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. 

Nancy and I are back with another episode of "Fucking Authentic." This time, we're taking you along for the ride on a beautiful day under the sun. We've got our lapel mics on, so we're recording this one on the go, sharing this incredible journey with you in real-time.

But we're not just messing around here. This episode is a reminder, for us and for you, about the importance of living in the now. It's about cherishing each day as it comes, not just the memories we make.

So, come along with us as we soak up this moment of bliss. We're encouraging you to embrace the present, no matter what life's throwing at you. Take a deep breath, appreciate the little things, and remember, sometimes the most beautiful things come out of the toughest times.

Enjoy your own adventure, and we'll catch up with you soon. Until then, stay tuned, stay curious, and stay fucking authentic.

This week, we're getting up close and personal with my better half, Nancy. This episode is raw, unfiltered, and as real as it gets. We're recording this one on the road, from our Overland trailer in Alpaca, Wisconsin. So, you'll hear the calming sounds of nature, birds chirping, and the crackle of a fire in the background. 

We're diving deep into Nancy's life story, from her early years growing up in Chicago's Humboldt Park area to becoming the CFO of a major company. It's a journey that's all about resilience, about defying the odds, and breaking free from the cycle of poverty. 

So, buckle up, folks. This is going to be one hell of a ride. It's a journey of authenticity, of self-discovery, and it's a reminder that the path to success isn't a straight line. It's full of twists and turns, ups and downs, but that's what makes it worth it. Get ready to be inspired, to be moved, and to see the world through Nancy's eyes.

[1:27] Nancy’s childhood in Chicago.
[4:02] Nancy’s background as a child.
[6:05] Sometimes we’re either overzealous or underzealous.
[8:14] Growing up in the worst neighborhoods in Chicago.
[10:25] Growing up in the hood of Chicago.
[14:46] How Nancy got involved with the church.
[17:20] What attracts you to me?
[19:22] The drive to control his life and his life’s path.
[21:20] We weren’t going to let anything step in the way.

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, 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."

We're getting real personal to kick off our first episode. We're talking about authenticity, about being true to yourself, even when the world around you doesn't make it easy. We're sharing our story, mine and Nancy's, about how we found our way out of a restrictive religious community and into a world where we could finally be ourselves. It's a journey of resilience, questioning, and courage, and I can't wait for you to hear it.

[1:05] The church’s strict interpretation of the Bible.
[5:27] Growing up in a time where we went to church seven days a week.
[12:46] What’s it like to be a member of a restrictive church?
[17:23] Nancy’s experience with the church and how it has changed.
[19:08] What started to happen when in the 13-year-old range.
[23:51] What does it look like when you’re getting your ass beat?
[25:33] The reason we need to do this is helping ourselves to help other people.

Sharing mine and Nancy's story, it's a reminder of the courage it takes to question the world around you, to seek your own truth. If you liked what you heard, do me a favor and rate, follow, and review the podcast. Your support means the world to us, and it helps us keep sharing these important stories. Stay tuned for more episodes where we'll keep exploring what it means to be authentic.

We unintentionally gave up.  Over time we let ourselves down.  We didn't teach or respect the struggle.

Our value disappeared over time, replaced with masks disguised as truth. Our words became empty and our presence became obsolete. 

Now we face our biggest struggle head-on. 

It's time to rip the masks off. More than ever, it's time to return to our true selves. Our real identity. 

It's time to be F*cking Authentic.

New episodes available every Wednesday on your favorite podcast platform.