Free-Range Joy with Cathy Nesbitt

"Why hit the bottom? Just go up from where you are." A laughter leader. A worm advocate. A wellness warrior. Cathy Nesbitt is transforming stress into joy—one giggle and compost bin at a time. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In This Episode Cathy Nesbitt joins Michael Dargie for a one-of-a-kind conversation about joy, purpose, worms, and why laughter really might be the best medicine. From corporate secretary to compost queen to laughter yoga teacher, Cathy's journey is anything but ordinary—and totally intentional. It all started with worms. Cathy's mission to teach people about indoor composting using red wigglers began in 2002, just as the Greater Toronto Area landfill closed. But her passion didn't stop there. When the world shut down in 2020, she pivoted once again—this time using laughter yoga to help people move out of stress and into joy. This episode goes deep into personal reinvention, the power of saying yes, and how weird ideas might just be the ones that save us. Cathy shares her philosophy on business, community, media, and staying curious in a chaotic world. Plus: the art of winning radio contests, biking while laughing, and why she still doesn't have a cell phone. You'll laugh. You'll learn. You might even start a worm bin. Quotable Quotes "Laughter is the best medicine—but not everybody's laughing." "Why hit the bottom? Just go up from where you are." "Joy is our birthright." "It's no for sure unless you ask." "Without awareness, action is impossible." "We're literally in charge of our own pharma." "I'm not afraid to go and look ridiculous." "Save the worms—they're as important as bees." Episode Highlights Laughter Yoga | How Cathy discovered the science of joy Worm Composting | Red wigglers and the black gold revolution Garbage Strikes | How a Toronto protest led to her first press hit Career Pivots | From secretary to social worker to solo entrepreneur Indoor Composting | Turning food scraps into soil in your own kitchen Morning Show Limo Ride | Proof that asking really works Radio Contests | How Cathy wins big with a whiteboard and a landline Relationship Tips | When to say yes, and how to support an idea generator The Enneagram | Adventurers, researchers, and fun as a guiding light Phone-Free Living | On landlines, fruit flies, and the beauty of quiet Why Titles Don't Matter | Connection trumps status Advice for Rebels | Make joy your baseline, and ask anyway Links from the Episode Cathy's Laughter Club (https://www.cathysclub.com) Cathy on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathynesbitt/) Cathy on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559438955975) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu™: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | MichaelDargie.com