It’s Both — Navigating Life’s Gray Areas & Messy Moments

Becoming Your Authentic Self: Paula Stone Williams on Gender, Faith, and the Messy Middle

What does it mean to live authentically when both things are true? In this episode of It’s Both — Navigating Life’s Gray Areas & Messy Moments, therapist and storyteller Nikki P sits down with Paula Stone Williams—pastor, author, and international keynote speaker—to explore duality in gender, faith, and belonging.
Paula shares her journey of transition and self-discovery with honest storytelling—the losses and joy, and the emotional resilience required to live in truth. Together, Nikki and Paula talk about how privilege, misogyny, and bias shape experience; why proximity and narrative build empathy; and what it looks like to hold multiple truths without abandoning yourself.
You’ll hear:
- Why “everyone is in a state of becoming”
- How misogyny and gender bias show up day-to-day
- The role of privilege and proximity in empathy
- Why Paula rejects the concept of a “dead name”
- Practices for self-compassion, emotional complexity, and courage
If you’re in the messy middle—questioning identity, deconstructing faith, or seeking authentic conversations—this episode offers language, nuance, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas.
Resources & Links: 
- Connect with Paula Stone Williams
- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube
Thank you again for listening and remember,  life isn't either/or, it's both.
 

From Refugee Camp to Resilience: Abdikadir on Belonging, Fear, and Finding Home

What does belonging look like when your story begins in a refugee camp? In this episode of It’s Both — Navigating Life’s Gray Areas & Messy Moments, therapist and storyteller Nikki P sits with Abdikadir Mohamed to explore duality in identity, safety, and home.
Abdi shares his journey from 14 years in a Kenyan refugee camp to rebuilding life in the U.S.—the fear and excitement of transition, the weight of elder sibling leadership, and the emotional complexity of holding gratitude and grief at the same time. Through authentic conversations and honest storytelling, they unpack culture shock, community support, and what it means to belong while still feeling between worlds—the true messy middle.
You’ll hear:
- How refugee life shaped resilience and responsibility
- Why community and proximity build empathy and healing
- Practices for self-compassion and steadiness in uncertainty
- How to honor grief, gratitude, and hope—together
If you’re navigating cultural identity, family duty, or a big transition, this episode offers language, nuance, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas—without toxic positivity.
Resources & Links: 
- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube
Thank you again for listening and remember,  life isn't either/or, it's both.

Fresh Starts After Divorce — The Bothness of Breaking Up & Beginning Again

What does starting over really look like after divorce or a breakup? In this episode of It’s Both — Navigating Life’s Gray Areas & Messy Moments, host Nikki P talks with Olivia Howell and Jenny Dreizen, co-founders of Fresh Starts Registry, about rebuilding with courage, clarity, and community.
Olivia and Jenny share honest storytelling from their own divorces and the people they serve—how relief and grief can coexist, why healing isn’t linear, and how practical support systems make all the difference. Together, they explore the messy middle of separation: paperwork and parenting, identity shifts, and the small rituals that create momentum when you feel stuck. You’ll hear authentic conversations about boundaries, self-trust, and the power of asking for help—plus simple practices to cultivate self-compassion, emotional resilience, and hope.
If you’re considering divorce, in the thick of it, or finding your footing after a breakup, this episode offers tools, language, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas—without toxic positivity.
Resources & Links:- Learn more at freshstartsregistry.com & on Instagram: @freshstartsregistry
- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube
 
 
Thank you again for listening and remember,  life isn't either/or, it's both.
 

Permission to Pause: Balancing Life’s To-Do Lists with True Rest

What does it look like to honor rest when life won’t slow down? In this solo episode of It’s Both — Navigating Life’s Gray Areas & Messy Moments, host Nikki P reflects on the duality of doing and being: launching a show, parenting, working, creating—while practicing stillness, presence, and care in real time.
Through authentic conversations with herself and honest storytelling, Nikki shares how she’s learning to hold multiple truths: you can be productive and also deeply need rest. She offers a simple check-in practice—pause and ask: What do I need right now?—plus thoughts on boundaries, capacity, and resisting the pressure of constant output.
If you’re in the messy middle, feeling the weight of your to-do list, or trying to reconnect with yourself amid chaos, this episode normalizes emotional complexity, invites self-compassion, and builds emotional resilience—without toxic positivity. It’s permission to breathe, recalibrate, and move forward with tenderness.
Thank you again for listening and remember,  life isn't either/or, it's both.
Resources & Links:- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- Sign up for Hungryroot and get $50 off your first box
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube
 

Mentorship & Microaggressions: Honest Stories from The Conflict Chick

What does it take to lead with authenticity in spaces that weren’t built for you? In this episode of It’s Both — Navigating Life’s Gray Areas & Messy Moments, host Nikki P sits down with Dawn Stone (The Conflict Chick) for authentic conversations and honest storytelling about the messy middle of leadership as a Black woman in corporate culture.
Dawn shares the emotional complexity of being “the only,” from workplace microaggressions and imposter syndrome to the both/and thinking required to hold confidence and vulnerability at once. Together they explore how mentorship fosters emotional resilience, why boundaries matter for burnout prevention, and how conflict can become a place of connection and growth.
If you’re navigating career transitions, leading teams, or learning to hold multiple truths—voice and safety, ambition and rest—this conversation offers language, tools, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas without losing yourself.
You’ll hear:• How mentorship builds confidence and emotional growth• The impact of racism, sexism, and ageism on Black women in leadership• Daily rituals to counter burnout and imposter syndrome• Why healing isn’t linear—and how to practice courage at work
Because life isn’t either/or—it’s both.
- Get Connected with Dawn Stone, The Conflict Chick
- Get Dawn's new book Unburdened here
- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube
 

