AoBT Podcast

with Cat & Yvette

About the AoBT Podcast

If you're actively seeking ways to build mental toughness, navigate life transitions with grace,

or simply find inspiration to keep moving forward, then you're in the right place.

Welcome to the Art of Beautiful Thinking Podcast!

Tune in for a dose of inspiration every week.

If you'd like to keep up with everything that's going on, consider joining the AoBT community.

Join the AoBT Podcast Community

Your Hosts

We're two everyday women,

sharing stories, powerful insights and practical strategies to inspire you.

Yvette

Co-Founder and Head Coach at the Art of Beautiful Thinking, an Internationally Certified Coach, and a Personal Growth Mentor, Yvette’s journey has been one of continuous discovery.

Passionate about empowering individuals to rediscover their authentic selves and unlock their full potential,

Yvette firmly believes that every living being has a purpose, is worthy of respect and care, and has a place in the grand scheme of life.

Beyond coaching, Yvette is a lover of travel, ancient history, and life's simple pleasures, especially cooking, gardening, and cuddling her cat, Archy.

Yvette's Bio

Cat

Founder of Adjustable Mining Mirrors Australia, award winning inventor and strengths-based coach with a focus on sustainable change.

Living by the principle 'as long as you're breathing, growth and change are possible', Cat's experience working with criminal justice and the community have given her a wealth of information to share. Cat uses CBT, motivational interviewing and challenge techniques in her work, helping to change limiting narratives and build self-esteem, and she loves working with people to find their inner voice.

Cat lives with her husband and children in beautiful Tasmania, where she enjoys walking with her black lab Tallulah, cooking up a storm and staring at snow-capped mountains as often as possible.

Cat's Bio

Listen to Our Most Recent Episode

Interested in what we're discussing? Tune in to the latest episode! right here!

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Previous Episodes

Here you'll find all of our previous episodes, sorted chronologically and grouped by series.

The Adversity Tools Series

Episode 1: The Journey of Personal Growth

In this episode, Yvette and Cat explore the importance of personal growth and how play can be a vital tool in enhancing mental health. They discuss the significance of self-awareness, the challenges of midlife, and the necessity of building a strong relationship with oneself. The conversation emphasizes the role of community and connection in personal development, as well as the power of small steps in creating meaningful change. Listeners are encouraged to embrace the magic of life and focus on the present moment to overcome anxiety and fear.

Episode 2: The Art of Managing Anxiety

In this conversation, Cat and Yvette delve into the topic of anxiety, exploring its prevalence and the various tools and techniques available for managing it. They discuss personal experiences with anxiety, the impact of childhood on self-worth, and the importance of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reframing negative thoughts. The conversation also highlights the benefits of meditation, mirror work, and practicing gratitude as effective strategies for cultivating self-acceptance and emotional well-being.

Episode 4: Move to Improve - Exercise's Role in Mental Wellness

In this episode, the Cat & Yvette discuss the profound benefits of exercise on mental health, particularly in relation to anxiety and depression. They explore how regular physical activity can be as effective as low-dose antidepressants, emphasizing the importance of movement for both physical and mental well-being. The conversation covers various aspects of exercise, including finding a routine that suits individual needs, the role of community and nature in promoting health, and the significance of listening to one's body. Cat & Yvette also highlight the importance of consistency and adapting exercise to fit one's lifestyle, ultimately encouraging listeners to view exercise as a vital tool for personal growth and mental clarity.

Episode 10: Anxiety to Authenticity: Using Your Truth to Find Calm

In this episode, Yvette and Cat dive deep into the emotional and spiritual roots of anxiety, offering a refreshing perspective.

They share their personal journeys of overcoming anxiety by learning to listen to their inner truth and escaping environments that were slowly squashing their spirit. This isn't just a mental game; it's about reconnecting with your authentic self.

Key topics covered:

* The subtle signs your body and heart are screaming at you.

* How to distinguish between "stinking thinking" and your intuition.

