, grief, resilience, and self-worth. With her blend of humour and raw honesty, Jody reflects on her upbringing, the impact of her father’s passing, and the often-unseen weight carried by women in leadership roles.

From career pivots to hidden family secrets, and from deep loneliness to spiritual awakening, this episode is a moving reminder that the signs guiding us often appear in the quietest, most unexpected moments.

00:00 – Introduction: What It Means to Stay Soft
02:37 – Early Family Influences and Dynamics
03:38 – Navigating Life and Relationships with Humour
04:45 – Losing a Parent and Deepening Human Connection
08:18 – A Hidden Family Secret Uncovered
15:49 – Dreams, Career Growth, and Hitting the Wall
20:10 – The Emotional Cost of 'Being Strong'
24:13 – Loneliness, Belonging, and the Human Need for Connection
28:10 – Jody’s New Book Title Reveal
29:16 – Starting the Podcast Journey
29:54 – Reflecting on 10 Years in Pediatric Mental Health
31:33 – How Small Acts of Kindness Can Change Lives
33:18 – Embracing the 'Woo-Woo' and a Sense of Spirit
36:14 – Curiosity, Exposure, and Staying Open
44:23 – Signs from Loved Ones After Loss
55:11 – Final Takeaways: Love, Growth, and Letting Go

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Jody:

Instagram: ⁠@drjodycarrington

Who are you when no one’s watching? When you’re not trying to impress, achieve, or perform?

In this introspective solo episode of There Were Signs, Cassie opens up about the quiet struggle of authenticity in a world that rewards performance. Using her unique perspective growing up around a literal sign maker and later navigating the pressure of high-performance environments, she reflects on how we often become mirrors of what others expect from us.

Drawing on psychological insights like the “looking glass self” and the false self, Cassie dives into the complex relationship between visibility and vulnerability. Through deeply personal reflections including therapy moments and emotional realizations she invites listeners to consider what it might look like to remove the mask and live more fully as themselves.

This is a powerful episode for anyone feeling disconnected from their identity, wrestling with imposter syndrome, or craving a life that feels more real.

In this episode, you’ll reflect on:

00:00 – Asking the Right Questions
00:20 – Childhood Memories and the World of Signs
01:21 – Mirrors, Reflection, and the Hidden Self
02:17 – Performing for the World vs. Living for Yourself
03:19 – Therapy Breakthroughs and Inner Awareness
04:48 – The Journey Toward Your True Self
05:52 – Why Imperfection Is a Strength
07:28 – Speaking Honestly, Living Honestly
09:17 – Final Thoughts: You Are a Living Design

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram: ⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠ 

Facebook: ⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠ 

Website: ⁠cassiehawrysh.com

What does it really take to lead at the highest level, while at the same time being true to who you are?

In this episode of There Were Signs, Cassie sits down with Shannon Winzer, a trailblazer in the world of high-performance sport. From her early days immersed in athletics to her evolution into a national team coach and now a High Performance Director, Shannon shares a deeply personal and professional journey of resilience, adaptability, and growth.

In this episode, Cassie and Shannon explore the challenges of being a woman in leadership, the weight of decision-making in elite sport, and the often-invisible work of balancing career ambition with family life. Shannon opens up about the importance of never closing the door on an athlete’s potential and how her own identity as a coach continues to evolve.

Whether you're a coach, a parent, a leader or simply someone navigating career transitions this episode is a powerful reminder that growth often comes in the spaces between roles, titles, and expectations. This episode is much more then volleyball!

In this episode, you'll hear about:

00:00-Early Sports Memories
02:54 – Peaking Late in Sports
06:13 – The Shift to Coaching
09:01 – Coaching Challenges and Building Empathy
13:19 – Balancing Family and Coaching Commitments
18:40 – Taking Risks and Saying Yes to Growth
28:00 – Arriving in Canada and Starting Over
28:35 – Confidence, Support & Mentorship
29:14 – Gender Bias in Coaching Roles
31:45 – Struggles with Work-Life Balance
32:59 – Evolving Coaching Standards and Expectations
34:52 – Navigating Identity in Leadership
38:08 – Staying Grounded in a Demanding Role
48:21 – Full-Circle Reflections
51:05- Embracing Uncertainty and the Journey Ahead

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠

Connect with Shannon:

Instagram: @shannon_winzer

Have you ever looked back and realized that the signs were always there. Maybe they were too quiet to hear at the time?

In this reflective solo episode of There Were Signs, we explore the subtle outlines that quietly shape our lives. From her own evolution as a student-athlete to broadcaster to Team Canada skeleton racer, she shares how seemingly insignificant nudges led to massive life pivots.