Menopause Isn’t the End: Honest Stories About Women’s Health

What if menopause isn’t the end—but a new beginning? In this episode of It’s Both — Navigating Life’s Gray Areas & Messy Moments, host Nikki P sits down with life coach and menopause specialist Susie Beaumont for authentic conversations and honest storytelling about perimenopause, menopause, and emotional complexity.
Susie shares her healing journey from corporate lawyer to coach—the anxiety, depression, and dismissal she faced in healthcare—and how self-advocacy helped her reclaim agency. Together they practice both/and thinking: empowerment and exhaustion, grief and relief, vulnerability and courage. You’ll hear practical ideas for discussing HRT (hormone replacement therapy) with providers, navigating healthcare gaslighting, tending to identity shifts, and building emotional resilience with movement, nutrition, and self-compassion.
If you’re in the messy middle of midlife changes—or preparing for what’s ahead—this conversation offers language, validation, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas without toxic positivity. Because healing isn’t linear, and your body’s wisdom belongs at the center.
This episode shares personal experiences and educational insights; it’s not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for care.
Resources & Links:
- Get Connected with Susie Beaumont at Thrive
- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- Sign up for Hungryroot and get $50 off your first box
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube
 

Loving Difficult People With Boundaries, Grace & Emotional Complexity

What does it mean to love someone who feels impossible to love—without losing yourself? In this episode of It’s Both, host Nikki P sits down with pastor and recovery leader Steve LeFebvre for authentic conversations and honest storytelling about the emotional complexity of hard relationships.
Steve shares how recovery reshaped his non-toxic faith journey, teaching practices that build emotional resilience while honoring boundaries and compassion. Together they explore both/and thinking in love: grief and growth, pain and transformation, accountability and grace. You’ll hear how to hold multiple truths in real time—staying grounded, practicing self-compassion, and choosing connection without abandoning your values.
If you’re healing from relationship wounds, navigating the messy middle, or redefining intimacy, this conversation offers language, tools, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas—without toxic positivity.
You’ll hear:
- Why boundaries in relationships protect healing and trust
- How vulnerability and courage deepen intimacy
- Practical ways to hold emotional tension with grace and clarity
- What recovery teaches about forgiveness, repair, and repair attempts
Because life isn’t either/or—it’s both.
Resources & Links:- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- Sign up for Hungryroot and get $50 off your first box
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube
 

Friendship Isn’t Always Forever: Boundaries, Belonging & Honest Storytelling

Friendships change—through moves, marriage, parenthood, and personal growth. In this episode of It’s Both, host Nikki P and guest LaKreasha Scharcklet share authentic conversations about the emotional complexity of adult friendship: how grief and joy can coexist, and how to set boundaries with compassion when connection feels hard.
They explore the messy middle of letting go and holding on—what it means to hold multiple truths, practice self-compassion, and build emotional resilience together. If you’re navigating distance, feeling stuck, or rebuilding after a shift, this episode offers language, small rituals, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas—without toxic positivity.
You’ll hear: how friendships evolve across life stages, ways to protect safety and communication, and practices that rebuild trust and belonging. Because life isn’t either/or—it’s both.
Resources & Links:- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- Sign up for Hungryroot and get $50 off your first box
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube

Burnout in Helping Work: Boundaries, Resilience & the Messy Middle

What happens when meaningful work also empties your tank? In this episode of It’s Both, host Nikki P and guest Corey Alexander have authentic conversations about the emotional complexity of the helping professions—burnout, toxic work environments, and the cost of caring.
Through honest storytelling, Corey shares life on the front lines (homeless youth, LGBTQ+ services), the weight of secondary trauma, and how self-advocacy at work and boundaries helped him protect his well-being. Together, they explore the messy middle of purpose and health—how to hold multiple truths (commitment and capacity), practice self-compassion, and build emotional resilience without glorifying overwork.
If you’re in a helping role, on the edge of burnout, or rethinking your relationship to work, this episode offers language, tools, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas—including small rituals, community support, and practical steps to improve workplace mental health. Because life—and work—aren’t either/or.
Resources & Links:- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- Sign up for Hungryroot and get $50 off your first box
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube

When Everything Feels Heavy: Self-Compassion in the Messy Middle

What do you do when grief, gratitude, sadness, and strength all show up at once? In this solo episode of It’s Both, host Nikki P offers honest storytelling about a year of losses—nonprofit funding cuts, a close friend’s move—and the emotional complexity of carrying it all.
Through authentic conversations with herself, Nikki practices both/and thinking: you can feel wrecked and resilient, depleted and grateful. She shares simple ways to feel your feelings without bypassing them, build emotional resiliencewith small rituals, and choose self-compassion when the to-do list won’t quit.
If you’re in the messy middle, processing grief and loss, or learning to hold multiple truths, this episode offers language, validation, and companionship for navigating life’s gray areas—without toxic positivity. It’s a gentle reminder that healing isn’t linear, and you don’t have to be okay to keep moving with care.
Because life isn’t either/or—it’s both.
Resources & Links:- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts
- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation
- Sign up for Hungryroot and get $50 off your first box
- It's Both on Instagram & Youtube