* Why constantly being on "autopilot" leads to burnout and anxiety.

* Practical, in-the-moment techniques to calm yourself.

* The power of self-care and gratitude as preventative measures.

* How to use a gratitude journal and other tools to rebuild self-worth and confidence.

* Why being your authentic self is the ultimate act of courage and self-love.

The Relationship Series

Episode 3: Embracing Your Body - A Journey to Self-Acceptance

Join Cat and Yvette in this powerful episode of The Art of Beautiful Thinking Podcast as they dive deep into the most intimate relationship you have: the one with your own body. Do you treat your body like a best friend or a worst enemy? From navigating yo-yo dieting and punishing exercise routines to confronting societal pressures and the challenges of aging, this discussion explores the roots of our body image struggles.

Discover how to shift your focus from external validation to internal well-being, mobility, and longevity. This episode highlights the crucial role of mindset, self-love, and compassion in cultivating a healthy body relationship. Learn practical steps like mirror work, listening to your body's signals, and mindful breathing to foster a deeper connection. Move beyond self-punishment towards a respectful, loving, and sustainable relationship with your body.

Episode 5: Why Knowing Yourself is Key to Finding Your Life Partner

Join Yvette and Cat on "The Art of Beautiful Thinking" as they share personal stories about finding their life partners. Cat discusses overcoming a family history of multiple marriages to build a successful second marriage based on self-knowledge. Yvette recounts breaking a domestic violence cycle from her upbringing, learning to set boundaries, and defining what she truly wanted in a relationship.

This episode emphasizes that healthy relationships require self-awareness, personal growth, and clear boundaries. They use the 'footy goalposts' analogy to explain that individual strength and independent foundations (like family, friends, and hobbies) are vital for an interdependent, not codependent, partnership. Learn why compromising on core values can be detrimental and how open communication and mutual support build lasting connections. They also challenge societal expectations and advocate for individual wholeness and choosing a partner who enhances your life.

Episode 6: Toxic Takedown - Reclaiming Your Power in Difficult Work Relationships

Are you constantly battling office drama, toxic bosses, or backstabbing colleagues? Feeling drained and unheard in your professional life?

Yvette and Cat dive deep into the treacherous waters of difficult work relationships, arming you with powerful tools to not just survive, but thrive!

From navigating the 'crab in a bucket' mentality to mastering your responses to bullies, we'll show you how to set rock-solid boundaries 6 and protect your sanity. Discover why integrity clashes happen 7and when it's absolutely time to walk away for your well-being.

If you're tired of workplace stress taking over your life, 9 this episode is your game-changer. Tune in and transform your professional landscape!

Episode 14: How to Stop Giving Too Much and Start Setting Boundaries

Are you tired of feeling drained and exhausted from constantly giving too much in your relationships?

In this episode, Cat and Yvette provide a powerful guide to reclaiming your energy and self-worth by setting healthy boundaries. They tackle the common struggle of being a "people-pleaser," explaining that giving too much can lead to exhaustion, resentment, and a loss of identity. They emphasize that while setting boundaries can be difficult, it is a critical act of self-respect that ultimately improves relationships and mental well-being.

The punchline?

Stop being a doormat and start building a life that respects your own needs, making space for healthier connections to flourish.

Listen now and learn to rewrite your relationship story.

Episode 17: DV Survivors: From Pain to Power, Finding Self-Love

In this essential and honest episode, Cat and Yvette—both survivors of childhood domestic violence—confront the reality of abuse, the lasting impact of trauma, and the personal work required to finally break the cycle.

If you are a survivor or currently experiencing a controlling relationship, this episode offers validation, hope, and the steps you need to move From Pain to Power.

Episode 21: Navigating The Toxic Parent: Setting Boundaries & Finding Your Authentic Life

Are you feeling torn between the societal pressure to "honor thy mother and father" and your deep need for inner peace?

