Should We Unpack This?: Recent Episodes
Nikki Simches
She has a way with words, a smooth late night radio host voice, and 33 years of life with more twists, turns, and cracks than the sketchiest wooden roller coaster at the boardwalk. Pull up a seat, get comfy, and join Nikki while she unpacks it all. From trauma healing to ADHD, motherhood to marriage, makeup to mental health… and everything in between.
Instead of teaching people to have "thicker skin", why don't we try teaching others to not be a$$holes.
It takes courage to set a firm, healthy boundary.
It takes understanding to be able to accept a firm, healthy boundary.
It takes courage to admit that some things you may have done, said, or believed in the past, was not kind, appropriate, or acceptable.
It takes the willingness to learn and grow from others, the ability to hold yourself accountable, and the desire to advocate for change...to really make an impact.
When we know more, we can do more. When we know BETTER, we can DO better.
When you move to a brand new state and know no one... You obviously start online dating to make connections, right?! WOOF.
Get comfy, sit back, and enjoy the horror of my very first blind date/online date.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the word "villain" ???
Let's unpack this.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and as someone who has struggled a large part of my life in silence, it was important for me to make this episode.
You are not alone. You do not have to struggle or suffer alone. Generationally, the way people look at mental health struggles has changed significantly.
So many people who have endured terrible things, abuse, trauma, etc. are not keeping quiet anymore in fear of judgement or criticism - they are standing up and getting loud. Using their voice not only for themselves, but for others who have yet to use theirs.
That is what I am doing today.
Trigger Warning: Brief mentions of Suicide, Abuse, Sexual Abuse
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. You do not have to stay silent. Someone is always ready and willing to help.
Here are some resources:
National Suicide Hotline: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org // 1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Crisistextline.org // Text "HELLO" to 741741
Child Help USA National Hotline for
Children Suffering from Child Abuse: ChildHelpUSA.org // 1-800-422-4453
Trevor Project Lifeline - Confidential Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ+ Youth:
TheTrevorProject.com // 866-488-7386
National Eating Disorders Helpline:
NationalEatingDisorders.org // 1-800-931-2237
National Domestic Violence Hotline for Those Who Are Experiencing Domestic Violence: TheHotline.org // 1-800-799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline for Victims of Sexual Assault LGBTQ+-inclusive:
Rainn.org // 1-800-656-4673
Who remembers the sweet sound of your dial-up internet getting ready to connect you with strangers across the world?
Or the anxiety over your bestie's Top 8 on MySpace?
Digital Camera Selfies?
Printing a MapQuest packet to get you to your destination?
Jump in, buckle up, and enjoy the ride down memory lane. Don't worry about printing directions, we've got GPS now.
This week's episode was a doozy for me. It is a little lengthy, a little deep, and a lot of oversharing - because that is what I am good at.
Have you ever thought about what you would say to your younger self as present day you right now? What would you say to the younger you who survived the worst times of your life? What would your younger self think of who you are today? What would they say to you?
I know that there are so many struggling in silence right now around the world, some walking through the hardest season of their life. This week it was important for me to share a few of my dark seasons, and let you know that you are not alone.
Every single day that you choose to keep going, the world is that much more blessed to have you here. I am so blessed to have you here. And I am SO proud of you.
Trigger Warning: Brief discussions of suicide, eating disorder, abuse, infertility
Welcome to the very first episode of the "Should We Unpack This?" podcast where I introduce myself and some of the baggage we will be unpacking.
This podcast will be heavy on the traumedy. What is traumedy? When trauma and comedy collide because humor is how you cope and oversharing is your strong suit.
Why would I willingly share stories of my darkest points to the world? To show those who are walking through a dark season themselves that they are not alone.
Why would I willingly expose my mistakes and flaws to the world? To show those who are being so hard on themselves that there can still be peace in imperfections.
Why would I willingly share all of who I am? To show MYSELF that I am enough, that I am capable, and hope that along the way you see how enough you all are as well.
So if you are ready to unpack some baggage with me, give this introduction a listen. If you enjoy, please follow along and share.