Cat Coach Café

In this episode, we explore Halloween folklore alongside All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day rituals. We slowly transition into the quiet of winter and prepare for Christmas, celebrating November as the ultimate season for storytelling.Later in the episode, we sit down with author Charlie Creed to discuss cat folk tales and fairytales from all around the world, which he beautifully collected in his book, The Cat’s Tales.🍂 Inside this Episode:* The Magic of the Threshold: Unpacking the folklore behind Halloween, All Saints’, and All Souls’ Day, the Czech traditions accompanying it and the season’s inspired self-care rituals. * November Self-Care & Winter Renewal: Why this specific time of year calls us to slow down and reflect, why it’s the best time to connect with our inner-self and to let go of what no longer serves us. * Fireside Folklore: An interview with Charlie Creed on how cats have been viewed across world folk tales and fairytales.* The Winter Transition: Preparing our hearts and homes for the coming winter and the warmth of Christmas, with St Catherine’s Day as the entrance to the Advent season. 📚 Mentioned in this Episode:* The Cat’s Tales by Charlie Creed (Get your copy here)* Charlie Creed’s Instagram* Cat Coach Diaries * Winter Evenings Magic Playlist of Spotify* Cat Coach Café Official Playlist on Spotify🖊Journaling prompts:* What do you need to “burn” to enter the winter season cleansed?* What do you need to leave behind in this cycle that’s coming to an end in order to give yourself a nourishing winter sleep and enter the new cycle renewed? * How many past versions of yourself can you think of? What do you want to thank them for? What of their pains, regrets or dreams that never took hold do you need to release? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

Your cozy podcast is back with its October episode!And what kind of October it would be without a good book to read we can cozy up with? Preferably cat-themed. And perhaps with a rather intriguing plot twist that poses the question of how different cats and politicians really are, and would the world really look different if cats ruled it? We will (try) to find these answers with author of Cat Society Ray Sadri, as well as help any aspiring authors (like me!) to not give up on their writing project. Together we will tune into some calming energy of autumn, and find some comfort in the season. Whether that’s in the kitchen with the seasonal delicacies, in fashion with our favourite cardigans and scarves or in letting go and immersing ourselves in the beauty of October’s nature. We will find creative ways to let go this season and embrace change and understand what it really means - with the help of your Cat Coach Aragorn as well. We will also look at some unexpected social events of Czech ancestors which include some sweet rewards, and prepare for the Days of the Dead as celebrated in Mexico, when our beloved pets can come visit us again. All that and more is waiting for you inside the Cat Coach Café. Pea Horsley links:Ray Sadri - Cat SocietyFollow Ray on InstagramOther Links:Cat Coach DiariesKo-fi - contribute to season 3 of Cat Coach Café and buy your Cat Coaches some kibble 😺Spotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistAutumn / Fall Mornings InstrumentalsOctober InstrumentalsJournaling prompts:* What are some of your favorite things about October?* What do you love most about this month?* How does October make you feel?* How do you want to feel this October? If you want to feel cosy for example or relaxed, how can you achieve that? What exactly does it mean to you?* What can you put on your October wish list? How do you want to spean this month? What’s does your ideal October look like? cozy podcastscomforting podcastsbook podcastcat podcastcalming podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

September is here and that means a new season is around the corner. The best one, if you ask me. It is time to go back to cosy living. In the first episode of Season 3 of the Cat Coach Café, we’re going to ease ourselves into autumn - by catching up with ourselves, reflecting on the past few months and the “harvest” we are now gathering. We’ll have a think about what to bottle up and take with us into the next season, as well as what to let go. We’ll learn about the Slavic goddess of Autumn, dreaming and sleep - Oseň, and learn about the power of wind and fire. We’ll celebrate Autumn Equinox and learn how to predict winter and Christmas weather this year thanks to the Czech weather lore. And of course, your Cat Coach Princ will share some of his wisdom too.Links:Cat Coach DiariesKo-fi - contribute to season 3 of Cat Coach Café and buy your Cat Coaches some kibble 😺Spotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistAutumn Mornings InstrumentalsJournaling prompts:* Just as we store, preserve and bottle up summer’s harvest, what would YOU like to bottle up? What feelings, memories, accomplishments would you like to take with you into winter?* What are you grateful for looking back at the year that you had? What have you harvested that you are especially grateful for? And what do you wish for the next season?* What would you like to see grow in your garden next spring? Figuratively but mainly metaphorically. And what can you do now to ensure that?* Inspired by the wind that brings clarity - what are you missing in your life that is ready to be found? Where do you want to bring more clarity? What truth are you trying to hide… but the wind is not letting you to bury anymore?What whispers does the wind bring with it? * What wishes would you like to send up to the sky and let the kites or the birds deliver? * What kind of song would you like to sing about your winter to the birds once they return in spring? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

