Finding Sparkle Chasing Light Nicole Breanne

This week I introduce a new segment I’m launching, and I share a fun story of a friend I made in an unlikely place. I also talk about the new Netflix documentary series (and my subsequent deep dive) about the Murdaugh murder story.

I’m so excited to introduce “Ask Your BFF.” I have spent the last 20 years of my life externally processing every situation of mine and my friends lives through thousands of hours of beautiful conversations. Talking through my emotions, feeling seen and making sure my friends keep me in check has been one of life’s greatest gifts.

And…. everyone deserve a best friend to talk through their problems or issues with! So, that’s where I come in. Do you have a tricky scenario that you’re playing on loop in your mind that you’d love to get an unbiased opinion on? Something you just want a little extra validation about? Nothing is off limits, and I’m seriously SO excited. Oh, and don’t worry it’s 100% anonymous. Head over to https://www.findingsparklechasinglight.com/ask-your-bff and fill out as many submissions as you’d like and as often as you’d like! (Please!! And tell your friends!!)

I mentioned that I’m heading on a three week trip, and I’d love for you to follow my journey on my personal instagram @nicolebreanne and of course over at @findingsparklechasinglight. If you have anyone in Calgary or who’s going to Alt Summit who’d be down for a real, honest, candid conversation on my podcast please send me an email at nicole@findingsparklechasinglight.com.

The epic customer service came from my (now) pal Michelina over at Warby Parker. The Edgemont frames were by artist, Geoff McEtridge.

Be sure to check out Netflix’s “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal.”

To listen to the episode of My Favorite Murder I mention in the episode, you can do so here.

Today’s episode is all about vulnerability, and how it’s part of my secret sauce to a deep and meaningful friendship. I chat about the joy of meeting my besties at Jack Astors, and also share a meaningful message I received from a close friend on last week’s episode (spoiler: it will help you feel better about your current friend pauses). I share some of the reasons why being vulnerable comes easy to me, including not drinking alcohol for about 8 years and how my primary friend group was my amazing Mormon friends. I also talk about Pamela Anderson’s new documentary, “Pamela, A Love Story” and one of my favourite people’s journeys to have witnessed in real time: the inimitable Charly Goss.

If you didn’t listen to last week’s episode on Friend Pauses you can listen on Apple podcasts here and Spotify here.

Listen to my raw podcast recorded with Briana Johnson, amidst my moving boxes during my separation (now renamed to Dawnbreakers).

Listen to my episode about learning to trust my heart again after divorce on The Papaya Podcast.

The quote my ex-husband sent me was from “How Should A Person Be?” by Sheila Heti. Visit her site here.

Be sure to check out Pamela Anderson’s new documentary “Pamela, A Love Story” on Netflix, and her memoir “Love, Pamela”

And if you don’t already follow Charly Goss and her amazing team, I highly recommend. Follow Charly’s witty, stylish, sassy, vulnerable self on instagram, as well as her styling team’s instagram.

And lastly, if you don’t already follow me on instagram you can do so @findingsparklechasinglight and @nicolebreanne. Thanks so much! Don’t forget to rate and leave a review - it means the world!

Today’s episode is about friendship, identity, and grief. I talk about how society and culture are built for romantic love and we are all quite ill-prepared for the heartbreak of platonic, friendship love. I share some of my thoughts on friendship contracts: the unconscious signing of contracts when we first become friends with someone, and what that means as we grow and change as people. But most importantly, I vulnerably share how I’m in the thick of my own heartbreaking and confusing friendship pause* with one of my lifelong best friends.

*my new definition because “friend breakup” sounds so heartbreaking and finite. Plus, we can’t predict the future of our relationships so I’m choosing to use the gentle term “friend pause.”

I took a quote from the queen Brené Brown’s podcast, “Unlocking Us” called “Places We Go When the Heart is Open from Atlas of the Heart,” and you can find that episode here.

I also referenced a piece from The Atlantic called “It’s Your Friends Who Break You Heart,” which is well worth the read.

Lastly, I am obsessed with Anderson Cooper’s podcast “All There Is,” especially the episode with Stephen Colbert (one of my favourite humans). Be sure to check it out.

Finally, if anything from this episode resonated with you, I would be so grateful if you shared on social media and sent to someone in your life. And be sure to follow along on instagram at @nicolebreanne and @findingsparklechasinglight.

In honour of the season finale airing this Sunday December 11th, today’s episode is all about my obsession with The White Lotus. If you’re not familiar with the show, it follows idyllic vacationers during a weeklong stay at a White Lotus hotel, this season being in Sicily. The episodes begin with relaxed, privileged guests and each week peels back dark layers in some of the most thrilling character development I’ve ever watched. It explores themes of fantasy, lust, affairs, dysfunctional relationships and eventually death. Major kudos to writer/director Mike White for his epic attention to details, his intentional storytelling, but also his many nods to various iconic film scenes from the ages. And bless the internet for catching so many details and clues that often go right over my head!

I have scoured reddit and tiktok for all the various thoughts and theories and share everything here. I would love for you to take a listen and share your thoughts with me on instagram at @findingsparklechasinglight and my personal account @nicolebreanne. Oh, and I’m trying to share more of my love for pop culture over on tiktok, so follow me there for more!

