Are you ready to receive?

I thought I was doing everything right…

I was declaring and sticking to my commitments, writing 500 words a day, then 1,000, then editing a chapter a day.

When my book was complete, I did my research and picked out my top 3 literary agents. I saw them read my manuscript and fall in love.

And it worked! Within a week I had 3 “Yes, more please!” and was signed up by one of the top agents in Canada shortly thereafter.

That was a year ago. I have yet to manifest the book deal. 🙁

So I reached out to my friend and mentor Keri Stanley, a Motivational Speaker and Coach. I reached out to her because she’s already been coaching me through my receiving block, and my stubbornness against trust and surrender.

And then one night she said something that blew my mind.

Here I had been asking the universe for what I want with one hand, and then blocking it with the other. This tendency runs deep, and I’m still working on it. 💞

But I wanted to share these lessons with you too, because no matter how bad you want it, if you’re not ready to receive, you could energetically be turning it away.

Listen to my interview with Keri to learn more about miracles, surrender and the laws of attraction, and how you can make them work for you (and stop the self sabotage).

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When you think about pivoting your business, or passion project, do you think about play?

It’s definitely something to consider, as my guest Keelin Clark, a business and performance coach, shared recently.

The playful state is actually high vibration, which, if you know anything about the laws of attraction, is exactly where you want to be. By surrendering and dropping into our heart and play, not only do we access our creativity, but also “the money and energy just flow.” 💸

Watch this episode with Keelin, to learn more about how bringing out your inner child to play can improve your creativity, and your business.

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Ever wondered, what next? 🤔

I have, and boy, is it scary. On the other side of every job change and crossroads, though, has been a wonderful breakthrough.

That’s something I explored with Jennifer Turliuk, author of How to Figure Out What to Do With Your Life (Next). Check out my interview with Jennifer, where we talked passion projects, following your heart and doing what you love (for money).

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Having trouble setting or sticking to your goals and declarations? Check out PUSH Journal, now available at Passion Project.

And feel free to let me know what you’re up to! You or someone you know might be featured in an upcoming episode, or Instagram story. 😍

Much love,

Cat xo

What’s your hairy scary goal?

I’m putting my ass on the line…how about you? 😳🤭

So here’s the thing. When it comes to the things I want, I’m pretty good at declaring the things I’m used to. 

Writing a chapter a day? Check. ✅

2 podcasts a month? Check. (More on this later.)

3 workouts a week? I’ve been on hiatus since home schooling began, but now that the kids are back at school, I know I can totally rock this.

But the hairy scary goals? The ones I haven’t dared reach for yet? Those, I’m a little more reluctant to make promises on.

Here’s the thing: We’re only as good as our declarations. Meaning intention alone isn’t going to make our goals, or visions, happen. So that means making bold declarations that create powerful results.

So here’s mine: By April 28, 9am PST, I will have launched a fashion and lifestyle line of products, where a portion of proceeds will go to a fund I’m creating to support artists and startups. Along with my “scholarship,” I’ll be offering free coaching and mentoring to those artists and entrepreneurs I join up with.

Because no one wins, until we all win.

So what’s your bold declaration? What are you willing to put your ass on the line for? I’d love to know.

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It was such a pleasure chatting with graphic novel author Ho Che Anderson, whose book Scream Queen is making its way to the screen. In this episode, we talked comic books, super heroes and revolutionaries.

I also got to chat with photographer Claire Dam about art, truth and radical honesty. Claire’s powerful, haunting images explore women’s journeys with fertility and grief, as well as her own healing journey. You can listen to our talk here.

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It’s been over a year of COVID-19, and still the end isn’t quite in sight. I’m not immune to the highs and lows of this year, but what’s really helped has been my coaches, mentors and trainers. One of them, Lisa Kalmin, has a great book that’s sure to inspire and empower. The Problem Is How You See The Problem will surely give you a whole new outlook on whatever obstacles stand in your way.

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Need some help with your vision, declarations and goal setting? Check out PUSH Journal, now available at Passion Project. 

And if you need an accountability buddy, feel free to reach out to me. I’m getting pretty good at it. 😉

The secrets to making this your best year ever!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🥳🎉🎉🎉

I know it’s February already, but January was bananas!

So where are YOU at on your 2021 goals and dreams? Did your New Year’s resolutions blow out like the candles on a birthday wish, or are they still burning strong? Or are you sitting on the fence, not quite sure of what’s possible?

In December, I had the pleasure of interviewing Karma Brown, who just released her new book The 4% Fix: How One Hour Can Change Your Life. Check out our interview for a boost of inspiration and to hear about Karma’s secret to her career as a best-selling author.

