Caitlin
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cmcd-phd.caitlinmcdonald.com
Caitlin
@cmcd-phd.caitlinmcdonald.com
Resilience coach, futurist, artist, anthropologist, high school dropout, PhD. More? www.caitlinmcdonald.com
Happy solstice! On this turning point where we start to see more light each day, I like to set aside some reflective time. I'm also partnering with Solas Yoga in the new year for a reflective intention workshop! Book before Dec 26th for an early-bird discount. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/focus-on-y...
December 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
But we're making some progress! We've now managed to hook together the front and back sides of separate 3D models to create one unified object. Still need to do some work to show the transparent glass surface of the back! I'm impressed with how it's captured the inclusions inside the glass, though.
December 20, 2025 at 11:40 AM
So, we've had some very funny failures as the 3D modelling software tries to interpret shiny surfaces, which it is not at all designed to do. It's particularly fond of embedding the model in large iceberg-like structures.
December 20, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Hard to believe 2026 is looming up while we stand frozen like a reindeer in the headlights (oh, that's just me? 🦌 🎅 ) Join me and Solas Yoga on 18 January for a space to focus on what you really want 2026 to be like - book now for an early bird discount! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/focus-on-y...
December 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Gentle is definitely my coaching style, particularly in the discovery phase when finding out what things mean for clients. It's vital to make space for thoughts, values and beliefs to let themselves be heard. Even accountability in coaching can be gentle; it's about curiosity, not consequences.
December 7, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The wonderful Solas Yoga and I will be running a movement and intention-setting workshop in the new year - book before Boxing Day for an early-bird discount! 🕊️ More information and book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/focus-on-y...
December 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
What do we want? Management with better financial priorities! Save staff, stop wasting cash on expensive and poorly implemented capital projects, make the University the learning & innovation environment it deserves to be! #UCUStrike #Edinburgh
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I really love coaching. I mean, the feedback is nice, but the main thing is feeling like the space and process you've provided has made a real difference for someone, especially when they're at a pivotal point in life making a really big decision. It's a joy to see coachees moving forward.
November 16, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Coaching is non-transferrable. Every relationship with every client is unique, and I have to prepare myself uniquely for each session. I can't automate that.

Here's me helping moderate a session for an outdoor networking group for freelancers in Edinburgh, real connections with real people!
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I'm so proud to be a member of @mhfaengland.bsky.social - I use my training all the time in my coaching and volunteering work, and in life. you never know when something big or unexpected is going to pop up for someone - or for yourself! The first step in MHFA is looking after your own wellbeing.
November 12, 2025 at 12:12 PM
As part of my workshop, I'll be talking about one way I took control and helped process what was happening to me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer: I made it into art. You can read more about the art I made with my wonderful glassmaking collaborator Inge Panneels here: doi.org/10.1162/leon...
November 6, 2025 at 9:40 AM
As part of my workshop, I'll be talking about one way I took control and helped process what was happening to me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer: I made it into art. You can read more about the art I made with my wonderful glassmaking collaborator Inge Panneels here: doi.org/10.1162/leon...
November 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Inner gremlins! They might seem annoying or even scary when they crop up, but they always have good intentions for us - even if they're going about it in the wrong way. Read more about how to deal with them & meet my adorable handmade gremlins in my newsletter: buttondown.com/caitlin_coac...
October 29, 2025 at 9:53 AM
I'm hosting a workshop at Yorkshire Festival of Story on 8 November called Finding Courage in the Complicated - here's a little about what it'll be like! Sign up here: yorkshirefestivalofstory.com/event/findin...
October 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
This month's Courage Pie 💪 🥧 is on getting along with our inner gremlins! Those little niggling voices that hold us back. How do we learn to connect with their positive messages but create more effective strategies for change? 7 PM UK time, 28 October. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
October 14, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I had a lovely time last week talking to That's Lothian TV about my monthly group resilience sessions! We could all use a little courage right now, and it's a pleasure to offer a slice of Courage Pie to anybody who needs it. Join us next on Tuesday 28 October: caitlinmcdonald.com/coaching/cou...
October 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Last night's Courage Pie 💪 🥧 was all about stories we tell ourselves: the 'life scripts' we run on autopilot which may not be serving us so well anymore - & how we can update them to reflect who we are now and who we want to be. More? Sign up for my newsletter: buttondown.com/caitlin_coac...
October 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Doing a little editing. #amwriting
September 7, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I've been trying to digitise the glass casts from Picture Your Poisons - here's some fancy reflectance transformation imagery of the cast representing my radiotherapy treatment. Read more about how the artwork was made and what it means in this open-access paper: doi.org/10.1162/leon... #SciArt
September 4, 2025 at 3:49 PM
We'll be discussing the unhelpful mental strategy of discounting and how to get off the discounting ladder at my next Courage Pie free meetup, Tuesday 29 July at 7 PM UK time - join us! us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
July 9, 2025 at 8:53 AM
How can accountability help you make progress towards the goals that come straight from your heart? And what do boats have to do with it? If you're curious about sailing the calm seas of coaching 🏴‍☠️ reach out to me to find out more!
July 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Preparing for this month's Courage Pie 💪🥧 (Tuesday 24th at 7 PM; do join us - it'll be all about the power of learning to accept help and figuring out who to ask!) I found these notes from my coaching training in 2017 & was enjoying my bonus sea monster! caitlinmcdonald.com/coaching/cou...
June 18, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Throughout the spring, my colleagues at Jigsaw Foresight and I have been thinking about plagues: plagues past, plagues future, and what we can learn from these real and speculative plagues to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally in times of crisis. go read our nifty report at plagueseason.com
May 24, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Hey, if you didn't know I am an actual, honest-to-goodness trained coach! What's coaching all about? I've filmed a handy video for you. More? www.caitlinmcdonald.com/coaching
May 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Uh, no it is not, according to this page: www.cancer.gov/about-cancer... Other countries are using it for cancer treatment, but it isn't approved by the FDA.
December 29, 2023 at 8:59 AM