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PODCAST

My Crunchy Zen Era

Welcome to My Crunchy Zen Era — we"re not exactly sure what it means, but we"re figuring it out.It started when I asked my friends: How do you create a life you love? Then it turned into a podcast full of a little fun, a little humor, and a whole lot of curiosity. Each week we dive into a fresh topic with a guest, exploring everything from everyday joys to life’s bigger questions. Whether we’re laughing, learning, or just letting things unfold, this show is your weekly dose of lighthearted

society & culture

All Episodes

47:11

Midwestern Salads, Turkey Spam, and Other Holiday...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/11/27

Send us a text This Thanksgiving, Nicole invites returning guests Phillip Headrick and Marianna Barksdale for a holiday full of questionable Midwestern “salads," unexpected facts, and one very emotional debate over sweet potato marshmallows. We’re talking lime jello miracles, ambrosia disasters, turkey-adjacent spam, cranberry betrayals, and a real Butterball Hotline moment. Plus: why Calvin Coolidge pardoned a raccoon, the drama of leftover sandwiches, and why some families treat deviled egg...

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40:51

Toupees, Chickens, and the Slow Build of Standup...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/11/20

Send us a text What do toupee influencers, runaway kids, and velociraptors have in common? Nicole sits down with comedian Alex Velluto to find out. From his first open mic at sixteen to three Dry Bar specials, Alex shares the chaos, craft, and slow grind of a comedy career. We cover surprising jobs (including a teaching stint that ended with thirty kids fleeing lawnmowers), homeschooling his son, speaking three languages, and the philosophical importance of continental breakfast waffles...

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47:28

Faith, Grit, and the Grace to Quit with Stuart Cooper

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/11/13

Send us a text Sometimes the smartest move isn’t climbing higher—it’s knowing when to walk away. This week on My Crunchy Zen Era, Nicole chats with Stuart Cooper—a self-described sales hunter who’s grown companies across healthcare, biotech, finance, staffing, and tech—to talk about the art of strategic quitting, taking smart risks, and that one time he ran for Congress in just five months. They start with intermittent fasting (yes, really) as a small act of discipline that sets the tone for ...

en-us

43:21

Nashville Travel Tips, the FTC, and Inappropriate...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/11/06

Send us a text Two words you don’t expect together: margaritas and the FTC. Nashville creator Sarah Beth Schulte of The Tip Jar Nash joins My Crunchy Zen Era to talk creator ethics, brand deals, and her “40 Dates in 40 Days” experiment. We dive into building trust online, what disclosure really means, and how to stay authentic when content becomes business. Plus: a perfect Nashville day, a must-try East Side restaurant, a scenic Tennessee hike, and tips for keeping your screen time (and sanit...

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50:14

The Science of Joy: How Positive Psychology Can...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/10/30

Send us a text If your nervous system has been living on espresso and good intentions, this episode is your gentle nudge to breathe, laugh, and maybe rethink everything you thought you knew about happiness. Nicole chats with Jackie Oña Cascarano — Executive Career and Wellness Coach, and founder of Juno Women’s Collective — about the actual science of feeling good and the surprisingly simple ways to get there. Jackie breaks down the PERMA model of Positive Psychology (that’s Positive Emotions...

en-us

53:23

The Business of Belonging: Building a Creative Home...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/10/23

Send us a text What does it really take to build something that lasts—through late-night doubts, hard conversations, and a global pandemic? This week, we sit down with Scott Field, co-owner of Third Coast Comedy Club in Nashville, to trace the journey from a single improv class to a gathering place where friendships deepen, creativity thrives, and community shows up for one another. From a freezing Boston bridge to a drizzly Nashville parking lot, Scott shares how Third Coast grew—not just as...

en-us

52:48

The One About Bigfoot (He Doesn't Believe In You Either)

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/10/16

Send us a text What do you get when believers, skeptics, and the cryptid-curious pack into a Bigfoot conference in Gatlinburg? Midnight sightings. Missing time on desert roads. Portal theories. Skinwalker stories. And... way too much nacho cheese. We spent a full day deep in the world of cryptids, fringe science, and seriously committed merch tables—and came back with the stories that stuck. In this episode: Eyewitness accounts vs. expert panelsPortal theories, EMF spikes & busted camera ...

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52:09

Starting Stand-Up at 45: Why It’s Never Too Late To...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/10/09

Send us a text Can You Start Stand-Up in Your 40s? Tara Brown Did—And It Changed Everything In this episode of My Crunchy Zen Era, we sit down with comedian Tara Brown, who first tried standup comedy at 45 and ended up leaving her corporate PR job to become a stand-up comic. Her story is about starting late, staying true to yourself, and finding real success through connection, not clout. We talk about: 1. Taking a big creative leap later in life 2. Building a comedy career withou...

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58:24

The Accidental Standup Comedy Curator: Behind the...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/10/02

Send us a text What happens when a comedy fan with zero stage time accidentally becomes a trusted curator in stand-up? Meet Josiah Bourke — the low-key force behind Comedian Discovery and Comedian Discovery Live, two platforms that are quietly (but steadily) reshaping how comedy fans find their next favorite act. What started as a personal obsession with stand-up specials turned into something way bigger: a genuinely useful space where Netflix drops and DIY YouTube debuts are treated wi...

