F*CK'N AUTHENTIC

Alright, today we've got a unique guest with me. It's not Nancy, my usual 'sidekick'; it's Kelsey, my massage therapist. We've been talking a lot over the past year, and I've come to realize that Kelsey has quite the story to share. So, here we are.

Kelsey's story begins with rejection, a feeling many of us can relate to in some form or another. She opens up about her early life, where rejection was a constant theme, even within her own family. Her sister's bullying and her mom's inability to connect left her feeling alone and disconnected.

But here's where it gets interesting. During her teenage years, Kelsey stumbled upon a lifeline: writing. She had a moment when she considered self-harm but chose to write instead. Writing became her escape, her way to disconnect from the negativity surrounding her.

What's remarkable is how Kelsey's ability to observe people and understand their true selves started to evolve. She began to see the facades her family members put on and realized how little they knew about her.

We dive deep into the themes of vulnerability, self-discovery, and resilience in this episode. Kelsey's journey is a testament to the inner strength that can emerge from facing rejection and adversity head-on.

We also discuss the vital importance of mental health awareness and the power of sharing one's story. Kelsey's journey is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find potential for growth and resilience.

Timeline Summary:
[00:05] Rejection and disconnection from church and family.
[02:55] Rejection, bullying, and personal growth. 
[08:45] Mental health, writing as therapy, and generational differences. 
[13:17] Family dynamics and unresolved conflicts. 
[20:06] Family dynamics and control. 
[28:12] Family dynamics and personal growth. 
[36:15] Parenting, trauma, and healing. 

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!

Join us as we challenge the traditional notions of achievement and instead, encourage everyone to embrace the unique path to a fulfilling life. In this episode, we explore the fluctuating nature of progress as we talk to a real-live millennial who happens to also be one of our favorite podcast hosts, Gabby Ianniello, from the Corporate Quitter Podcast.

We reflect on the idea of transitioning from a structured corporate job to a life brimming with variety and creativity and Gabby’s realization that rigid schedules and ceaseless productivity were affecting her well-being. Once fixated on maximum productivity, she now treasures connections, joy, and personal fulfillment.

This discussion touches upon the pressures to adhere to conventional educational and career paths and the courage it takes to diverge from expectations. We discuss the fluctuating nature of progress and how it is embraced by our different generations.

Gabby talks about how her structured yet spontaneous approach to her days fosters creativity and better results. When the true cost of conformity is revealed, we reach an understanding that personal and creative fulfillment can outweigh financial gains. We invite you to reflect on your definition of success and to prioritize joy, connection, and f*ing authenticity on your journey to self-discovery.

Timeline Summary:

[01:04] How Gabby went from teaching to finance to building her brand

[03:19] The meditation retreat that re-sparked Gabby’s spirit

[04:46] Where the “F*ck it” energy came from?

[05:44] Why structure caused Gabby intense anxiety in college

[07:15] How Gabby finally silenced the “squirrels” in her brain

[11:20] Gabby’s advice on breaking conditioning for older generations

[15:49] Gabby’s definition of success in business and life

[21:41] Toxic school system pushing out burnt out teachers like Gabby

[22:49] Exposure to possibilities through the internet

[24:45] It’s not knowledge we need - it’s deprogramming

[27:35] Failing enough times makes you invincible

[30:43] Overcoming deep relationship rejection

[34:10] What’s next for Gabby

 
Connect with Gabriel Ianniello:

Gabby’s consulting agency: SheLikesToGab.com

Corporate Quitter: corporatequitter.com

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!

We welcome our “sister” to join us on this episode to get her perspective on the cult we grew up in. She’ll tell us about her childhood, which included abuse in her home as well, and we’ll discuss the influence of the church on her life. Despite growing up in the same environment, we had different experiences and challenges to face after leaving our sheltered church community.

While our childhoods had moments of camaraderie, we all suffered shadows of abuse and strict religious influence. High school brought its own set of challenges, with strict church attire leading to awkward social interactions. She’ll share how being thrust into the outside world without proper social skills and support led to a period of recklessness and depression.

But fear not, her journey did not end there. She found helpers along the way who offered guidance, leading her to make positive decisions for her future. She talks about pursuing college and a successful career.

As friends, we leaned on each other to find the courage to explore life outside our sheltered childhoods and we persevered! This authentic conversation will shed light on the power of seeking help, learning from mistakes, and understanding diverse perspectives in the journey of life.