June is knocking on our door, and it’s time to welcome it in together with summer. In today’s episode, the last episode of season 2, we will learn about the magic of Summer Solstice and Midsummer Night - the one night it is said we can understand animals. And if that wasn’t enough, we have invited a professional animal communicator to the Cat Coach Café today, to explain how we can all learn to communicate with animals at any time of the year. So tune in to listen to the powerful messages from animals delivered via Pea Horsley - as well as your Cat Coach Aragorn’s one! Cat Coach Princ will then also share his seasonal wisdom through Cat Coach Diaries and invite you all to seek joy in the upcoming summer months. After that, Cat Coach Café will close for the summer months, but will be back as soon as the darker days arrive once more… This episode includes:* Interview with animal communicator and author Pea Horsley* Summer Solstice and Midsummer Night* The 9 Midsummer herbs * Seasonal prompts (see list below)Pea Horsley links: Pea’s Website - go here for info about her workshops, membership, and books!Follow Pea on FacebookOther Links:Cat Coach DiariesKo-fi - contribute to season 3 of Cat Coach Café and buy your Cat Coaches some kibble 😺Spotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistSummer Days | Happy InstrumentalsJournaling prompts:* What is something you can never do at any other time of the year and which you look forward to in the summer? What’s the one thing that sparks joy? * How can you rejuvenate and best take care of yourself when summer and its outward energy become too much? How can you go inward? * How can you bring more sweetness into your life? * Are your goals bringing some sweetness into your life? And if not, what can you plant next time so they do?* June determines the weather conditions of the upcoming two months - what can you do in June, to determine successful summer for yourself or one that feels good? * Go for a mindful walk around Midsummer and see what herbs and plants can become your sacred 9 :) Then journal about the experience, why each plant spoke to you or how it makes you feel, and what you noticed while walking in nature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

Welcome to May, the month that’s dressed in the color of pink, soft pastels and mesmerizing scents that fill the air. In today’s episode, we will tune into it all and welcome joy and love into our lives. We’ll look after the seeds we have planted earlier this year, to see them through to harvest. We will focus on finding balance between the masculine and feminine energies, and learn where we need to be more strategic and where we need to soften. And we will welcome back into the Cat Coach Café author Alex Howard, who will share the story of his brand new book The Ship’s Cat, that will inspire you to open your heart and heal. Alex will also share an exclusive preview from the book with us ahead of its publication on May 7th. We will also celebrate the Cat Coaches’ 14th birthday and Aragorn will share some of his wisdom on this special occasion. All that and more is waiting for you in May’s Cat Coach Café.This episode includes:* Interview with author Alex Howard and exclusive preview from his book The Ship’s Cat* Maypoles and other May folk traditions (kiss under the cherry tree, the Three Ice Men)* Seasonal journaling prompts (see list below)* Finding balance between the masculine and feminine energies and what they represent* Celebrating Cat Coaches’ 14th Birthday and Aragorn’s birthday wisdom* The myth and magic of the Elderberry treeAlex Howard links:Pre-order The Ship's CatFollow Alex on InstagramFollow Alex on ThreadsFollow Alex on TikTokAll other linksOther Links:Cat Coach DiariesSpotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistSpring Mornings InstrumentalsJournaling prompts:* Masculine energy represents drive, action, logic and goal-setting and is often described as the “doing” energy. Ask yourself, where in your life do you need to be more active and strategic perhaps?* Feminine energy is all about intuition, creativity, flow, feeling and sensuality - where do you need to soften? Where have you been holding on too tight, pushing too hard… or being too strong for far too long? Not letting your mind see other options… Where do you need to let go, surrender, listen to your intuition and feel more?* How can you best look after the seeds you planted in the past weeks and months and protect them from bad influences so you can see them grow all the way through to harvest?* How can you show some extra love to yourself this month? How can you bring more soft love into your life?* How can you show more soft love to the people and animals in your life?* How would “magical thinking” change the way you experience your life? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

