Best Cat Matson Podcasts (2025)

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167 - How To Get The ‘Right’ Words To Come Out 12:40

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2d ago12:40

12:40

Does it ever feel like your brain and mouth are out-of-sync? You know what you want to say but your mouth just doesn’t play along? That’s exactly the experience that’s been described by a regular listener, and they’ve asked me for some tips: “You know, as much as I prepare myself to aid my confidence, it always feels like the right words won’t come…

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The midlife rage no one warns you about 52:13

7d ago52:13

52:13

Many women are blindsided in their 40s by a sudden return of explosive anger. Clinical neuropsychologist Caroline Gurvich joins Francesca and Louise to explain how hormonal changes can intensify stress, spark mood swings and leave women feeling unrecognisable to themselves. She also shares what helps: lifestyle shifts, medical support and the impor…

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166 - How To Ask Questions From The Audience 17:39

8d ago17:39

17:39

Ever been in the audience at a conference, asked a question of one of the speakers, and got completely tangled up in giving context? Well, that’s EXACTLY what I’m addressing today - how to ask questions FROM the audience in a way that elevates you, gets the answer you want and doesn’t get you all tangled up. This is in response to a listener questi…

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What an athlete mindset can teach us about pressure 57:44

13d ago57:44

57:44

What do top athletes know about pressure that the rest of us don’t? Dr Kylie Wilson is a mental skills and performance coach who has worked with Olympians, rugby stars and world champions. She joins Francesca and Louise to share some of the mental skills sports stars use that can also help us regular folks in our everyday life. Prepare to take note…

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165 - Can I Present for 20 Minutes Without Notes? 18:32

15d ago18:32

18:32

“Is it realistic to do a 20 minute speech without notes?”, that’s the question I’m asking in this week’s Speaking with Confidence podcast. It’s a myth that we need to memorise our speeches, and it’s also a risk to take a stage with a script or highly detailed notes. The more details in our notes the more we’re looking at the lectern, instead of con…

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Lorna Riley on divorce and dating 49:43

20d ago49:43

49:43

Coast FM's Lorna Riley has been through two divorces and is now engaged again. Her message to women staring down a midlife separation is clear: it is hard, it is heart-breaking, but you can still build a good life on the other side. Lorna joins Louise and Francesca to talk about the financial and emotional toll of separation, finding herself back i…

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164 - How To Engage Your Audience 14:13

23d ago14:13

14:13

I was recently asked this question: “How to engage the audience? I love watching speakers who engage the crowd but don't put people on the spot?’ Putting people on the spot is NOT an engagement technique and it can often have negative impacts on the audience. So, in this week’s episode I’m sharing my top tips for engaging your audience without sing…

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It's complicated: figuring out our relationship with alcohol 59:18

27d ago59:18

59:18

Many women have a complex relationship with alcohol and how it impacts our health and wellbeing as we age. Master health coach, Ree George, joins Louise and Francesca to talk about the role alcohol plays in women's lives, how it impacts us physiologically and psychologically, and why many of us find ourselves drinking more as we deal with the stres…

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163 - How To Make My Audience Relax (& Maybe Even Laugh) 12:37

1M ago12:37

12:37

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson I’m answering another community question: “How can I make my audience relax, and maybe even laugh 😅?” This is such an insightful question … if your audience isn’t relaxed they’re not going to be open to what you have to say. Listen in to hear: My simple technique that you can use in your o…

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When women pay the price for paying the bills, with Nadine Higgins 55:31

1M ago55:31

55:31

Rising costs are hitting every household in Aotearoa, but for many women there’s an added weight – the invisible job of managing the family’s money. In this episode of The Little Things, hosts Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey admit they’ve ended up as the “household CFOs”, juggling bills and budgets by default. They’re joined by financial advisor …

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162 - How To Prepare in 2 Minutes 13:06

1M ago13:06

13:06

“How do you quickly prepare when you’re put on the spot?”, that’s the question I’m answering in today’s episode of Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson. I was recently asked, “How to prep in 2 minutes - I went to a networking event recently and once I got there the host said "ok, we're going around the room and everyone will come up to the fron…

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Could supplements be doing you more harm than good? 53:31

1M ago53:31

53:31

The world of supplements can be overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you! Naturopath Erin O'Hara joins Francesca and Louise to to help determine if you need supplements, how to select quality products, and make sense of trends and labelling. Discover when supplements can be helpful or even essential, versus when you're just wasting money (and p…

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How we should – and maybe shouldn’t – dress in our mid years, with Michiko Hylands 54:35

2M ago54:35

54:35

This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by celebrity stylist Michiko Hylands to talk fashion after 40 and 50, and how to find your confidence and style as you get older. They discuss wearing colors and styles outside your comfort zone, finding flattering silhouettes for your body type, feeling confident and vibrant with age, investing in timeles…

