Hey, gang! Thanks for your patience as I navigated the turbulence of the past 6 months. Season 3 is going to be a little different. For Season 3, I'm going guestless. For a currently undefined number of episodes, you will have the pleasure of listening to me get really real about my life. The past two seasons have shown me the power of human connection and the immense potential we have to grow when we let ourselves enter conversations without judgment - including and especially the conversations we have with ourselves. So tune in every week for a new episode of Practically Unplugged for an unfiltered, firsthand account of the worst (and somehow also best) year of my life.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

WhoTheF*ck?

Who the F*ck is back - and Practically Unplugged

This episode is not your typical interview - it is a moment in time I’ll never forget. I’ll be forever grateful to have shared this experience with my niece. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from spending time with my niece and nephew these past few weeks, it’s how important it is to nurture our inner child. A few years ago, I would have scoffed at a comment like that. But after many therapy sessions, having to face lots of intense realities, and frankly just after the year 2020, I’ve come to see how much we can grow when impart our wisdom on tiny humans who want to absorb everything they can - and also when we indulge in our own youthful acts of play. My niece, Nora, saw my podcast setup a few days ago and asked what I was doing. After my sister gently told her that she couldn’t touch my equipment, it sparked an idea in my head. ? I offered to show Nora how to use the equipment a little later on. So we woke up one morning and recorded Nora’s first podcast! ?️ I didn’t expect much to come of it, except hopefully a few candid, sweet moments that we could look back on with warmth in our hearts. But what came of it, was so much more. Nora may only be nearing the age of 3, but this kid has got the smarts, sass, and curiosity it takes to really show up in the world. She inspires me by just existing, truly. I decided to share this special episode recorded with Nora with you all.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

The Age of Innocence: A meandering conversation about absolutely nothing...and clams

While we all have our own challenges and particular journey, when it comes to confronting difficulties and working through mental health issues, courage and awareness are two tools that we can all use. Here on the show today to talk about the need for leaps of faith in order to feel, and subsequently heal, is the amazing and inspiring Maddie Ace. Maddie is a singer, writer, podcaster, and all round creative soul, with so much great insight to offer. Our conversation centers around her story and struggles with mental health, and how she turned these challenges into an entry point to helping others! Maddie shares openly about the vital moment in her life that led to a difficult breakdown and also allowed her to push forward into a stronger version of herself. We discuss the missing pieces that so many of us can identify when we experience something like this, and Maddie shares the actual lessons she wishes she had been exposed to at school! We reflect on the wisdom of the body and why concentrating on what we want to feel, might be the best way to move forward. The conversation also touches on how music has helped Maddie, and she gets into the process of pouring herself into songwriting about her experiences. Listeners can expect an open and generous chat, with helpful ideas and some great tips for resources and strategies to use in times of need. Tune in to hear it all! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Maddie Ace Linktree She Be Red Podcast Maddie Ace on Twitter Maddie Ace on Instagram Time to Change The Highly Sensitive Person Elaine Aron The Desire Map Danielle LaPorte WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Creativity & Mental Health: Why We Need to Feel, Heal, and Take Leaps of Faith

Tiffany Yu has a mission to change the way disabled people see themselves and to help them own their narrative. Part of this mission is to transform systemic ableism. Before Tiffany became the founder of Diversabiltiy, a disability advocate, speaker, writer, consultant, and coach, she was involved in a tragic car accident that left her disabled. In today’s show, she shares her story. We begin our conversation by learning more about Tiffany and find out how family stigma shaped the way she tackled disability for 12 years. After hearing about what it was like to be the daughter of a Taiwanese immigrant and Vietnamese refugee, Tiffany then shares the turning point in her life which saw her take control of her disability and narrative. A stepping stone in our conversation, Tiffany tells us how her new state of mind helped her create Diversability; a platform that brings disabled and non-disabled people together to talk about their lived experiences. Following this, Tiffany continues to explain how she grew strength and resilience through a number of experiences. Listeners will hear why her stint on Wall Street contributed to her embracing her disabilities, and how the experiences taught her so much about systemic ableism. Later, Tiffany reveals the story behind losing her father in and how she stored trauma in her body from the event. Toward the end of the show, Tiffany explores the various naming conventions around disability, and tells us why she wants people to unlearn what it means to be disabled. To conclude the show, Tiffany speaks in-depth about ableism and describes her visions for the future of Diversability. Tune in to hear more from this inspiring and highly informative episode. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Tiffany Yu Tiffany Yu on LinkedIn Tiffany Yu on Twitter Tiffany Yu on Instagram Tiffany Yu on TikTok Diversability Georgetown Goldman Sachs NYU The Body Keeps the Score on Amazon TED Option B  TikTok Clubhouse Listen to WhoTheF*ck? on All Major Platforms: Apple Spotify Google Anchor Stitcher Overcast RSS Feed --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Diversability: Empowering the Disabled Community to Drive Social Change

