Episodes

Nancy and I wanted to come on to explain some changes we're making to the show's format going forward. We feel like we lost some of our mojo over the past few years and want to regain our power by telling our full story, from the beginning up until now. There will still be amazing guests, but we also want to share the ups, downs, laughs and tears from our relationship and family. We hope it inspires others going through tough times. Episode Highlights: [00:07] Poking fun at Nancy's sick voice an...

I had an enlightening talk with Bree about the importance of forgiveness in healing and moving forward. We discussed the freedom that comes with forgiving those who have hurt you, even if they can’t reciprocate. Bree shared her journey with an abusive mom and how becoming a parent herself opened the door to forgiveness. We explored how forgiveness is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Episode Highlights: [02:14] The weight lifted after forgiving an abusive mom. [05:20] Did her mom underst...

In this raw, explicit podcast, we interview our coworker Beto about his life-changing experience training for and completing the Chicago Marathon. Beto takes us through his journey from the moment a casual invitation planted the seed to him suddenly signing up on a whim to run his first-ever marathon. We get an inside look at the mental and physical rollercoaster of marathon training and race day as someone doing it completely on his own. Beto shares invaluable lessons on overcoming self-doubt, ...

In this episode, Nancy I got into how fast time flies as you get older. Seems like just yesterday we were kids, now the holidays are already here again. The years go by quicker when you're stuck in repetition instead of learning and experiencing new things. I need to start doing more exciting stuff if I want to slow down Father Time. That led into how we get aggravated at people not meeting our expectations. But our expectations are just something we made up in our heads. People are not going to...

In this solo episode, I’m going on an impassioned rant about my personal frustration with Christians who claim to be open and accepting but fail to follow through on their word. Listen to me vent about the hypocrisy of Christians who preach openness but refuse to have authentic conversations with people different from themselves. I’m challenging Christians to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. This unfiltered monologue will give you a raw look into my true feelings. Timeline Summary: [00:26]...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse, rape, drug abuse, and suicidal ideation that some listeners may find disturbing or traumatic. Listener discretion is advised. Our guest faced immense hardship and trauma starting from a very young age. By her mid-teens, she had endured more than most do in a lifetime. Her powerful story illustrates the human capacity for resilience and redemption. Listen as she recounts her journey through unimaginable obstacles and how she recl...

Nancy and I reflect on our recent road trip and how saying "yes" to new adventures sparked powerful insights. We talk about the power of saying YES to unfamiliar experiences. Pushing past our comfort zones brought out our playful sides and challenged us to live more authentically. Timeline Summary: [01:05] Discussing how Nancy talked much more in the last episode. [02:30] What was at the end of the rainbow? [03:20] This road trip was a shift in attitude, finding the power of saying “yes” to more...

Get transported to gorgeous fall scenes, cozy coffee shops, and mouthwatering meals on this journey through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York. From covered bridges to mountain summits, we bring you along on an unforgettable autumn adventure. Timeline Summary: [00:18] Taking an unplanned road trip and embracing spontaneity. [02:07] Disappointed by lack of charming coffee shops in Indiana. [03:29] Finding hidden covered bridge gems in Ashtabula County, Ohio. [07:14] Meeting a man w...

Nancy and I are popping in from the Adirondack Mountains to remind you how important self-care and self-love are. We are going on a hike, and we will talk to you guys soon! If you're digging our stories and loving the ride, do us a solid - rate us, follow the podcast, and share it with your crew. Your reviews mean the world to us and keep us bringing you more f*ck'n authentic stories. Until next time, folks, stay f*ck'n authentic!

In this raw and authentic episode, Nancy and I have an honest conversation during an evening walk about the pain of feeling estranged from our son and granddaughters. We open up about the lessons we’ve learned through this difficult experience, like living more in the present moment, realizing we were good parents because we raised a strong leader, and finding the positives that came from the negative. Even when family relationships get complicated, focusing on personal growth can help you move ...

Alright, folks, this is Nick, and today we've got a unique guest with me. It's not Nancy, my usual sidekick; it's Kelsey, my massage therapist. We've been talking a lot over the past year, and I've come to realize that Kelsey has quite the story to share. So, here we are. Kelsey's story begins with rejection, a feeling many of us can relate to in some form or another. She opens up about her early life, where rejection was a constant theme, even within her own family. Her sister's bullying and he...

Join us as we challenge the traditional notions of achievement and instead, encourage everyone to embrace the unique path to a fulfilling life. In this episode, we explore the fluctuating nature of progress as we talk to a real-live millennial who happens to also be one of our favorite podcast hosts, Gabby Ianniello, from the Corporate Quitter Podcast. We reflect on the idea of transitioning from a structured corporate job to a life brimming with variety and creativity and Gabby’s realization th...