Welcome to the Easter episode of the Cat Coach Café! It is time to cleanse, look for the magic and receive the lifeforce necessary for a prosperous year ahead. Together we will look at some of the well known Czech Easter traditions, the symbolism of the ceremonial leaven pastries, and we will look for magic on Good Friday. We will welcome a very special guest too - author of the beloved Alfie the Doorstep Cat series, Rachel Wells, and talk about her favorite Easter traditions, her love for cats, the inspiration behind her famous cat character, and so much more. We will also connect with the elements of Water, Earth, and Fire, which played such an integral part in the lives of our ancestors. We’ll discover the magic of the Witches' Night / Burning Witches, and I will share many journaling prompts to get you thinking about how you can make this year your best year yet. And last but not least, your Cat Coach Aragorn will share his 12 rules for Pawesome life. All that and more is waiting for you inside April’s Cat Coach Café. This episode includes:* Interview with author Rachel Wells* Easter traditions in Czech and Slavic folklore* Seasonal journaling prompts (see list below)* Connecting with the elements of Earth, fire and water* The tradition of the Witches Night / Burning Witches on April 30th (also known as Walpurgis Night)* Cat Coach Diaries with Cat Coach Aragorn and his 12 Rules for a Pawesome LifeRachel Wells links:Buy Rachel Wells’ Alfie Books on AmazonFollow Rachel Wells on InstagramOther Links:Cat Coach DiariesSpotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistSpring Mornings InstrumentalsJournaling prompts:* If you had that magical hazel twig and saw the light coming from the rock… what treasure would you like to find there? What does your heart desire? And why?* Next, take a piece of paper and cut it into small pieces and each day, when you notice anything that brings you joy, write that down and put it into a glass jar, a box, or anything you have at hand. Recognize the “treasures” you already have in your life.* How can you ensure your dreams rise just as the dough? What kind of conditions do they need to rise and how can you provide it?* Think of the ways you can give back to Earth this year, or ways you can help protect it, or even bring you closer to Earth. On a more spiritual level, where in your life do you need to feel more grounded?* How can you utilize the element of fire in your life this year? Where do you need to bring more of it and most importantly, how can you best maintain it so it doesn’t burn you nor burns out?* And lastly, water - how can you use water more mindfully this year? And where in your life do you need to surrender and go with the flow more?* Burning Witches Night Journaling: * What do you want to protect yourself from? What do you want to send away? * And what do you want to promote in your life this year? I invite you to sit down and contemplate on these questions, then write down your answers and burn the paper with your answers on this magical night. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

As we welcome spring together, and prepare for the Spring Equinox, coming on March 20th, we take a look at our lives to see where we need to change our perspective, put some dates to our plans, and what we need to let go of to grow in this new chapter.We will declutter our space as well as our mind, say goodbye to winter by welcoming the Spring Goddess Vesna, and send the Goddess of Winter and Death, Morena, on her way.We’ll chat to my dear friend, Ian Paget, a successful and incredibly gifted logo designer, about not just cats in design and how you can leverage cats for your brand, but also about the ways his cat Scarlett changed his mindset about life-work balance and so much more. He will also share his journey of writing and publishing a book, and tips to stay on the course of your dreams.We’ll plan for some Easter baking, talk about the traditions of Death Sunday and Bloom Sunday, wear our best dress, and of course, listen to some wisdom of your Cat Coach Aragorn - this time all about finding your purr.All that and more is waiting for you inside the March Cat Coach Café!This episode includes:* Interview with author Ian Paget* Spring planning and decluttering* Journaling prompts (see list below)* Spring Equinox celebration * Customs connected with Slavic goddesses Vesna and Morena* Cat Coach Diaries with Cat Coach AragornKey topics covered in this month’s interview:* How to achieve more life-work balance and increase creativity - inspired by cats* Cats in logo design* Logo design process* The challenges of writing a book * Tips to keep going after your dreamsIan Paget / Logo Geek links:Logo Geek WebsiteBuy “Make Living Designing Logos” book on AmazonFollow Logo Geek on InstagramOther Links:Cat Coach DiariesSpotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistSpring Mornings InstrumentalsJournaling prompts:* What darkness or evil have accumulated in your life over the winter? What are you ready to let go of?* What are the things in your home that no longer bring you joy?* Where in your life do you need to make more space so you can welcome some new things?* What are the things, or skills, or even mindset, you’re going to be needing in this new cycle? How can you get all that you need ready ahead of the Spring Equinox?* Where in your life do you want to start fresh? Where are you ready to start over?* Where in your life would you benefit from a new perspective? Or from a new idea?* What and when do you need to do the things you need to do to achieve your goals? What are the steps you need to take at each phase? How are you going to nurture your seeds to see them all through the harvest?* What “spells” are you ready to cast? What do you want to manifest in your life? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