Firefighting definitely ranks as one of the tougher professions out there, and our guest today is a testament to that and so much more. We are joined by young firefighter, Alayasia Ouerfelli, to talk about her journey in the job so far, as well as the amazing and inspiring Bad Bitch Movement that she is spearheading. We start right at the beginning, with Alayasia's upbringing and family life, transition into her college years, and how EMT studies grew into working as a firefighter. Alayasia is clearly strong-willed and determined, qualities that shine through throughout our conversation, and she is generous enough to share some of her perspectives on battling self-doubt and the expectations of others. The idea of forging one's own path surfaces a few times in our chat, with Alayasia really wishing to inspire more women to seek out their own definition of a fulfilling life and career. Listeners get a great behind-the-curtain look at what it means to be a firefighter and more specifically a female professional in such a male-dominated space. We talk about the strong bond that is present at the station where Alayasia works, as well as the connection and sense of duty that she feels for the communities that they serve. The conversation also covers progress in the fire department towards more inclusion and better self-care, areas that we at the WhoTheF*ck Podcast believe in strongly! So for this powerful and illuminating conversation, be sure to tune in today! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Bad Bitch Movement Female Firefighter Statistics Ruth Bader Ginsburg WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Bad Bitch Movement: Breaking Barriers & Defying Social Norms

Much of the healing that we all need as individuals relies heavily on the idea of self-acceptance, without which it is hard to imagine making much progress in personal growth. Joining us on the show today is an expert on the topic of self-acceptance, coach and speaker, Kevin Nahai! Kevin is an advocate for those dealing with complex emotional situations and uses his own experiences of personal problems as the foundation of the work he does with clients. From the get-go, Kevin's vibrant personality is evident, he has so much energy and enthusiasm for helping people and using accountability and responsibility to get serious about making changes in order to work through pain. Our guest is the creator of amazingly inspiring videos, encouraging viewers to embrace their true selves, and the insight he brings from his own journey and struggles is what really lends his work serious credibility and power. As someone who struggled with self-image, anxiety, and relationships in his own life, for Kevin, his work is all about passing on and sharing lessons and he even explains how he, in turn, learns from his clients every day. We talk about getting away from addiction to our problems, and how humans often stay stuck in a bad cycle just because it is familiar. In this episode, we go really deep, and listeners can expect to come away with a renewed perspective on what it takes to start and maintain healthier practices that can lead to a better life. Join us to catch it all! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kevin Nahai on LinkedIn WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Self-Acceptance: Turning Pain into Personal Growth

Florence is an enchanting city that’ll tug at your romantic side. Abuzz with vibrant energy, this classical city is packed with Italy’s very best, including ancient architecture, tranquil gardens, and bona fide locals. This Italian dream became a reality for today’s guest, Melinda Gallo, an expat writer and photographer who has made Florence her home. We open the episode by finding out about Melinda’s history. Having graduated from California, her first stint in Europe was in France as a technical writer for an IT company. Her second stint in Europe was born out of a brief conversation she had with a friend, where she emphasized her desire to feel inspired to write creatively again. Two weeks later, Melinda was in Italy. Yet, her first few days felt like misadventure, only for her perceptions to be turned around. Stay tuned and you’ll hear about what changed for her, how she integrated herself in the city, and why leading with your heart can’t fail you. As our chat evolves, Melinda speaks about the wonder of Florence, its scenic beauty, and the influential minds who have their greatest creations here. We then take a look at Melinda’s blog, talk about its evolution, and how she introduced photography into it. Melinda is intuitively articulate and talks deeply about the experiences she’s had — good and bad. To hear more about them, be sure to join us today. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Melinda Gallo Melinda Gallo on Instagram Living in Florence Blog Melinda Gallo on Twitter Me, My Heart, and I In the Press Leonardo Da Vinci Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici  Gelateria dei Neri API Abroad Red Garter Santa Croce Lorenzo de' Medici International Institute Listen to WhoTheF*ck? on All Major Platforms: Apple Spotify Google Anchor Stitcher Overcast RSS Feed --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Life in Florence: Capturing the Essence of a Beloved City

