Real. Raw. Rising. with Nicky Fochler

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

What happens when you know something in your life needs to change, but fear keeps you standing still?

In this first episode of Real. Raw. Rising., I sit down with my longtime friend Chad Burke — also known as Chad “The Hypnotist” — for a real, unfiltered conversation about fear, growth, change, and what it really takes to believe in yourself.

Chad shares his journey from serving in the U.S. Air Force and navigating multiple careers and businesses to becoming a hypnotist, performer, and now stepping into his next chapter. We talk about the moments when you know something has to change, the fear of the unknown that can keep you stuck, imposter syndrome, limiting beliefs, and what it takes to finally take that first step.

We also get real about the uncomfortable side of personal growth — outgrowing people and situations, changing your mindset, building new habits, having shitty days, giving yourself grace, and realizing that becoming a different version of yourself is an ongoing process.

I open up about my own journey too, including sobriety, the mental work that came after getting sober, the people and environments I've outgrown, and the realization that growth doesn't mean life suddenly becomes easy.

One of the biggest reminders from this conversation?

You're still winning.

Even on the hard days. Even when you're scared. Even when you don't know exactly what's next.

And sometimes, the question we need to ask ourselves is the simplest one:

What the fuck are you waiting for?

If you're feeling stuck, afraid of change, questioning yourself, or standing at the edge of a new chapter, I hope this conversation gives you a little perspective, a little courage, and maybe the nudge to take that next step.

This is Real. Raw. Rising. — real conversations about life, growth, healing, and everything in between.

Keep it real. Stay raw. Keep rising.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Making a major life pivot is only the first step—what happens when you actually have to start feeling your emotions and rebuilding from scratch?

In this episode, we dive deep into the honest, unglamorous reality of shedding old habits, cutting out the noise, and navigating big life transitions. We talk about what nobody tells you when you stop running from yourself: how your relationships shift, why confidence takes a hit before it grows, and how to build daily habits that keep you grounded on your own terms.

Whether you are stepping into a new chapter, facing a major pivot, or learning to stop seeking external validation, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

In this episode, we cover:

Why breaking a cycle is just the beginning of real growth

How to navigate the uncomfortable feelings that surface when you stop avoiding them

Setting hard boundaries and stepping away from environments that no longer fit

Practical daily habits for building inner confidence and staying true to yourself

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Life doesn’t always go the way we planned. Sometimes we hit our wall. Sometimes we’re simply trying to find our way through the hard, messy, uncertain seasons of life.

Real. Raw. Rising. is a place for honest conversations about life, growth, healing, starting over, finding yourself, and everything in between.

I’m Nicky Fochler, and this podcast was born from my own journey of falling apart, rebuilding, and learning that there can be something meaningful waiting for us on the other side of the things we never expected to go through.

No perfect answers. No pretending we have it all figured out. Just real stories, real conversations, and the reminder that whatever season you’re in, you’re not alone.

Welcome to Real. Raw. Rising.