In this powerful and candid episode, Cat and Yvette dive into the challenging and often painful journey of navigating relationships with toxic parents. Drawing from their own personal experiences with domestic violence, alcoholism, pathological lying, and gambling addiction, they share the raw truth about setting boundaries, shedding guilt, and finally breaking the cycle of generational trauma.

The most effective way to start shedding the labels of "scapegoat" and "victim" is by focusing on your own personal growth.

Episode 22: Healing After Heartbreak: How to Move On, Rebuild Yourself & create Healthier Love

Heartbreak changes you. It shakes your confidence, blurs your identity, and can leave you wondering what went wrong… or whether you’ll ever trust again.

In this powerful episode of The Art of Beautiful Thinking, Yvette and Cat dive deep into:

• Why heartbreak hits so hard

• How to rebuild your self-worth after a relationship ends

• The loneliness that pulls people back into old patterns

• The “anxious–avoidant” attachment cycle

• How to navigate conflict safely

• How to stop losing yourself in love

• Why values matter more than chemistry

• What secure, aligned relationships really look like This episode is real, raw, and packed with the exact tools you need to heal and move forward with clarity.

You’re not broken. You’re becoming whole again.

The Career Series

Episode 7: Escaping the Rat Race - A Journey to Freedom

Cat & Yvette are here to talk about escaping the dreaded 'rat race' on this episode at The Art of Beautiful Thinking. They’ll also touch on navigating career transitions.

The conversation kicks off with a relatable gripe about the average commute, both agree that this daily grind can be 'soul-destroying'. They quickly dive into the struggle of being stuck in a job you hate just to pay the bills, and how fear and the comfort of the familiar can keep you from making a change. And they also explore the challenges of becoming an entrepreneur, emphasizing the need for smart planning, savings, and a strong 'why' to drive you forward.

A few fun ways to figure out your true calling are suggested, including a truly dramatic moment of self-reflection when Cat jokingly suggests writing your own gravestone to see if you're proud of what you've done with your life.

Remember, it’s better to try and fail than to live with regret.

The Personal Transformation Series

Episode 8: Unboxing Your Life - From Pigeonholed to Purpose-Driven

In this episode, we explore the concept of the 'boxes of life' and how they can limit our potential. We discuss the different pillars of life—financial, relationship, spiritual, and health—and how to find harmony among them rather than striving for an unsustainable balance.

Cat & Yvette dive deep into the crucial topic of finding your 'why' and share practical tips for cultivating it; learn how to listen to your inner voice and let go of the self-sabotaging patterns, imposter syndrome, and limiting beliefs that hold you back. Discover how to turn your experiences, even traumatic ones, into a powerful jet fuel for change.

We also cover the importance of inspired action over external motivation and the power of baby steps in achieving your goals. The conversation wraps up with a reminder that the best teacher and student is you, and that finding your 'why' is about doing what brings you joy, not what you think you should be doing.

Episode 15: Beyond Deep-Seated Hurt: Moving from Pain to Growth

In this powerful episode, Yvette and Cat dive into the frustrating truth about trauma healing, challenging the idea that simply letting 'time heal all' or accepting the victim label is enough. We also preview why forgiving yourself and letting go of the situation (not reconciling) is one of the most crucial points of healing.

Healing isn't about ignoring the past; it's about shifting your focus and getting your mind aligned to evolve.

Episode 16: STOP The Thought Spiral: Reclaim Your Power

Are you tired of feeling stuck, frustrated, or like your life is dictated by old pain?

This episode is your guide to taking back control by changing the conversation happening in your head! Yvette and Cat dive deep into how your thoughts and belief systems are the single biggest factor that moulds your experiences and creates your reality.

Your life is totally in your control. It's time to stop the thought spiral and start living the life you deserve!

Episode 18: Forgiveness Creates Space For Abundance

Are you feeling stuck, angry, or like your life is moving forward slowly?

The reason might be the emotional baggage you're still carrying from the past. In this deep dive, Cat and Yvette shatter the myth of traditional forgiveness, revealing why letting go isn't about the person who hurt you—it's an essential act of self-work and self-empowerment.