I can’t believe this is my 10th podcast episode! Thank you so much for being here. Today I’m sharing some thoughts about Season 3 of Love is Blind on Netflix. If you haven’t watched the show, it’s basically 30 singles who “date” via pods where they can’t see each other, unless they get engaged and get to physically meet. All engaged couples live together for 3 weeks and meet each other’s family and friends, and then decide at their wedding if they want to say yes. It’s as wild as it sounds, and there are some definite twists and turns, and red flags in my opinion but I’m really rooting for one couple the hardest!

Also, I’m so excited to have one of my best friends on for part of this week’s episode. Alyssa is a brilliant photographer, the first person to hold Remy at 4 hours old, and she and her fiancé, Chris, were the photographers and witnesses for our elopement in LA. In honour of Halloween and spooky season we chat about some haunting and beautiful stories from our childhood. We want to hear more of your spooky universe stories, so be sure to message me on instagram!

Lastly, I wanted to share a documentary I watched on the weekend called “Into the Deep: The Submarine Murder Case” and I’m embarrassed to admit I had not heard of this story until now! In August 2017, Swedish journalist Kim Wall goes on a submarine ride with Peter Madsen and essentially goes missing. But what’s wild is a film crew had been following him and his team for awhile, so this documentary has footage from before it all happened, the day she went missing, and everything that followed. It was captivating from start to finish and I highly recommend it.

Oh, and if you want to learn about my RF microneedling skin treatment I’ve been getting, click here.

Special thanks to Alyssa for joining me for our chat, and of course to Lucas for producing the show. Big thanks to Mike Halyk for the music. If you have a spooky story or a wild universe story, send me a DM on instagram or write to nicole@findingsparklechasinglight.com.

Today’s episode is all about full circle moments. The last time I was in New York was when Lucas and I rang in 2020 with quite the adventure. But, I was back last week to shoot Alt Summit, which had been on pandemic-hiatus since March 2020. Yes, the last place I was before the world shut down was with some of my favourite people shooting a conference, yes doing our elbow greetings and not touching our faces, in Palm Springs.

It was so special being back with inspiring women, and old friends and on today’s show I’m sharing 5 of my top takeaways from the conference this year.

“Just because you’re not the best yet doesn’t mean you don’t belong.” Be sure to follow Kate Voegele on instagram and check out her blog she started with her sister, We The Dreamers.

“Start where you are with what you have – then take the next step” I was so inspired by Julie Lewis’ story. I highly encourage you to learn more about the 30/30 project, and give her a follow on instagram. Oh, and visit her website stillpositive.com to learn more about her book coming out in 2023.

“Grief and joy can exist together.” I met Cyndie Spiegel at both of our first Alt Summit’s several years ago. She had imploded her own life, and had this beautiful gift of making everyone around her feel so seen and loved. I have joyfully and proudly watched her build communities, start businesses, and write a book, and most recently have unfortunately watch her experience the worst tragedies imaginable. She showed up with love, vulnerability, grace and humour. Give her a follow on instagram, and check out her website. If you want to learn more about her inclusive community for 35+ women be sure to check out Dear Grown Ass Woman. I couldn’t be more excited to read her new book, Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay, which is available for pre-order now!

“The growth and opportunity is in the fear.” I am a big fan of My Unorthodox Life on Netflix so I was very excited to meet, photograph, and listen to Julia Haart’s keynote. Be sure to follow Julia on instagram, check out their show (I think Season 2 is coming out soon!) and check out her book, Brazen.

“Online friendships can be just as beautiful and special as in person ones.” I am so fortunate to have built really incredible relationships over the years at Alt Summit. We may only see each other once a year in person, but we are able to stay connected throughout the year and have seen each other through some big life stuff. I wasn’t sure what the 2.5 year break would do - but we all picked up exactly where we left off, and I am endlessly grateful for it! Alt Summit is coming back to Palm Springs in March 2023 and registration is open now, and I would LOVE to see you there.

Lastly, my Late to the Party segment featured none other than the inimitable Gabrielle Blair. From starting her blog, Design Mom, in 2016 (and being named Time Magazine’s Website of the Year among other awards), to founding Alt Summit, and becoming a NYT best-selling author for her first book, Design Mom: Living With Kids. Most recently she has entered a new kind of fame for her viral twitter threads, and her first one gained so much praise and traction that it has become a BOOK! Yes, Ejaculate Responsibly is about to change the world by flipping the abortion debate on its head. There are 28 digestible, compelling arguments about why men are actually responsibly for unwanted pregnancies, and if we want to reduce abortions we need to have men responsibly ejaculate. It’s available everywhere books are sold, but I ordered my copies locally in Toronto here.

You must follow Design Mom on instagram, where you’ll have a nice balance of beautiful renovations of the Blair family’s 1600’s home in Normany, France mixed with rage-y, funny, and mic-drop worthy tweet roundups. You should absolutely also follow Gabrielle on Twitter, at Design Mom. And, if you’re not a big twitter user you’re