Drawing inspiration from past guests like Margaux, George, Blake, and Natalie, Cassie weaves together personal stories and universal truths, how to listen to that whisper inside you, why uncertainty often holds the answer, and how to embrace career changes, personal transformation, and the messiness of finding your path.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or like your story doesn’t make sense yet, this episode is a gentle reminder to trust the blurry drafts. Life isn’t always clear, but you’re allowed to keep rewriting.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

00:00 – Introduction: The Power of Outlines
02:37 – Cassie's Journey: From Volleyball to Skeleton
05:09 – Listening to the Whisper: Big Career Pivots
06:31 – Embracing Uncertainty and Tracing Your Path
09:22 – Final Thoughts: Choosing Your Life with Intention

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠

In this episode, Margaux takes us on a journey of self-discovery, sharing how she came to recognize and embrace her unique gifts especially the power of her voice. She reflects on her early doubts, believing that her skills as a master of ceremonies and public speaker weren’t extraordinary, and how a series of affirmations, culminating in a pivotal TEDx talk in 2024, helped shift her perspective.

Margaux also opens up about the challenges of balancing a high-energy career with personal well-being, the importance of building meaningful connections, and how listening to her body has helped her avoid burnout. Whether you’re an aspiring speaker, an entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to harness your natural strengths, this conversation is packed with insights on leveraging your innate talents, cultivating genuine relationships, and maintaining balance in a fast-paced world.

00:00 Recognizing Your Unique Gifts
04:43 The Catalyst Moment: TEDx Talk
07:24 Navigating Career Transitions
10:20 Embracing the Stage
14:54 Balancing Travel and Home Life
24:26 Maintaining Authenticity and Connection
35:52 Event Weeks and Sleep Deprivation
36:42 Managing Alcohol Intake for Better Performance
37:49 Listening to Your Body’s Signals
39:17 The Importance of Compression Socks
41:07 Adapting Social Plans for Well-being
43:36 Global Connections and Similarities
44:35 The Power of Real Connections
48:51 Being a Connector
53:45 Embracing Your Unique Voice
59:43 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Connect with Margaux:

Instagram: @margauxamiller
Website: speakwithmargaux.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear Margaux's inspiring journey!

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram: ⁠⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠

There were always signs. Some whispered in hesitation, others screamed in warning. But for whatever reason—hope, love, fear—we ignored them. In this powerful episode of There Were Signs, Cassie takes a raw and introspective look at the moments we chose to overlook, the relationships that tested us, and the painful but necessary lessons learned through hindsight.

Cassie shares deeply personal stories of toxic friendships, relationships that weren’t what they seemed, and the moments when she finally chose herself. She explores the patterns we repeat, the intuition we suppress, and the truth we eventually come to see. Through it all, she asks: Have you ever looked back and realized the truth was always there?

Join the conversation, share your story, send Cassie a DM about your own moment of realization, or pass this episode along to someone who needs it. The past is always there, but are we finally ready to see it for what it truly was?

Learn about:

00:00 – Introduction: Recognizing the Signs
01:12 – Reflecting on Past Relationships
02:58 – Personal Stories and Lessons Learned
05:50 – The Pain of Letting Go
08:42 – Choosing Yourself and Moving Forward
11:45 – Embracing Intuition and Growth
12:35 – Conclusion: Learning from the Past

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram:⁠⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠

Website:⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠

Blake Kasmeier is a storyteller known for his unique ability to capture life's raw and ordinary moments. Blake tells stories of parenting, grief, growing up, and where they sometimes collide. In 2022, Blake decided to start sharing his life stories on TikTok and has had a remarkable and unlikely ascent into the hearts and minds of parents, and kids of parents all across the internet. In 2018 Blake lost his mother to a brief but brutal fight with lung cancer and decided to document his experiences with loss in a nine-part podcast series called Good Grief. 

Today's conversation delves into Blake's upbringing with artistic parents, his journey through grief, and fatherhood, and his undying urge to create. Cassie and Blake discover commonalities in their backgrounds, particularly their experiences growing up with sign painters as fathers. The episode explores the importance of noticing the small, often overlooked details in life and how these 'signs' shape our identities and experiences. Cassie and Blake discuss the struggles and joys of creating meaningful work, the impact of supportive partners, and the drive to leave a lasting mark. The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their lives and the unnoticed signs guiding them.

