In this energizing episode of Older & Bolder, Debbie McCulloch welcomes the vivacious and inspiring Cat Corchado—Air Force veteran, podcast host, and founder of the Small Space Pilates Community. Cat is a true powerhouse whose mission is to help others rediscover their “fabulosity” through movement, strength, and connection.

Cat shares her powerful journey as a single mother balancing military service and motherhood, and how her transition to civilian life opened the door to new beginnings. Her podcast Sisters in Service shines a spotlight on women veterans, sharing their stories and ensuring they have access to the support they deserve.

Through Pilates, podcasting, and purpose, Cat encourages others to take charge of their health and happiness. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get moving, start fresh, or reconnect with your strength—this is the episode for you.

🌐 Website: www.smallspacepilates.com
🎙️ Podcast: Sisters in Service

-----

Recorded in Saskatoon & Rosetown, Saskatchewan
Show producer: Christina Cherneskey Communications
Theme music: ES_By the Neon Sign
Music for this episode: ES_Aesthetic Echoes in Motion - Rebecca Mardal, ES_Kali Kush (Extended Version) (Instrumental Version) - VEE, ES_Dancing Like We're Animals (Instrumental Version) - Loving Caliber, ES_Unbroken Spirit - Sunfish Grove, ES_Chase (Instrumental Version) - Aiyo, ES_Killer Vibe (Instrumental Version) - Flux Vortex, ES_She's Got a Ticket to My Heart (Instrumental Version) - Basixx
Voice over: Christina Cherneskey
Original artwork: Jackie Peterson
Artwork developed for digital media pages: Christina Cherneskey

Season 3 Ep 26: Cat Corchado, Vivacious Veteran, Pilates Powerhouse

The Queen of the Show is an empowering anthem inspired by Rhonda, an extraordinary woman who has faced significant challenges and overcome silent injuries with remarkable resilience. This song celebrates her journey of strength, confidence, and individuality—qualities that deeply resonate with war veterans, especially women who have served. Rhonda’s story exemplifies the courage and grace required to face life’s hardships and reclaim one’s identity beyond military service. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt lyrics, the track honours her unwavering spirit and determination to live fully, serving as an inspiring tribute to veterans who continue to lead with pride and authenticity.

The Queen of the show

Wanderin' Flames evokes a poignant journey through memory, loss, and longing, themes that resonate profoundly with veterans. The song’s vivid imagery—of winding rivers, whispering leaves, and haunting echoes—mirrors the emotional landscape many veterans navigate after service. It reflects the search for belonging and peace amid the shadows of past experiences, symbolised by the "fire you stole away," representing both sacrifice and the enduring hope for renewal. The bittersweet melody captures the complexity of healing, acknowledging that while time can smooth wounds, it cannot fully erase them. This song honours the resilience and emotional depth veterans carry as they journey toward home—both physical and spiritual.

Wanderin' Flames

Wrong Side of the Tracks reflects the complex journey many veterans face—escaping difficult beginnings, carrying memories of hardship, yet finding strength in their roots and community. It’s a tribute to resilience, identity, and the unbreakable bonds that shape who they are.

Wrong side of the tracks

🎶 "Elvis and the Promised Land" 🎶

In this raw, haunting track, the narrator—a weary veteran trapped in a cycle of substance abuse—seeks solace in a dream-like encounter with the ghost of Elvis Presley. Using Elvis as a metaphor for the empty promises of escape through drugs and alcohol, the song dives into the painful realities of addiction, trauma, and the constant search for peace amidst chaos.

The veteran’s journey through the night reflects a deeper struggle to escape memories, pain, and the burdens of life, but ultimately, he wakes up to the same harsh realities, caught in an endless loop of disappointment and self-doubt. "Elvis and the Promised Land" is a powerful exploration of how the allure of quick fixes and false hope only leads to deeper isolation and despair.

