Summary

This podcast episode features Maria and her partner Nick, who reflect on their long-standing friendship and eventual romantic relationship, discussing their shared history, values, and life experiences. They explore their early teenage years, their complex social circles, and the transition from friends to partners, culminating in their marriage and raising children together. The episode dives deeply into themes of emotional honesty, growth, mental health, societal expectations, and polyamory, offering a raw, authentic, and humorous glimpse into how they navigated personal and relational challenges. They reflect on their contrasting personalities—Maria’s directness and ambition versus Nick’s compassion, patience, and steadiness—and how these differences complement and support each other in both their personal and professional lives. Throughout, they emphasize the importance of communication, respect, honesty, curiosity, and intentional living, underscoring that relationships require ongoing work, adaptability, and mutual support.

Highlights

• 🎙️ Maria and Nick share their story from teenage friendship to marriage and parenting.
• 👫 They discuss navigating mental health, emotional honesty, and polyamory in their relationship.
• 🤝 Their complementary personalities—Maria’s directness and ambition vs. Nick’s patience and compassion—form a strong partnership.
• 🎓 Both reflect on childhood, family expectations, and the challenges of societal pressure, especially regarding gender roles and immigrant cultures.
• 💡 They explore core values including honesty, respect, freedom, curiosity, and social justice.
• 😂 Humor and playfulness are a vital part of their relationship and how they create safe emotional spaces.
• 🌍 They recount meaningful experiences, including a honeymoon in Ireland and the slow building of their committed partnership.

Summary

In the inaugural episode of the “Get Appreciated” podcast, host Maria Ruscitti and her guest co-host Becky dive into their long-standing friendship, mental health discussions, and the importance of feeling appreciated in social circles. The episode captures their journey of friendship, starting from a chance meeting in Facebook groups, and explores themes such as mental health, perception checking, and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. They discuss how communication and understanding can help navigate misunderstandings in friendships, emphasizing the need for authenticity and emotional connection. Maria and Becky share personal anecdotes about their lives, including their approaches to emotional support, vulnerability, and the significance of maintaining a growth mindset in relationships.

Highlights

• 🎙️ Friendship Origin: Maria and Becky recount their funny and serendipitous first meeting through Facebook groups.
• 💬 Mental Health Advocacy: The duo emphasizes the importance of mental health and therapy in their lives.
• 🌟 The Power of Appreciation: The podcast’s name is inspired by a memorable Winter Solstice gathering where everyone felt genuinely appreciated.
• 🧠 Perception Checking: Discussion on how perceptions can be misaligned in friendships and the importance of checking in with each other.
• 🎢 Navigating Emotions: Maria and Becky share strategies for dealing with emotional dysregulation and the need for honest communication.
• 🎉 Values and Relationships: The significance of understanding personal values and how they shape interactions and relationships.
• 🌱 Growth Mindset: They discuss the importance of adopting a growth mindset in personal and social development.