Unleash the Cringe

S3 E4: It started with a Nutella espresso martini.

We met Neal Hairston at a restaurant, became slightly obsessed with his drink, and naturally had to ask him for the recipe. What we didn't expect was to discover that Neal was also a coffee entrepreneur, creative, podcast host, bartender and barista—and that behind his business was a story about creativity, partnership, betrayal, and starting over.

In this episode of Unleash the Cringe, Neal takes us behind the bar and into the business.

🎨 We talk about growing up creative, The Artist Table, and finding freedom behind the bar.

🍸 We dive into his journey from bartending and barista life to learning what makes great coffee.

💡 Neal shares the origin story of BBC and how he turned his passion for coffee into a business.

🤝 We get real about the lessons of running an LLC with a partner—and the lesson that came with it.

🎙️ We talk podcast, relationships, and how he met his girlfriend.

If you're a creative, entrepreneur, or someone who's experienced betrayal in business, this conversation is a reminder that one person's actions don't get to determine the future of your vision.

And yes… you're going to want the espresso martini recipe.

Follow Neal: @nealism

Email: [email protected]

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S3 E3 | What If the Future of Fitness Isn't About Working Out Harder—but Recovering Smarter?

What if getting stronger isn't about doing more—but recovering better?

This week on Unleash the Cringe, we sit down with Carly Hodson, Owner and Operator of FITSI, a boutique fitness club in Escondido, California, that's rethinking the traditional gym model. With 24/7 access to strength training and intentional recovery under one roof, FITSI is filling the gap between conventional gyms and luxury wellness clubs.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why fitness and recovery shouldn't exist in separate silos

The growing conversation around GLP-1 medications and their impact on muscle and bone density

Why resistance training becomes increasingly important as we age

How cold plunges, dry saunas, red light therapy, hydromassage, zero-gravity massage chairs, spray tanning, and UV tanning can complement an intentional wellness routine

The differences between budget gyms, mid-tier fitness centers, and luxury clubs—and why FITSI fits into a category of its own

Carly's entrepreneurial journey, overcoming a serious lifting injury, building a purpose-driven business, and how fostering rescue dogs has shaped her resilience and leadership

Whether you're passionate about fitness, interested in opening your own gym, curious about GLP-1 medications, or simply looking to optimize your health, this conversation offers practical insights into what sustainable wellness really looks like.

Learn more about FITSI:

https://fitsiclubs.com/

Follow FITSI:

📲 @fitsiescondido

Dog Rescue:

@pokieandfriendsrescue

Follow Unleash the Cringe:

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S3 E2 This episode of Unleash the Cringe features Adela Geissen, founder of Petals of Hope and Where 2 or More Gather, and her story reads like purpose being built out of both pain and grit.

Adela starts with her early life and entry into law enforcement, where everything shifted during her work in community policing at high schools. She was working with 20 at-risk girls—many impacted by cycles of trauma and gang influence—when a turning point hit: a former gang member began transforming her life. Through Adela’s guidance and grounded faith, that group of girls went on to graduate, reshaping what “possible” looked like for them.

The conversation dives into the heavy but critical topic of human trafficking awareness, including how to recognize abusive patterns and warning signs that often go unnoticed. One of the most striking analogies she shares (around the 31-minute mark) reframes danger in a haunting way: not a knife you see coming, but a “bouquet of flowers with a blade hidden behind the back”—beauty masking harm.

From there, Adela expands into action. Through Seeds of Justice, a partnership with attorneys, they advocate for stronger protections like SB1414, aimed at safeguarding minors. But she doesn’t stop at advocacy—she builds ecosystems of healing.

What makes her work unique is how she transforms a wedding and event space into a mission-driven platform. Her garden becomes:

A venue for weddings and events that fund survivor programs

A space for quarterly wedding expos and styled shoots

A collaborative hub where engaged couples meet vendors and support survivors through celebration

A creative outlet where survivors are included in storytelling and talent-sharing

She also shares future vision projects like tiny homes and quarterly survivor retreats, blending restoration with dignity and practical support.