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161 - Personal Reflections on Imposter Syndrome 13:13

2M ago13:13

13:13

It’s my birthday … it’s a big milestone birthday … as such, this episode is a little bit different to normal episodes. As I reflect on my career, my business, and my work, the themes of imposter syndrome, humility and authenticity have been percolating … and I wanted to share some of those thoughts today. Listen in to hear: My own ‘I’m not good eno…

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Dr Libby on the importance of iron in our overall health 51:41

2M ago51:41

51:41

Do you constantly feel tired and exhausted no matter how much you sleep or rest? Have you been blaming it on stress or a busy life? The answer may be simpler than you think. This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by nutritional biochemist and author of Fix Iron First, Dr. Libby, to discuss the vital role iron plays in our energy levels and over…

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160 - How To MC Like A Pro (even if you’re not) 20:25

2M ago20:25

20:25

“How To MC an Event” is the question I’m answering in this week’s episode of Speaking with Confidence … a question asked by Louise in my community. MCing is my favourite speaking format … so I LOVED answering this question! Listen in to hear: What is the role of an MC (and what many people get wrong) How to do an Acknowledgement of Country that is …

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Running marathons and understanding our bodies - what we learned last season 6:48

2M ago6:48

6:48

Francesca and Louise are back for Season 5 - but before they get into the new season, they are catching up on what they took away from Season 4, from grief to gut health, and the major change Louise has implemented. And there's still plenty more to cover, including dementia, alcohol, supplements, iron, fatigue and more. Be sure to subscribe and lis…

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159 - How To End Your Talk 15:17

2M ago15:17

15:17

How do you end your talk so that your audience takes the next step with you? And how do you end your talk so you’re memorable? This week I’m answering just those questions - questions asked by my community. Listen in to hear: How to craft a call to action that moves your audience closer to working with you How to manage questions at the end of a pr…

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158 - Tips to Ground Yourself Before a Speaking Gig 13:36

2M ago13:36

13:36

“What are your grounding hacks before a speaking gig?” is the question I’m answering in this week’s episode of Speaking with Confidence. Grounding isn’t always about nerves, sometimes it’s about getting present to where you are and what you’re about to do. Listen in to hear: What I do when nerves hit just before I walk on stage My ‘standard start’ …

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157 - How to Record Social Media Videos 12:31

3M ago12:31

12:31

In this episode I’m giving you my top tips for speaking on camera, and getting over that reluctance to record when it’s just you and the camera. I record A LOT of video content - this podcast, for one, as well as course videos, Instagram reels and stories, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way to move past that reluctance to hit record and …

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156 - Knowing WHEN to Speak Up 13:28

3M ago13:28

13:28

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I’m discussing the importance of strategic communication and how to effectively contribute to conversations that matter. I’ve been noticing my own ‘desire’ to contribute to ALL THE CONVERSATIONS, but actually, realising I need to focus on my own circle of influence and control, and the value of thoughtfu…

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155 - Umms & Ahhs and How To Stop Them 15:25

3M ago15:25

15:25

Today I’m answering the question, “how do I train out the excessive umms and ahhs and other unnecessary fillers that take away the conviction and strength in the message” Well, I don’t think you need to get rid of all your umms and ahhs … they’re part of an authentic and real connection. But, if they’re undermining the impact of your message, there…

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154 - Managing The Fear Of Public Speaking 24:11

3M ago24:11

24:11

It’s often said that the fear of public speaking is second only to the fear of death itself. If this is even close to true I find it incredibly sad - how many people are not speaking up, and not contributing their insights and knowledge to the world just because they’re scared something bad might happen? In this special episode of Speaking with Con…

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153 - How To Memorise Your Presentation So You Don’t Need Notes 15:00

4M ago15:00

15:00

If I had a dollar for every person who’s asked me ‘how do I memorise my presentations?’ … In this episode of Speaking with Confidence with Cat Matson I’m talking about why memorising your presentation is a REALLY bad idea, and what you can do instead to deliver a powerful presentation. Listen in to hear: Why you DON’T want to even try to memorise y…

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152 - The Problem With Shortcuts Like AI and Templates 14:19

4M ago14:19

14:19

It’s really tempting to use shortcuts like AI or templates when crafting a presentation; but if you’re not careful they’ll trip you up more than they help. In this episode of Speaking with Confidence I’m sharing the ‘colour-by-numbers’ mistake I see many people make when using a template, or AI, and how to overcome that. Listen in to hear: The ‘sec…

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Holly Wainwright on how she learnt to embrace mid-life and the best things about getting older 59:54

