Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods – Episode: "Invisible Strings | Catherine Ebs"

Release Date: June 30, 2025

In this heartfelt and introspective episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods sits down with her close friend and admired TikTok influencer, Catherine Ebs. The conversation delves deep into themes of grief, personal growth, blended families, and the complexities of life as a modern influencer.

1. Introduction to Catherine Ebs

Catherine introduces herself and her journey:

[01:55] Catherine: "I'm the creator of Questions I Never Got to Ask, which I made after my dad passed away. It's a card deck that asks incredible questions you should be asking your loved ones."

2. Navigating Grief and Loss

The conversation begins with Catherine sharing the tragic passing of her father during a family vacation, a moment that profoundly impacted her understanding of grief.

Catherine reflects on her father's death:

[06:36] Catherine: "We went on a family vacation and he died in my arms. It was the craziest, most tragic thing I've ever experienced."

David adds his insights on grief:

[07:38] David: "I realized how many grievers there are, especially young grievers who don't expect such losses."

3. Creating "Questions I Never Got to Ask"

Prompted by her own experiences with grief, Catherine developed a card deck designed to foster meaningful conversations between loved ones.

Discussion on the card deck's impact:

[08:41] David: "We have a lot of people with blended families who play it. It's just a huge game that hits a lot of people."

Catherine emphasizes proactive communication:

[08:11] David: "You just never know until you know. Play while you have the time."

4. Transitioning from Traditional Careers to Social Media

Catherine shares her professional journey from banking to social media, highlighting the pivotal moments that led her to embrace online platforms fully.

Her decision to leave a stable job:

[13:07] Catherine: "I ordered a huge deck of questions and turned it into a product that quickly sold out. That was life-changing for me."

David discusses his own shift:

[10:16] David: "I started in accounting and loved my job, but after my dad died, I realized I wanted to pursue my passion for social media."

5. The Reality of Being an Influencer

The duo delves into the challenges of being in the public eye, including dealing with online harassment, maintaining personal relationships, and safeguarding family privacy.

Catherine on online negativity:

[16:37] Catherine: "They leave messages on our doorbell camera, handwritten notes. It's a mix of flattering and boundary-testing behavior."

David shares his experiences:

[17:20] David: "Protecting our family became paramount when people started leaking personal information and making baseless accusations online."

6. Blended Families and Co-Parenting

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the dynamics of blended families, the emotional challenges involved, and strategies for effective co-parenting.

Catherine discusses her role as a stepmom:

[76:44] Catherine: "I've shared little things, but I will always respect their mom's privacy. They are my children, and I give them everything I've never had."

David reflects on his own family experiences:

[75:08] David: "Giving up custody battles and navigating stepfamily relationships is incredibly challenging, but grace is essential on both sides."

7. Mental Health and Personal Growth

Both Catherine and David emphasize the importance of mental health, self-advocacy, and the support systems that help them navigate life's hurdles.

Catherine on building confidence:

[61:36] Catherine: "Having kids made me so confident because I saw what my body was capable of and being a working mom gave me inner strength."

David on seeking therapy and self-care:

[31:48] David: "I've never said we're infertile, but struggling to conceive is a mental game too. It's important to advocate for yourself."

8. Future Endeavors and Legacy

Looking ahead, Catherine expresses her passion for expanding her card deck, leading grief panels, and continuing to use her platform to support others.

Catherine on upcoming projects:

[42:23] Catherine: "I'm excited for the grief panel I'm leading. I want to use my voice to help those who feel they don't have one."

David shares his aspirations:

[43:44] David: "Creating content genuinely is my passion. I love filming and documenting my life, even the moments I don't post."

Notable Quotes

• Catherine Ebs:

  "Grief is just so interesting to me because there are so many deep levels to it."
  [06:36]

• David:

  "If you've got something wrong, it's easy to lose people, but true supporters stay."
  [14:38]

• Catherine:

  "Everyone deserves a normal childhood, and I'm honored to provide that for my children."
  [74:31]

• David:

  "Real strength comes from opening up about what you're caring and doing something about it."
  [31:48]

Conclusion

This episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods offers listeners an authentic glimpse into the lives of Catherine Ebs and David, highlighting the invisible strings that connect us—whether through shared grief, blended family dynamics, or the unspoken challenges of being in the spotlight. Their candid discussion not only sheds light on personal struggles and triumphs but also serves as an inspiration for those navigating similar paths.