Welcome back to Becoming: HER! In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Allan, a proud Miamian, mom, and Team Leader of the Jo-Ann Forster Team, one of South Florida’s most trusted family-run real estate groups. Lauren shares her inspiring path from social work to real estate, how she carries forward her mother Jo-Ann’s powerful legacy, and what it means to lead with empathy, connection, and confidence in business and at home.

You’ll hear a candid conversation about legacy, blended families, and finding grace through change, plus, Lauren offers a peek behind the curtain of the Miami real estate world with practical insights for buyers, sellers, and dreamers alike. Tune in!

In this episode…
Being a facilitator
Relationships
Sales industry
Thrill
Fulfilling a legacy
Energy exchange
Self- awareness/ finding yourself
Grove vs. Gables
Blending families
Accountability & humility

Quotes

“My mom taught me that real estate isn’t about houses, it’s about people, relationships, and trust.” - Lauren Allen

“My parents were very good at letting me be me, and that was a gift and an honor.” - Lauren Allen

“The level of your peace comes down to your ability to face change with grace.” - Nikki Spo

“Every birthday I ask myself, do I like myself more now than I did last year?” - Lauren Allen

Timestamps:
0:00 - 2:30 | Intro
2:30 - 6:50 | Lauren’s journey
6:50 - 11:15 | Facilitator
11:15 - 14:55 | Relationship-centric
14:55 - 19:50 | Legacy
19:50 - 24:00 | Energetic exchange
24:30 - 33:15 | Lauren’s favorite neighborhood
33:15 - 35:35 | South Miami
35:35 - 40:40 | Staying grounded
40:40 - 43:55 | Cash offer
43:55 - 46:45 | Condo market
46:45 - 53:10 | Lauren’s personal life
53:10 - 57:55 | Dating after divorce
57:55 - 58:55 | Accountability & humility
58:55 - 1:01:00 | What does becoming her mean to Lauren
1:01:00 - 1:03:30 | Outro

Connect with Lauren Allen
https://www.joannforsterteam.com/
@laurengallan / @joannforsterteam

Connect with Nikki
www.nikkispo.com
@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to Becoming: HER, the podcast where we explore the real, raw, and remarkable journey of stepping into who we’re meant to be.

Today, I’m joined by Lisa Candera, a single mom, attorney, ADHD-er, and autism mom coach whose work is changing the narrative around resilience, motherhood, and self-regulation.

Lisa is the host of The Autism Mom Podcast, which ranks in the top 2%, and her upcoming book dives deep into what it means to be a “solid object” for your child, not fixing, not co-escalating, but standing steady in the storm.

In a world that tells moms to “tough it out,” Lisa is helping women rewrite that story, to find peace not through pushing harder, but through accepting change and regulating ourselves first.

We’re going to talk about the myths that keep autism moms stuck in guilt and shame, the “tough it out” mentality that’s quietly burning women out, and what real strength and peace can look like when we lead from self-awareness and compassion. Tune in! 

In this episode…

• Hope to parents 
• Toughing it out vs. not toughing it out 
• Being a GOOD human being 
• Labels 
• The evolvement of autism 
• Support groups 
• The autism umbrella 
• Toolbox 

Quotes 

“It really takes self-aware adults to raise self-aware children.” - Nikki Spo 

“The first step is to understand what your triggers are as a parent. It's never the behavior, it's always so much underneath that.” - Lisa Candera 

Timestamps: 

0:00 - 4:00 | Intro 

4:00 - 4:50 | Bottle lessons up & deliver them 

4:50 - 8:40 | Lisa’s perspective on resilience 

8:40 - 10:45 | The labels…

10:45 - 12:10 | Self-regulation as an adult 

12:10 - 20:25 | How autism has evolved 

20:25 - 23:35 | Community 

23:35 - 28:10 | Thinking its a “phase” 

28:10 - 33:20 | Mothers instinct 

33:20 - 38:05 | Being held captive by your self 

38:05 - 40:20 | A crisis point 

40:20 - 42:35 | Pausing before reacting 

42:35 - 48:05 | Toolbox for parents 

48:05 - 52:40 | Assigning meaning 

52:40 - 53:50 | Difference between our closet & our brain 

53:50 - 57:35 | Qualities that make autism special 

57:35 - 1:00:46 | Outro 

To every mom listening: You are doing your best in circumstances that don’t always make space for softness, and that’s exactly why conversations like this matter.

If today’s episode resonated with you, go follow Lisa and listen to The Autism Mom Podcast, her work is a lifeline for any parent walking this journey.

