Cate & Ty Break It Down

Latest Episodes:

Dr. Abby Hasberry: Navigating Adoption as an Adoptee and Birth Mother Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Join Cate & Ty as they sit down with Dr. Abby, a transracial adoptee, birth mother, and adoption-informed therapist. Dr. Abby breaks down the true meaning of informed consent in adoption, revealing the systemic issues and personal traumas often hidden beneath the surface. She also shares her personal journey, from her coerced relinquishment as a teenage birth mother to her own experience as an adoptee navigating identity and reunion.

For more information visit https://adoptingprivilege.com/

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Sold, Not Relinquished: An Adoptee's Search for Answers Aug 06, 2025

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Prepare to have your mind blown as Cate & Ty sit down with Diana(@blackmarketbaby), an adoptee whose story only gets wilder and wilder. From uncovering the truth about her birth mother's "tiger king" lifestyle and essentially selling her children in the 80s, to navigating complex family dynamics and searching for her biological father, Diana shares her journey of identity and finding her truth in a world that often paints a pretty picture of adoption.

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Discovering The Trad Wife Debate Jul 30, 2025

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Camping, kids, and the Trad Wife! Cate & Ty share candid stories from their recent spontaneous camping trip – their first alone in years! From "mom guilt" moments and terrifying tales of lost children, Cate & Ty also discuss adulting woes, Mountain Dew-fueled childhood memories, and Ty discovers the Trad Wife debate and a video that had him going down a rabbit hole.

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Kindness Over Cruelty Jul 23, 2025

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The internet can be a dark place and, as veteran social media users, Cate & Ty share their thoughts on the rampant spread of bullying, the issue with "snark pages", and the tragic stories of lives lost. We offer a heartfelt call to action for spreading kindness, fostering empathy, and supporting those who are struggling.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

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Chaos, Connection & Denouncing Feet Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

In this week's solo episode, Cate & Ty share their recent travel chaos, including a bank card hacking disaster in New York City. They also get real about the challenges of parenting and play "Couples" card game, revealing their communication styles, insecurities, and the surprising similarities that make their relationship work. And what's Tyler's hilarious, unwavering stance on feet fetishes? Let's find out!

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Genetic Mirroring and Brain Wiring: Understanding Adoptee Development w/ Psychotherapist Amy Silvia Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Cate & Ty sit down with psychotherapist and adoptee Amy Silvia (@psychotherapist.amy_) , who shares her personal journey through the Baby Scoop Era and the complex process of reconnecting with her birth family. Drawing on decades of clinical experience working with thousands of adoptees and birth parents, Amy unpacks the profound impact of genetic mirroring, attachment trauma, and the crucial need for "adoptee-focused" therapy. Amy sheds light on the crucial difference between "adoption competence" and truly "adoptee-focused" care, highlighting the mental health struggles faced by adoptees and birth parents, including the shockingly high rates of suicidal ideation. Discover how normalizing difficult adoption conversations can lead to profound healing for the entire adoption triad.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
EveryPlate: Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code BREAKITDOWN199 to get started. Applied as discount on first box, limited time only.
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Relationship Real Talk Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

This week, Cate & Ty tackle your most intimate questions! They discuss keeping the spark alive in long-term relationships, navigating intimacy with kids, and decoding the red flags of infidelity and manipulation. Plus, they share candid thoughts on modern reality TV and the importance of open conversations with your children about sex.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
ZocDoc: Go to Zocdoc.com/CateAndTy to find and instantly book an appointment today

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Unconditional Love, Empathy & Human Connection with David Shane Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Cate & Ty sit down with David Shane (@davidbshane), an adoptee who shares stories of love, mindfulness, and human connections on social media, but one day decided to share his journey of being contacted by his biological mother. David opens up about his upbringing, filled with open communication from his adoptive parents, which instilled in him a strong sense of self from a young age. He shares how the reunion with his biological younger sister, and eventually biological parents, came with emotional challenges and expectations, and the aftermath. Cate and Ty discuss with David about the fragility of life, the importance of overcoming fear in pursuing connections before it's too late, and the idea that not all reunions are positive but deserve to be explored with a strong support system. Drawing from his experiences, David offers advice for both adoptive and biological parents, emphasizing the critical role of unconditional support, open communication, and respecting the adoptee's pace during the reunion process.

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They're Growing Up! Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Cate & Ty are back for another solo ep! This week, they're sharing life updates, including the kids being out of school for the summer and thoughts on Raya starting full-time preschool next school year. They delve into the challenges and joys of parenting, from dealing with early risers and emotional goodbyes to school to looking forward to being involved grandparents. Plus, we dip into the jar of "Secrets Anonymous," where we get the craziest of listener confessions that include accidental nude pics, an affair, a closeted parent, and sexual kinks.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Years & Counting: Building A Relationship Through Communication and Curiosity Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

On today's episode, Cate & Ty answer some questions and open up about their 19-year relationship, sharing the unfiltered truth about how they've made it work throughout the years. They discuss the importance of communication, the role of therapy early in their relationship, and how they navigate disagreements and build a lasting connection. They address some of the haters, and conspiracy theories about themselves, and talk about how they have come to deal with it. Plus, they answer listener questions about balancing household duties and navigating a possible separation, offering their perspectives on building healthy and fulfilling relationships

Thank you to our sponsors!

Better Help: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/BreakItDown today to get 10% off your first month
EveryPlate: Go to everyplate.com/podcast and use code BREAKITDOWN199 to get started. Applied as discount on first box, limited time only.
Me Undies: Visit MeUndies.com/Breakitdown and use code BREAKITDOWN to get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping.
Quince: Go to Quince.com/breakitdown for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.