Whether it’s a pep talk you could use right now, or some tips and tools for making it happen, check out past episodes and stay tuned for new interviews. We’re in this together 🙌

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My friends and I have been talking a lot about manifesting lately. I love this perspective Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith shared with Oprah on her SuperSoul Conversations. Check out this interview if you’ve been doing the vision board/visualization/manifesting thing and not seeing the results you’re hoping for.

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Right now, I’m listening to the Audible version of Year Of Yes, by Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. In the book, she writes about the year that changed everything, when she decided to say yes to every opportunity that came her way. I’m not even half way yet, but still, I love this book, love this message, love her!

TRY THIS

My mentor turned me on to the PUSH Journal over the holidays and I gifted myself one to start off strong for the new year. I love it so much, I’m offering it now on the Passion Project website, where you can buy your very own PUSH Journal to help you organize your goals into daily and weekly tasks that set you up for long-term success.

Wishing you a great year of dreaming, daring, doing!

There’s Beauty in the Breakdown

I love a good breakdown…

It’s awful, but true. Having had my share of them, I can appreciate the gifts that seem to follow. Indeed, it took a breakdown for me to final start writing THE BOOK. (Seriously, this is me, writing my way through and laughing/crying all the way to THE END. It’s what my book is ALL ABOUT.)

It shouldn’t surprise me or those who know me given that many of my favourite movie moments feature COLOSSAL breakdowns. I love the mix: Funny/sad/mad/glad. So powerful. So beautiful. This is what great books, and movies, are made from.

This past year especially I’ve gotten really comfortable with being uncomfortable through other people’s breakdowns. There’s no longer the urge to run or hide. I’m getting better at standing tall through it all, for them and for me. Because I recognize that the moment is so special. And something amazing is about to come out of it.

So whether, like me, it took a breakdown to commit to your Passion Project, or you’re in the middle of experiencing what I’m sure will be one of many more breakdowns in the course of it (if not, you’re not dreaming big enough), know that it’s a good thing. That it will lead to something even better. That there are lessons to be learned, growth to be had, change to be made, possibilities to open up.

With breakdown comes new paradigms. New awarenesses. Each time it demands of us that we build ourselves up. Make ourselves brand new. This time smarter, faster, stronger. We get to reinvent our vision.

So remember: If you’re going through a breakdown, REJOICE! Your breakthrough is just around the corner.

In honour of the breakdown, here are my TOP 3 FAVOURITE EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN SCENES and movie moments:

1. Steel Magnolias - When Sally Fields’ cries over her daughter’s death, and then Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine make everyone laugh. There’s nothing like a good cry, followed by an even better laugh.

2. Jerry Maguire - Quite possibly Tom Cruise’s best movie EVER, this film is chock full of gorgeous breakdown moments. And Cuba Gooding Jr as his antagonist is BRILLIANT! “You think we’re fighting, and I think we’re finally talking!”

3. The First Wives Club - From one of my favourite movies, one of my favourite breakdowns. As far as I’m concerned, Diane Keaton is the queen of the emotional breakdown. The best!

Episode 06: Make the movie, with filmmaker Larissa Primeau

When I was a little girl, my dream was to become a film director. Once I hit my 30s, I made peace with the fact that it was too late to continue that dream.

Or was it?

Filmmaker Larissa Primeau kicks those illusions to the curb. Not only is she pursuing film directing mid-career, but she’s kicking ass at it too.

Larissa recently wrote and directed a short comedy that was an official selection of the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival, and Method Fest in Los Angeles.

In our latest episode of Passion Project, she shares why NOW is the perfect time to pursue your passion project and make your dreams happen. (Even if it includes playing basketball with a star from 13 Reasons Why.)

If you think your dreaming days are over, dream on, and check out this episode to find out why your best act is yet to come. 🎬

Cat xo

Episode 05: Passion project alignment, with life coach Stephanie Marshall

I have a blast every time I sit down with life coach Stephanie Marshall, founder of Plaid Paddle Coaching. Like me, she has a massive lust for life and adventure, with various different passions and interests. Her energy is so infectious, it could easily start a movement. (One I’d happily join!)

Stephanie and I both come from the world of media and publishing, but it’s actually our parents who brought us together on a blind date coffee break at the building we both happened to be working at. They were neighbours and my dad kept telling me how fun she is and how I just had to meet her. I’m so glad I finally did.

Not only is Stephanie a brilliant business woman, but she’s also hilarious and creative—all my favourite things.

In this interview, we talk about passion projects, having fun and why adults “settle down”—and how that’s the last thing any of us should want!

So what do you want to be when you grow up? I dare you to keep asking yourself that, regardless of your age.

