A Love Letter to My Podcast: Saying Goodbye with Gratitude
In this final episode of Can I Just Say?, I share my heartfelt gratitude and reflect on the profound journey this podcast has taken me on over the past five years. From leaving an abusive relationship to navigating grief and self-discovery, the show has been a pivotal part of my life. I discuss the impactful conversations I've had, the lessons learned, and the personal growth experienced. As I say goodbye, I also announce an exciting new chapter with a new podcast, Healthy Love with Nic and Nik, focusing on self-love and relationship dynamics. Join me as I reflect on this incredible journey and look forward to the future.
00:00 Introduction and Final Episode Announcement
00:55 Reflecting on the Journey
02:56 Personal Growth and Challenges
03:59 Lessons Learned from Conversations
05:26 The Power of Vulnerability
07:14 Future Plans and Gratitude
09:35 New Beginnings
If you want to keep up to date with our new podcast and other content, Healthy Love with Nic + Nik, be sure to subscribe on Youtube.
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#healthylove #relationshippodcast #personalgrowthjourney #selfimprovement #selflove
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12:17
The Key to Lifelong Friendships: Openness and Vulnerability
In this special episode of Can I Just Say?, I sit down with my oldest and dearest friend, Erin Renner Steg, affectionately known as Renner. We reflect on our lifelong friendship and how it has persisted through different stages of our lives. Despite our differing paths and the physical distance between us, our bond remains strong. We discuss our childhood experiences, emotional growth, the importance of vulnerability, and the challenges of receiving feedback. Erin shares how becoming a parent has influenced her emotional intelligence and how she now models emotional regulation for her children. The conversation highlights the value of honest communication in maintaining deep and meaningful relationships as well as the growth that comes from being open to feedback and facing life's challenges together.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introducing Erin, my oldest friend
02:00 Reflecting on Childhood and Friendship
04:25 Balancing Family and Personal Life
07:40 Emotional Growth and Perfectionism
18:30 Support and Tough Conversations
48:49 Learning to Seek Support Beyond Your Partner
54:00 Handling Emotional Reactions and Processing
56:40 The Importance of Trust in Communication
01:03:20 Parenting and Emotional Awareness
01:09:45 The Power to Choose Your Reactions
01:17:27 Constructive Feedback and Personal Growth
01:24:55 The Value of Lifelong Friendships
🎙️ Check out more content from Can I Just Say?
https://canijustsaypodcast.com/
📺 Subscribe on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@nic_and_nik
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1:29:32
The Magic of Self-Love & Supporting Growth in Others
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In this episode, my partner Nicole and I dive into the transformative power of self-love, the joy of witnessing others' growth, and the importance of sharing experiences to support each other. We reflect on mentorship, discuss the rush of seeing friends evolve, and explore methods to cultivate self-love. From handling insecurities to practical advice on meditation and self-awareness, join us as we share personal stories and insights aimed at helping you unlock your true potential.
✨ If you're seeking meaningful connections and a supportive community, visit FullSpectrumFriends.com to join the waitlist!
💡 Download our workbook to Identify Your Core Values:
https://fullspectrumfriends.com/identify-your-core-values-workbook
👉 Follow Full Spectrum Friends for insights, inspiration and connection: https://instagram.com/fullspectrumfriends
Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:33 The Joy of Watching Others Grow
00:52 Mentorship and Personal Fulfillment
01:34 The Rush of Transformation
03:22 Organic Conversations and Aha Moments
05:47 Understanding Healthy Attachments
09:31 Taking Steps toward Self-Love
13:54 Meditation and Self-Reflection
20:05 Balancing External Validation and Self-Discovery
27:20 The Importance of Self-Love and Gratitude
34:52 Attracting the Right Relationships
37:51 Trusting the Timing of Life
40:28 Join Our Community, Full Spectrum Friends
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42:45
The Quest For Deeper Friendships with Jewel Hohman
In this episode of 'Can I Just Say,' I sit down with Jewel to explore the transformative power of vulnerability and breaking away from social perfectionism. We delve into how societal expectations and the loneliness epidemic affect our ability to forge meaningful connections. Jewel shares her personal journey of embracing vulnerability and setting healthy boundaries, which has allowed her to build deeper relationships. We discuss the science behind lasting friendships, the importance of open communication, and the balancing act between self-compassion and holding space for tough emotions. Through personal stories and practical insights, we encourage you to reflect on your own relationships and highlight the role of empathy and active effort in forming genuine, sustainable friendships.
