Glow Wild

Nicole Gaitan

Welcome to Glow Wild. I’m Nicole, mother to two and mother to a stage four cancer warrior, and this is the space where we talk honestly about pain, transformation, and the joy waiting on the other side. Through this podcast, I’m sharing my own story—what it means to keep going when life knocks you down and how hope can rise from the darkest times. If you’re hurting, grieving, or searching for light, you’re in the right place. xx Nicole

  1. Career Change Confidence: Starting Fresh at Any Age with Kathi Holzer

    10/27/2025

    Career Change Confidence: Starting Fresh at Any Age with Kathi Holzer

    Send us a text What happens when you step into an entirely new chapter of your life — and find your greatest joy waiting for you there? In this heartfelt episode of Glow Wild, host Nicole Gaitan sits down with Kathi Holzer, a former physical education teacher who discovered a deep love for painting later in life. After retiring from a long and fulfilling teaching career, Kathi felt an unexpected pull toward art — a passion so strong her husband built her a backyard studio to bring her creative vision to life. But Kathi’s story runs deeper than paint and canvas. Diagnosed with **Type 1 diabetes at 40 — and later walking alongside her granddaughter through the same diagnosis — Kathi has transformed her pain into purpose. Her artwork has become a space for healing, joy, and legacy. In this conversation, we explore: 🌿 Finding new purpose and passion later in life🩺 Navigating a major health diagnosis with resilience🎨 How painting became a powerful form of therapy💫 The joy of creating a legacy that lives beyond youKathi’s journey is a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, embrace creativity, and live in vibrant color. “Painting and drawing became my new passion. It’s a new world for me, and I can’t imagine missing a day in that world’s endless possibilities.” — Kathi Holzer🎧 Listen now to Glow Wild for an inspiring story about reinvention, joy, and the healing power of art. Connect with Kathi at her website: https://kathiholzerart.com/ Support the show

    57 min
  2. ENCORE: Life is a Love Story: A Mother's Final Days with Her 11 Year Old Cancer Warrior, Parker

    10/22/2025

    ENCORE: Life is a Love Story: A Mother's Final Days with Her 11 Year Old Cancer Warrior, Parker

    Send us a text 🌿 Revisiting this incredibly moving episode this week. In this powerful and heart-wrenching episode, Nicole sits down with Heather Manson—a devoted mother, trauma survivor, yoga teacher, and fierce advocate for pediatric cancer research. Heather shares her journey through the unimaginable: losing her 11-year-old daughter Parker to a rare form of soft tissue sarcoma after a two-year battle filled with surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. But Heather's story is not just about grief—it's about resilience, transformation, and choosing purpose in the face of devastation. Just months after Parker’s diagnosis, Heather herself was involved in a traumatic accident that left her with a broken back, pelvis, and foot. She was bedridden, in recovery, while spending countless nights beside her daughter’s hospital bed. Together, Nicole and Heather reflect on: What it means to mother through trauma and lossThe moments of light that broke through the darkest daysHow grief changes us—not just emotionally, but physically and spirituallyThe power of honoring our children’s legacies through action and advocacyThe creation of the Little p Project, a nonprofit born from heartbreak and hopeThis episode is a sacred invitation to witness what it looks like to keep loving, living, and showing up—even when the unimaginable happens. 💛 About Heather Manson: Mom of three: Maisey, Gates, and Parker (who would be 14)Founder of Little p Project — supporting pediatric sarcoma research and families in treatmentFormer pharmacist of 17 yearsYoga teacher and advocate for mindful healingCurrently living in Park City, Utah with her family🕊️ In Honor of Parker: Parker was a bright, brave 11-year-old who loved deeply, fought fiercely, and inspired everyone she met. Her legacy lives on through the Little p Project and the countless lives her story continues to touch. 🧡 Support & Resources: Donate to the Little p Project: www.littlepproject.orgLearn more about pediatric sarcoma: Sarcoma Foundation of AmericaGrief support resources: The Dougy Center | Compassionate FriendsFollow Heather's journey on Instagram: @littlepproject🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if this episode moved you. Sharing stories like Heather’s helps build a community of healing—and keeps Parker’s light shining. Half Serious Real hardships, raw situations, gallows humor, and no matter what, how to keep going. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the show Support the show

    1h 34m
  3. Surviving the Palisades Fire: Sarah Silver on Losing Her Home, Rebuilding Life & Finding Strength

    10/20/2025

    Surviving the Palisades Fire: Sarah Silver on Losing Her Home, Rebuilding Life & Finding Strength