And as always, thank you for tuning in to Becoming: HER. I’m Nikki Spoelstra, and I’ll see you next week as we continue learning, growing, and becoming, together.

—

Painless Pregnancy is a group of physical therapists located in South Florida who specialize in helping pregnant and postpartum women prevent dysfunction and heal… in the comfort of their own homes. This concierge service has been a game changer for me after my third childbirth, and I am excited to partner with them and offer our Listeners 10% off their first visit with my code NikkiSpo10. Check out www.painless-pregnancy.com to book your appointment!

Connect with Lisa Candera 

theautismmomcoach.com

@theautismmomcoach  

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to Becoming: HER, the podcast where we peel back the layers of what it really means to live, lead, and love as the most confident version of ourselves. I’m your host, Nikki Spoelstra—and today’s guest embodies that journey in the most powerful way.

Simone Knego is the award-winning author of The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You and co-host of Her Unshakeable Confidence, the hit intergenerational podcast she hosts with her daughter. She’s climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, raised six children in a beautifully blended, multicultural family, and built a global platform around one truth—that confidence isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up real, raw, and unapologetically you.

In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to lead from the inside out, stop waiting for permission, and find your voice—even when the world tells you to shrink. Let’s dive in with the extraordinary, unordinary Simone Knego.

In this episode…

• Learning from your children 
• Adoption 
• Crohn's 
• If its mentionable, its manageable 
• Book of life 
• Family unit 
• Business of being married
• The kitchen table leadership  

Quotes

“When you have some sort of struggle it doesn’t define you, it’s just a piece of who you are.” - Simone Knego

“Self-care is NEVER selfish.” - Simone Knego 

“I often call it the business of being married because it is more than just love, it is a lot of work that goes into keeping and sustaining a relationship.” - Nikki Spo 

Timestamps: 

0:00 - 2:40 | Intro

2:40 - 4:00 | Simone’s story 

4:00 - 4:50 | Six children 

4:50 - 6:25 | Crohn's disease 

6:25 - 11:00 | How your children shape your identity 

11:00 - 13:15 | Equal attention for your children 

13:15 - 16:50 | Subconscious assigned role in a family unit 

16:50 - 19:40 | Mom’s taking time for themselves 

19:40 - 21:50 | Husband involvement 

21:50 - 26:35 | The kitchen table leadership 

26:35 - 29:55 | Extraordinary 

29:55 - 36:20 | Mindset shift  

36:20 - 38:35 | Moving forward 

38:35 - 41:45 | Living up to others expectations

41:45 - 49:45 | You don’t need permission to be yourself   

49:45 - 1:04:36 | REAL  

If this conversation spoke to you in the audience, take a moment today to reflect on where you might still be waiting for a green light or for your own permission slip to get moving. 

–

SANA SKIN STUDIO is my #1 go-to spot for self-care. My favorite facial is the Super Glow, and you can get $25 off of your first facial when you book at www.sanaskinstudio.com with my code NIKKISPOGLOW. 

Connect with Simone Knego 

https://simoneknego.com/

@simoneknego

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’ve been doing everything right, eating clean, moving your body, getting your sleep, but still feeling tired, anxious, bloated, or just not like yourself, this episode is going to speak straight to your soul. 

This week on Becoming: HER, I sat down with Lauren Papanos, MS, RD, CSSD, a board-certified sports dietitian and hormone expert who helps high-performing women uncover the hidden thyroid and hormone imbalances quietly draining their energy.

Lauren and I dive deep into why so many ambitious women are running on empty, what your labs might be missing, and how to finally restore your energy and confidence from the inside out. She shares real, practical tools you can start using today. No restrictive diets, no guilt, just aligned, sustainable healing.

Tune in and learn how to reconnect with your body, honor your hormones, and step into the vibrant energy that’s been waiting for you all along. 

In this episode…

• PCOS 
• Feminine frustration 
• Healthy isn’t enough 
• Fatigue 
• Many layers of PCOS 
• leveling up
• Changing perspective 
• Mental & physical health

Quotes

“Healthy looks different for everybody.” - Lauren Papanos 

“When you have the financial stability, you have the freedom to make certain choices.” - Nikki Spo

“We put pressure on ourselves to do the most all of the time when in reality the solution lies with doing less.” - Nikki Spo

Timestamps: 

0:00 - 2:50 | Intro 

2:50 - 5:20 | PCOS

5:20 - 8:45 | Medical history 

8:45 - 13:10 | Healthy isn’t enough 

13:10 - 15:45 | Mental health & physical health working together

15:45 - 18:15 | Financial freedom 

18:15 - 25:15 | Energy crisis

25:15 - 26:50 | Self-assessments 

26:50 - 30:35 | Signs 

30:35 - 34:10 | Thyroid & gut 

34:10 - 41:15 | Being an advocate for your own health 

41:15 - 47:45 | Obstacles & solutions 

47:45 - 53:45 | Being TOO busy 

53:45 - 55:25 | A small shift  

55:25 - 57:52 | Outro

If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to take a moment to share it with another woman who needs to hear it. These conversations are meant to remind us that we’re not alone, and that healing and alignment are possible for every one of us.

