Cat & Nat Unfiltered

Three years ago Cat's daughter Olivia got a concussion... and it changed everything. What we thought would be a 10-day recovery turned into a year-long journey through chronic headaches, dizziness, vision problems, panic, endless appointments, and lots of questions unanswered. Today Olivia joins Cat to share what happened—from the moment she hit her head to what recovery actually looked like. We talk about the mistakes we made, the advice we wish we'd been given on day one, why concussions are so misunderstood, and the treatments that finally helped us find a path forward. If your child has ever hit their head, is recovering from a concussion, or you're feeling completely lost trying to navigate the system, this conversation is for you. We aren't doctors, but we are parents who lived it, and we're sharing everything we wish we'd known sooner. Because sometimes the biggest challenge isn't the injury itself—it's finding someone who knows how to help!Keywordsconcussion, brain injury, recovery, health, teens, parents, medical system, management, symptoms, research concussion, neurorehabilitation, brain injury, recovery tips, nervous system, concussion management, brain health, concussion therapy, mental health, recovery journeyKey topicsConcussion symptoms and misdiagnosisLack of information and medical supportManagement vs. cure in concussion recoveryThe importance of neurological and eye assessmentsThe evolving research on brain injuries Concussion rehabilitation techniquesImportance of nervous system calmingRole of neurotherapy and specialized clinicsManaging emotional and mental health during recoveryPractical daily routines and activity pacing

We are bringing you a repeat this holiday weekend! This episode isn’t just about sports—it’s about confidence, resilience, and rethinking what winning really means. We get into the pressure parents put on kids, the entitlement that can creep into youth sports, and why sometimes the biggest lessons happen off the field.And because we can never leave well enough alone, we dream up our latest million-dollar idea: live post-game feedback panels where real experts break down every player's performance—for both the kids and the parents. It would be completely unhinged... and we'd absolutely watch.Whether you're a sports parent, a coach, or just someone who appreciates the chaos that comes with raising kids, this episode is full of laughs, honest conversations, and reminders that success isn't just about trophies—it's about raising confident, resilient humans. So if you've ever questioned whether everyone takes youth sports a little too seriously, this one's for you.

We are a little all over the place this week! We get into a very real conversation about perimenopause, unpredictable periods, navigating women's healthcare, and why getting answers shouldn't be harder than booking Botox. We also chat about sports nutrition, the pressure social media puts on feeding our kids "the right way," and why girls love hanging out in their rooms while boys disappear to the basement. Plus, we're sharing our ultimate dorm shopping list for parents getting ready to send their kids off to university. Find it (and so much more!) here: https://shopmy.us/shop/catandnat.Keywordsfamily cooking, cultural food differences, perimenopause, women's health, parenting, nutrition, dorm essentialsKey topicsTeaching kids to cook meat safelyCultural differences in food preferencesPerimenopause symptoms and medical proceduresEssential dorm room items and organizationFamily food traditions and myths

Today we’re joined by career coach, recruiter, content creator, public speaker and author Emily Durham for a conversation every parent of a teen or young adult needs to hear. Emily's longtime expertise in hiring and recruitment has made her a trusted voice on modern hiring, Gen Z careers, and the evolving world of work. We get into the reality of today’s job market, why getting hired feels harder than ever, and what skills actually matter in a world where AI is changing everything. Emily breaks down why empathy, decision-making, leadership, and communication may be more valuable than technical skill, how teens can stand out in a crowded job market, and why old-school tactics like walking in with a resume might be making a comeback. We also talk about Gen Z’s relationship with work, why they’re not as lazy as people think, and how parents can guide their kids without turning every conversation into a lecture.For more from Emily, follow her on Instagram at @emily.the.recruiter. And for the career resource she wishes she'd had herself, check out her debut book, Clock In: No-BS Advice for Getting Ahead in Your Career (Without Losing Your Mind), at emilydurham.org/clock-in.Keywordscareer advice, future of work, skills development, Gen Z, education, AI, job market, parenting, career coachingKey topicsShift in the job market due to AI and technologyImportance of transferable skills like judgment and empathyHow parents can help kids develop soft skillsThe changing landscape of university educationThe role of social media in hiring decisionsPractical tips for teens to build their resumesThe importance of early work experience and volunteeringAdapting career education to modern needs

We’re talking hockey drafts, hockey agents, hockey reality shows, hockey WAGs and the absolutely wild world of youth sports where kids seem to need highlight reels, social media managers, and future plans before they can even drive. We debate whether young athletes really need agents, if social media is helping or hurting kids chasing big dreams, and whether talent alone is still enough to get noticed. Plus, we share stories from the rink that will have every sports parent nodding along. And then Nat quizzes Cat on hockey slang! Tune in to find out if Cat is a hockey expert or just really good at guessing.Keywordshockey, youth sports, social media, parenting, sports terminology, hockey slang, kids and social media, sports drafts, athlete brandingKey topicsHockey terminology and slang explainedThe youth sports draft process and athlete developmentThe role of social media in young athletes' careersParenting tips for kids in competitive sportsInsights into hockey culture and community

We are deep in the weeds over here with graduations, ceremonies, and all the end-of-year chaos that comes with having seven kids! So this week, we're bringing back one of your favourite episodes. We're talking about one of the biggest conversations happening right now: bodies, aging, weight, and the growing buzz around GLP-1 medications. With celebrities like Oprah and Serena Williams making headlines, it feels like everyone has an opinion—but what’s actually true? We dissect the reality of food noise, why weight and health are far more complex than willpower alone, and how aging can completely shift the way you think about your body. From metabolism and mindset to the pressure women face to look a certain way, we're having the honest conversation so many of us have been having behind closed doors. If you've ever wondered why some people seem to struggle with food differently, felt frustrated by outdated advice, or found yourself navigating a changing relationship with your body as you age, this episode is for you.

We're talking about the great teen summer job debate: Are jobs really impossible to find, or have our kids become a little too selective? We get into a conversation about chores, responsibility, and why we're still cleaning up after our teenagers who somehow have time for their phones but not the dishwasher. If you're raising teens, trying to teach responsibility, or wondering if you're the only one having the same argument over and over again, this episode is for you.

From locker room culture and the lessons we hope our kids learn, to the coaches who change lives and the conversations every team should be having, this episode in our hockey series goes deep. We talk about raising kids who have the courage to speak up, why being "not guilty" isn't always the same as being right, and how sports can shape so much more than athletic ability. Of course, we also get into hockey parents, spring hockey battles, the family that got divorced over hockey, and the grown man who still resents his father for making him play. We talk about what happens when a sport becomes a kid's entire identity, why summer breaks matter, and how to make sure your relationship with your child exists beyond the rink. If you've ever spent a weekend at a rink, argued about spring hockey, or wondered if you're raising a kid who loves the game or just doesn't know anything else, this one's for you.