F*CK'N AUTHENTIC

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 understand the damage she caused?

[06:16] Bree’s mom's excuses for her behavior.

[07:22] Reaching out to my absentee dad for forgiveness.

[08:30] Getting sent away after acting out as a teen.

[10:26] Why do the hurt ones extend forgiveness?

[12:39] Acting out for attention from Bree’s dad.

[14:42] Barely finishing high school amidst the chaos.

[16:02] Moving to Colorado with Bree’s new husband.

[18:30] Having a colicky newborn with no support system.

[20:17] Finding jobs quickly out of necessity.

[22:35] Struggling mentally amidst becoming a new mom.

[24:00] The value of going through hard times together.

[25:39] Recognizing the cycle repeating.

[27:10] The need for continuous forgiveness in marriage.

[29:39] Wanting kids to know the good in their Grandma.

[33:08] Forgiveness is an ongoing process, not one-time event.

[35:12] Be patient in your own forgiveness journey.

[37:40] Still fighting despite the challenges.

[49:21] Take it easy on yourself through the forgiveness process.

If this episode resonated with you, please rate, follow, share, and leave a review. Your support helps more people find this podcast and know they're not alone. Until next time!

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 rollercoaster of emotions.
Timeline Summary:
[00:17] - We're cracking up about that alien ship talk from the last episode.
[01:02] - I'm getting real about how I turned into the protector.
[04:26] - The big move to the 'burbs for our kid's future.
[10:45] - All about my compulsive need to support everyone, no matter the cost.
[17:55] - The emotional toll of feeling like I owe the world.
[31:03] - The World Trade Center bombing and its impact.
[36:44] - Nancy's battles in the man's world of construction.
[38:17] - The day we lost our house.
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 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 depression. She openly admits her struggles with self-belief, faith, and the influence of external voices that led her astray.
[00:02:30] "Unmasking Our True Selves: A Journey into Authenticity"
[00:10:45] "Revisiting My Upbringing: A New Perspective on Parenting"
[00:22:15] "The Power of Forgiveness: A Personal Revelation"
[00:35:00] "From Fear to Growth: My Mom's Tumultuous Journey"
[00:50:00] "Understanding and Empathy: The Cornerstones of Our Relationship
Thanks for joining us on this journey. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, follow, and review the podcast. Let's keep the conversation going.

In this episode, Nancy and I are diving even deeper into my past, my upbringing, and the experiences that shaped me. This episode is a raw, unfiltered exploration of my childhood, growing up in a strict, fundamentalist church, and the tumultuous relationship between my parents. It's a journey that's both personal and universal, a story of struggle, resilience, and ultimately, authenticity. So buckle up, folks, because we're about to get real.
Here are some of the key moments from this episode:
[2:32] My mom’s decision to leave the church.
[6:56] Moving out of the home and moving into an apartment.
[9:35] High school games with a bunch of adults.
[14:18] My dad is not off the hook.
[19:23] We lined up getting our asses beat.
[22:12] My dad came back to live with us and that's when he got my mom pregnant.
[27:45] The liberation and liberation that lasted for 40 minutes.
[30:36] I didn’t trust anybody, not one person.
[35:49] When you’re going through the shit in life, you have to keep going.
As always, if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, follow, and review our podcast. Your feedback helps us improve and grow, and it means the world to us. Thanks for joining Nancy and I on this journey, and stay tuned for more episodes of "Fucking Authentic."

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, resilience, and growth within ourselves. Our love for our family remains unwavering, and we'll continue to hope for reconciliation and understanding.

We’ll grapple with the question of whether we did enough, while navigating the treacherous waters of parenthood. From overprotection to the struggle for independence, we examine every facet of our parenting style and choices.

This episode is a powerful exploration of how even the most well-intentioned actions can have unforeseen consequences. Tune in as we recount the moments leading up to a pivotal event that would change our lives forever, forever challenging our understanding of family dynamics and personal responsibility.

If you're going through a similar experience, please know that you're not alone. Reach out, share your story, and let's navigate this difficult path together.

Timeline Summary:

[2:47] Being taught there’s no “manual” for parenting

[7:45] Making family time a priority

[10:39] The pain of separation during COVID

[12:11] Helping our son start his business

[17:29] Respecting our son’s parenting choices

[19:10] Constant communication in the family

[23:36] Feeling our son wanted his own identity

[27:24] The grieving process when estranged

[30:39] The ongoing challenge of feeling human

[33:12] Appreciating small moments with grandkids

[38:34] A message of unconditional love

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!