Timeline Summary:
[6:52] - Comparing the extreme abuse in our “sister’s” household to mine.
[13:23] - How she still got to have a relationship with her dad despite the church's rules.
[17:11] - Finding out her mom actually supported her college plans at first before caving to the church elders.
[24:08] - Getting kicked out of the church at 17 and going off the rails.
[26:47] - Moving away from our hometown crew entirely at 25 to start over after imploding.
[35:24] - Why our “sister” took till almost 40 to get married.

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!

I've got one hell of a story to share with you in this episode. In this episode, Nancy and I dive head-first into the shocking realities of the church I was raised in. We're tearing down walls, sharing gritty details of my childhood experiences living in constant dread of the rapture, chasing after salvation, sanctification, and the Holy Spirit. The church's insidious techniques of manipulation are laid bare as we dissect the daily regimented rituals that held us captive - from potlucks that weren't so innocent, to speaking in tongues and even exorcisms.

Hold onto your seats as I reveal the disturbing prayers directed towards me and recount my own tumultuous actions as a teenager. An experience I believed to be my rebirth led me to question if I had truly been saved. This unfiltered, raw and real episode uncovers the sinister truth behind what seemed to be a religious group, but bore a striking resemblance to a cult. Come along on this journey of self-discovery, manipulation, and the pursuit of freedom. It's authentic, it's intense, and it's all in here. Buckle up!

[3:57] - Discussing the concept of being 'saved' and its implications.
[6:38] - Reflecting on the changing dynamics within the church community.
[10:05] - Discussing the shift towards homeschooling within the church community
[15:24] - My "aha" moment when I realized things were not as they seemed.
[22:10] - Unveiling the disturbing prayers and my violent past.
[28:45] - Sharing a transformative experience that made me question everything
[35:19] - Exposing the cult-like nature of the religious group.
[41:08] - My journey towards self-discovery and freedom.

You've walked with me down some pretty gnarly memory lanes today, seen the good, the bad, and the freakin' ugly. Remember, life's a wild ride, and it's all about staying true to yourself, questioning everything, and seeking your own freedom. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate us, follow us, share this with your friends, and leave a review. It's your support that keeps us going. Most importantly, stay f*ck’n 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!

In this episode, Nancy and I hit the waters of the chain of lakes in Waupaca, Wisconsin. We're out here lookin’ to live it up, kayaking and capturing everything on-the-go. And we didn't just talk about it, we did it!

Join us on this ride as we navigate the clear waters, dive into the unexpected, and sharing it all with you. This ain't your regular chit-chat podcast episode. We're out here in nature, doing the unexpected. So, gear up, press play, and dive into the adventure with us!

Once you travel the waters with us, please rate and review our show.  Make sure to hit the follow button too, so you don't miss our next adventure. And hey, if you think your friends could use a dose of authenticity, share this podcast with 'em. Stay f*ck'n authentic, folks!

Friends, this episode is gonna be a powerful one. Reflecting on some hard truths, we’ll land on how our family unit became disconnected.  And the amazing thing is how after all these years, we are still learning about each other and ourselves. And that’s exactly what happens in this episode.

We explain how we coped with life’s pitfalls when we made our careers a focus of our lives and how feelings of failure put a strain on our relationship with our son. We tell you how we at first felt about his wife and the grandchildren that we have come to fall in love with. We reflect on each other as parents and partners and the importance of making choices, learning from failures, and appreciating each other's support during difficult moments. 

You’ll hear how we’ve come to accept our past decisions and what our hopes are for the future. While we embrace each other’s different personalities and how we complement each other in raising our family, our love only grows deeper along with our admiration for each other.

Timeline Summary:

[00:36] We are sitting outside with nature as our backdrop for this raw convo.

[03:24] Deciding to put our son in private school - bad choice in hindsight.

[07:50] After two years, moved him back to public school - that's where he met his now wife.

[13:50] Opening the restaurant - one of the biggest failures and pivots of my life.

[16:47] Closing the doors on the restaurant dream - absolutely devastating and soul crushing.

[22:03] Seeing a hummingbird - a sign to keep going and stay positive.

[31:30] Nancy's epiphany

[37:48] Loved giving our son and his family everything - I was stoked to provide.

[39:55] Our biggest hardship is coming next episode - stay tuned.

 
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!

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!

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!