Rewilding The Self
Caitlin (actor, holistic coach, and storyteller) brings together a diverse background in cultural anthropology, environmental studies, and the performing arts to inspire audiences toward authenticity and resilience. As the creator of Chronically Queer and Chronically Whole Coaching, and co-host of the Unpacking the Closet podcast, Caitlin has built platforms that amplify voices in the LGBTQ+ and chronic illness communities. With more than 20,000 followers on TikTok and years of experience in the entertainment industry as a SAG-AFTRA actor, she blends storytelling with social insight to spark connection. Caitlin’s passion lies in helping people reconnect with themselves, their communities, and the world around them.
Rewilding the Self: Returning to Our Roots in a World That Demands Authenticity
In nature, balance is survival. Ecosystems thrive not because everything is the same, but because diversity creates resilience. The same is true for us. Drawing on her background in environmental studies and cultural anthropology — alongside her lived experience as a queer woman with chronic illness — Caitlin Jo Astua invites audiences to explore what it means to “rewild” the self.
This keynote challenges the systems and narratives that disconnect us from our bodies, our communities, and the earth. Through humor, storytelling, and cultural insight, Caitlin shows audiences how to:
Recognize and dismantle cultural narratives that limit authenticity
Reconnect with the body as part of a larger ecosystem, not an obstacle
Build resilience by embracing diversity — in identity, community, and thought
Use ancient wisdom and modern creativity to craft lives rooted in balance and belonging
Audiences walk away with a renewed sense of connection — to themselves, to others, and to the world around them. Rewilding the self isn’t about going backwards — it’s about reclaiming what we’ve always known: authenticity is survival.