This episode is your guide to dropping the weight, reclaiming your power, and making forgiveness a daily ritual so you can Create Space for Abundance.

Episode 24: Overcoming Fear of the Unknown

Stepping into something new can feel exciting and terrifying – especially when you can’t see every step ahead.

In this episode, we talk about overcoming fear of the unknown: that mix of anxiety, control, self-doubt and “what if it all goes wrong?” that can keep you stuck exactly where you are.

We explore:

• How fear of the unknown shows up in everyday life (and how it quietly runs the show)

• “False Evidence Appearing Real” – why most of our fear is a story, not truth

• Moving from worst-case to best-case thinking and feeling

• Trusting yourself to handle what comes, even when you don’t have all the answers

• Remembering times you didn’t let fear win – and using that version of you now

Episode 26: When You're Doing All the Inner Work and Nothing Seems to Be Changing

Doing all the journaling, meditations, affirmations and visualisations… but your life still looks the same?

That “personal development fatigue” can make you question yourself, the work, and whether you’re the one person it just doesn’t work for. In Part 1 of our Integration Series, we unpack what’s really going on when you’re doing “all the things” and nothing seems to be shifting on the outside.

This episode kicks off the Integration Series – the follow-on from our Authentic Life Activation mini-series. Activation wakes you up to who you really are. Integration is about living that truth in the real world: in your routines, relationships, choices and nervous system.

Episode 27: How to Rebuild Self-Trust When You've Broken Promises to Yourself

If you’ve broken promises to yourself, you’re not “undisciplined.” You’re dealing with something deeper: self-trust.

In Part 2 of The Integration Series, we unpack why self-trust breaks (and the patterns that keep reinforcing it), then walk through how to rebuild it in a way that actually holds up in real life—when you’re tired, busy, triggered, or stretched thin.

Inside this episode, we cover:

• Why self-trust erodes (and how self-abandonment shows up)

• How shame keeps you stuck, and what accountability really looks like

• Why consistency beats intensity every time

• Practical ways to start rebuilding self-trust immediately (without setting yourself up to fail)

It's All About You Series

Episode 12: Shame vs. Guilt: The Key Difference and Why It Matters

Are you feeling weighed down by emotional baggage that isn't even yours?

Join Cat and Yvette as they fearlessly confront this 'pointless emotion,' shame. They break down the critical difference between feeling 'I did the wrong thing' (guilt) and feeling 'I am wrong' (shame). This episode is your guide to understanding why shame is a completely pointless emotion that stifles personal growth, leading to stagnation and despair. You'll learn how to stop internalizing other people's garbage and use personal growth as your armor against shaming. Cat and Yvette also share powerful personal stories of resilience and finding self-acceptance. Ready to let go of what holds you back and reclaim your power?

Listen in and discover why it's time to cancel shaming and choose to live brilliantly instead.

Episode 13: Outdated Beliefs: Why Your Inner Rule Book Needs an Update

Do you feel like you're playing by rules that no longer serve you?

In this episode of the Art of Beautiful Thinking, hosts Cat and Yvette dive deep into the concept of your inner rule book—the inherited beliefs and subconscious patterns that might be holding you back without you even knowing it. Join them as they share their own personal stories of overcoming childhood programming around scarcity and self-worth. They reveal how recognizing and challenging these outdated rules can lead to enormous personal growth and satisfaction.

This episode is your guide to understanding your values, strengths, and personal beliefs to find true alignment. It's time to stop conforming and start living a life that is genuinely you.

Listen now and learn to rewrite your story.

Episode 20: Stop Wishing, Start Expecting Success - How A Mindset Shift Changes Everything

Are you waiting for success to happen to you, or are you stepping into it?

The fear of the unknown—leaving a job that doesn't serve you, or pursuing a dream like a full-time artist—can keep you stuck in a miserable comfort zone.

