Lead with Compassion: Recent Episodes
Niko
Niko tried to live life up to others' expectations and failed miserably. Which led him on a journey of crashing confidence, self-discovery, and eventually, self-love. Niko opens up about his experiences, paving the path for others to believe in themselves and to live authentically. Join Niko as he reflects on life with a lens of compassion for others, but most importantly, for himself. Simply put, this podcast is a trans man's take on life.
I can't believe this is the end of season 1. When I started this podcast, I hoped it didn't turn out like many of my other endeavors, and fade into the background. But through this podcast, I've that compassion expands my capacity for growth. In this final episode of season 1, I take a look at the critical voice that runs most of our lives, and how I've started to lessen its power.
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In this episode I continue the story of my running journey and the space it gave me to practice self-compassion. I'll give the first step in self-compassion and ways to practice it.
Referenced episodes:
Episode 22: Running Toward Self-Compassion
Episode 17: How to Do Better Once You Know Better
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
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In addition to the positive coming out stories I shared about my work, were times that people didn't respect my privacy, and even tried to turn people against me. I discuss these times in this episode.
Mentioned episodes:
Episode 8: Anxiety and Coming Out as Transgender at Work
Episode 9: Facing Judgment Coming Out as Transgender at Work
Jodie's Masterclass affiliate link
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Jodie Bentley's free LIVE Masterclass
Use this link to sign up for this informative Masterclass. She will be live to answer all your questions!
Support the show
In this episode I reflect on my running journey and how it has affected my journey toward self-compassion.
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
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In this episode I discuss going from a feeling of having to act hyper masculine to deciding exactly how I want to show up in the world. I also include my thoughts around this hyper masculinity in society.
Episodes mentioned:
Episode 18: Does How I Look Make You Uncomfortable?
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
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Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
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In this episode, I finally discuss why this podcast is called Lead with Compassion. It's been a lifetime leading up to this endeavor.
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
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In this episode I discuss pronouns. A little about the legal aspect, and a lot about the social aspect. Check out the links below for more info on pronouns.
Referenced episodes:
Episode 16: Arrogance of Refusing to Use the Correct Name
Episode 17: How to do Better Once You Know Better
Episode 18: Does How I Look Make You Uncomfortable?
Pronoun resources:
The Center for Transgender Equality - about trans page
The Center for Transgender Equality - pronouns
An FAQ
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I've felt like I've been pushing life to hard. Trying to force things into being. So join me for a quick break. Allowing things to sit, and rest, before we get back into it.
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In this Episode, Niko talks about forcing masculinity, how we protect ourselves from being too exposed, and who is responsible for your discomfort.
Other episodes mentioned:
Episode 5: Trigger Warning: Injections, Needles, and Fainting
Episode 17: How To Do Better Once You Know Better
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
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When you know better, do better. But how? How do you get from knowing to doing? I break down the steps I use to help me go from knowing better to doing better.
Referenced episodes:
Episode 5: Trigger Warning - Injections, Needles, and Fainting
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
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Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Use our affiliate link to get a free 30 day trial with Audible.
Support the show
I discuss the term deadname, why I don't like it, and why I think people use the deadnames of trans people. This leads to my thoughts on blaming our reactions on others, and using compassion to take responsibility for our own reactions.
Many of us have felt like we are not enough, not worthy, or have feared being found out as a fraud. In this episode I talk about how this shows up for me, and a couple ways I've been able to overcome imposter syndrome.
Episode mentioned:
Episode 11: Coming Out as Transgender in the Local Newspaper
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Support the show
Many of us have felt like we are not enough, not worthy, or have feared being found out as a fraud. In this episode I talk about how this shows up for me, and a couple ways I've been able to overcome imposter syndrome.
If you're looking to support an LGBT company and get some awesome jewelry and accessories, check out my affiliate link for 80% off with coupon code whatsthatniko. Onorainbow
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Support the show
We are taught that we need to hide parts of ourselves to fit in. This often turns into shame and affects how we see ourselves. In this episode, I take a look at this shame and how my transition led me to let go of shame.
If you're looking to support an LGBT company and get some awesome jewelry and accessories, check out my affiliate link for 80% off with coupon code whatsthatniko. Onorainbow
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Podchaser
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Support the show
Right next my fears of coming out as transgender, were my fears of telling my son. Not because I feared his reaction, but because of what it would mean for him. I talk about those fears, and tell the story of coming out to my son in this episode.
