Gobsmacked

Gobsmacked Welcome to the Gobsmacked! Podcast, hosted by Catherine Williamson 🎙️ Welcome to my podcasts. All with me, Catherine Williamson.

Gobsmacked: Extraordinary stories from ordinary people; Gobstopper: Leadership, resilience & talent , and Assa Marra: Celebrating all that is the heart of West Cumbria.

Reflecting on Assa Marra, my love letter to West Cumbria and the legend I married. It started as a series of 10 episodes...
08/10/2025

Reflecting on Assa Marra, my love letter to West Cumbria and the legend I married. It started as a series of 10 episodes.... and we are now at episode 16! All my guests have brought something extraordinary to our conversation, and here I'm shining another spotlight on to these six amazing women who took time to talk to me.

These incredible women embody qualities of character that are rare and remarkable: a tenacity that refuses to bend, a courage that faces adversity head-on, and an unshakable instinct for survival. They possess a dog-whistle ability to hear their destiny calling and act upon it, coupled with an unwillingness to accept the place or state that life once assigned them.

Each of them stands as a testament to what it means to rise, to resist, and to reimagine what is possible.

Thank you to Jade Carson, Ruth, Hasson Dianne Richardson, Christine Smeaton, Rachel Holliday and Emma Williamson. Here's to many more wonderful women who we celebrate here in glorious, rugged West Cumbria.

https://bit.ly/AssaMarraPodcast

You can stream all episodes via the link above.

07/10/2025

Wendy’s view of the world, past, present & future, is vast and surprising, flipping perspectives a full 180. In this conversation we cover a myriad of subjects from the rat race to Plato to aliens…
Bright, centred, and compelling, Wendy Boast will put your brain in shaker-maker mode. Her intellect and vision are razor sharp. This is an episode that will stretch your thinking, shake your assumptions, and leave you with answers to questions you may not even know you had!


Listen here:

https://bit.ly/GobsmackedWendyBoast

This episode of Gobsmacked features Wendy Boast a woman who left school at 16, when the world of work beckoned brighter ...
06/10/2025

This episode of Gobsmacked features Wendy Boast a woman who left school at 16, when the world of work beckoned brighter than the underwhelm of the classroom.

Later, on discovering she had a remarkable IQ, she went on to build a career in the City, securing big jobs in complex information systems and achieving major corporate success.

Wendy’s journey hasn’t been without heartbreak and betrayal, but she has come through wiser, sharper, and more grounded - the most informed and insightful friend you could ever hope for.

Her worldview is vast and surprising, flipping perspectives a full 180. In this conversation she takes us from the rat race to aliens, from ancient wisdoms to global jitters, from Shakespeare to Plato, with the 2012 Olympics woven in along the way.

Bright, centred, and compelling, Wendy Boast will put your brain in shaker-maker mode. This is an episode that will stretch your thinking, shake your assumptions, and leave you wide awake to possibility.

Listen in here: https://bit.ly/GobsmackedWendyBoast

02/10/2025

Emma's West Cumbria childhood was marked by addiction and chaos, where the dark was truly dark. She turned her bitter beginnings and personal struggles into power, transforming from someone who struggled with writing sentences to being a Master's graduate.
Her mission today? To help young people in the care system. We must understand: treating trauma at the earliest stage is vital to stop the cycle of pain, and give every person the best chance for their future. You can hear Emma’s passion in this clip.

Emma is living proof that no matter how deep the darkness, the light that returns shines brighter than ever. Emma, your courage, resilience, drive and humour add up to powerful action and outcomes.

Not heard this episode yet? Listen here

https://bit.ly/AssaMarraEmmaWilliamson

Instagram: LINK IN BIO (or copy link above).

This episode is sponsored by mottmacgroup

29/09/2025

In West Cumbria, Emma Williamson witnessed the darkness of domestic violence and addiction. She faced huge challenges which she shares here. Emma channelled every ounce of that pain, and strength drawn from the love of her nearest & dearest, to transform her own and others’ lives. From her own addiction struggles, she chose radical change, powering through to earn a master's degree. Today, she pours that hard-won resilience into making a difference for young people in care - she is living, wonderful proof that your bitter beginnings can become a powerful force for good. . https://bit.ly/AssaMarraEmmaWilliamson The People with Purpose series is kindly sponsored by Mott MacDonald

Emma Williamson lived through a childhood witnessing domestic violence, chaos, and addiction. When the challenges came, ...
29/09/2025

Emma Williamson lived through a childhood witnessing domestic violence, chaos, and addiction. When the challenges came, they weren’t small ones - and it’s true to say, when it’s bad anywhere else, it’s extra bad in West Cumbria. The experience is amplified. When it’s dark here, it’s dark. When it’s light, it’s light.