In this powerful episode, Yvette and Cat share a real-life success story of a friend who was on the verge of quitting until she made one crucial mindset shift: moving from wanting success to expecting it.

You'll learn:

* Why you need to let your purpose be the driver, not your fear and self-doubt.

* How to stop your current reality from dictating what you can or cannot do.

* The difference between 'I want' and 'I am' and how it impacts your results.

* Why failure is just a First Attempt In Learning and not a final stop.

Episode 23: You Are The Co-Creator Of Your Life

You are not here to live life on autopilot. You are the co-creator of your reality.

In this first episode of our 3-part Authentic Life Activation Series, Cat and Yvette unpack what it really means to consciously create your life – not from pressure or perfectionism, but from small, intentional choices that honour who you truly are.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, off-track or like you’re living someone else’s version of success, this conversation is your invitation to come back to yourself and remember that you always have a choice.

Episode 25: How to Stop Overthinking & Trust Your Intuition Again

Do you overthink every decision, second-guess yourself and feel totally confused in your own head?

In Part 3 of The Authentic Life Activation Series – a 3-part journey back to your true self, we dive into getting out of your head and learning to trust your intuition again.

This episode was inspired by a beautiful question from our subscriber Suz, who asked how to reconnect with her “spidey senses” and rebuild self-trust after life has worn her down.

If you’ve ever walked away from a situation thinking, “I knew it… why didn’t I listen to myself?” — this conversation is for you.

Unique Topics Series

Episode 9: Unlock Your Inner Peace: The Power of Metaphysics

In this episode, Cat and Yvette delve into the profound world of metaphysics and how it relates to our everyday lives. They explore the idea that human beings are more than just a complex collection of plumbing, but rather, physical expressions of an infinite intelligence or universal source.

Yvette shares her perspective, explaining that everything, when broken down to a molecular level, is energy and a light frequency. She discusses how this infinite intelligence is trying to express itself through each of us and that a feeling of emptiness or dissatisfaction often arises when we are not connected to our authentic self.

The episode tackles common issues like anxiety, depression, and the void people feel despite achieving material success. Yvette suggests that the key to fulfillment is to move past the veil of limiting beliefs and fears to connect with your true self. She offers practical insights, mentioning meditation and personal growth as tools to help quiet the monkey mind and build a relationship with your inner peace.

Cat and Yvette also touch on how this inner work can positively impact relationships and overall well-being, leading to a more centered and joyful life. They conclude by emphasizing that finding inner peace is a gradual process of letting go of old beliefs and programming, allowing you to show up fully in the world.

Episode 11: From Skeptic to Believer: How I Let Go of Control and Found My Authentic Self

In this episode, Cat shares her personal experience with the Authentic Life Blueprint Program.

Having a background in therapy and trauma counseling, Cat admits she was very, very skeptical about the program. She felt burned out and believed that this was as good as life is gonna get, a mindset that made her feel like there was something missing in her life. This state of mind became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Through the program, Cat learned to silence her undermining monkey mind. She discovered that the answers were within, learning to go inwards for answers and to trust herself. By learning to become best friends with herself, she found a new layer of contentment and loves that her life is evolving, not blowing up anymore.

The Authentic Life Blueprint Program teaches you to trust yourself and find that internal compass to align with your true north. So, if you're feeling stuck, exhausted, or like you're just white knuckling it through life, this is the episode for you.

Episode 19: Forgiveness Shock: Why Your Breakthrough Brings an Emotional Flat Point

Ever feel like personal growth comes with a hidden cost?

You're not alone.

Join Yvette and Cat as they explore the emotional journey that follows deep inner work, including the inevitable 'down days' that can surprise you after a breakthrough. This isn't just a motivational chat—it's an honest look at the messy side of self-improvement.

If you are currently on a path of growth and need encouragement to keep going, this episode will help you embrace change, find your true purpose, and believe in your own worth. Listen now and discover the powerful connection between letting go and receiving!