This month we welcome in more intentional magic inside the Cat Coach Café - and beyond. Author Emma Howarth comes to share with us some secrets to bringing more magic into our lives, exploring our passions and what it truly means to have a sustainable (mystical) self-care practice that works for you. And of course, she tells us all about her own cat master and how he inspired her life. We dive into some (Czech) February folk traditions which once again offer an opportunity for feasting, explore the fascinating history of St Valentine’s Day, and find out what the year of Fire Horse has in store for us according to the Chinese calendar. We will revisit our childhood hobbies and see why they are so good for us even today, we will rise from the ashed like Phoenix inspired by Ash Wednesday, and finally, it wouldn’t be Cat Coach Café without some wisdom from your Cat Coaches, and this time it’s Princ who stands up to the task, and who will invite you to be curious and explore the new things as well as the old. This episode includes:Interview with author Emma HowarthFebruary wisdom from your Cat Coach PrincCzech folk traditions: Masopust (Carniva), Fat Thursday, Shrove Tuesday, Ash WednesdayBrief history of St Valentine’s DayThe meaning of the Year of the Fire HorseEmma Howarth links:Emma Howarth WebsiteA Year of Mystical ThinkingFollow Emma Howarth on InstagramOther Links:Cat Coach DiariesSpotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistWinter Evenings Magic Playlist This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

Welcome to the first episode of 2026 and to the beatiful month of January which offers us a unique opportunity to reset - gently, and delightfully. There is no reason to rush anywhere or to set any goals just yet, it’s time to rest, dream and notice the wonders of winter. And also… to look at life through the eyes of an alien cat with Carlie Sorosiak and her heartwarming book Leonard: My Life as a Cat. Though aimed at children, it is better than any self-help book you will ever read, and perfect to start your year with. We also discuss Carlie’s love for both writing and animals, her work as a volunteer at a cat shelter, how animals inspire her and some fun facts about cats you may not have known.All that is waiting for you inside the Cat Coach Café today, along with some New Year’s wisdom from your Cat Coach Apricot. I do apologize for my voice in this one as I've been fighting the flu since the end of the year, and so far, it seems to be winning! But I didn’t want to postpone the release of the episode as I felt that January needs that extra inspiration asap :) This episode includes:January self-care tips, including the science behind fairy lights and why they make us happy!New Year’s Wisdom from your Cat Coach ApricotInterview with author Carlie SorosiakCarlie Sorosiak links:Buy My Life as a Cat on Amazon UKBuy A World of Cats on Amazon UKAll other Carlie’s Books on Amazon UKCarlie Sorosiak Official WebsiteCarlie’s Instagram Other Links:Cat Coach Diaries - New Year, Same YouSpotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistWinter Evenings Magic Playlist This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com

Welcome to the Christmas Special of the Cat Coach Café! Where we gather with friends old and new, joined by your Cat Coaches, to share on the Christmas spirit and talk all things Christmas! CJ Fentiman, the author of The Cat with Three Passports and the The Zen of Cat, joins us to tell us all about Christmas in Japan, and her Christmas favorites, as will returning authors Alex Howard, Fiona Ferris, Lili Hayward, and the Yogi Witch, Bethany Ellison. We will also be joined by our upcoming guests, Carlie Sorosiak, author of My Life as a Cat, and Emma Howarth, author of A Year of Mystical Thinking. And I also invited the creator of the Cat Coach Café Podcast theme, my best friend and film composer, Ros Gilman to share his favorite Christmas things too.We’ll talk about the Winter Solstice, too, the one Christmas sweet that cannot be missing on any Christmas table in the Czech Republic - Vánočka, listen to some festive excerpts from books Alfie In the Snow by Rachel Wells, and Toby Jug by Denis O’Connor.And the Cat Coaches will tell you all about their Christmas favorites and include some well wishes for the new year, as will everyone else. So lots of goodness in store for you, and lots of festive cheer. Are you ready? Other linksCat Coach DiariesSpotify PlaylistsThe Official Cat Coach Café PlaylistWinter Evenings MagicPeaceful Christmas Instrumentals This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit monieforrs.substack.com