Make sure you’re subscribed to Becoming: HER wherever you listen to podcasts and if you haven’t yet, come connect with me on Instagram @nikkisappspo.

Until next time, remember: you are powerful, you are capable, and you are becoming her. 💛

—

Painless Pregnancy is a group of physical therapists located in South Florida who specialize in helping pregnant and postpartum women prevent dysfunction and heal… in the comfort of their own homes. This concierge service has been a game changer for me after my third childbirth, and I am excited to partner with them and offer our Listeners 10% off their first visit with my code NikkiSpo10. Check out www.painless-pregnancy.com to book your appointment! 

Connect with Lauren Papanos 

https://functionalfueling.com/

@functional.fueling

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome listeners! I am thrilled to introduce today's guest, Ashley Arguello co-ceo and co-founder of the innovative new social navigation app canwe. She is a former division one basketball player who shifted to a double major at NYU who combines strategic insight with genuine heart. This week Ashley and I are talking about everything from what it’s like to work with your mans, sustaining friendships through life changes, and what it means to Ashley to be a modern matriarch. Tune in!

In this episode…

• Marriage is a team 
• True forgiveness 
• Deifying 
• Us against the problem  
• Honor & humility 
• Success 
• Having a mission together 
• Being seen, heard, & understood 
•  Being feminine is beautiful 

Quotes

“Without God in your marriage, it is impossible.” - Ashley Arguello

“True forgiveness is SO important in marriage.” - Ashley Arguello

“I think that there is room for all of us at the top and that there is more that can happen when we collaborate rather than compete.” - Nikki Spo

“The most successful men are the ones who lift their female partner up with them.” - Nikki Spo

Timestamps: 

0:00 - 2:10 | Intro 

2:10 - 7:10 | What it means to be married 

7:10 - 11:15 | Forgiveness 

11:15 - 15:55 | Canwe app 

15:55 - 18:40 | Sustaining the faith to follow your passion 

18:40 - 19:55 | Collaboration over competition 

19:55 - 22:00 | Working with your mans 

22:00 - 25:55 | Honoring each other in a marriage   

25:55 - 29:05 | Recognition & appreciation 

29:05 - 31:45 | Projection 

31:45 - 37:25 | Faith based marriage 

37:24 - 42:35 | Motherhood & working 

42:35 - 46:40 | Wanting stability 

46:40 - 47:35 | Jealousy 

47:35 - 49:40 | Being feminine is beautiful 

49:40 - 51:46 | How Ashely and Ernesto have influenced others 

51:46 - 54:55 | Integrity  

54:55 - 1:01:15 | Friendships 

1:01:15 - 1:04:50 | Growth, connection, or transformation 

1:04:50 - 1:07:05 | Outro 

–

SANA SKIN STUDIO is my #1 go-to spot for self-care. My favorite facial is the Super Glow, and you can get $25 off of your first facial when you book at www.sanaskinstudio.com with my code NIKKISPOGLOW. 

Connect with Ashley Arguello 

canwe.app

@ashleytaylorarguello

@canwe_app

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back my people! This week we have my lifey, Jamie Lee Ruiz back on the show. Jamie is a regular here. You’ve laughed and cried with us, and this week, we are diving into the often messy, sometimes uncomfortable, deeply transformative in between seasons of life…  The transitions in career, in romance, or just the unexpected changes that leave us wondering WTF is next.

Jamie and I go DEEP, we laugh a lot, and we don’t shy away from the tough stuff, so get ready! 