For every ounce of darkness Emma endured, she’s channelled it back tenfold into light. From her own addiction struggles to that solitary moment where she chose radical change, she has turned pain into power. From not being able to put a full stop in a sentence to earning a master’s degree, she’s taken bitter beginnings and transformed them into a force for good.
Now, she pours that resilience into making a difference for young people in the care system - living proof that no matter how dark it gets, light can return, and when it does, it shines brighter than ever.

Listen in here: https://bit.ly/AssaMarraEmmaWilliamson

The Assa Marra "People with Purpose" series is proudly sponsored by Mott MacDonald

From Cumbria to the Caribbean 🌴 My family of Podcasts is reaching 147 countries! Connecting stories from amazing guests ...
19/09/2025

From Cumbria to the Caribbean 🌴 My family of Podcasts is reaching 147 countries! Connecting stories from amazing guests is a joy🎙️

Check out my platforms:
- Gobsmacked!: Extraordinary stories from ordinary people.
- Gobstopper: All things leadership & talent.
- Assa Marra: A love letter to West Cumbria.

Stream all past episodes from my website here: gobsmacked.me - links also in bio.

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm getting ready to talk with more inspiring podcast guests next week 🎉

17/09/2025

So often we label talks around end-of-life, death and dying as "difficult topics" and "challenging conversations." But what if we reframed them as "tender conversations" instead? As Lorna Vyse discusses, shifting our mindset can make a huge difference in how we approach these important discussions, particularly when supporting the grieving young.

Now an author, grief trainer and speaker, Lorna is on a mission to change the narrative around death. From expressions such as “passed” to “gone to sleep” to “in a better place,” - she discusses the euphemisms we use to avoid talking about death and how they do not help. Something that is particularly true for children. If you haven’t already then please do listen in to the wonderful Lorna and hear her pivotal moments in life that have shaped her, and fuelled her passion for supporting the grieving young.
LINK TO LISTEN: https://bit.ly/GobsmackedLornaVyse

15/09/2025

🎙️WE'VE GONE SERIOUSLY GLOBAL! (Seriously!)
Hold onto your headphones, because I have some fabulous news to share! I thought we were reaching listeners in 125 countries, but after a deep dive into our stats, I've discovered... we've actually reached 147 countries and territories across the globe with Gobsmacked!, Gobstopper, and Assa Marra! 🤩

From the sunny shores of the Cook Islands to the bustling streets of Macao and beyond, my podcasts are being streamed, enjoyed, and shared in nearly every corner of the world!

And guess what? We've pretty much covered all continents! Well 6 of the 7, as we haven't yet thawed through to Antarctica... watch this space, it's only a matter of time before we reach one of the research stations! ❄️😉

This incredible milestone wouldn't be possible without you – amazing listeners! You help my family of podcasts reach new ears and new places.
A massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who tunes in. Your support means the world to me (literally!) 🌍

Here's to many more adventures and listeners around the globe!

Here's a to a fantastic episode!I had the pleasure of interviewing both Dianne and Gerard Richardson, who were warmly ...
12/09/2025

Here's a to a fantastic episode!

I had the pleasure of interviewing both Dianne and Gerard Richardson, who were warmly described by another wonderful guest, Rachel Holliday, as the "Mam and Dad of Whitehaven."

This episode features the incredible Dianne Richardson, CEO of Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster , who, since being recorded, has soared to new heights by completing a charity skydive for the Great North Air Ambulance Service . Her story is a must-listen!

This episode was so popular that it's been listened to around the world - from the UK to the USA, Australia to Montenegro. Grab a cuppa and dive in 🪂 You'll love hearing Dianne's story - it is everything that Assa Marra, my love letter to West Cumbria, is about! I'd love to hear your feedback.

Link to listen here: https://bit.ly/AssaMarraDianneRichardson

Some of us say we’ve got anxiety the way others say they’ve got the flu - when really, it might just be a cold. But for ...
11/09/2025

Some of us say we’ve got anxiety the way others say they’ve got the flu - when really, it might just be a cold. But for some, that anxiety is life-shattering. Dr Jeanne Retief knows this well.

A South African international human rights expert with a PhD and 15+ years of global work behind her, Jeanne collapsed under what she first thought was a stroke. It was panic disorder, and it ended her law career in an instant.
From that breaking point, she rose. She trained in cosmetic chemistry, launched FIGGI Beauty, and built a community called The Calm Club - for people who understand that anxiety is more than a buzzword.

This is an extraordinary story from crippling panic, which could hit at any time and anywhere - to finding a purpose in helping herself and so many others that goes way more than skin deep.

Jeanne is bright, wise, and deeply learned. This conversation isn’t just inspiring - it’s a survivor’s manifesto. A must-listen for anyone who’s ever felt their wiring was too much for the world.

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