🎧 Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: The Pressure of Social Perception
00:58 The Importance of Authentic Relationships
01:30 Diving into the Conversation with Jewel
03:42 Understanding Social Anxiety and Perfectionism
04:45 The Loneliness Epidemic and Its Impact
06:50 Building Meaningful Connections
11:10 The Role of Boundaries in Friendships
13:25 The Fluidity of Friendships
21:32 Social Perfectionism and Its Challenges
23:58 The Reveal: Fear of Being Truly Seen
30:11 Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance
33:11 Overcoming Shame and Embracing Change
35:18 Self-Compassion and Objectivity
36:38 Understanding Social Perfectionism
37:40 Navigating Rejection and Emotional Safety
43:01 The Importance of Vulnerability in Friendships
46:54 Repairing and Deepening Relationships
57:13 The Role of Jealousy and Competition
01:02:10 Empathy and Boundaries in Friendships
01:02:58 Understanding Yourself to Connect with Others
01:09:23 Creating Meaningful Friendships
01:12:23 Effort and Vulnerability in Building Connections
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🤝 Work with Jewel:
https://www.connectionwithjewel.com/
🎙️ Listen to The Socially Delight-full Podcast with Jewel: https://www.connectionwithjewel.com/podcast
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📺 Subscribe to Can I Just Say? on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicandnik
👉 Follow Me:
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1:15:18
Embracing Personal Growth with Compassion & Curiosity with Christina Carlson
In this deeply engaging episode, I reconnect with my dear friend, Christina Carlson for a heartfelt conversation about life's many intricate layers. During our conversation, we explore the challenges and limitations of traditional education and the significance of acknowledging different types of intelligence. We also delve into complex themes of control, trauma response, and the process of evolving into more self-aware and connected individuals. Both of us share our personal journeys of understanding and managing our needs for control, the importance of self-compassion, and creating supportive and safe environments. If you're a deep thinker who appreciates pondering life's many questions, this episode offers a rich tapestry of insights into the human experience.
🎧 Episode Chapters:
00:00 Reconnecting with an Old Friend
01:45 Connecting with Nature and Spirituality
04:47 Late Night Curiosity and Google Searches
07:38 Rethinking Education and Learning
25:13 Balancing Personal Well-being and Global Issues
34:02 The Complexity of Control in Relationships
43:13 The Role of Community in Healing
49:39 The Duality of Self-Love and Ethical Living
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🤝 Work with Christina: https://www.christinamcarlson.com/
👉 Follow Christina:
https://tiktok.com/@christinaclifecoach
https://www.instagram.com/christinacarlsonlifecoach/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/careercoachingwithchristina
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📺 Subscribe to Can I Just Say? on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicandnik
👉 Follow Me:
https://instagram.com/nikkilacroce
https://tiktok.com/@nikkilacroce
https://facebook.com/@canijustsaypodcast
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkilacroce/
Can I Just Say? is a phrase that I often say and one which is deeply rooted in the essence of who I am. It is how I enter conversations, initiate connection, and invite people to share their stories. The idea being that this is a platform and community where guests and listeners have the freedom to say whatever is on your mind and in your heart. So, when somebody leads with, “Can I just say?”, my answer is an emphatic “YES.” As I embark on this next stage of my podcasting journey, guests will be going beyond what’s expected and diving into the more raw, vulnerable parts of their stories that don’t often get enough air time or perhaps they’ve never shared before. In keeping aligned with my personal values, I am focused on building a community of cycle-breakers who want to connect and grow together.