When Intuition Continues to Nudge: A Conversation with Rosemary Gattuso
In the inaugural episode of The True North Show, host Megan North sits down with family mediation specialist Rosemary Gattuso for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation about navigating purpose, intuition, and wellbeing. Rosemary’s story is a powerful testament to the beauty of following inner nudges—even when the path seems unclear.
From Law to Mediation: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Rosemary’s professional journey began with a law degree, but it wasn’t long before a compulsory mediation class changed everything. While most students dreaded it, Rosemary felt deeply connected to the process. “It wasn’t just the subject,” she shared. “It was the feeling that I was in the right place. It suited my natural way of being.”
This moment sparked nearly two decades of commitment to family mediation, restorative justice, and trauma-informed practice. Rosemary’s evolution didn’t stop there—her desire to understand human behavior on a deeper level led her to study family therapy, child development, and healing modalities.
Values, Intuition & The Power of Listening
Throughout the interview, Rosemary highlighted the role that values and intuition play in her life. “My values are my guideposts,” she explained. But intuition, she noted, can be easily mistaken for fear or judgment. For her, the key lies in awareness: “Intuition doesn’t follow a logical sequence. If I’m thinking, ‘If I don’t do X, Y will happen,’ that’s usually fear talking.”
Her journey taught her to discern these inner voices—especially the times she didn’t listen to her intuition and learned the hard way.
On Self-Doubt and Pushing Through
One of the most powerful moments in the episode was Rosemary’s story about nearly failing her family mediation training—not due to lack of skill, but because of her self-doubt. Despite having trained at Harvard and worked in Boston’s district courts, she found it difficult to speak up in class.
A confronting moment came when her teacher told her she might fail if she didn’t start participating more. Rather than letting this crush her spirit, Rosemary used it as fuel. “I knew this was my dream. I had to prove—first to myself—that I could do this.” That same determination led her to give the graduation speech for her class, a symbolic moment of stepping into her power.
Balancing Passion with Wellbeing
In her practice and personal life, Rosemary emphasizes the importance of tuning into your body and mind. “Anything that feels heavy is a clue,” she said. Overwhelm, tension, and emotional fatigue are signs she’s veering off balance. Her toolkit includes everything from walking to baking breaks to regular meditation and mindful practices.
She also embraces micro-moments of self-care, like a quick walk, a few minutes of breathing, or a simple gratitude check-in. “You don’t need an hour for self-care. Sometimes, five minutes is enough.”
Lessons from Setbacks and the Importance of Support
Rosemary is candid about facing professional setbacks—especially in her early years working in the public sector, where she was repeatedly passed over for promotions. In hindsight, she sees these as necessary nudges. “I was being pushed onto the right path. I didn’t believe in myself yet, but the universe kept redirecting me.”
She also champions the importance of support and community: “You don’t have to do it all yourself. There are people out there—mentors, consultants, even LinkedIn connections—who can help you move forward.”
The Power of Reflection: From Overthinker to Author
Her book, It’s Not You, It’s Me: A Chronic Overthinker’s Guide to Self-Reflection, blends her experiences in mediation, therapy, and trauma-informed work. “It’s really a merging of all these parts of me,” she said. She explores how people manage adversity, identifying key patterns through a strengths-based lens.
Looking ahead, Rosemary is considering writing her second book—this time on caregiving. Drawing from her personal experience supporting her elderly parents, she hopes to provide practical, strengths-based tools for other carers.
Final Thoughts: Trust the Nudge
Rosemary’s biggest lesson? Trust your intuition. “I wish I had learned to trust it earlier,” she admitted. “Even if you miss it, that’s part of learning what your intuition sounds and feels like.”
Her advice for others seeking their purpose is simple yet profound:
- Listen to your body and energy—what feels light or heavy?
- Don’t ignore the subtle signs or internal nudges.
- Stay open to evolving.
- Seek out support—mentorship and collaboration are vital.
- Keep going. If it’s truly your path, you’ll feel compelled to hold on.
Learn More About Rosemary Gattuso
You can learn more about Rosemary and her book at https://www.rosemarygattuso.com/
