In this episode of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, I sit down with Cathy Derksen — Founder of Inspired Tenacity, speaker, and 19-times #1 best-selling author — whose mission is to amplify women's voices through the power of collaborative books.

Cathy didn’t start out in publishing. Her career began in medical genetics, followed by a decade in financial planning, before she answered a deeper calling: to help women transform their lives through storytelling. What began as a single contribution to a multi-author book has now grown into a thriving publishing platform that gives women around the world a safe space to share their wisdom, elevate their visibility, and expand their impact.

We talk about what holds introverts back from being visible, how collaborative books open unexpected doors, and why sharing your story might be the most generous and healing act you ever do—for yourself and others.

💡 In This Episode, We Explore:

• Cathy’s journey from science to finance to soulful storytelling
  
  
• Why introverts don’t need to be flashy to be influential
  
  
• How collaborative books help you build confidence, grow your network, and attract new clients
  
  
• The mindset shifts that happen when you call yourself an “author”
  
  
• What it means to lead quietly — and courageously
  
  
• How visibility becomes meaningful when it’s rooted in purpose

Whether you’re an aspiring author, an introverted entrepreneur, or someone with a story waiting to be told, this episode will help you see new possibilities for your voice, your message, and your mission.

🔗 Connect with Cathy:
🌐 Website:inspiredtenacity.com
💼 LinkedIn:Cathy Derksen on LinkedIn
📚 Explore Cathy’s collaborative book series or get involved in an upcoming project.

📘 Bonus Resource – Download my free eBook: The Introvert Toolkit

• Learn how to support and advocate for yourself at work as an introvert.
• Understand how your introverted child or co-worker experiences the world differently - and how you can better support them.
  
  👉 https://mailchi.mp/87cf08f92464/the-introvert-toolkit

💬 Loved this episode?
Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. It helps The Quiet Warrior Podcast reach more introverts and quiet achievers around the world—so they can rise with clarity, purpose, and power.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

In this episode, I speak with Sarah Cannata, creator of Storytelling for the Soul, embodied processing practitioner, and long-time introvert who believes in the healing power of writing. Sarah helps women in midlife and beyond reconnect with themselves through a unique blend of body-based trauma-informed support and embodied journaling.

We explore how writing can be more than self-expression—it can be a path home to ourselves. Sarah shares how trauma lives in the body, why safety is the foundation of healing, and how introverts can use journaling to process difficult emotions, navigate tricky conversations, and feel more seen and heard—without having to perform or pretend.

If you've ever struggled to speak your truth, or felt that your quiet nature holds you back, this conversation will affirm your worth, your voice, and your way of being.

Key Talking Points:

• What embodied processing is—and how it supports healing at a nervous system level
  
  
• Why journaling is a powerful tool for introverts, especially during midlife transitions
  
  
• How to begin journaling in a trauma-informed way (hint: don’t start with your hardest memory)
  
  
• The importance of attunement, presence, and holding safe space in client work
  
  
• How introverts can honour their energy while still showing up visibly and courageously
  
  
• The surprising role of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in Sarah’s quiet warrior journey
  
  
• Why being visible isn’t about being loud—it’s about being authentic and aligned
  
  

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Sarah’s work: www.sarahcannata.com
Follow Sarah on socials: @storytellingforthesoul on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

Call to Action:

• If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Quiet Warrior Podcast for more inspiring insights and leave us a 5-star rating on your podcast app to help introverts and quiet achievers worldwide find their voice.
  
  
• Sign up for The Visible Introvert newsletter for a real, tell-it-like-it-is look at life and work through the eyes of introverts and those who work with them.
  
  
• Join The Visible Introvert Academy if you’re ready to elevate from quiet achiever into a Quiet Warrior in your life and work.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions

Serena speaks with Vimala Thangaveloo, a former Fortune 500 attorney turned executive coach. Vimala’s journey from the courtroom to coaching is a story of embracing transitions and using personal differences as superpowers. She shares her transformative GPS framework, which helps professionals — especially those who feel like outsiders — step into their career genius zones and increase their income while remaining true to themselves.

Vimala talks about how to navigate the corporate world as an outsider, particularly when your personality or background doesn’t fit the typical mold. She explains the importance of building authority and how visibility plays a key role in advancing your career. Whether you identify as an introvert or simply feel out of place in a loud, extroverted environment, Vimala’s insights will inspire you to take ownership of your career path with clarity and confidence.

Key Highlights:

• The Outsider’s Journey: Vimala reflects on her career transition from a litigator to an executive coach, helping outsiders leverage their unique perspectives as strengths.
  
  
• Building Career Authority: Learn why building authority early in your career is essential, even if you believe you’re in a “recession-proof” industry.
  
  
• The Power of Knowing Yourself: How self-awareness, understanding your value, and aligning your messaging with your strengths are key to creating a powerful personal brand.
  
  
  

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Know Yourself: Start by identifying what makes you unique and what energizes you. Self-awareness is the foundation of career success and helps you align your skills and passions with your professional goals.
   
   
2. Build Authority: Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment—build your authority consistently, whether through your LinkedIn profile, internal resume, or public visibility. Position yourself as a go-to person for solving specific problems.
   
   
3. Embrace What Makes You Different: Instead of trying to fit into traditional molds, embrace your outsider perspective and turn it into a superpower. Leadership today requires authenticity, and the world needs your unique contributions.
   
   
   

Resources:

• Follow Vimala Thangaveloo on LinkedIn.
  
  
• Sign up for Vimala’s Outsiders Edge newsletter for practical, actionable steps to elevate your career.
  
  

Call to Action:

• If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Quiet Warrior Podcast for more inspiring insights and leave us a 5-star rating on your podcast app to help introverts and quiet achievers worldwide find their voice.
  
  
• Sign up for The Visible Introvert newsletter for a real, tell-it-like-it-is look at life and work through the eyes of introverts and quiet achievers and those who work with them.
  
  
• Join The Visible Introvert Academy if you’re ready to elevate from quiet achiever into a Quiet Warrior in your life and work.

This episode was edited by Aura House Productions