    Send us a text ✨ Podcast Show Notes Episode Title: Surviving the Palisades Fire: Sarah Silver on Losing Her Home, Rebuilding Life & Finding Strength Podcast: Glow Wild In this powerful and intimate conversation, host Nicole sits down with Sarah Silver — a woman whose life was forever changed when the Palisades Fire tore through her neighborhood, destroying her home and so many others. Nicole and Sarah first met in the most unexpected place — the customs line in Paris this past August. What began as a casual conversation quickly revealed a story of extraordinary strength and quiet resilience. Sarah opens up about the night she lost everything, the arrest of a suspect connected to the fire, and the complicated emotions that come with seeking justice. She shares what it’s really like to navigate grief in the aftermath of disaster — from the silence after the headlines fade to the slow, sacred work of rebuilding a life. Together, they talk about: 🕯️ What it feels like to lose everything in an instant⚖️ Her emotional response to the recent arrest tied to the fire🌿 The deep lessons she’s learned about resilience, community, and hope🏡 How her idea of “home” has evolved through both fire and recent flooding✨ What she wants others facing loss to know about healingToday, Sarah continues to move forward with courage and purpose — not just as a survivor, but as a woman determined to build beauty from ashes. She also runs a thriving travel business, Seamless Destinations, helping others create unforgettable journeys around the world. 🧭 Connect with Sarah 🌐 www.seamlessdestinations.com 📸 Instagram: @seamlessdestinations 💛 Join the Glow Wild Community If Sarah’s story moved you, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. ✨ Follow the podcast @glowwildpodcast and for more heartfelt, empowering conversations rate, review and follow our show wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 Leave us a review — your words help amplify stories like Sarah’s. NOKA OrganicsOn-the-go smoothie pouches - real, organic fruits, veggies, plant protein, and superfoods. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

    58 min
  4. Encore: She survived cancer, addiction and suicide. Now, she’s unstoppable.

    09/29/2025

    Encore: She survived cancer, addiction and suicide. Now, she’s unstoppable.

    Send us a text From July 2025- Guest: Katrina Clauson (Kat) — 3x Cancer Survivor, Sobriety Warrior, Suicide Survivor & Advocate, Deputy Coroner 🔥 Episode Summary: What does it take to face death, addiction, abuse, and public tragedy—and still rise up more grounded, more generous, and more you than ever? In today’s gripping and informative episode of Glow Wild, we sit down with an extraordinary guest: a three-time cancer survivor, a woman who faced the dark trenches of addiction, and someone who served as a deputy coroner on the nationally-covered Gabby Petito case. After surviving a suicide attempt, she has turned her pain into purpose, becoming a fierce advocate for suicide prevention and women’s safety. Through grief, trauma, anger, and radical self-inquiry, she found her way not just back—but forward. She’s here to share the unfiltered truth about what it means to show up as your authentic self—especially when life has tried to knock you down again and again. We explore: 🎗️ How surviving cancer three times changed her relationship with fear, control, and grace 🧨 Why anger is often just a “blanket emotion”—and how to peel it back to what’s really underneath 💔 What she learned from working the Gabby Petito case, and how it shifted her view on humanity and healing 🥃 Her raw and real journey to sobriety, and the tools she still uses every single day 🧠 Her experience surviving a suicide attempt—and how she now advocates for mental health and suicide prevention 🚨 Her message to anyone in an abusive relationship: You are not alone. There are resources out there and it's NOT ok to stay. 🧰 Her go-to mental health and spiritual toolkit for navigating trauma, addiction, and identity 💡 The moment she realized: “I’m not just surviving anymore—I’m meant to serve” This is not just an episode about resilience. It’s about transformation. It’s about becoming the kind of person you were born to be—not in spite of your pain, but because of it. ✨ Whether you’re walking through fire or finally coming up for air, this episode is your permission slip to show up, speak out, and Glow Wild. 🛟 If You’re Struggling or Need Help: You are not alone. Please save or share these resources: 🧠 SUICIDE & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT (U.S.): 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 https://988lifeline.org Crisis Text Line – Text HELLO to 741741 https://www.crisistextline.org 💔 SUPPORT FOR ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS (U.S.): National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788 https://www.thehotline.org Women’s Law: Resources by State – https://www.womenslaw.org If you're outside the U.S., please consult your country’s local crisis services. 🔗 Resources & Mentions: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma Bessel van der Kolk M.D. 💌 Support the Show: If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Rate & review on Apple or Spotify to help others find us. Want to keep these stories going? Visit the Support Link at the bottom of this page to help support our mission. 🧡 Connect with Nicole & Glow Wild: Instagram: @glowwildpodcast Support the show Support the show

    1h 21m
  5. From Patient Care to System Change: Glenn D. Steele Jr., M.D., Ph.D. on the Future of Healthcare

    09/18/2025

    From Patient Care to System Change: Glenn D. Steele Jr., M.D., Ph.D. on the Future of Healthcare