The journey of self-discovery is a never-ending one and more often than not reveals more than we might have expected. An idea that seems to come up in conversations on this topic more and more often is that of generational trauma, and how we carry the legacy of our families and loved ones forward with us. Here to talk about her path through difficult times and the work she has done to begin to liberate herself from the shackles that we do not choose, is Mona Stephens! This is an incredibly honest and revealing conversation, in which our guest shares fearlessly about the desperate and suicidal periods she has experienced. Although this work is never over and there is no end destination, it is clear through the episode just how far Mona has come; she has gained insight and perspective into the forces that were affecting her, how to better manage her own areas of weakness, and why healthy support and community is vital in our process of healing. Mona unpacks the experiences she has had with mentors and really underlines why she thinks the idea of the 'empathic witness' is so powerful. We talk about the process of looking back and loving earlier versions of the self and finding the connection between the past and present. For Mona, this ongoing quest has allowed her to find so much more light, and escape the overwhelming darkness, and she is now sharing that with others, so make sure to join us, today! Links from this episode Mona Stephens on Instagram Mona Stephens on Twitter Mona Stephens on YouTube Mona Stephens on LinkedIn Mona Stephens on Facebook Unified Caring Tony Robbins Cara-Lyn Giovanniello Jim Rohn WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Choose Your Own Path: How To Break Generational Shackles

Just like many industries and sectors of the creative world, music remains a space that is generally exclusive and non-diverse. This is especially true when it comes to the more technical sides of music, such as engineering and producing. Mari Sullivan, or as she is known professionally, MariGo, is out to change this! Mari, is a trained musician, Ableton Live instructor, and Twitch Streamer, and today we get to hear all about the different parts of her life in music and how she got where she is today! Mari talks about the recent work she has done with Sofar Sounds and how this has suited her own unique musical personality. We get into some of the processes behind her sound and songwriting, with special attention to her deeply personal and beautiful song, Better Weather. We spend some time getting familiar with what it means to be a live streaming musician in 2020, with Mari sharing her weekly schedule for Twitch and how this is helping her build and connect with an audience. The second part of our conversation is spent talking about the more social side to Mari's mission, as we discuss what it might look like to have a more diverse and inclusive music industry. Mari currently hosts courses for womxn and LGBTQ+ songwriters and producers in order to get away from the overly male-dominated norm that we find in almost all other spaces. Tune in to hear more about Mari's groundbreaking perspective! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce MariGo MariGo on Twitter Better Weather Ableton Live Sofar Sounds Beat Lab Academy Lady Gaga Kelly Clarkson Penny Marshall Ruth Bader Ginsburg --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

MariGo Music: Advocating for Womxn & LGBTQ+ in the arts

After a near death experience in 2007, Ryan Henry Ward committed his life to his love and passion of becoming an artist. Fighting through poverty in the streets of Seattle, he has risen to be known as Seattle's Most Prolific Artist, painting more than 2800 canvases and more than 350 murals across the country. In this episode, we learn about the accident that nearly cost him his life and how it inspired him to find his purpose through what he was good at – art. Ryan shares what the transition into being full-time artist was like and why the polarization around his work, which had started popping up all over the city, inspired and energized him to keep creating. Ryan’s whimsical scenes populated by zany animals and characters are his way of communicating with the world, and he explains why his character’s eyes are the signature component of his work. Find out how he strikes the right balance between humor and social responsibility in his murals, who he sides with the underdog, and what living out of vehicles has taught Ryan about seeing the world differently, as well as why he believes he is equal parts creator and destroyer, especially when it comes to the impact that human beings have on his favorite places in nature. Listeners also get a sneak peek into what the future holds for the artist simply known as Henry, and why he believes discipline is just as important as inspiration. Tune in today! Ryan Henry Ward on Instagram Ryan Henry Ward on Facebook Ryan Henry Ward on YouTube Ryan Henry Ward The Squirrel’s Guide to Happiness Flatstick Pub WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

