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Happy 2026, and welcome back to The NikiMarie Radio Show. This journey began in 2018 with a mic, a vision, and a deep desire to create a space that felt real, safe, and honest. What started as a simple idea quickly grew into something bigger than I ever imagined. Seasons 1, 2, and 3 became some of the most meaningful chapters of my life, filled with growth, lessons, unforgettable conversations, and opportunities that shaped both the show and who I was becoming.

Along the way, I learned that growth does not always mean pushing forward nonstop. Sometimes, it means knowing when to pause. I needed to step back, reflect, and realign with myself without outside noise or expectations. That time away gave me clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Now, I am back in my safe haven, fully present and more grounded than ever. Season 4 marks a fresh chapter with no restrictions, no pressure, and no pretending. Just growth, honesty, meaningful conversations, and a new outlook for a new year.

This season is about showing up authentically, embracing change, and creating space for inspiration, healing, and forward motion. If you are navigating your own reset or looking for motivation in 2026, you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Your support means everything, and your presence here matters. Be sure to follow, subscribe, and leave a review so you never miss an episode.

Thank you for listening to The NikiMarie Radio Show. Launched in 2018, this show was created as a space for real conversations, honest reflection, and personal growth. Each season represents a new chapter, shaped by life experiences, lessons learned, and the journey of becoming. Every episode is meant to be a safe haven where authenticity is welcomed and growth is encouraged.
If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to reflect, share it with someone who may need it, and stay connected. Be sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. This is The NikiMarie Radio Show, where the journey continues.

Transcript
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Hey, Hey, your favorite podcast host is back. It's your girl,

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Nick Marie, and I am so excited because Season four

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of the Nick Marie Radio Show is officially here. We're back,

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we're refreshed, and we're stepping into this new season with intention,

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joy and a whole lot of purpose. If you're new here, welcome.

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If you've been rocking with me since way back, you

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already know. This show lives at Nick mariradio dot com

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and it started as a simple idea back in January

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twenty eighteen. I didn't have a full blueprint. I didn't

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have a production team. I had a phone and a

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voice memo app and a desire to create a space

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where real talk, real energy, and real stories could live.

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I went from recording episodes on my phone to different

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podcast spaces to now sitting in a full studio at

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ninety point three WHPC, hosting shows, doing the Recess Belt,

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and connecting with my Nasau family live on the air.

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It has been a journey from the beginning. I wanted

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a place where people could feel seen and heard, even

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on the days they didn't feel like their best selves.

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And now here we are stepping into January twenty twenty six,

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and this show is still that space, just elevated, expanded

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and aligned with a deeper purpose. This has always been

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a safe space, a space filled with good energy, real conversations,

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and a whole lot of heart. We laughed together, we've

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learned together, We've healed through some things together. And every

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time I sit behind this mic, I remember why I

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started this podcast in the first place. Connection, purpose, honesty,

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showing up, real flaws, growth and all. And I never

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truly left the mic. I've been doing live and recorded

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shows at ninety point three WHVC, from morning shows to

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the recess bell to an assaw mix, keeping the vibes high,

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keeping the music flowing, and talking to my Nasau County

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family every single week. Radio will always be in my bloodstream.

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But this space right here, this podcast, this platform, this

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is where I get to talk to you, beyond the clock,

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beyond the playlist, beyond the time limits, no rules, shout

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out to FCC, no filters, no rushing, just conversation, truth

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and connection. And here's the best part. Not only is

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season four of the Nick Marie Radio Show starting, but

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Season two of The Balancing Act, Highs, Lows and Lessons

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is already underway and you can check that out at

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the bactpodcast dot com. And if you want to see

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what we've already been talking about over there, just head

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on over. You can scroll through the topics and episodes

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on the feed. I started a blog there. We've been

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getting into some real, vulnerable, necessary conversations, especially about mental health.

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So if you've been wondering where I've been, what I've learned,

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and what's coming up next, You're in the right place.