    Send us a text 🔍 Episode Summary: What does it take to reshape the healthcare system from the inside out? In this powerful episode, Dr. Glenn D. Steele Jr. reflects on his multi-decade career—from hands-on patient care to pioneering leadership roles in academic medicine and health system innovation. Nicole and Dr. Steele talk candidly about: How trust shapes patient outcomesThe critical shift from fee-for-service to value-based careWhat really matters in patient-doctor relationshipsHow high-trust systems can transform lives, especially in cancer careThe surprising failures that taught the biggest lessonsWhether you’re a patient navigating a diagnosis or someone working in healthcare, this episode is packed with wisdom, vulnerability, and actionable advice. 📌 Key Topics: Transitioning from surgeon to healthcare leaderWorking with high-performing, “hard to manage” innovatorsThe evolution of cancer care: from radical surgeries to patient-centered innovationHow to advocate for yourself or loved ones in complex medical systemsThe importance of trust between patients, providers, and healthcare organizationsBuilding systems that support — rather than overwhelm — doctorsLessons learned from failure and transformation in leadership📝 Listener Takeaways: How to identify a high-trust healthcare organizationThe most important question to ask your doctor:“How will this test or treatment change my care?”Why even “routine care” deserves serious attentionYou shouldn’t have to choose between clinical expertise and compassionate care📍 Quote Highlights: “There's no such thing as an impertinent question in healthcare.” – Dr. Glenn Steele“If your provider gets nervous or defensive when you ask something simple, that’s a red flag.”“In the 1980s, letting women lead in surgical training was radical — now it's a given. That kind of change matters.”“You can’t expect individual doctors to keep up with everything — they need a system behinSupport the show

    1h 6m
  6. Life After Life: Finding Joy Without the Near-Death Wake-Up Call with Amy Ciampi

    09/08/2025

    Life After Life: Finding Joy Without the Near-Death Wake-Up Call with Amy Ciampi

    Send us a text What does it really mean to live fully? For today’s guest, Amy Ciampi, the answer came in the most unexpected — and harrowing — way. At just 29 years old, seven miles into her fifth 100-mile ultramarathon, Amy went into sudden cardiac arrest. For 45 minutes, strangers fought to keep her alive in the Wasatch wilderness until help arrived. She survived against all odds, but survival was only the beginning. Amy was forced to trade her identity as an ultrarunner for a life that looked nothing like the one she trained for. The road back was long — through months of therapy, years of sensory overload, and the grief of losing the body and lifestyle she once knew. But through it all, Amy discovered something powerful: joy doesn’t have to wait for the big milestones, the bucket-list races, or — God forbid — a near-death experience. Joy is available every single day, if we’re willing to notice it. In this deep and moving conversation, Amy and I explore: The moment that changed her life forever during her 5th ultramarathon.The resilience it took to rebuild her life, piece by piece, after cardiac arrest.How to find joy and gratitude in ordinary moments — without waiting for tragedy to wake us up.What she’s learned about identity, purpose, and living fully in the “after.”Why joy is not a luxury, but a choice we can make daily.Amy’s story is a reminder that we don’t need to almost lose our lives to finally start living them. This conversation will inspire you to find your joy now — in the smallest moments, in the everyday breath you take, and in the simple miracle of being alive. 🎧 Press play to be reminded that today — exactly as it is — is a gift worth celebrating. Support the show

    1h 31m
  7. Power Couple Energy: Aligning Love, Ambition, and Legacy with Ashley Diprisco

    09/04/2025

    Power Couple Energy: Aligning Love, Ambition, and Legacy with Ashley Diprisco

    Send us a text What does it take to build a relationship that lasts—and a career that thrives? In this episode of Glow Wild, we sit down with Ashley Diprisco, powerhouse real estate broker, community leader, and editor of The Scout Guide Jackson Hole. Ashley’s story is one of resilience, partnership, and redefining success as a woman in a male-dominated industry. For 26 years, Ashley has walked side by side with her high school sweetheart and now-husband, Mike—building not only a family but a foundation that has fueled her success in luxury real estate. From winning Agent of the Year and Rising Starawards, to speaking on national stages like Inman Luxury Connect, Ashley has proven that drive and ambition don’t have to come at the cost of love and longevity. In this conversation, we dive into: ✨ How to align your goals with your partner and grow together, not apart ✨ The daily habits and communication that fuel lasting relationships ✨ Ashley’s journey as a woman rising in the competitive world of luxury real estate ✨ Why resilience, grit, and staying client-focused have been the keys to her professional success ✨ What it means to create your own definition of “having it all” in love, work, and life This episode is part heart-to-heart, part masterclass in ambition, and all about what’s possible when love and purpose move in sync. Whether you’re building a business, building a marriage, or both—you’ll walk away inspired by Ashley’s wisdom, grounded energy, and unstoppable drive. Support the show

    1h 4m
4.9
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

Welcome to Glow Wild. I’m Nicole, mother to two and mother to a stage four cancer warrior, and this is the space where we talk honestly about pain, transformation, and the joy waiting on the other side. Through this podcast, I’m sharing my own story—what it means to keep going when life knocks you down and how hope can rise from the darkest times. If you’re hurting, grieving, or searching for light, you’re in the right place. xx Nicole