4M ago59:54

59:54

For the last episode of the season, Francesca and Louise are joined by author, podcaster and editor with Mamamia, Holly Wainwright. The host of MID and co-host of Mamamia Out Loud, Wainwright has been telling women's stories for most of her career - but she wasn't sure what to expect when she approached middle age herself. She talks to Francesca an…

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151 - How To Talk About Myself Without Sounding Too Braggy 18:37

4M ago18:37

18:37

How do you showcase your awesomeness without sounding like an arrogant twat? Well, that’s exactly what I’m answering in today’s episode! Most humble leaders I know DON’T like talking about themselves, and they hope ‘their work will speak for itself’. However, we often don’t have time for our work to speak for itself, and we need to be a little more…

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Why menopause shouldn't hold you back from your exercise goals with Cathy Duffy 45:30

4M ago45:30

45:30

Francesca and Louise have been trail running for several years now, and while they love it as a hobby, both know how menopause and ageing can have an impact on getting into exercise and maintaining it. So this week, they are talking to Cathy Duffy, a running coach with Mile 27 in Australia, and who also has a Bachelor of Human Movement Science. She…

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150 - How To Speak Up Even When I’m Scared 15:39

5M ago15:39

15:39

It’s REALLY hard to speak up when you’re scared or nervous; worried about looking like an idiot or being rejected. Yet we need to, right? Because, chances are, you’re listening to this podcast because you are fearful of speaking in public (whatever that looks like to you) and therefore, it follows, you need to speak up even when you’re scared (or n…

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Why you aren't going to sort your life out and why that's a good thing with Oliver Burkeman 46:41

5M ago46:41

46:41

Self-help books and advice gurus often promise big changes to revolutionise how you live your life, or push you to strive for perfection. But what if we accept the fact that we are mortal humans with a finite time on this Earth, with only so much ability to get things done - and if we place ourselves within that reality, is that when we can truly t…

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149 - How To Be Heard In Meetings 17:58

5M ago17:58

17:58

We’ve all been there. In a meeting, we have ideas we want to contribute, and we just can’t make ourselves heard. Whether it’s dominating personalities in the room, people interrupting, whether it’s deliberate or just unthinking, it can be REALLY tough to make ourselves heard. In this episode I share some ideas (from lived experience) of how to be h…

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Why understanding your gut could be the key to a healthy life with Dr Will Bulsiewicz 55:12

5M ago55:12

55:12

In the last few years, everyone has started talking about gut microbiome and how important it is to our health. Everything from longevity to mental health to disease resistance is now being linked to the gut - but how do we achieve a healthy gut microbiome? Do we really need probiotics or can lifestyle and diet alone help our gut to flourish? This …

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148 - How to Speak Clearly & Confidently Under Pressure 13:36

5M ago13:36

13:36

“I’m fine in normal conversation, but as soon as all eyes are on me, I just lose my confidence, and my words” If I had a dollar for every time a podcast listener said this to me! When we’re in a pressure situation - we need to win the pitch, present a dissenting opinion - when the stakes are high, it can be difficult to stay cool and calm, let alon…

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How to get the most out of therapy with Jacqui Maguire 49:32

5M ago49:32

49:32

Therapy can be a useful tool for many of us for a variety of reasons, but often times finding the right person for the right price can be the first barrier in seeking help. So who should you see? How can you access what you need? What does it cost? And how do we get the best out of it? To help you sort through it, this week Francesca and Louise are…

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147 - How To Show Up EVEN WHEN You’re Not Feeling it 14:54

5M ago14:54

14:54

Ugh! How do you show up and be engaging, inspiring, energetic, motivating and enthusiastic … when you’re not? That is the topic of this podcast because, I’ll be honest, that’s how I felt on recording day. And rather than just ‘fake it’ I decided to ‘work out loud’ and let you in on my ‘secrets’ for shifting my mood when the only option is to ‘show …

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The secret to extending your lifespan with Dr Nicholas Koemel and Joanna Wane 41:56

5M ago41:56

41:56

Stories about millionaires doing wacky things to decrease their biological age - like plasma transfusions with their teenage sons - have been doing the rounds over the last few years. But extending your lifespan can be done cheaply and easily. This week, Francesca and Louise talk to Dr Nicholas Koemer about the study he was a co-author on that look…

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146 - How Personal Is Too Personal 13:50

5M ago13:50

13:50

How do you balance building rapport by sharing personal stories but not getting ‘too personal’ with your audience? That’s the topic of this episode where I talk about the distinction between authenticity and over-sharing, why connecting personally IS important to effectively share your information and how you can find balance you’re comfortable wit…

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Adolescence and the conversations you should have with your boys with Andrew Reiner 54:53

6M ago54:53

54:53

The Netflix hit Adolescence has got everyone talking - in particular, it's sparked conversations around boys and young men, and what's causing them to be drawn in by the 'manosphere' online. This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by Andrew Reiner, author of Better Boys, Better Men: The New Masculinity, and a Senior Lecturer at Towson University…