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Season four is all about growth, gratitude, reclaiming purpose, and

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getting aligned. I'm stepping into this mic more grounded, more intentional,

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and more centered than ever before. So welcome back to

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the Nick and Murray radio show. Let's get into it

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all right, So let's start with life, because listen, life

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has been lifing in every direction between being a wife,

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a mom, a radio host, a mental health advocate, and

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an assistant director of financial aid while still trying to

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be a human being who needs rest, joy, laughter, and peace.

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I've been learning what balance actually looks like, and trust me,

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it does not look like perfection. It's not a tidy checklist,

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it's not a straight calm line. Balance is messy. Balance

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is flexible. Balance is learning yourself over and over again.

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My work in higher education definitely keeps me grounded. Every

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day I'm helping students figure out their next steps, you know,

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walking families through the financial aid process, and seeing how

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access to education can literally change lives. That purpose works

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for me, but I had to learn that purpose can't

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run on an empty tank. You can love what you

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do and still need rests. You can be grateful and

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still need a timeout at home. There's been growth there

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as well. Marriage is a beautiful classroom full of patience, partnership,

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forgiveness and learning each other even when you think you

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figured it all out, and parenting ooof parenting will humble

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you and heal you at the same time. Our kids

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remind us what's truly important, presence, laughter, messy moments, and

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real memories. Through all of this, I realized something big.

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Balance isn't about perfection. It's permission. Permission to show up honestly,

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Permission to ask for help, permission to slow down, permission

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to not have everything figured out, permission to breathe. Okay.

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Season four is landing at the perfect time because I'm

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walking into it with a much clearer understanding of who

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I am, what I value, and what I need. Season four,

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I'm ready for it. I definitely took a moment because

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I went through some challenges where I felt very alone.

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I felt unsupportive in this industry, and I just needed

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a moment to step back. So October of twenty twenty one,

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I believe was my last episode. And the reality is

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I had great guests, unforgettable guests, but I really needed

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that moment just to breathe and build. I finally finished

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a manuscript for my book, my motivational book, and twenty

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twenty six just I'm predicting a lot of great things

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to come. The Balancing Act season two I definitely needed this,

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probably more than my listeners. Now you know, I couldn't

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stay away from my baby, The Balancing Act highs, lows

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and lessons. It's a mental health podcast and I definitely

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wanted to keep that going. So Season two is already

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in motion over at the b ACT post cast dot com,

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and if you head over to the feed, you'll see

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the topics we've already covered. We've been talking about real life,

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the parts we usually keep to ourselves. That show has

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been a healing space, not just for listeners, but for

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me too. It's therapy without calling it therapy. It's honesty

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without judgment, it's vulnerability without fear. We talked about burnout, people,

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pleasing boundaries, identity, talked about grief, love, fear, starting over

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when you swore you were done, starting over. The dms,

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the messages, you know, the I needed this today, the

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voice notes, they mean everything. It means. It reminds me

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that people are craving honesty. People want softness, People want

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to know they're not the only ones feeling overwhelmed, confused,

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or in transition. I definitely had a lot of emails

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from different people that want to be guests. So I'm

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getting to that for twenty twenty six. The last few

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years just have stretched me mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and

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the Balancing Act has been a place where I could

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just kind of excel, you know, and process in real time,

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a place to say, yeah, today wasn't easy, but I'm

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still here. If you're curious, you can check out past

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topics and episodes on the speaker feed and at the

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batpodcast dot com. And then here we come to season

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four of the Nick Marie Radio Show. Because that same

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energy of honesty and healing is woven into this space too.

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Mental wellness isn't just a talking point, it's a lifestyle,

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checking in with yourself, resting without guilt, saying no without apology,

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choosing peace even when chaos feels normal. Both shows are

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moving with clarity and intention, especially for season two and

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season four. The last few years, like I said, it's

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been just a whirldwin. These last few years have been

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one long masterclass. I learned that slowing down isn't about quitting,

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it's choosing clarity over chaos. I learned that you can

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love your career deeply and still need time to unplug

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and rest. I learned that gratitude is a lifeline even

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when life does not feel gentle. I learned that no

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is a full sentence, not a debate, not a negotiation.

