F*CK'N AUTHENTIC

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 and the myriad hurdles that stood in our path.
[00:07] - Kicking off the episode amidst the summer heat.
[03:45] - Setting the stage for a remarkable journey together.
[11:52] - Our perspectives on church and societal norms.
[18:00] - Real talk about early parenting experiences.
[24:15] - Personal life events that shaped us.
[28:30] - Reflection and a glimpse into the next episode.
As we share this chapter of our lives, you'll see a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the unwavering commitment to authenticity. We're thrilled to have you along as we continue to share our story in part 2 of our "How We Met" series. If you're enjoying the ride, don't forget to rate us, follow the podcast, and drop a review. Your support keeps us real.

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 fucking authentic. Our journey was a rollercoaster, full of unexpected twists, but we made sure our son was surrounded by nothing but love and care. Tune in as we share how we stared down the odds and embraced parenthood with a no-bullshit attitude. After all, life's more interesting when you keep it fucking real.
[00:17] Throwing together a last-minute wedding with drunk underage friends partying in a limo
[08:04] Buying cribs and baby items at 50% interest with no money or credit
[14:22] Nancy going into 23 hours of labor with 19-year-old Nick having zero patience
[18:18] Nancy freaking out seeing the baby's discolored head emerge, thinking it was an alien
[23:17] Nancy going back to work just days after giving birth
If you're digging our no-bullshit chats and raw outlook on life, do us a solid - rate us, follow us, and drop a review for our podcast. Until next time, keep it authentic, and we'll catch you in the next episode!

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!

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 the importance of being authentic and how it feels to record in the beautiful morning.

[01:05] - I brought up how people often just go through the motions in life, merely surviving.

[01:55] - Pondered on whether my talk was general or specific, sharing my feelings about life's unpredictability.

[03:37] - The concept of freedom and how it's linked with validation.

[07:22] - I found myself reflecting on the question, "what about me?" and was tempted to sing a song about it.

[07:59] - How life can change when there's nothing to hold onto.

[10:11] - My desire to use my voice more freely and authentically.

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.