At its core, this isn’t just a nonprofit story—it’s about reclaiming spaces meant for celebration and turning them into engines for justice, healing, and hope.

More info: w2omg.org

S3 E1 Get ready to Unleash the Cringe—because in 2026, we’re elevating every area of our lives: faith, health, mindset, and everything in between.

In this Season 3 kickoff, Laura and Hitomi reconnect after the holidays and dive into real conversations around Christianity, personal growth, and what it actually looks like to evolve in your everyday life.

Laura opens up about her 25 lb weight loss journey using GLP-1 medications, sharing her honest experience with Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide, what worked, what didn’t, and what no one tells you about these treatments.

Hitomi breaks down her experience using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) with Stelo by Dexcom, revealing surprising blood sugar triggers, how everyday foods impact your energy, and what this data taught her about nutrition, cravings, and metabolic health.

If you’re curious about:

GLP-1 weight loss (Ozempic, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide)

Blood sugar, insulin, and CGMs

Faith, discipline, and personal growth

Building a healthier lifestyle without losing your personality

…this episode is for you.

✨ This is your reminder: you can evolve and still be yourself.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who’s on their own health or faith journey—and let us know in the comments: what are you working on in 2026?

Follow us on IG, Tik Tok and Youtube @UnleashTheCringe

S2 E8 In this episode of Unleash the Cringe, we sit down with Chinkie Abad, the powerhouse behind Urban Sweet Café. Chinkie shares her inspiring journey of breaking through barriers in the medline industry and joining the Airforce Reserves at age 35, proving it’s never too late to rewrite your path.

She opens up about her father’s Navy leadership that shaped her values, the courage it took to end a 25-year marriage, and the joy of finding love again—this time in a relationship with a 15-year age gap. Her story is a testimony to choosing happiness on your own terms, not by pleasing others.

We also dive into her entrepreneurial ventures—launching a clothing line, supporting women of color, coordinating community events, and navigating funding challenges to open Urban Sweet Café. She reveals how she balances being a business owner while working a full-time job, what makes her café stand out (dog-friendly vibes, aesthetic design, and a mission to “Fuel Your Passion”), and her biggest cringe-worthy lessons that became stepping stones for growth.

This conversation is about resilience, risk-taking, and redefining success—while keeping your values, community, and joy at the heart of it all.

IG: @chinkiecosta

IG: @urbansweetcafe

https://urbansweetcafe.com/

803 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd San Marcos, CA 92078

S2 E7 This week, we’re joined by Chahinez Tabet Aoul, the powerhouse food blogger behind Lifestyle of a Foodie and Simple Copycat Recipes. Born in Algeria and raised on rich cultural flavors, Chahinez shares how her dream of becoming a pastry chef evolved into full-time food blogging after going viral for her Crumbl cookie dupes.

But her story isn’t just about butter and sugar—it’s about boldness. From monetizing her content and aligning with brands she genuinely believes in, to speaking up for the Palestinian cause and raising awareness for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Chahinez is redefining what it means to be a creator with conscience. We dive into how she balances entrepreneurship with advocacy, why she refuses to stay silent, and what it means to build a platform rooted in both credibility and compassion.

💻 Follow Chahinez & get inspired:

TikTok: @chahinez_tbt

Instagram: @chahinez_tbt

Food Blogs:

🍪 lifestyleofafoodie.com

🍰 simplecopycatrecipes.com / @simplecopycatrecipes

S2 E6 In today’s episode, we go deep with Dr. Ernest Kim—a chiropractor, transformation coach, acupuncturist, and healer who’s rewriting the rules of wellness. From his beginnings as a self-described troublemaker and deviant to finding purpose through mind-body-spirit alignment, Dr. Kim shares how observing our thoughts through meditation can shift us from beta to alpha, stress to calm--in order to process information and tap into our own intuition better.