Listen to this episode to hear Stephanie’s tips on starting, or resuming, your passion project, and following your heart. 💘

Cat xo

Episode 04: See the world, with travel writer Heather Greenwood Davis

I was pregnant and grieving over the end of my magazine editor jet-setting days when I met travel writer Heather Greenwood Davis.

Not only did she charm me with her warm, welcoming vibe, but she also won me over by convincing me that travelling with my family was totally doable, and that I needn’t give up my passion for seeing the world.

Since then, my family has travelled through Canada, the United States, Hawaii and South America. My kids are addicted to hotels and love being on the road.

Heather, meanwhile, has gone on to become a contributing editor at National Geographic Travel, a feature writer and columnist with The Globe and Mail and a media personality on The Social on CTV and National Geographic Channel.

In 2011, she travelled with her husband and two sons AROUND THE WORLD, an adventure she shared on her blog Globetrotting Mama.

While the rest of us save up our #lifegoals for our ever-growing bucket list, Heather is out there, living her dream.

That’s why I had to have her on my show. So she could inspire you with her just-do-it, seize-the-day-ness.

Whether you’re putting off a dream because of kids or other commitments, take to heart Heather’s words and remember that “You owe it to yourself, and your kids, to live the best life that you can.”

Listen to this episode to hear more from Heather, what she’s learned from travelling around the world and why she thinks following your dreams makes you a better parent. ✈️

Cat xo

Episode 03: The power of community, with business coach Andrea Ivanka

I hired Andrea Ivanka as my coach in March 2019. I knew I needed help closing the gap between who I was being, and who I wanted to be.

Looking back, it’s hard to remember now, who that woman was. One thing’s for sure, she was definitely lone wolfing it. 

I had no tribe. I had no team. Heck, I hardly leaned on my husband at home. And to be honest, I was pretty content that way.

But I also had a vision. A vision that was bigger than me. And thanks to Andrea, I began expanding my team, my tribe and my communities. 

It’s been a helluva ride, so I’m so excited to share her words of advice with you. Because no matter what your passion project is, if you want to succeed at it, you can’t do it alone.

And really, why would you want to?

Listen to this episode to get some free coaching from Andrea and learn why you’re only as strong as your tribe. 🤝

Cat xo

Episode 02: Write the book, with author Chantel Guertin

I’ve known Chantel Guertin for almost two decades now. We met when we were both editors at Elle Canada. Right away she impressed me with her perfect hair and her drive.

Over the years, as we both continued to climb the editorial ladder and hop from one magazine to another, Chantel would also go on to become a professor and on-air expert on The Marilyn Denis Show.

Through the years she has never failed to surprise me with her multi-tasking skills, pumping out one book after another while I sat at my computer only dreaming of my life as an author.

Even though it would be many years after Chantel’s first book launch that I finally began writing my book, knowing that she did it, gave me hope that I could do it too.

So whether you’ve got a book in you, or some other passion project up your sleeve, make sure to listen to this episode because there is no one I know who gets things done like this girl. 🙌

Cat xo

Episode 01: Your passion project “birthright,” with life coach Jamelle Lindo

I met Jamelle Lindo a little over a year ago.

At the time, I had never even heard a podcast before. But as soon as Jamelle got on the phone and we started talking, I knew right away we were making history, and that I needed to record his voice to share it with you all.

As the founder of The Self-Architect Program, an experiential process for closing the gap between who you are now, and who you need to be, Jamelle knows what it takes to deliver on your personal and professional goals. Not only that, but he also believes you owe it to yourself and others to follow through on them.

If you’ve ever doubted that you have what it takes, and that you deserve to follow your passion and make your dreams come true, be sure to listen to this episode. 💫

It’s your time now.

Cat xo

Welcome to Passion Project!

As the saying goes, sometimes you have to lose yourself, to find yourself.

I was 40, unemployed and pregnant when I finally decided to start my passion project—writing a novel, just like my childhood self had always dreamed about.

Without a job to report to, or career prospects with a baby on the way, I could finally give myself permission to follow my dream and begin working toward making my passion project happen.

That doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Every day it’s a struggle to make my book, my writing, a priority in the face of family and financial commitments and obligations.

Every day I struggle with doubt: Why me? Why not me?

Fortunately, I happen to know a lot of inspiring people. People who remind me that anything is possible, if you just follow your heart, and follow that with committed action.

They’ve inspired me, and continue to inspire me, to keep going, keep dreaming, daring, doing. And now I’m going to share them with you, so you can keep dreaming, daring, doing too.

On the Passion Project podcast, you’ll hear their stories, about how they dared to do what most people only dream about, and how they’re making their passion project happen.

You’ll also hear from experts, coaches and motivational leaders who share their tips, tools and insights into entrepreneurship, personal fulfilment and resiliency.

So listen in and stay tuned for future episodes. 🎧

It’s your time now.

Cat xo