In this episode…

• Stuck in a rut  
• In between time 
• Welcoming the change 
• Manifesting dream life 
• Desires change 
• Alignment 
• Ego 
• Values changing 

Quotes

“I am starting to ease up and trust the process of change and just be welcoming to it rather than living in anxiety.” - Nikki Spo 

“It’s a balance between ambition, staying humble and grateful while also allowing yourself to have desires that are real.” - Nikki Spo

“What I teach I am also experiencing myself in real time.” - Jamie Ruiz 

“Find what brings you joy, not just money.” - Jamie Ruiz 

Timestamps: 

0:00 - 2:05 | Intro 

2:05 - 3:30 | Making hard things feel digestible 

3:30 - 4:45 | No pressure with friends 

4:45 - 5:30 | In between time 

5:30 - 7:40 | Everything is packaged differently 

7:40 - 11:25 | Certain desires covered in ego 

11:25 - 15:30 | Turning 40 

15:30 - 26:30 | Sitting with yourself 

26:30 - 28:15 | Present 

28:15 - 30:50 | Trusting the path 

30:50 - 35:35 | Funeral from your old self 

35:35 - 40:50 | Act how you want to feel

40:50 - 43:50 | Keep trying 

43:50 - 48:30 | Regulating emotions  

48:30 - 50:35 | Manifestation 

50:35 - 54:25 | Courage is an experiment 

54:25 - 56:45 | Life is supposed to be enjoyable 

56:45 - 1:00:45 | Rapid fire questions 

1:00:45 - 1:02:42 | Outro

Connect with Jaime Ruiz 

@jameslee4

https://www.jamieleeruiz.com/ 

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her 

We are BACK for part 3! This week we are talking about specialty provisions which I am SO excited about. This is gonna be a fun rapid fire episode where we are covering prenups, postnups, marital settlement agreements, and ALL the specialty provisions that can go into them. Tune in!

In this episode…

• Parenting plan
• Involvement in ex’s life 
• “Daddy” and “Mommy” clauses
• Right of first refusal 
• Radical acceptance & detachment
• Freedom 
• Rediscovering yourself 
• Non-disclosure agreements
• Infidelity clauses
• Sunset clauses

Quotes

“When one parent vacates a space, the other one can step into it.” - Rachel Kipnis 

“We all have roles in a marriage, but when you aren’t married anymore you are going to have different roles.” - Rachel Kipnis 

“You can still be who you are and practice radical acceptance. Practicing radical acceptance and radical detachment is SO important.” - Nikki Spo

Timestamps:

0:00 - 2:15 | Intro 

2:15 - 5:40 | “Daddy clause”

5:40 - 10:10 | Right of first refusal 

10:10 - 11:30 | Roles 

11:30 - 13:00 | Radical acceptance & detachment

13:00 - 15:30 | Freedom

15:30 - 23:30 | Non-disclosure agreements 

23:30 - 34:15 | Infidelity clauses 

34:15 - 36:50 | Sunset clause 

36:50 - 38:05 | Advice 

38:05 - 40:03 | Outro 

Connect with Rachel 

@thesplitstrategist 

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome BACK to Becoming: HER and part 2 of our 3-part series with Rachel Kipnis. This week, we’re diving into one of the most important steps in the divorce process: choosing the RIGHT divorce attorney. Rachel shares what questions to ask, what red flags to look out for, and how to find someone who aligns with your values and goals so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.Tune in to hear more! 

In this episode… 

• Divorce rings 
• Strategy 
• The RIGHT attorney 
• Non-negotiables 
• Marriage roles 
• Qualities in an attorney 
• Asking WHY
• High net worth divorce 

Quotes

“The person that you choose to represent you not only because of their abilities and strategy, but it will change how you feel about the experience. If you have the right person, they will have a lasting effect on your life.” - Rachel Kipnis 

“You want someone who is in your corner, but I can be in your corner and still say no to you.” - Rachel Kipnis 

Timetamps: 

0:00 - 1:40 | Intro 

1:40 - 3:00 | Divorce rings 

3:00 - 5:10 | Explaining divorce to kids 

5:10 - 6:20 | Choosing the right attorney 

6:20 - 10:15 | Not wanting a yes-attorney 

10:15 - 15:20 | What are the questions to ask

15:20 - 17:00 | Consult more than one attorney 

17:00 - 18:50 | Bitter feelings 

18:50 - 22:30 | Types of divorce processes  

22:30 - 24:20 | Qualities to look for in an attorney as a woman 

24:20 - 27:30 | Asking WHY 

27:30 - 31:10 | Knowing yourself 

31:10 - 39:10 | High net worth divorce 

39:10 - 40:30 | Don’t hire a friend 

40:30 - 47:40 | Weighing strategy with personality 

47:40 - 43:40 | Emotional support 

43:40 - | Things CAN and WILL get better 

–

SANA SKIN STUDIO is my #1 go-to spot for self-care. My favorite facial is the Super Glow, and you can get $25 off of your first facial when you book at www.sanaskinstudio.com with my code NIKKISPOGLOW. 