This song is a reflection on trauma, addiction, and the cyclical nature of escapism, a reminder that while we may seek the "promised land," we often end up right back where we started—lost, alone, and longing for relief.

Came Down to Say Hello

“My Little Desperado” captures the poignant story of vulnerability and the search for refuge in a harsh world. This song resonates deeply with veterans who have faced emotional battles beyond the battlefield—navigating feelings of isolation, loss, and the longing for a safe place. It speaks to the struggle of finding connection and healing when the weight of past experiences feels overwhelming. Through its heartfelt storytelling, the track offers a voice to those who carry invisible scars and honours their journey toward hope and belonging.

73BPM, A Major

My Little Desperado

The Bigger Man is a poignant exploration of love, vulnerability, and emotional endurance. 

The song delves into the complex and often painful dynamics of personal relationships, capturing the internal struggles many veterans experience when reconciling their past trauma with their present lives. It reflects how unresolved emotional wounds can influence interactions with loved ones and highlights the courage required to remain open to love despite the hardships endured. 

The narrative underscores the resilience and strength veterans demonstrate—not only on the battlefield but also in navigating the challenges of intimate relationships. This ballad serves as a reminder of the human side of veterans’ journeys, inviting empathy and understanding for their emotional battles beyond service.

The Bigger Man

“Let’s Break Up” speaks from the quiet place where some veterans find themselves — emotionally worn, misunderstood, and resigned. The narrator isn't angry. He’s tired. Tired of pretending, tired of the miscommunication, tired of watching love slip through the cracks of an invisible battle.

This song captures what happens when a partner doesn't see the war within — the one the veteran fights every day. Instead of dragging someone through their storm, they let go… not because they don’t care, but because they believe it’s kinder. It’s not apathy — it’s surrender.

For those living with mental health injuries, this track is a brutally honest reflection: sometimes love can’t reach the places where pain has taken root. And sometimes, you just don’t have the strength to explain why.

Let's Break Up

The Making of a Veteran is a powerful tribute to the journey of service, sacrifice, and resilience. Based on David Burnell’s own military history, this song captures the highs, the heartbreaks, the quiet strength, and the fierce commitment that shape a veteran’s life. From boot camp days to Cold War missions, from burying comrades to watching his son grow from afar, it’s a deeply personal anthem for anyone who’s worn the uniform or loved someone who has.

The Making of a Veteran (A Journey of Service, Sacrifice, and Strength)

“Whispers in the Jungle” is an evocative song inspired by David Burnell’s humanitarian mission deep into Burma. It weaves themes of family, calling, sacrifice, and the weight of remembrance into a profound musical journey. With echoes of past wars and present-day missions, the song invites listeners to reflect on what it means to answer a higher call — to walk into risk, to serve strangers, and to trust in a whisper that leads through chaos and danger. It’s a tribute to the spirit of service and the deep, often unspeakable, moments of brotherhood in the world’s darkest corners.

Whispers in the Jungle (Healing the War in Burma)

Mi Mate Music – Giving Sound to Silent Struggles

Mi Mate Music is a purpose-driven creative project transforming lived experiences into powerful, emotionally charged tracks. Founded by Dennis Weston, this initiative supports individuals—particularly war veterans living with invisible injuries such as PTSD and other mental health conditions—in expressing what too often goes unsaid.

Through music, we help broken people tell their stories in ways that are honest, raw, and empowering. These tracks are more than just songs—they are lived moments, captured in sound.

Our mission is twofold: to support healing through creative expression, and to foster greater understanding of the silent battles many veterans and others endure daily. Every lyric and every beat is crafted to inspire empathy, connection, and insight into the challenges of mental health injuries.

Whether you're navigating your own journey or seeking to understand someone else's, Mi Mate Music offers a soundtrack grounded in truth, resilience, and hope.

Your support helps us continue turning real stories into music that matters.

Cinematic spoken-word reflections on war, service, and the human cost of duty—told with raw honesty and reverence.

New tracks tagged #VeteranStories