There Were Signs

Letters In The Light

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 [https://www.instagram.com/cassiehawrysh] Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/CassieHawrysh] Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.cassiehawrysh.com/] Connect with Jody: Instagram: ⁠@drjodycarrington [https://www.instagram.com/drjodycarrington/]

Paint Strokes & Personas

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 [https://www.instagram.com/cassiehawrysh]  Facebook: ⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/cassieelisehawrysh]  Website: ⁠cassiehawrysh.com [https://cassiehawrysh.com/]

Seen, Shifted, Shaped

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 [https://www.instagram.com/cassiehawrysh] Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/CassieHawrysh] Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠ [https://www.cassiehawrysh.com/] Connect with Shannon: Instagram: @shannon_winzer [https://www.instagram.com/shannon_winzer/]

Outline of a Life

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 [https://www.instagram.com/cassiehawrysh] Facebook:⁠⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/CassieHawrysh] Website:⁠⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠ [https://www.cassiehawrysh.com/]

The Voice Within

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 [https://www.instagram.com/margauxamiller/] Website: speakwithmargaux.com [https://www.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 [https://www.instagram.com/cassiehawrysh] Facebook: ⁠⁠Cassie Elise Hawrysh⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/CassieHawrysh] Website: ⁠⁠cassiehawrysh.com⁠⁠ [https://www.cassiehawrysh.com/]