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145 - What is the best way to practise my speech? 17:02

6M ago17:02

17:02

What is the best way to practise my speech? This is a question I am asked A LOT, so I’ve answered it in this podcast episode. Unlike many speaking coaches, I’m actually NOT an advocate for practising your speech over and over again in the mirror, or in front of your family. Why? Because by the time you come to the ‘live performance’ you’ll risk sou…

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Why we need to change the way we think about grief with Dr Denise Quinlan 49:05

6M ago49:05

49:05

Grief is something that we all experience in life - we all know what it is like to lose a loved one, be it a family member, friend, or even a pet. It doesn’t seem to matter how prepared you might be, how many times you have experienced it, or the circumstances around it, a devastating loss is just that – devastating. And finding the words to suppor…

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144 - Using Your Voice, Your Way, with Denise Duffield-Thomas 41:55

6M ago41:55

41:55

Denise Duffield-Thomas is a highly successful business woman. As a Money Mindset Mentor she has supported more than 10,000 people deal with their money gremlins in her Money Bootcamp. Denise is also an author of 3 books, has been podcasting for well over ten years. She has spoken on small and massive stages around the world (even though she’s not a…

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What to know when dealing with your GP with Dr Preeya Alexander 52:04

6M ago52:04

52:04

Our GPs are people we rely on for a lot. A visit can be as simple as a 15 min appointment to establish if our sore throat is a viral or bacterial infection, but it is sometimes the start of a long and difficult pathway of diagnosis, treatment and hopefully recovery for any one of many illnesses and injuries that could befall us. They play a big rol…

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143 - How to establish credibility (without sounding too boastful) 19:22

6M ago19:22

19:22

“How do I establish credibility, how do I demonstrate my experience, without sounding arrogant?” I’m easily asked this question at least 5 times a week. We like to think that ‘our experience and expertise speaks for itself’, but that’s not always (often) the case. In this episode I talk about why it’s important to tell your ‘brag stories’ in a way …

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How to adapt your makeup routine as you age with Lisa Matson 53:18

6M ago53:18

53:18

Many of us find a makeup routine that works, even if it takes years to get it right. But that doesn't mean that routine is always going to be the thing that works. This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by acclaimed local makeup artist Lisa Matson to discuss why our old routines don't work as we get older, and what we need to do to keep it work…

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142 - But what if I freeze when all eyes are on me? 16:02

6M ago16:02

16:02

“Cat, I recently FROZE, completely froze, when the MC introduced me to talk. I was prepared, I knew my topic, but my nerves got the better of me and I froze. How do I NOT freeze next time?” That’s the conversation that has sparked this episode, and I’m recounting the advice I gave in a recent group call. Freezing on stage is a ‘normal’ response - i…

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Surviving the empty nest with Kerre Woodham 44:34

7M ago44:34

44:34

This year Francesca and Louise have both sent a child off to university, and it has got them thinking about the empty nest and how to cope. To discuss, Newstalk ZB host Kerre Woodham joins them to get her insights into watching her daughter leave home, leave the country, and raise a family - and why your kids leaving home isn't the end of the world…

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Why a metabolism reset is key to sorting your energy levels with Lara Briden 51:28

7M ago51:28

51:28

Francesca and Louise are back for a new season, and to kick things off, they are joined by Christchurch-based Canadian naturopath and author of The Metabolism Reset, Lara Briden, to discuss the key role metabolism plays in maintaining our energy levels, hunger and weight, and what you need to do if things are feeling a little off. See omnystudio.co…

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141 - Stepping into the Spotlight - Why You Want To (even if it’s scary) 18:13

7M ago18:13

18:13

Even if you’re an introvert, if you don’t like ‘all the attention’ or you’re happy ‘being in the background’, sometimes it’s important to step into the spotlight. Whether that’s on a stage or, more often than not, simply ‘speaking up’ in a meeting, in a community conversation or for your business. As humble leaders we often ‘fall back into the shad…

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What we've learned so far - from relationship tips to avoiding sextortion scams! 12:58

7M ago12:58

12:58

The Little Things is coming back for Season 4 next week, but before the new season gets underway, Francesca and Louise are catching up on what they learned last season, including improving their family relationships, getting more protein into their diets, and how Francesca avoided being caught in a sextortion scam! New episodes are back from March …

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140 How do I showcase my talents? 15:20

7M ago15:20

15:20

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, I’m answering another community question, How do I bring everything I know, together? This is a question I’ve grappled with myself, because I didn’t want to ‘lose’ the opportunity to influence someone by NOT sharing the relevant information. Using the storytelling canvas, I can connect with both long ter…