Cassie: The C in TLC — Holding it Together with Duct Tape

Send us Fan MailThis episode is a big one — and not the polished, highlight-reel version of life. It’s the real stuff.In this deeply personal conversation, Cassie opens up about one of the most intense periods of her life, diving head-first into mental health, depression, and suicide prevention. From feeling like she didn’t quite belong as a kid (turns out that wasn’t just teenage angst), to becoming a mum very young, navigating marriage, motherhood, chronic stress, and multiple rounds of depression — this episode traces the long, messy, very human road that led to her darkest moment… and what brought her back.Cassie shares what it actually feels like to fall apart while still showing up — going to work, paying bills, looking “fine” on the outside while everything inside is screaming. She talks about the near-breakdown that forced her to finally say the words out loud, the people who stepped in when she couldn’t stand anymore, and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes staying alive is a day-by-day decision.This isn’t a “just think positive” episode. It’s about speaking up, asking for help (even when it feels impossible), and understanding that falling apart doesn’t mean you’re broken — it means you’re human. There are tears, hard truths, dark moments… and yes, a bit of Cassie humour along the way, because sometimes you either laugh or you lose it completely.If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding everything together with duct tape, this one’s for you. And if you’re in the thick of it right now — please know this: you are not weak, you are not alone, and this story is proof that even when everything collapses, there is another side.Content warning: This episode discusses mental health, depression, and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care.Episode Timeline00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation matters 01:24 – Childhood, not belonging & early survival mode 04:42 – Becoming a mum young (and growing up fast) 06:43 – Family life, pressure & invisible stress 09:31 – Depression, coping, and learning how to keep going 12:13 – Marriage, motherhood & personal challenges 16:22 – Work, identity & carrying it all 24:30 – Big life shifts & reflection 31:49 – Health scare out of nowhere 32:02 – Cyclone hits Groote Eylandt 32:28 – Job loss & uncertainty 33:11 – Determination (and sheer stubbornness) 34:24 – The drive to Adelaide 35:32 – When mental health really unravels 35:57 – Friends, family & being caught when you fall 37:27 – Rock bottom 39:44 – Asking for help & the slow climb back 47:36 – Looking back with clarity 01:03:56 – A message of hope (and truth) 01:08:00 – Closing mantra & moving forward Support the showLaughing with us? Learning with us? You can support the show.https://www.buzzsprout.com/2490371/supportCatch Tina in the OmMade Wellness Hub for all things natural skincare, herbal teas and natural health. https://www.instagram.com/ommadewellnesshub/See what Lauren is up to at Eco Play Therapyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecoplaytherapy/Let Cassie Concierge your life at Soluna Concierge. https://www.instagram.com/soluna_concierge/