Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup Podcast – “Up Close and Personal with Katie Read”

Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Katie Read
Date: November 12, 2019
Episode Theme:
This episode is part of the "Up Close and Personal" mini-series, where the hosts dive deep into the lives and personal journeys of notable mental health professionals and business coaches. In this edition, they interview Katie Read, an entrepreneur known for guiding therapists in expanding beyond traditional private practice. The episode explores Katie’s unconventional path, her spiritual experiences, Hollywood escapades, and lessons on abundance, resilience, and authenticity.

Main Discussion Themes

Katie’s Personal & Professional Backstory

• Origin Story (04:47 – 12:25):

  • Katie was raised in Wheaton, Illinois (“a suburb of Chicago, pretty conservative, pretty religious town”).
  • She was an “ab-student,” passionate about theater, not sports, and double majored in theater and English at the University of Iowa.
  • Spent her 20s exploring different cities (Seattle, Los Angeles) and careers, including working at Starbucks and the film industry.
  • Decisive moment: A spontaneous journey to Taos, New Mexico, after quitting a stressful LA job.
  • House-sat in Taos for a year, leading to transformative spiritual and personal experiences.
  • Discovered her calling to therapy during this period; went on to graduate school in San Francisco.
  • Eventually moved to Phoenix and transitioned into helping clinicians go “beyond the office” (coaching, consulting, etc.).

  “Even if you think you’re the underdog, go for it anyway.” (04:01, Katie Read)

Taos, New Mexico: Spiritual Transformation

• Spiritual Experiences and Native American Traditions (14:51 – 26:57):

  • Katie participated in Lakota Sioux sweat lodges, facilitated by two non-Native but deeply trained spiritual leaders.
  • Became part of a supportive, sober community centered around Native traditions.
  • Undertook a Vision Quest: four consecutive years of solitary fasting in nature, culminating in four days and nights without food or water.

  “The learning that things are so much bigger than us is out there on that blanket… Nature continues on very calmly, no matter what storms you have going on inside your head.” (25:06, Katie Read)

  • Significant events: narrowly avoided a bear encounter on the third night, persistent spiritual guidance from her mentor Glenda.
  • Completing her Vision Quest correlated with major life improvements (“within two weeks I had gotten a new job…I met and started dating my husband.” 23:55).

  “Until you complete that commitment, nothing is ever going to feel right or go right. You will always have this uncompleted commitment hanging over your head.” (22:58, Glenda via Katie)

Key Takeaways

• The importance of following intuition, finishing commitments, and the enduring support of spiritual community.
• Spiritual growth is long-term: “You won’t fully understand everything that you’ve digested from your quest until seven years.” (25:06)

Lessons on Abundance and “Magic Moments”

• Scarcity, Abundance & Synchronicity (26:13 – 31:40):

  • A story about scraping together money for a trip to a lake, only to find the exact same amount as needed ($6) along the way.
  • Emphasizes trusting the process, “the universe provides,” and the playful, mysterious nature of abundance.

  “In that moment I got a God concept. Because all of a sudden, God to me was like Tinkerbell—like, teehee, here’s something for you!” (29:27, Katie)

Adventures in Hollywood

• Behind-the-Scenes with Harvey Weinstein (31:43 – 36:49):

  • Temped at Miramax, exposed to the chaos, ego, and pressure of Hollywood before Weinstein’s scandals were known.
  • Experienced the absurdity of last-minute A-list demands and frantic administrative culture.

  “He yells, he screams. He’ll get in your face. He throws things. He’s really scary… Can you handle it?” (33:38, Temp Agency Head to Katie)

• Kind Encounters with Celebrities (36:49 – 44:09):

  • Bill Murray: “Super kind to the assistant, super kind to… those were his people.” (38:42)
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Demonstrated solidarity and kindness after Katie’s boss was rude in front of her.

Memorable Moments

• Katie’s experience as a “nobody” assistant surrounded by “mini fame.”

• Absurd workplace stories: Muffin scrambles, red-carpet premieres, and star encounters (Christian Bale & Roseanne Barr riding a prop motorcycle).

  “One of the VPs pretty much became [Weinstein’s] assistant for the week… so I was a step away from actual Harvey.” (35:23, Katie)

Candid Reflection

• Hollywood was ultimately toxic (“I had a boss who would call me in the morning and say, ‘I need somebody to yell at. Get me somebody on the phone to yell at.’ Literally.”* 42:18)
• Kind people stood out and made all the difference.

Rapid-Fire Lightning Round (44:54 – 47:40)

Quick answers reflecting Katie’s personality and preferences:

• Guilty Pleasure: “Chocolate. Oh, and Real Housewives.” (45:01)
• Most Embarrassing Moments: “I regularly embarrass myself in small ways all the time.” (45:13)
• Favorite Book: The War of Art – “It’s a fantastic book… about the creative process and our resistance to it.” (45:34)
• Favorite Solo Activities: “I love to read. I love to write. I love to journal. I like to just sit outside and watch a fire if I can be near one…” (46:01)
• Clothing/accessory that describes her: Earrings, “because they can be really different day to day…and have a little color in your life.” (46:41)
• Advice to Younger Self: “You don’t have to be so insecure… You’re allowed to speak up. You’re allowed to be yourself.” (47:13)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Live a life where you have good stories… You got to get out there and have some stories.”
  — Katie Read, (04:23)
• “If you think you’re the underdog, go for it anyway.”
  — Katie Read, (04:01)
• "The world is just going on. ... The butterflies don’t care. The bees don’t care."
  — Katie Read, (25:06)
• “In that moment, I got a God concept… God to me was like Tinkerbell… Did you need a little of this?”
  — Katie Read, (29:27)
• “[Bill Murray] was always like that… super kind to the assistant, super kind to… those were really his people.”
  — Katie Read, (38:42)
• “You don’t have to always be second guessing yourself… and of course you can’t just say that to a child and have it impact them. But if I could communicate that message probably to myself and to most kids, that’s what I would do.”
  — Katie Read, (47:13)

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• 04:47 – 12:25: Katie’s origin story, journey through cities and self-discovery, leading to therapy and entrepreneurship.
• 14:51 – 26:57: In-depth recounting of Taos, sweat lodges, spiritual quests, and pivotal self-discovery moments.
• 26:13 – 31:40: “Magic moments” and lessons in abundance and surrender.
• 31:43 – 44:09: Entertaining and revealing Hollywood stories (Weinstein, Bill Murray, celebrities, and personal values).
• 44:54 – 47:40: Lightning round: insights into Katie’s personality, interests, and advice to her younger self.

Tone & Takeaway

Warm, candid, and infused with storytelling and humor. The episode encourages risk-taking, following one’s intuition, staying true to oneself, and embracing the unexpected on the path to professional and personal fulfillment. It’s a rare glimpse at the journey behind the expertise — with a blend of inspiration, entertainment, and authenticity for clinicians at any stage.

For more resources from the Private Practice Startup, visit www.PrivatePracticeStartup.com.