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And I learned that perfection has never been the requirement

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for impact. Most importantly, I learned this your voice matters

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even when it shakes. There have been moments where I

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have definitely been in rooms speaking and I could just

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feel the shaking in my voice sometimes that it seemed

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like it was lack of confidence, but my voice still mattered.

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You know, at the end of the day, your story

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matters even when it's still being written. Your worth is

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not conditional or negotiable, and someone out there needs the

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version of you that exists right now, not the polished

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version you're working toward, not the when I get it

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all together version that you that is growing, learning and

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trying again. I have had moments where I wanted things

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to be perfect, and so that also made me take

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a step back. And I was also going through mental

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health challenges. So I mean it, just like I said,

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these things you have to learn. You know, you have

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to learn that someone out there needs to see that

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you're not perfect. All these filters and everything else, snapchat whatever,

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people just want to see real realism. If you're listening

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and you feel stuck, if you're questioning your timeline, if

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you're wondering, if you're behind, you're not. You're evolving, you

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are becoming, and you are right on time. And this season,

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we're gonna walk through that together. We're gonna talk about it,

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we're gonna unpack, we're gonna laugh through it, We're gonna

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cry through it if we need to, and keep it going. Now, listen,

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it hasn't all been deep reflection in soul work. I've

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been having the fun too. We've got some visuals coming

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up for this season four, you know, updated branding, fresh

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content ideas, a whole new vibe for Nick mariyradio dot

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com and everything connected to it, and getting featured in

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magazines and digital platforms. Now, that was a real look

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at God moment. It reminded me that consistency, faith, and

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obedience will definitely take you places. I've been collaborating with

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other creatives, learning new skills and planning ways to make

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this show more interactive, more behind the scenes content, more

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video clips, more moments where you're going to feel like

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you're right here in the studio with me and of

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course my WHPC family. You already know that station helped

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change my voice, That studio helped change my confidence. That

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community helped shape the kind of host, creator, and storyteller

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that I've become. Radio is my heartbeat, I you know,

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it's where I learned how to bring moments to life

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with just a microphone and a message. So in this season,

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expect more fun, more laughter, more storytelling, more personality, more everything.

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Season four is about to hit different and the best way.

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We're diving back into relationships, you know, boundaries, identity, self esteem,

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my motherhood, career shifts, healing, purpose, reinventing yourself, becoming who

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you are and not what other people are telling you

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to become. We're bringing back real talk moments, listener questions,

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reflection promptsh We might even do a couple of recess

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bell recaps, mental health check ins, of course, storytime segments,

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and maybe a few surprise announcements along the way. There

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will always be honesty. There will always be laughter here.

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There will be episodes where you have to pause the

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audio and say, Okay, that was for me. This show

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is a community and your voice matters here. So send

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your questions, share your stories, tapping with me on social

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media at NICKI Marie Underscore Radio and let me know

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what topics you want to hear about and what guests

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we should possibly look to connect with. Before I close

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out the premiere episode, I just want to say thank you.

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Thank you for listening, thank you for growing with me.

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Thank you for your patience, your love, your messages, your reposts,

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your dms, thank you for allowing me to evolve publicly, privately,

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and everything in between. If you take anything from today,

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let it be this. You can pause and still make progress.

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You can rest and still be worthy. You can begin

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again as many times as you need to and still win.

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Your story is still unfolding. Give yourself permission to turn

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the page. Stay connected with me at nick mariradio dot

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com and follow me at nick Mari Underscore Radio on

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social media for updates, behind the scenes, clips, and news

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about both shows. Season four of The Nick Mari Radio

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Show and Season two of The Balancing Act Highs, Lows

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and lessons at the bactpodcast dot com. New episodes are

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on the way and I promise they're going to be

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full of inspiration, truth, joy and growth. This is the

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Nicky Marie Radio Show where real stories meet real growth.

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Welcome to Season four. Let's make it an unforgettable season.