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57:12

Scotland by Train: A Travel Adventure with my Mom and...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/09/25

Send us a text We Finally Made It to Scotland – After 3 Years, a Pandemic, and a Traumatic Brain Injury?! After three years of delays (thanks, global chaos and a traumatic brain injury), my mom, Heidi, and I finally ticked off our bucket list dream: a mother-daughter trip to Scotland! And wow — it was so much more than bagpipes and shortbread. In this episode, we’re spilling all the details of our epic journey: from getting lost in Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival madness, to conquering the mist...

en-us

58:57

Lights, Camera, Laughter: A Cinematographer's Journey...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/09/18

Send us a text Stubbornness, talent, and occasionally rapping all 14 minutes of "Rapper's Delight" are just a few traits that helped Brinn Daniels in her cinematography career. On this episode Brinn and Nicole chat about: Internships at Comedy Central, The Daily Show, and Saturday Night Live.How saying "no" to seemingly perfect opportunities can lead to something even better.The challenges of being a woman in the film industry.Creating commercials for the lowest common denominator.Consp...

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58:06

Finding Calm Through Connection: Horse-Assisted...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/09/11

Send us a text Can a horse take the place of your therapist? Well, perhaps we shouldn't go that far since we're a big fan of therapy over here... In this episode, Nicole is joined by Dr. Ashley Dial who shares how horses serve as powerful therapeutic partners in her coaching practice. Plot twist: Nicole worked with Dr. Dial and shares a bit about her firsthand experience working with the horses. Today they discuss: Depth psychology and developing a relationship with your unconscio...

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50:30

Government Watchlists, Creativity, and Cozy Mystery...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/09/04

Send us a text Has her google history landed her on a government watchlist? Edgar-nominated author Ashley Weaver ponders the occupational hazards of being an author as she joins host, Nicole Swisher, this week as they discuss: The inspiration behind Ashley's Electra McDonnell book series.Unconventional female characters.The extensive career opportunities in the criminal underworld.Unique stories from World War II.Writing advice for aspiring authors and finding an agent.The art of crea...

en-us

52:49

Mentorship, Gamified Learning, and Saying No with Dr....

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/08/28

Send us a text What would happen if we all approached learning with more creativity, collaboration, and genuine curiosity? Dr. Stephanie Moore-Lotridge takes us inside her work as an educator where she's pioneering approaches that could transform how we train future doctors. On this episode, Nicole and Stephanie discuss: Learning to say "no".Blacking out during a marriage proposal.... unrelated to the above bullet point...Navigating a career in orthopedics with less than 10% fem...

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47:52

Mindfulness Trends, AI Dating, and Dead Bodies with...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/08/21

Send us a text Is silent walking the mindfulness trend we all need now? Who can really say... But Phillip Headrick might try in his return to My Crunchy Zen Era with host, Nicole Swisher. In this attempt at a reflective episode, Nicole and Phillip take on: Listener comments and questions!Sunday routines and related meltdowns.Yet more irrational fears... the dead bodies are real.Artificial intelligence relationships.Traveling etiquette.The perfect salsa update.Join us for t...

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47:24

Standup Comedy, Wellness and Cat People with Paula...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/08/14

Send us a text What happens when your dream career collides with your physical limitations? When external validation no longer sustains you? Join standup comedian, Paula Kosienski, and host, Nicole Swisher, as they discuss: Is clean comedy funny?Pursuing a standup career while managing chronic illnessThe woes of seeking external validationDefining your own successPets parents taking it too farProper chip-eating etiquetteWhether you're pursuing a creative career, managing health challenges, or...

en-us

55:45

Quitting Your Job, Writing a Romance Novel, and...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/08/07

Send us a text I had this fear that I would die without having written a book because I was too scared.... Sara Holifield aka Avalon Griffin admits as she shares about quitting her job to write a paranormal romance novel. Join Sara and Nicole as they discuss: Quitting jobs to reset your lifeSara's books: Unbound by Shadows and To Dwell in ShadowsRomance novels as a tool for healing and empowermentPractical writing adviceThe EnneagramDecluttering cords and the stress of throwing things a...

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59:15

Improv, Building Confidence, and Getting Rid of Fish...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/07/31

Send us a text I feel like I've designed my life to be a very stress-free experience... Zeta Graves shares on this episode with host, Nicole Swisher. Join Zeta and Nicole as they chat about: Mental health benefits from improv (soooo good for anxiety)Building confidence through improvThe fear of deep water and poisonous creatures in the southAccepting the uncertainty of lifeUsing AI in the legal fieldCatch Zeta's improv team, Location Island, at Third Coast Comedy Club in Nashville on Ju...

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53:47

Therapist or Hairstylist, Ghosts, and Being...

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/07/24

Send us a text It was a karmic lesson for us to be uncomfortable... Brittany Otto shares in this week's episode. Join us this week as we discuss: Brittany's Akashic readingSpying on neighborsGhosts and hauntingsThe challenges of being an empath hairstylist with healthy boundariesHair loss due to COVID and OzempicAccidental shrinesSubscribe now and join this exploration of what it means to live a happy life in an increasingly complicated world. Host: Nicole Swisher Guest: Brittany Otto Recomme...

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56:07

Barbecue, Primitive Camping, and Trying New Things

My Crunchy Zen Era ·

2025/07/17

Send us a text Say yes to everything unless it gets you killed... is Phillip Headrick's life philosophy that he shares on this episode with host, Nicole Swisher. Join Nicole and Phillip as we chat about: • Daily affirmations and meditations with a wandering mind. • Why we love dogs. • Being buddies with exes. • Time limits for first dates and judging people on cutlery use. • The importance of trying new things as adults. • Phillip's journey to make the perfect salsa. Subscribe now and j...

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22 results

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