Backward Sweater

Episode Summary:In this raw and relatable episode, Catherine opens up about the early insecurities that shaped her self-image — from mustache teasing in the cafeteria to size 11 orthotics and Weight Watchers at age ten. With humor, vulnerability, and heart, she explores how childhood experiences and cultural conditioning can twist our self-perception — and what it takes to finally wear our confidence right-side-out.💬 What You’ll HearThe Mustache Chronicles: Cruel cafeteria comments, endless electrolysis, and finally embracing the razor with prideBig Feet, Big Problems: Size 10–11 shoes in fifth grade while friends wore ballet flatsDiet Culture at 10: Growing up on Weight Watchers and learning to detach self-worth from the scaleThe Weigh-In Moment: A sixth-grade memory that shaped how she saw herselfMissing Out on “Normal”: The ache of not fitting beauty standards or getting the “cute boyfriends”Reframing the Narrative: Turning “flaws” into features and finding power in differenceEntertaining the What-Ifs: Practical ways to challenge the limiting beliefs we inherited about our bodies✨ Takeaway“I spent years trying to fit into a world that told me I was too much, too big, too hairy — until I realized maybe the world just needed to learn to use razors.” :)⚖️ DisclaimerThese stories are mine — told through my eyes, my lens, and my lived experience. Each person moves through life in their own way. I own these stories, and I share them to inspire us all to live truthfully, freely, and as our most authentic selves.🌿 Connect with CatherineIf this episode made you laugh, cry, or see yourself a little differently, share it with someone who needs that reminder today.Follow Catherine on Instagram to keep following the story.Theme Song Written and Composed by Trevor Lynch and Michaela Dennis and recorded by Trevor Lynch in Chicago ILPhoto: Baumgardner Studio Yakima, WAProduction: Red Trux Productions Snohomish, WA

Episode Summary:In this deeply personal and powerful premiere episode, Catherine introduces herself and the profound metaphor that changed everything — realizing her sweater, and her life, had been on backwards. What started as a simple wardrobe moment in her closet became a revelation about living authentically versus living according to others’ expectations. Through honesty, humor, and heart, Catherine explores how turning her sweater around became the start of turning her life around.💬 What You’ll HearThe Origin Story: How a simple wardrobe moment became a life-changing metaphorBreaking the Silence: Catherine’s journey from people-pleasing to finding her voiceReligious Constructs: Growing up with rigid beliefs and learning to question everythingMarriage & Motherhood: Navigating 24 + years of marriage while losing herselfThe Divorce Decision: Why leaving felt like the hardest — and scariest — moment of her lifeRebuilding from Nothing: From $27,000 a year to financial independenceUnexpected Love: Finding romance, then meeting grief through unexpected loss, and healing after heartbreakLiving Authentically: What it means to finally live with your sweater turned the right way around✨ Takeaway“Sometimes that itch just becomes normal — until you realize you have a choice. You can turn it around.”⚖️ DisclaimerThese stories are mine — told through my eyes, my lens, and my lived experience. Each person moves through life in their own way. I own these stories, and I share them to inspire us all to live truthfully, freely, and as our most authentic selves.Theme Song Written and Composed by Trevor Lynch and Michaela Dennis and recorded by Trevor Lynch in Chicago ILPhoto: Baumgardner Studio Yakima, WAProduction: Red Trux Productions Snohomish, WA

Meet Catherine - a 59-year-old mother of seven and Gigi of three who spent decades feeling like something was just... off. Itchy. Uncomfortable. Wrong.Until she discovered her life's sweater had the tag in the front.In this powerful trailer, Catherine introduces the metaphor that changed everything and invites you into her world of messy, meaningful transformation. From religious constructs to failed marriage, from financial struggles to finding authentic love - her journey proves it's never too late to turn your sweater around.Theme Song Written and Composed by Trevor Lynch and Michaela Dennis and recorded by Trevor Lynch in Chicago ILPhoto: Baumgardner Studio Yakima, WA