Connect with Rachel 

@thesplitstrategist 

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome back to Becoming: HER everybody! I am so excited to introduce this week's guest who is one of my closest friends, Rachel Kipnis. This is actually going to be a three part series because we have multiple things to talk about within the same category. 

Rachel is a powerhouse family law attorney who specializes in high net worth prenups, post-nups, divorces, and parenting plans. She has seen it ALLL when it comes to love, marriage, and what happens when things don’t go as planned. Rachel is here today to give us the knowledge, tools, and the confidence to navigate these often intimidating conversations. 

Over the next three episodes we are breaking it down; Part One - How to approach a prenup with clarity and confidence, Part Two - How to choose the right attorney if you are facing a divorce, and Part Three - Speciality clauses like NDAs, infidelity clauses, and more, what they mean and why they matter. This series is about empowerment, awareness, and protecting yourself without losing sight of love. Lets dive in!

In this episode… 

• Clarity
• Prenups 
• Privacy  
• Mindset 
• Knowing what it looks like when you leave 
• Financial disclosure 
• Business of marriage 
• Energy exchange 
• Study the documents 

Quotes

“I knew what I was doing was important work, but I didn't feel like my soul was satisfied by it.” - Rachel Kipnis 

“Prenups can be kind.” - Rachel Kipnis 

“There have been successful men who have built their success on the backs of women.” - Nikki Spo

Timestamps:

0:00 - 3:05 | Intro

3:05 - 4:40 | Clarity 

4:40 - 11:15 | Prenups 

11:15 - 17:50 | Mindset shift 

17:50 - 18:45 | Financials 

18:45 - 22:15 | Breaking the document stigma 

22:15 - 31:40 | Red flags in a prenup  

31:40 - 36:25 | Key provisions to include in a prenup

36:25 - 38:45 | Homemakers  

38:45 - 42:40 | How to ensure both parties do what they are supposed to 

42:40 - 46:00 | Myths to debunk about prenups 

46:00 - 47:41 | Outro 

–

Painless Pregnancy is a group of physical therapists located in South Florida who specialize in helping pregnant and postpartum women prevent dysfunction and heal… in the comfort of their own homes. This concierge service has been a game changer for me after my third childbirth, and I am excited to partner with them and offer our Listeners 10% off their first visit with my code NikkiSpo10. Check out www.painless-pregnancy.com to book your appointment!

Connect with Rachel 

@thesplitstrategist 

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What’s up everybody and welcome BACK to the Becoming: HER podcast where we talk about becoming the BOLDEST and most unapologetic versions of ourselves. This week I am thrilled to introduce my guest, Tanya Jane. 

Tanya is a powerhouse mindset coach who helps high-achieving women 10x their lives, businesses, and bank accounts without falling into the trap of constant hustle. She believes in building success from the inside out, and her work is all about creating alignment freedom and abundance without the burnout. 

Get ready because this conversation is going to be packed with tools that you can apply right away to elevate every area of your life!

In this episode… 

• The hustle 
• 10x your life 
• Success energetics 
• Persistence 
• What lights YOU up 
• Mindset 

Quotes

“The mentality is hustle, struggle, sacrifice to get you to the success that you desire.” - Tanya Jane 

“Those dopamine hits keep you around longer than they should. You gotta know when to leave.” - Nikki Spo 

“If you want to begin to 10x your life, you have to be open to changing the way you do things. Breaking patterns.” - Nikki Spo 

Timestamps: 

0:00 - 2:40 | Intro 

2:40 - 8:15 | Without the hustle 

8:15 - 17:25 | What lights YOU up 

17:25 - 21:05 | What the f**k do you like?!

21:05 - 25:05 | Happiness 

25:05 - 25:55 | Comfort in familiarity 

25:55 - 30:40 | Attaching meaning 

30:40 - 34:10 | Act how you wanna feel vs. fake it till you make it 

34:10 - 39:15 | Commitment to the misery 

39:15 - 46:30 | Glowing UP  

46:30 - 53:00 | Mindset 

53:00 - 55:00 | Fear as fuel 

55:00 - | 3 action steps 

–

SANA SKIN STUDIO is my #1 go-to spot for self-care. My favorite facial is the Super Glow, and you can get $25 off of your first facial when you book at www.sanaskinstudio.com with my code NIKKISPOGLOW. 

Connect with Tanya 

@thetanyajane 

Connect with Nikki 

www.nikkispo.com  

@nikkisappspo / @wearebecoming_her 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.