It's a Henry: Inside the Mind of Seattle's Most Prolific Muralist

We still live in a world where the survivors of abuse and sexual assault have trouble being believed and are shamed in many ways, a dynamic that makes dealing with something so painful, that much more difficult. Joining us on the WhoTheF*ck Podcast today is singer-songwriter and podcast host, Rae du Soleil! She is here to share her message of strength and hope as well as some of her own story of dealing with trauma and shaming. Rae has managed to take very heavy experiences and themes and channel them into her creative life, writing beautiful songs of hope and empowerment, while addressing some of the pain she and others have experienced. In our conversation, we cover Rae's background, her passion for music and the connection it creates, and some of her thoughts on striking a balance between serious subjects and playfulness. We spend some time diving into the story of her recent song, Nice Guy, about complicit and enabling behavior, something that Rae believes is central to the issues of abuse that communities experience. We also talk about the rippling effect of trauma and shaming, and how Rae's outspoken approach has affected her family and friends. With such an inspiring message and magnetic quality, Rae is a guest you are not going to want to miss, so tune in to get it all. Key Points From This Episode: Rae's lifelong love of music, performance, and all things creative! Maturing at a young age and the positive and negative sides to this. The goal of connection through creativity and Rae's strength in vulnerability. Balancing playfulness with the heaviness that is a part of life. The story behind Rae's song Nice Guy, and the impetus for the message. Considering the use of language and the terms 'survivor' and 'victim'. Getting over the hurdles of shame and isolation through connection and communication. The messages of truth and self-worth that Rae hopes come through in her music. Failures of the legal system and finding more space for community support. Rae's family's response to the attacks they all faced. The process that Rae has gone through and the effect it has had on her music. A message from Rae to anyone out there dealing with some of these challenges. Rae's thoughts on the future of her music and creativity and the continuing themes of vulnerability and transparency. WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce Rae du Soleil Inevitable Sh!t Podcast Rae du Soleil Twitter Nice Guy Women's Wisdom Initiative The Intuitive Writing Project Girls in Real Life Tarana Burke Chanel Miller Know My Name Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Overcoming Survivor’s Shame: As Told Through Song

Labels help us choose the right product off the supermarket shelves, but human beings also apply labels, both to themselves and others, and these labels can drastically affect our perceptions of our true selves. Today’s guest is Cuyla Coogan. Cuyla is a queer life coach based in southern California, whose mission is to help people in the queer community become more confident and comfortable, so they can achieve their full potential. Pulling from her own experiences, Cuyla’s practice highlights the value of self-awareness and self-acceptance, so her clients can be all of who they are without reservations. With that in mind, we talk about how labels affect our self-perception and why it's important to respect the different ways that people choose to identify themselves. We discuss the definition of queer, the paradox between stigma and finding community through labels, and why it’s important to view our experience as a human one. Cuyla also shares the three stages she went through in her life – coming out, coming home, and coming alive – and how she hopes to help others reclaim their identity, as well as why she believes that the only way we can shift societal perceptions is thorough community and conversation. Tune in today to find out more! Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Cuyla Coogan on LinkedIn Cuyla Coogan on Instagram Cuyla Coogan on Facebook Cuyla Coogan LGBTQ+ Leader Global Mastermind The Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health 2020 Create the Love Podcast The Coming Alive Community Facebook Group WTF* for a Cause Nikki La Croce --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Labels & Self-Perception: How to Reclaim Your Identity