We explore his holistic treatment style that bridges physical care with reading auras—integrating energy reading, transformative coaching, and hands-on techniques like muscle release, stretching, and scar tissue work before any adjustment. His approach is rooted in the belief that the body holds emotional memory, and true healing happens when we align the physical, mental, and spiritual.

Dr. Kim’s biggest message? For anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider or doesn’t fit the mold—trust what makes your soul sing. Because your path to healing might just begin where the norms end.

Whether you're curious about meditation, intuitive medicine, or just want to feel seen on your healing journey, this episode is a blueprint for finding real alignment—from the inside out.

Visit https://www.backonpointwellness.com/ to learn more.

Follow Dr. Ernest Kim on TikTok and Instagram: @drernestkim

SUBSCRIBE & COMMENT YOUR FAVORITE TIP FROM THIS EPISODE!

IG: @unleashthecringe

S2 E5 In this episode of Unleash the Cringe, we chat with Crystal Brambila, co-founder of the clean skincare brand Dhaerma, about her bold journey as a creator and entrepreneur. She opens up about launching a podcast on sex and relationships at 22 leading into challenges in interracial relationships. She candidly leads how that experience sparked her drive to build businesses from scratch. From ages 24 to 29, she designed and ran a swimwear line, managing vendor sales, TV shows, and balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with becoming a first-time mom—all while navigating the ups and downs of a seasonal business. In 2022, she partnered with chemist Nadia to launch Dhaerma, a skincare brand rooted in clean, thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Crystal shares the behind-the-scenes of their product development, skincare routines, marketing strategies, and partnerships with boutiques and shops. She also reflects on her most cringe-worthy moments, offering honest advice on embracing discomfort, trusting your gut, and staying resilient through every pivot.

IG & Tik Tok: @dhaermaskin

Follow @unleashthecringe on IG and Tik Tok.

S2 E4 This week, we’re joined by LA-based photographer, curve model, illustrator, designer, and all-around creative force—Rae Bell. From post-grad pivots to powerhouse moves, Rae shares how she’s building her own lane as a business owner, content creator, and visual storyteller.

We dive into her journey of rebranding to Rae’s Rays, the lessons from being on a TV dating show, All the Single Ladies with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), and how her current dating life is shaping her perspective (and her content). She opens up about turning a failed college graphic design class into a full-time creative career, working with major brands like Torrid, Fabletics, Yitty, ThirdLove, Fossil, Meta, and Adore Me.

Rae also gives us a peek behind the scenes of content creation—what a typical day looks like, how she preps for shoots, and what it really takes to build and sustain brand partnerships. Plus, we get into her Content & Chill events, the importance of networking, and finding purpose in every pivot.

This episode is your reminder that the twists and turns? They’re all for the plot.

🎧 Tap in now to hear how Rae’s turning creativity, faith, and real-life experiences into something radiant.

Visit https://www.raesrays.com/links

Follow on IG: @raesrays

S2 E3 In this episode, we’re joined by Guinness World Record Holder Chad Phillips—a VERT coach, online trainer, men's physique athlete, and dad modeling what it looks like to lead by example. From breaking records (literally) to breaking generational patterns around health, Chad shares how fitness, nutrition, and mindset all play a role in living with purpose.

We talk vertical training, body building, and how he's helping others heal and grow through online coaching. Chad keeps it real about using failure as a tool, the importance of gut health (fresh fruits and veggies FTW), and why it's never too late to start. Plus, he drops a few game-changing book recs and talks about how he's raising strong, healthy sons by walking the walk.

Let this episode be your reminder: train hard, eat well, have fun—and don’t wait to become the version of yourself you're aiming for. 👊

🎧 Tap in now!

#VERTTraining #WorldRecordJumper #Season2 #FitnessJourney #GutHealth