Alecia Jacobson is joined by Kim Nickel, a founding mother and co-chair of Luke's Closet, an organization that provides clothing to children in foster and kinship care in Dane County, Wisconsin. Kim shares how she collaborated with a team to start and grow the organization and about the expansive impact their efforts have on area children and families. Kim explains some of the unique challenges faced by foster and kinship families and how her personal journey has shaped her.

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Connect with Kim Nickel:

IG: @LukesClosetDaneCo

website: www.stlukes-elca.org/lukes-closet

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson describes the value of naming specific things to look forward to during challenging times and shares her current list of what she is looking forward to in the coming days and months in order to inspire listeners to create their own lists.

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson describes the common emotional burden and guilt she sees women experience associated with their to-do lists. Alecia encourages listeners to reconsider their relationship with their lists, offering ideas of how to reframe the mentality over checking everything off the list each day.

Community Badass Segment: Public Health Advocate Melissa Tuttle Carr joins Alecia to share about her work with Moms Demand Action, a national organization working to end all forms of gun violence. Melissa and Alecia share how listeners can get involved in gun violence prevention efforts at both local and national levels.

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Resources:

www.momsdemandaction.org

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson discusses the importance of following up on and reflecting on goals after you set them. Alecia offers questions you can ask yourself and systems you can use to regularly check in and evaluate the goals you set and the progress you’ve made.

Community Badass Segment: Katie Smart joins Alecia to share about the Be SMART for Gun Safety program aimed at preventing gun violence through secure firearm storage. Katie explains the program's mission, its educational approach, and how individuals can get involved or bring this important message to their communities.

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Connect with Kate Smart of Be SMART:

Text SMART to 64433

Website: https://besmartforkids.org/

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson describes different ways people may be experiencing periods of mourning without the loss of life, and the importance of giving space to these feelings without guilt. She offers advice for acknowledging and processing these emotions and gives listeners reassurance that they are not alone in these experiences.

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson is joined by writer, entrepreneur and advocate, Sara Alvarado. Sara shares how difficult early experiences led to move to Mexico and how her path unfolded from there. Alecia and Sara discuss Sara’s memoir, 'Dreaming in Spanish,’ how she has navigated surprises in life, and her racial justice advocacy work. (TW: Sexual Assault)

Badasses in the Community Segment: Alecia talks with Molly Vanderlin, founder of the Madison Chapter of the Silent Book Club, who explains their reading events and shares how people can get connected with the reading community.

Nominate Spirit of a Badass for Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Connect with Sara Alvarado:

IG: @saralilacalvarado

website: www.saraalvarado.com

Community Badass Links - Molly Vanderlin:

Silent Bookclub Madison Facebook Group

Silent Book Club Website

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson is joined by Niketa Miller, a digital content creator and nonprofit founder. Niketa shares her journey of self-confidence and authenticity. Niketa also provides valuable insights into handling negative influences and improving self-worth.

The Community Badass segment highlights Niketa’s non-profit Ebony Eyes Foundation, which raises awareness and funds for supporting those affected by pancreatic, brain and colon cancer. Niketa shares how people can get involved with the organization to improve the community.

Nominate Spirit of a Badass for Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Connect with Niketa Miller:

FB: @niketarae

website: Ebony Eyes Foundation

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson brings her 2025 Bingo Card Workshop to the podcast. She explains the idea of using a Bingo format to set unique, out-of-the-box goals to enrich your year. Alecia guides listeners through filling out their bingo boards with prompts for each square. This is a hands-on episode, so listeners should be ready with paper and pen!

The Community Badass segment highlights an upcoming fundraiser event in Madison, WI, 'Kazoo Karaoke,' which is raising money for Girls Rock Camp and Monroe Street Art Center. Event hosts Carey Zawlocki and Beth Kille join Alecia to share about the event.

Link to Bingo Card

Nominate Spirit of a Badass for Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison

Host:Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG:@aleciajacobson⁠

Website:www.aleciajacobson.com

Connect with Kazoo Karaokee:

Event Website:https://theburoakmadison.com/shows/kazoo-karaoke, Monroe Street Arts Center:www.monroestreetarts.org

Girls Rock Madison:https://www.girlsrockmadison.org/

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG:@litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson is joined by Shana Verstegen, TRX and American Council on Exercise master instructor, six-time world champion lumberjack athlete, and passionate advocate for Huntington's disease awareness. Shana dives deep into her personal journey, sharing how her mother's diagnosis of Huntington's disease at a young age shaped her mission. She discusses her extensive involvement in athletics, volunteerism, and her professional career in fitness as well as an upcoming charitable event that raises funds and awareness for Huntington's Disease.

Nominate Spirit of a Badass for Best Local Podcast in Best of Madison

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Connect with Shana Verstegen:

IG: @shanaUW

website: www.shanaverstegen.com

Resources:

Huntington Disease Fundraiser Dance

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios

Alecia Jacobson shares her core value that “if you can, you do” and explains how that phrase can be a guide during current events in the world and in our personal lives. Alecia outlines ten actions listeners can take to live according to their principles while also protecting their peace.

In the new community connection segment, Alecia also talks with Cheri Dubiel of Community Shares of Wisconsin, who explains her organization and their upcoming Big Share event and gives listeners ways to make a difference through supporting social and environmental justice non-profits.

Host: Alecia Jacobson

Producers: Jamie Gale and Alecia Jacobson

Music: Shane Ivers

Connect with Alecia:

IG: @aleciajacobson⁠

Website: www.aleciajacobson.com

Connect with Cheri Dubiel of Community Shares:

IG: @commshareswi

website: www.communityshares.com

The Big Share

Spirit of a Badass is a Lit Path Studios Production

www.litpathstudios.com | IG: @litpathstudios