00:00 Introduction to Blake Kaysmeyer

00:39 The Influence of Parents

01:18 The Art of Noticing

04:09 Creative Struggles and Inspirations

06:40 Journey Through Music and Writing

09:48 Finding Purpose in Creation

19:43 The Impact of Social Media

23:56 Opening Thoughts on Fatherhood

25:31 The Double Standard in Parenting Content

26:37 The Impact of Parenthood on Productivity

28:20 Reflections on Parenting Styles

34:27 The Role of Community and Tradition

40:56 The Importance of Supportive Partnerships

43:22 Final Reflections and Closing

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram: ⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠

Facebook: ⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠

Website: ⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠

Connect with Blake @blakeoftoday on Instagram and TikTok

Have you ever felt invisible, even when standing in the spotlight? In this episode of There Were Signs, Cassie explores the courage it takes to truly be seen and how it impacts our self-worth.

In this episode, Cassie delves into the concept of being seen and its impact on self-worth. She shares personal stories from her childhood and career, emphasizing the courage required to be vulnerable. Cassie reflects on early experiences of seeking recognition and the challenges faced in the public eye as a professional athlete. She encourages listeners to truly see themselves and others, highlighting the importance of acknowledging our presence and efforts. The episode concludes with a call to embrace the risk of being seen as a pathway to genuine connection and self-acceptance.

00:00 – What does it mean to be truly seen?
01:53 – Cassie’s personal stories of seeking recognition
03:55 – Navigating the highs and lows of public exposure
05:24 – Unexpected lessons from a life in the spotlight
07:28 – Why acknowledging others is more powerful than we think
08:41 – Final thoughts & a sneak peek at next week’s episode

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram:⁠@cassiehawrysh⁠

Facebook:⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠

Website:⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠

In this episode, Cassie sits down with Canadian icon George Stroumboulopoulos—award-winning interviewer, writer, director, actor, and media producer. George's career spans decades of shaping Canadian media from hosting The Strombo Show on CBC Music to narrating First Contact and The Never-Ending Present. He’s led George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, The Hour, Strombo on CNN, MuchMusic’s The NewMusic, Hockey Night in Canada, and more. With 11 Gemini and Canadian Screen Awards under his belt, his influence is undeniable.

In this conversation, George dives into the transformative power of music—from his first encounters with Alice Cooper and the Sex Pistols to the life-changing impact of Bob Dylan and The Clash. He shares unforgettable moments with legends like Joe Strummer, reflects on pivotal life choices—quitting drinking, choosing not to have kids—and how they shaped his pursuit of an authentic, intentional life.

This episode explores the power of lyrics, real human connection, and the discipline it takes to navigate personal challenges. Through it all, George reminds us that life is about will, determination, and grace, too.

00:00 Introduction: The Power of Music

01:07 Early Musical Influences

02:15 Discovering Punk Rock

03:40 Impact of Bob Dylan

05:13 Meeting Musical Icons

09:17 Life-Changing Decisions

10:32 Overcoming Challenges

14:19 Finding Joy and Discipline

29:05 The Importance of Real Conversations

33:01 Reflecting on School and Solo Experiences

33:40 Transitioning from Individual to Collective Success

35:26 The Mental Challenge of Skeleton Racing

36:22 Finding Focus and Overcoming Fear

39:20 The Healing Power of Meditation and Music

40:13 Exploring Punk Rock Buddhism

43:38 Critique of Modern Society and Capitalism

45:21 Embracing the Present and Future Projects

48:30 The Journey of Personal Growth

57:35 Seeing People as Their Younger Selves

01:00:34 The Importance of Walking Each Other Home

Connect with Cassie:

Instagram: @cassiehawrysh

Facebook: Cassie Elise Hawrysh

Website: cassiehawrysh.com

Connect with George on Instagram @Strombo

In this episode of There Were Signs, host Cassie Hawrysh shares a deeply personal story about her lifelong connection to music, and how it has both uplifted and held her back. From childhood road trip sing-alongs to her first live concert, Cassie reflects on the moments that shaped her musical identity.

She opens up about receiving unexpected praise for her singing, which ironically led to years of silence, and how she ultimately rediscovered her voice through choir and public speaking. With honesty and vulnerability, Cassie explores the intersection of passion, fear, and self-expression, encouraging listeners to embrace the creative pursuits they may have been hesitant to follow.

Cassie’s message to all of us:  Whether it's big or small, what is something that's calling to you? What would happen if you let yourself go all in?

00:00 Introduction: Recognizing the Signs

01:34 Early Musical Influences

05:24 First Concert Experience

07:15 Discovering My Voice

10:13 The Saxophone Journey

15:06 High School Choir and Rediscovery

17:51 Present Day Reflections

22:25 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Social media links: 

IG: Instagram: @cassiehawrysh

FB: Cassie Elise Hawrysh

Website: cassiehawrysh.com