In this episode of The Balancing Act Highs Lows and Lessons, NikiMarie explores the quiet but powerful role self esteem plays in every part of our lives. From the inner voice shaped in childhood to the pressure of society and comparison, this conversation looks at where our beliefs about ourselves begin and how they follow us into adulthood. With honesty and compassion, NikiMarie unpacks how low self esteem shows up in our mental health, relationships and daily choices and how we can begin rewriting those messages with intention and truth. This episode is an invitation to slow down reclaim your voice and return to yourself with grace.

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

Welcome back to The Balancing Act. Today’s episode is one every parent should hear. Niki invites listeners into a raw and honest conversation about parenting while healing, something so many people experience but rarely admit out loud. It is the tiredness you feel before the day even begins. It is carrying emotions you never had time to unpack while still pouring love into your children. It is doing everything for your family while quietly trying to rebuild yourself.

In this episode, Niki opens up about her own healing journey and the powerful moments her children witnessed along the way. They saw her vulnerable. They saw her take care of her mental health. They saw her grow. And those moments became lessons: that strength is not silence, that emotions are real, and that healing is something you are allowed to choose for yourself.

Listeners will explore the emotional weight parents carry, the instinct to give more when you already feel empty, and the truth that children feel everything even when you say nothing. Niki also explains how small, intentional moments can interrupt generational patterns and create a home where emotions are understood instead of feared. This episode is heartfelt, comforting, and truly transformative. If you are a parent who keeps going even on your heavy days, this conversation will speak directly to you. Tune in and let yourself breathe.

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

In this episode of The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows, and Lessons, I dive into the relationships that shape our lives. We explore how to cultivate meaningful connections, spot toxic dynamics, and set boundaries that protect your energy and emotional well-being.

Whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, the people around you either lift you up or drain your spirit. I share practical strategies to strengthen supportive relationships, navigate difficult ones, and create space for growth, joy, and peace. By the end, you have the tools to build a support system that empowers you to thrive.

Tune in and learn how to surround yourself with people who lift you up and respect your space.

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

Ever felt like you’re doing everything right, showing up, grinding hard, hitting goals, yet somehow you’re still exhausted, anxious, or disconnected? You’re not alone. What happens when success starts to feel like survival? In this raw and reflective episode of The Balancing Act, NikiMarie explores burnout, the pressure to perform, and the real meaning of balance, reminding us that peace isn’t found in perfection but in permission to pause.

From sleepless nights and silent breakdowns to the constant chase for perfection, this episode is your reminder that rest isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom. Tune in as we explore how to recognize burnout before it breaks you, how to release the pressure to always perform, and how to find real balance in a world that glorifies the grind.

If you’ve ever said, “I just need to make it through this week,” this one’s for you.

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

In life we have challenges and we often try to search for answers from within but some times we just need to reach out.

On this episode of the balancing act, I am taking a moment to say thank you to my listeners for coming back. But I am also reflecting on the loss my family and I are still dealing with today and may always feel. It's an emptiness that just feels so unnatural.

Tune in as I give you an update on my career now and also what we are dealing with in our family.

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

”I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave person does not feel afraid, but is the one who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

On this episode. NikiMarie talks about parenthood and how we should include our children in conversations pertaining to in-person and or virtual learning. As we know, COVID numbers have increased, decreased and increased again. We have been on a rollercoaster journey with COVID and other variants forming.

NikiMarie talks about how you can lead not with fear but have an intelligent, researched based conversations with your kids or our youth in general. We have all had to adapt and pivot since the pandemic first started. Let's keep that positive mindset and make sure our kids, educators and parents can be helpful to each other.

Teaching children to overcome their fears is no easy task. This is a natural phase that children go through, but a complicated one. You’ll need plenty of patience. As a parent, teaching children to overcome their fears can be frustrating. Fears can be irrational. Often, nothing you say seems to help your child get over their anxiety. You may be at a loss as to what to try next. Children sometimes develop a fear of certain situations or objects which, to our adult eyes, don’t seem threatening at all. This occurs across all cultures.

Listen to this full episode. The information may be helpful to you or to someone you know.

#childrenmentalhealth
#educators
#fear

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

I want to send out a little positivity to those who may be feeling the highs and the lows. It’s good to have a balance between negatives and positives.

Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons. Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a garden, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument or become fluent in another language.

Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, do Tai Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer. Also, remember to smile and see the humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.

https://www.mhanational.org/31-tips-boost-your-mental-health

https://linktr.ee/nikimarieradio
https://www.instagram.com/nikimarie_radio/

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

“Courage doesn’t always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day whispering ‘I will try again tomorrow” – Mary Anne Radmacher

The Queen of quotes is back. I love to refer back to the quotes that make you think and the statements that make you apply it back to your life. Continue listening every week for a new show, new views and quotes.

https://www.instagram.com/nikimarie_radio
https://linktr.ee/nikimarieradio

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

Self-love means loving yourself unapologetically, whereas self-care is about taking the time to feel good in your skin. While these two are different, they’re both necessary to a healthy, fulfilled lifestyle. Self-care allows you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself rather than beating yourself up over the little things.

Taking a moment or a weekend to be with yourself and do things alone can be a great way to refresh, balance or give yourself some weekend love. I'm learning to love myself, more and more everyday and so should you.

Social media:
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email: [email protected]
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Song credit: Savannah Cristina
Song title: Self Love

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.

Dr. Shemena Johnson works with people of color to develop insight and critically think about matters such as race, anxiety, depression, sexuality, imposter syndrome, family dynamics, professional development and empowerment. Her new course, Beautifully Black Beautifully Aware is a collection of concepts on various topics, from childhood wounds, identity, relationships and communication; I have used to become conscious in my life. Everyone has a responsibility to work on themselves so they bring a greater sense of consciousness to their life and relationships. It’s about changing your internal state so that you can become BEAUTIFULLY BLACK & BEAUTIFULLY AWARE.

➢Instagram : www.instagram.com/drshemenajohnson
➢Website : www.shemenajohnson.com
➢Linkedin : www.linkedin.com/company/shemena-johnson

Dr. Shemena was born and raised in Los Angeles, California to parents that were blue-collar workers. Her parents were born in the mid-west and were part of the Great Migration of many African Americans coming to the west coast to escape racism and explore better opportunities. Trauma was interwoven into the fabric of my family history. What came out of her family history was not only trauma, but the strength to overcome obstacles and strive for something greater. Dr. Shemena says, “I owe this understanding to my parents of learning how to not just survive, but thrive through adversity. These early experiences have come to inform my therapeutic work. I take heart that life’s circumstances need not overpower you. I have worked with a broad spectrum of individuals and couples from many different cultures, lifestyles and socio-economic backgrounds and I have learned that pain does not discriminate. Many of us at some point have experienced conflict, doubt, uncertainty, loss and sadness that come with life’s struggles.”

To find out more about Dr. Shemena's course, please visit her website, www.shemenajohnson.com

#blackmentalhealth
#blackcommunity
#therapist

Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC. The Balancing Act explores the highs, lows, and lessons of everyday life, reminding listeners that balance comes from presence, peace, and giving yourself grace.