If you're looking to support an LGBT company and get some awesome jewelry and accessories, check out my affiliate link for 80% off with coupon code whatsthatniko. Onorainbow
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Support the show
Support the show
Join me for this episode where I talk about telling my parents that I'm transgender.
If you're looking to support an LGBT company and get some awesome jewelry and accessories, check out my affiliate link for 80% off with coupon code whatsthatniko. Onorainbow
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Support the show
Support the show
One big step for me in my transition was changing my legal name. I'll take you back to that story, and how it led me to coming out in the newspaper. Along the way, I experience the first glimmers of excitement. I also uncover a success that remained hidden to me until I recorded this episode.
Other episodes mentioned:
Episode 10: Coming Out as Transgender in the Doctor Office
Get information about changing your name and other trans resources here:
National Center for Transgender Equality
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Support the show
In this episode I go back to my journey of finding a therapist and medical professional to help me move forward with my transition. Trans healthcare is a tough topic for many of us. Navigating our vulnerability and the need to advocate for ourselves takes courage.
If you are a trans person looking for resources, here a few for you. More can be found on our website, linked below.
The Galap - A place to find trans affirming therapists
Planned Parenthood - Provides trans affirming healthcare
National Center for Transgender Equality - Guides and resources for your healthcare and beyond
If you are a healthcare profession, this is a great place to start:
World Professional Association for Transgender Health
If you are already a trans affirming provider, consider adding yourself to the Galap directory:
The Galap
Contact us: Share your stories, ask questions, tell us what you want to hear about
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
Sometimes the worst judgment we face is our own. I'm discovering this as I go through these coming out stories. This episode covers coming out to my employees and other people we work with. Perhaps I'm learning that others aren't judging me as harshly as I'm judging myself.
Referenced episodes:
Episode 6: Coming Out
Episode 8: Anxiety and Coming Out as Transgender at Work
Contact us:
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
Catch our host, Niko, on:
Facebook: Niko McCall
Instagram: @whatsthatniko
This is the first of two episodes discussing coming out as transgender in the workplace. This episode focuses on the anxiety of coming out, and getting the support of my boss. As recent as 2020, it was still legal in many states for trans people to be fired. It's hard to think of myself as worthy of anything when having to fight for jobs and healthcare is a real possibility for trans folks. It's hard to not internalize.
Please reach out to us. We love hearing from our listeners.
leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
You can also find Niko at:
www.instagram.com/whatsthatniko
www.facebook.com/NikoMcCallOfficial
In this episode I recount the next few people I came out to, and how I'm still coming out to people today. I also spend some time on the anxiety around coming out, the vulnerability it requires, and how I'm working on both of those.
If anything in this podcast resonates with you, or raises questions, email us at leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com
Additional resources can also be found on our website: www.leadwithcompassionpodcast.com
This episode starts a short series on coming out. I start the series looking back on my first few coming out conversations, when I came out as a lesbian. If you see yourself as someone others could safely come out to, there are some moments in this podcast for you to take into consideration.
In moments of coming out, compassion for myself was hard to come by, and something I'm still learning to put into practice. It is easier to look back on moments from the past with compassion, and try to take what I learn into the future.
Please reach out to leadwithcompassionpodcast@gmail.com to connect.
The possibility of an injection comes with a warning from me to the nurse that I'm a fainter. This played out in some terrifying and funny moments when starting testosterone. Join me as I take a look back at my fainting history and how my fear of injections played out at the beginning of my transition.
Following the euphoria I experienced finding my gender expression, I was overcome by depression. This episode covers some of the factors around that depression, and how I'm working to find compassion for self.
If you're like me, you have no shortage of excuses you tell yourself throughout the day. I think it's how we respond to those excuses that determines how much they restrict us. This episode is about where I'm at in that process.
The first episode of Lead With Compassion! Everyone has dreams for their life. Sometimes, we try to live other people's dreams for our life. Just like in this episode, that doesn't usually work out. In this episode I take a look at those dreams and look back on the events that led to uncovering my sexual orientation.
It's the first Transition Tuesday, so I take a look at the story of gender expression and the euphoria I discovered. This is the first of two episodes talking about the yin and yang around the beginning of my transition.