My Crunchy Zen Era

What does it mean to be Jewish? Kai Balin explored this question and his spiritual journey in his documentary film, Son of a Seeker.  Kai has always been a seeker, point in fact, he's attempted to start a dance crew in Jerusalem... you'll have to listen to find out more about that tidbit.

Don't miss this thought provoking conversation about fitting in and seeking acceptance while never forgetting where you c...

Are you in a cult? Not sure? Nicole and her guest, Teresa Morrison, are here to help you figure it out and escape.  On top of being a comedian, improviser and actress, Teresa has become quite the cult enthusiast... and may have converted Nicole too.

The duo watched the documentary Escaping Twin Flames and they dissect the documentary as they delve into the psychological manipulation behind cults.  With the rise of influenc...

Nikki Denton has always been fascinated with 'The Business'. This improviser and Executive Assistant to the Executive Producer for live network TV productions turned her obsession into a life long calling to preserve the integrity of a fading art. 

She admittedly stumbled into a few positions that elevated her career and now hopes to parlay that mix of luck and experience into a new adventurous life in New York! But.. befo...

Cycle syncing: when women's cycles sync up because they're spending too much time gossiping together. Uh... not quite. Nicole is joined this episode by Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor Abbie Stasior to answer her questions about eating to support your hormones, diet culture, and women's health.

Nicole and Abbie talk about aligning your lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and self-care practices, with th...

Fresh off a three day silent retreat, Nadian Zak, founder and CEO of Zak Human Solutions, joins Nicole on the first episode back from spring break! 

Nadian's company began in response to her frustration with the CEOs she worked with in her day job. Their inability to understand the importance of people and culture to profitability (and just being a good human being) led her to take matters into her own hands and becom...

This week Nicole sits down with standup comedian, podcaster and artist (and editor of the pod!) Drew Harrison... Drew has rediscovered his love of art as he gets older and has used it to help deal with everyday stress and the roller coaster of emotions that comes with being professional standup comedian. Drew is also one of many comedians with a deep, abiding love of professional wrestling.

Drew started watching Bob Ross as a form o...

Life integration not work life balance leads to a Renaissance Life. Nicole is joined by Sydney Dozier this week and they discuss how high achieving women can love their lives and thrive despite the hustle.  While juggling a business and a family, Sydney realized that although you need to work hard, it's how you learn to integrate your work and personal that helps you thrive.

The pair delve into having an inner circle and people...

Nicole and Dr. Ben (orthopedic surgeon *and* comedian) dive into medicine, creativity, and courage. He'll tell you how dad jokes led to stand-up, plus the secrets to confidence, stage fright vs. surgical prep, and why creatives need creative escapes. 

They'll also cover laughter's superpower, storytelling, grit, and the wild ride of stand-up. Nicole shares her own stand-up stumbles and podcast pivot. Plus, A...

Find your life's "aha!" moment and unlock your true potential! This week, we're thrilled to have Career Coach Luke DeLaVergne joining us. 

Luke is going to share the ONE single, transformative question that completely rerouted his entire career path and led him to a place of greater fulfillment and purpose. After his own deeply personal quest for clarity and direction, it was another insightful career coach who p...

Get ready for a powerful episode! Sarah Wilson, calling a Spiritual Director a "soul beautician" and "spiritual midwife," joins Nicole to reveal a journey through postpartum struggles and a child in hospice, ultimately a story of incredible hope and encouragement. Discover how Sarah transformed her experiences into a call for authentic community, urging us to break free from isolation and truly connect. This epi...

Valentine's Day: Overhyped or just… a thing? Either way, we're ditching the roses for International Quirkyalone Day. 

Nicole and returning fave Zeta Graves are breaking down V-Day's wilder cousin: the "bro equivalent of Galentine's," a candy bracket, single update letters, and the glorious concept of "Bear Winter" (think girl dinner, but with peanut butter and hibernation). Basically, we'...

Jeff Allen, a comedian whose career spans 6 decades, is in the studio with Nicole! He is also an author, husband and recovering addict. He loves finding the humor in everyday family life and will admit he is head over heels in love with his life (and his wife) and wants everyone to know it.

Having grown up with unpredictable parents, Jeff learned that loud usually wins arguments. From the brink of divorce to finding Jesus,...

This episode Nicole is joined by Iveth Gamez! Having received career advice from Iveth herself, Nicole knew this was a guest she wanted to bring to you. They talk about Iveth's journey into the business world after she abruptly ended her longtime goal of becoming a doctor and instead ended up with an Environmental Health Science degree… It’ll make sense once you listen.

Every company Iveth has ever worked for hired her into a r...

Nicole sits down with exercise advocate Barb Puzanovova! The duo instantly bond over their love of floating... Barb shares her love of fitness that started with her family sharing time staying active! It eventually led to her falling in love with strength training and other things fitness!!!

Now Barb teaches folks across the country (and worldwide) to listen to their bodies, adjust exercises + even entire workouts, challen...

Trigger Warning: Discussion of Suicide in the Episode.

Nicole sits down with Internet personality Carollynn Xavier. A self described driven weirdo that accepts herself.. Carollynn has built an audience as the Recovering Californian.. a transplant from the west coast adjusting quite nicely to the slower pace afforded with Southern Living.

Carollynn is an Orthodox Christian Catechumen, former atheist, recovering lov...

What makes a ballerina leave the world they know and pivot to making people laugh? 

Nicole sits down with comedian Judson Veach to find out. They took the same stand up comedy class and Nicole is delighted to check in with her former classmate!

Judson talks about his journey of turning funny parent rants into an actual online following...And how ballet took an Ohio boy to New York then eventually Nashville... where he found his love ...

This Thanksgiving, Nicole invites returning guests Phillip Headrick and Marianna Barksdale for a holiday full of questionable Midwestern “salads," unexpected facts, and one very emotional debate over sweet potato marshmallows.

We’re talking lime jello miracles, ambrosia disasters, turkey-adjacent spam, cranberry betrayals, and a real Butterball Hotline moment. Plus: why Calvin Coolidge pardoned a raccoon, the drama of leftover ...

What do toupee influencers, runaway kids, and velociraptors have in common? 

Nicole sits down with comedian Alex Velluto to find out. From his first open mic at sixteen to three Dry Bar specials, Alex shares the chaos, craft, and slow grind of a comedy career.

We cover surprising jobs (including a teaching stint that ended with thirty kids fleeing lawnmowers), homeschooling his son, speaking three languages, and the philosophical imp...