Cate & Ty Break It Down

Episode: "Growing Up In The Spotlight: Nova Takes the Mic!"

Release Date: March 4, 2026
Hosts: Catelynn Baltierra (Kate)
Guest: Nova Baltierra
Podcast Network: PodcastOne

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Catelynn welcomes her daughter, Nova, for a mother-daughter conversation without Tyler (who's out with a dental emergency). This is Nova’s first appearance as a full guest, and the discussion dives into what it’s like growing up in the public eye, having cameras around since birth, her experiences as a sibling in an adoption story, and touching on the ordinary (and not-so-ordinary) aspects of her middle school life. The episode is warm, often humorous, and full of wisdom from both mom and child, offering listeners a real peek behind the curtain of reality TV’s impact on a family.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Nova's Experience Growing Up on Reality TV

• Life in Front of Cameras: Nova shares that being filmed has always felt normal, having never known life any other way.
  • "It's actually been kind of exciting...but some days I could get kind of, like, annoyed. Especially when we're going to special events and stuff." — Nova [02:09]
• The Double-Edged Sword: Nova expresses both enjoyment of meeting people through the show, and the occasional wish for privacy, especially during family events.
  • She misses the close-knit relationships with the crew now that filming is less regular: "When Costco left, oh, that broke my heart." — Nova [04:30]
• Boundaries and Consent: Catelynn and Tyler ensure Nova and her siblings always have the choice not to film, which Nova is grateful for.
  • "If you tell us you don't feel like filming, do dad and I make you film?" "No, not at all. And that helps me a lot." [03:10]

2. Feelings About the Show and Filming

• Freeing vs. Missing the Crew: Nova appreciates the new "freedom" with fewer people in the house but still misses the camaraderie with past crew members.
  • "Now without the people here all the time, it's kind of more freeing...But also, I do miss the crew." [04:15-04:24]
• Never Watched the Show: Nova shares she hasn’t watched any of the episodes, but she’s curious about seeing her parents' younger selves and their milestone moments.
  • "I have never watched any pieces of your show...but I do have an interest of trying to see...the years that you've grown almost." [05:17–05:46]
  • She’d be interested in seeing the original "16 and Pregnant" episode featuring Carly's adoption.

3. Reality TV’s Impact on Family Dynamics

• Perceived Impact on Family Time: Nova doesn't feel the cameras ever took away from their family, but she does recall moments of being shooed away for adult conversations during filming.
  • "Sometimes you have to shoo me away because of, like, a certain scene you have to do...I feel like reality shows should be...what actually happens." — Nova [06:43–07:06]
• Positive Reflections: Nova is “very glad” she had the experience, crediting it for bringing good people into her life and unique opportunities.

4. Siblings, Adoption, and Identity

• Relationship with Carly (Her Adopted Sister):
  • Meeting Carly has been transformative for Nova: "One of the best things that's ever happened. I've never been able to look up to somebody before..." [11:57]
  • She wishes Carly could be with them more but understands her parents' decision: "You did a good decision when you were a teenager...it would be really, really hard...if you kept Carly." [12:56–13:17]
  • Nova often has to field questions about Carly at school, and is always honest about her family’s adoption story.
    • "They ask me that, and I was like, oh yeah, I have four sisters...That's biologically my sister but in a different family. She's an adoptee." [13:38–14:06]
• Addressing Outside Perspectives: Nova firmly denies rumors that the family obsesses about Carly or pressures her to talk about adoption.
  • "That is not true...If I feel the need to bring it up to you, I will bring it up to you. I don't feel the need to always bring it up to you." [15:38–16:04]

5. Big Sister Life

• The Annoying and the Joyful: Nova admits it's sometimes annoying to be the oldest, but cherishes seeing her sisters grow and develop their own personalities.
  • "The best part about being a big sister...is seeing all the years that go by with your sisters, seeing how they grow. And it just brings me so much joy..." [30:15]
• Funny Sibling Stories: She shares vignettes about Veda being a daredevil and Raya’s empathy.

6. Nova’s Dreams, Passions, and Aspirations

• Career Goals: Nova still dreams of being a veterinarian because of her love for animals, though math poses a challenge. Being a vet tech is a backup idea.
  • "I really do want to be a vet, but I'm terrible at math." [17:41–17:44]
• Favorite Subjects: Science ranks highest—a fascination with the body, animals, and space.
  • "It's just the freedom to be able to learn more about the human body...and...atoms...and how your mind controls different parts..." [20:07–20:17]
• Unique Facts and Trivia: Nova delights in sharing, "Space is pitch black," and explains why you can’t see stars from the moon. [26:19–26:57]

7. Friendship, School Life, and Being Recognized

• Peers' Reactions to Adoption/TV: Most friends don’t know much about her TV background, and those who do react with curiosity and kindness.
  • "Only one friend that I know knows I'm on TV." [40:55]
• Public Recognition: Being recognized from TV is infrequent, and when it happens, Nova thinks it’s “pretty cool.” [34:50–36:01]
• Hobbies: Nova is passionate about art and has been drawing for seven years.

8. Rapid-Fire Fan Questions

Nova answers questions from fans, revealing:

• Her favorite trip: Disney World and Universal ([39:05])
• Favorite movie: Wonder ([39:21])
• Favorite meal: Crab ([39:25])
• Favorite book series: Harry Potter ([41:53])
• Sibling annoyances: Veda screams, Raya bites and scratches ([38:08])
• Dream: To have a happy family and a couple of reptiles one day ([41:26])
• On family rules and parental love:
  • “I feel like amazing is a little bit under, because...I just feel like it's so…You guys are perfect the way you are.” [31:32–31:57]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On balancing positives and negatives of reality TV:
  • "It could be negative and positive at the same time...it really did bring a lot of good people into your life...but in the negative way...it kinda takes away from being free." — Nova [08:54–09:12]
• On consent and respect from her parents:
  • "You’re a person. You’re your own person. And if you don’t feel like filming…that’s totally fine with us." — Kate [10:07]
• On empathy and family connection:
  • "To put it in words, I really can't tell...It's because I just feel so connected to you." — Nova on why she loves her mom [32:59–33:03]
• On perseverance:
  • "Never give up on your hobbies or your dreams. Whatever people tell you, just keep going." — Nova [42:32]
  • "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It's the courage to continue that counts." — Nova [43:00]

Important Timestamps

• [01:54] — Nova describes what it’s like growing up on camera
• [05:17] — Nova reflects on never having watched the show
• [11:57] — Discussing her relationship with Carly, her adopted sister
• [14:53] — Nova’s wish to see Carly more often
• [20:07] — Nova talks about loving science at school
• [26:19] — Nova’s space trivia—why it’s so dark on the moon
• [30:15] — The best part about being a big sister
• [31:32] — How she feels about having “amazing” parents
• [34:50] — On being recognized from TV in public
• [42:32] — Nova’s advice about dreams and perseverance

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, honest, occasionally silly, and always brimming with love and respect. Kate and Nova tease each other, joke about family quirks, and dive into earnest conversations about big topics: adoption, siblinghood, fame, and dreams for the future. Despite the tender subject matter, the episode is light and positive, providing both laughter and insight.

Final Thoughts

This episode stands out for its authentic intergenerational dialogue, offering a rare glimpse of what growing up in the limelight is really like from a child's perspective. Nova’s reflective answers, humor, and honesty make this episode relatable to parents, adoptees, and anyone interested in genuine family life beyond the cameras.