My Crunchy Zen Era

Nicole Swisher
  • 5.0 (12)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Just your average millennial with a traumatic brain injury trying to simplify life in a chaotic world. Since I don't remember half of what I hear, the best option was obviously to record smart or interesting people (sometimes… they’re even both!!) answering my questions about life. And it'd just be downright awkward if I didn't share it on a podcast.  Welcome to My Crunchy Zen Era... we're not exactly sure what it is but we're figuring it out! Hosted by Nicole Swisher.

  1. 19H AGO

    Faith, Motherhood, Recovery... and ADHD with The Recovering Californian Carollynn Xavier

    Send us a text Trigger Warning: Discussion of Suicide in the Episode. Nicole sits down with Internet personality Carollynn Xavier. A self described driven weirdo that accepts herself.. Carollynn has built an audience as the Recovering Californian.. a transplant from the west coast adjusting quite nicely to the slower pace afforded with Southern Living. Carollynn is an Orthodox Christian Catechumen, former atheist, recovering love addict, and Mom! Carollynn and Nicole discuss what it truly means to turn your life around with your faith! They discuss priorities and how to make your life work in whatever situation you find yourself in. Enjoy the episode?  Follow the show, share the episode with someone who needs a feel good turn around story, and leave a quick review.  Guest: Carollynn Xavier Pre-Order Carollynn's Book Connect with Nicole: InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookAffiliate Links: Tielka Affiliate Link - For amazing tea!Bon Charge Affiliate Link - Get some red light and block those nasty EMFs!

    51 min

  2. JAN 8

    A Notch Above Base Settings: From the Ballet World to the Stand Up Stage with Judson Veach

    Send us a text What makes a ballerina leave the world they know and pivot to making people laugh?  Nicole sits down with comedian Judson Veach to find out. They took the same stand up comedy class and Nicole is delighted to check in with her former classmate! Judson talks about his journey of turning funny parent rants into an actual online following...And how ballet took an Ohio boy to New York then eventually Nashville... where he found his love of Stand Up Comedy! Nicole also gets it out of Judson that he initially dated his wife's roommate before realizing their true love! Nicole even gets a quick lesson in Numerology! Enjoy the episode?  Follow the show, share the episode with someone who needs a twirl around the room, and leave a quick review.  Guest: Judson Veach Connect with Nicole: InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookAffiliate Links: Tielka Affiliate Link - For amazing tea!Bon Charge Affiliate Link - Get some red light and block those nasty EMFs!

    46 min

  3. 12/04/2025 · BONUS

    Holiday Hiatus: We'll be back Jan. 8, 2026!

    Send us a text We're taking a holiday hiatus to get some rest and spend time with family and friends!  The next episode will be back on January 8, 2026.  See you then!

    21 sec

  4. 11/27/2025

    Midwestern Salads, Turkey Spam, and Other Holiday Crimes: A Thanksgiving Special

    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 eggs like a sacred inheritance. Stretchy pants recommended. Emotional support pie optional. Lime Jello Salad Recipe Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe Enjoy the episode?  Follow the show, share the episode with someone who needs a Thanksgiving recipe, and leave a quick review.  Connect with Nicole: InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebook

    47 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Toupees, Chickens, and the Slow Build of Standup Comedy with Alex Velluto

    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. And yes… there’s a chicken movie. A real one. With velociraptors. Heart, humor, and a touch of chaos—this episode is your vibe. Enjoy the episode?  Follow the show, share the episode with someone who needs a toupee, and leave a quick review.  Recommendations: Save the CatBranch BasicsGuest: Alex Velluto Connect with Nicole: InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookAffiliate Links: Tielka Affiliate Link - For amazing tea!Bon Charge Affiliate Link - Get some red light and block those nasty EMFs!

    41 min

  6. 11/13/2025

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

    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 bigger life decisions. From there, they chat about finding purpose, and how marriage and memory can be quiet anchors in seasons of big change. Stuart shares how he bets on leaders, not logos, and why having backup plans isn’t fear—it’s strategy. They get into all of it: toxic bosses, pivots, faith, politics, personality tests, and the lesson that timing rules everything. His biggest takeaway? Family first—because once your kids hit sixteen, time speeds up fast. It’s part career therapy, part faith journey, and full of that crunchy zen mix of humor, reflection, and real talk. Enjoy the episode?  Follow the show, share the episode with someone who needs some encouragement, and leave a quick review.  Recommendations: Bible AppRyze Mushroom CoffeeGuest: Stuart Cooper Connect with Nicole: InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookAffiliate Links: Tielka Affiliate Link - For amazing tea!Bon Charge Affiliate Link - Get some red light and block those nasty EMFs!

    47 min

  7. 11/06/2025

    Nashville Travel Tips, the FTC, and Inappropriate Dating Questions with Sarah Beth Schulte

    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 sanity) in check. Enjoy the episode?  Follow the show, share the episode with someone who needs a trip to Nashville, and leave a quick review.  Recommendations: Free One-Day Nashville ItineraryKoréScreenzenDenny Cove Trail in South Cumberland State ParkGuest: Sarah Beth Schulte @thetipjarnashthetipjarnash.com@40datespodcastConnect with Nicole: InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookAffiliate Links: Tielka Affiliate Link - For amazing tea!Bon Charge Affiliate Link - Get some red light and block those nasty EMFs!

    43 min

  8. 10/30/2025

    The Science of Joy: How Positive Psychology Can Rewire Your Life with Jackie Oña Cascarano

    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, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement — basically the five ingredients for a well-balanced brain smoothie). She and Nicole dig into how to weave those elements into real life — especially when your calendar looks like a CVS receipt. Expect fresh takes on gratitude, micro-joys, and why chasing “balance” might be missing the point. The two also get real about burnout culture, the weird perfectionism epidemic, and how the tools of Positive Psychology can help you rewire your thoughts, reclaim your purpose, and maybe even enjoy your to-do list. Jackie’s story — from courtroom chaos to coaching clarity — is proof that flourishing doesn’t mean having it all figured out; it means learning to thrive, mess and all. This episode feels like brain science in a cozy sweater — smart, funny, and full of “oh wow, that’s me” moments. If you’ve ever wanted to feel calmer and more alive without quitting your job to move to Bali, this conversation’s your sign. Enjoy the episode?  Follow the show, share the episode with someone who needs a little extra joy in their life, and leave a quick review.  Recommendations: The Gilded Age on NetflixHidden Holler FarmsGuest: Jackie Oña Cascarano Your Mindset CoachJuno Women's CollectiveConnect with Nicole: InstagramTikTokYouTubeFacebookAffiliate Links: Tielka Affiliate Link - For amazing tea!Bon Charge Affiliate Link - Get some red light and block those nasty EMFs!

    50 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Just your average millennial with a traumatic brain injury trying to simplify life in a chaotic world. Since I don't remember half of what I hear, the best option was obviously to record smart or interesting people (sometimes… they’re even both!!) answering my questions about life. And it'd just be downright awkward if I didn't share it on a podcast.  Welcome to My Crunchy Zen Era... we're not exactly sure what it is but we're figuring it out! Hosted by Nicole Swisher.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole Swisher
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My Crunchy Zen Era
  • Show Website
    My Crunchy Zen Era