We welcome our “sister” to join us on this episode to get her perspective on the cult we grew up in. She’ll tell us about her childhood, which included abuse in her home as well, and we’ll discuss the influence of the church on her life. Despite growing up in the same environment, we had different experiences and challenges to face after leaving our sheltered church community. While our childhoods had moments of camaraderie, we all suffered shadows of abuse and strict religious influence. High s...

I've got one hell of a story to share with you in this episode. In this episode, Nancy and I dive head-first into the shocking realities of the church I was raised in. We're tearing down walls, sharing gritty details of my childhood experiences living in constant dread of the rapture, chasing after salvation, sanctification, and the Holy Spirit. The church's insidious techniques of manipulation are laid bare as we dissect the daily regimented rituals that held us captive - from potlucks that wer...

If you’ve been following our story up until now, this is the episode that lays bare our motivation for doing this podcast. From our own upbringings to the challenges we face as parents, it’s a journey through pain, love, and the relentless pursuit of doing right by our children. We never anticipated this level of estrangement from our son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters, and it's been a challenging journey. We've faced anger, resentment, and hurt, but we've also discovered strength, resilie...

In this episode, Nancy and I hit the waters of the chain of lakes in Waupaca, Wisconsin. We're out here lookin’ to live it up, kayaking and capturing everything on-the-go. And we didn't just talk about it, we did it! Join us on this ride as we navigate the clear waters, dive into the unexpected, and sharing it all with you. This ain't your regular chit-chat podcast episode. We're out here in nature, doing the unexpected. So, gear up, press play, and dive into the adventure with us! Once you trav...

Friends, this episode is gonna be a powerful one. Reflecting on some hard truths, we’ll land on how our family unit became disconnected. And the amazing thing is how after all these years, we are still learning about each other and ourselves. And that’s exactly what happens in this episode. We explain how we coped with life’s pitfalls when we made our careers a focus of our lives and how feelings of failure put a strain on our relationship with our son. We tell you how we at first felt about hi...

Hey everyone, this episode was a real gut check for us. We got down and dirty, sharing the raw, the real, and the uncut truth of our experiences. We dove deep into topics of authenticity, survival, and the impact of life's trials and tribulations. We laughed, we got serious, and we opened up about the things that have shaped us. Buckle up for an intense and authentic ride through our lives and thoughts. This episode is a game-changer, folks. Don't miss it! Timeline Summary: [00:05] - I discussed...

We're back at it with part 3 of, "How We Met", diving even deeper into our story. This ain't just about our history, folks. It's about love, understanding, and the crazy shit we did. We're talking about the good old days, the suburban life, and the reality slaps that came with it. Now, we aren't just reminiscing here. We're getting real about the pressure, the stress, and how, like it or not, our past in that cult shaped our decisions as parents. So buckle up, hit play, and get ready for a rolle...

Strap in for part 2 of our story, as we dive headfirst into the wild ride that was Nancy's pregnancy and our early days as parents. Buckle up as we recount the nerve-wracking birth, our battle with the dark cloud of churchgoers' warnings, and our unwavering excitement for our new bundle of joy. Life threw us into a whirlwind, but hell, we were ready to take it head-on. We navigated the storm, juggling responsibilities and turning our home into a sanctuary filled with love, all while staying fuck...

This time, we're getting personal, real personal. Nancy and I are diving deep into the heart of our past, retracing the steps that led two wildly different individuals to cross paths and forge a bond that's stood the test of time. We're taking you back, way back, to the point where I returned to the church community, only to find myself amidst a vibrant, diverse group of friends. Among them was Nancy, and that's where our extraordinary journey began. We're opening up about our whirlwind romance ...

Nancy and I are back with another episode of "Fucking Authentic." This time, we're taking you along for the ride on a beautiful day under the sun. We've got our lapel mics on, so we're recording this one on the go, sharing this incredible journey with you in real-time. But we're not just messing around here. This episode is a reminder, for us and for you, about the importance of living in the now. It's about cherishing each day as it comes, not just the memories we make. So, come along with us a...

This week, we're getting up close and personal with my better half, Nancy. This episode is raw, unfiltered, and as real as it gets. We're recording this one on the road, from our Overland trailer in Alpaca, Wisconsin. So, you'll hear the calming sounds of nature, birds chirping, and the crackle of a fire in the background. We're diving deep into Nancy's life story, from her early years growing up in Chicago's Humboldt Park area to becoming the CFO of a major company. It's a journey that's all ab...

In this episode, we have a candid conversation with my (Nick's) mom about her perspective on how things went down when I was growing up around the cult. She shares her own troubled childhood history filled with abuse and trauma, revealing the reasons behind her actions at the time. We explore how my mom found solace and answers within the church, even though she witnessed its troubles with leadership. She reveals her issue with food addiction, and how she turned to food to satiate her fear and d...