Life can sometimes feel like swimming through an ocean of emotions, distractions, and chaos, and without the proper tools to help ourselves deal with this unpredictability, it can feel like we are drowning. Sharon Zapata joins us for this episode to talk about her new book, Middle Finger Happiness, and unpack her philosophy towards self-repair, a vital part of any healthy life. We get to hear from Sharon about why she chooses to frame the attention we give ourselves and our needs in this way, the central and ongoing part that our childhoods play in our lives, and what it means to take time for oneself in 2020! Our conversation covers making better, intuitive decisions and holding the right kind of conversations, with Sharon underlining why taking good care of yourself should always be a priority. Sharon also gets into her own repair time, how she likes to recharge, and what happens when we neglect these important aspects of our lives that allow us to renew our energy. Tuning in, listeners can expect to gain some fresh perspective on dealing with those unconscious pains and traumas that crop for all of us, and Sharon generously explains how she has managed to confront her own issues in this respect. Make sure to check out Sharon’s amazing book, as it is packed with actionable and inspiring ways to live your life going forward, and tune in to hear what she has to say today! Key Points From This Episode: A little bit about Sharon’s animals, family, and dynamics at home! Sharon’s thoughts self-care, creativity, and connecting with childhood aspirations. Our early, determining years and the development of attachment styles and personality. The current moment in global history and the impetus it puts on our need to exercise self-care. Our capacity to help others around us, supporting causes, and making good decisions. Acknowledging our gut feelings and listening to our intuition! The different fears of men and women and what this indicates about society. Sharon’s thoughts on self-help books and why she prefers the term ‘self-repair’. The three ‘D’s — distractions, depression, and decisions. Healthier decisions for taking care of ourselves and those around us who are willing. The importance of conversations — fostering communication and listening skills. The me-time that Sharon keeps space for in her life. Generational trauma and breaking the cycle of pain and abuse. Risks of neglecting self-repair and Sharon’s alarms for when she needs to get out. Durability, ordinality, and irregularity; Sharon’s conception of the individual. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Self-Care: A New Discussion about an Age-old Problem

Bianca Amos (@bianca.amos) comes on the show to share her story about immigrating to Canada to pursue a better life for her and her son. Bianca is a writer, media producer, content creator and host of the Once Broken Podcast (@oncebrokenpodcast). I was so thrilled to have her on after first connecting with her here on IG. In this episode, we talk about: - The decision to leave home for another country - The challenges of being a single mother and adjusting to a new culture - Letting go of fear in pursuit of an inherent purpose - How sharing real stories helps us heal This episode’s WhoTheF*ck for a Cause is in support of Matthew House Toronto (@mhouseto), a nonprofit organization that provides food, shelter, housing, and supportive services to those in need. If you are able, please consider making a donation. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Seeking Fulfillment: The Power of Discovering Your Purpose

Learning about Alaina’s battle with cystic fibrosis offered me a great deal of perspective and hope beyond what I could have imagined. Diagnosed with CF at age 2, Alaina spent a good deal of time living her life as anyone who didn’t have a life threatening illness may do. But as Alaina’s health declined during her early adult life, she was faced with challenges most of us could never - and would never - want to fathom for ourselves or loved ones. In this episode, Alaina opens up about: What life is ike as a young person with a chronic, terminal illness Her family’s endless support and optimism despite their natural fears How she ultimately came to the decision to receive a lung transplant And how her life has changed both personally and professionally since she took such a massive leap of faith. This is one for the books. Get ready for ALL the feels. Thank you so much, Alaina, for sharing your positivity, your perspective, and your beautiful heart. This episode’s WhoTheF*ck for a Cause is in support of The Bonnell Foundation, whose purpose is to provide tools to navigate the difficulties of living with CF by connecting families with resources during their CF journey. Visit whothefck.com/donate to support their mission and check out other causes our guests are supporting! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/message

Cystic Fibrosis: A Diagnosis, Not An Identity

WhoTheF*ck? is a podcast focused on uniting people through shared stories about topics that make each guest uniquely them - events that have shaped them, career aspirations and paths, hardship, good fortune, passion, and talents. The purpose of the WTF* brand is to create a safe space for self exploration and questioning the status quo in an effort to eliminate demographic limitations and create content that is universally impactful. Each episode has a different theme, which is intended to spark conversation that empowers listeners to create connection, fuel compassion, and activate change. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/whothefck/support

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WhoTheF*ck?

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