Ramblings of a Restless Mind

Podcast Cary
Podcast Cary
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Ramblings of a Restless Mind, where curiosity leads the way! Join Jen Bordeaux and DeJah Debon as they journey through random thoughts, wild ideas, and deep dives into everything from life’s big questions to quirky obsessions. Each episode explores topics ranging from philosophy and pop culture to the thoughts that keep us up at night. If you love to laugh, think, and ramble along with us, this show is for you!

  1. 5h ago

    Building Community & Protecting Kids with SAFEchild’s Nakisha

    Jen and co-host Dejah open by joking about aging, “over the hill,” and Halloween as they prepare to take Deja’s unfinished travel bus on its first campground trip for their annual decorated Yogi Bear/Jellystone Halloween outing (complete with fog machines and adult Jell-O shots). They welcome guest Nakisha, a Texas-raised new Raleigh resident and director of the Child Advocacy Center at SAFEchild, who discusses starting over in her 40s, how she tried to make friends through a community post, and what the Advocacy Center does: providing a safe, coordinated place for children to share abuse details once through non-leading forensic interviews, medical evaluations, and family advocacy with partner agencies. The conversation also covers secondary trauma support for staff, self-care, the importance of funding/donations, and ends with light Q&A, including the “hot dog sandwich” debate and a listener voicemail about speaking up. 00:00 Turning 41 and Over the Hill 00:45 Bus Trip and Campground Plans 02:21 Halloween Camping Traditions 04:57 Meet Nakisha from SAFEchild 08:37 Texas to Raleigh and BBQ Talk 11:14 Making Friends as an Adult 21:51 Inflatable Unicorn and Bio Bits 26:18 What SAFEchild Advocacy Center Does 29:28 Forensic Interviews Explained 33:55 Why Supporting Kids Matters 40:18 Secondary Trauma and Staff Care 41:13 SEA CERT Explained 42:53 Coworker Support Limits 44:38 Team Intervention Moment 48:48 Funding and Staff Needs 49:47 Funny Tummy Feelings Impact 55:57 Parent Trust in Interviews 58:35 After Work Self Care 01:02:12 Rapid Fire Fun Questions 01:10:20 Listener Voicemail on Speaking Up 01:20:33 Closing Thanks and Takeaways

  2. Oct 6

    SAFEchild, Special Victims Work, and Finding Strength: Ramblings with ADA Melanie Shekita

    In this episode of Ramblings of a Restless Mind, co-hosts Jen and Dejah welcome Melanie Shekita, an assistant district attorney in Wake County with nearly 28 years at the DA’s office and team leader of the Special Victims Unit, longtime SafeChild partner, and former volunteer firefighter. Melanie shares how she became involved with SafeChild, the growth of the organization and its Child Advocacy Center, and why a nonprofit-based, child-friendly forensic interview model matters for reducing retraumatization and improving accountability. The conversation covers the far-reaching impact of sexual abuse on families, the need for CAC services across counties, and the realities of secondary trauma for prosecutors and investigators, along with Melanie’s coping outlets like cycling and her rescue dogs. They end with lighter listener questions and opinions on everyday debates. 00:00 Bravery and Healing 00:36 Show Intro and Jingle 01:37 Meet Melanie Shekita 03:35 Bio and Firefighter Life 04:41 Belichick Side Rant 06:19 SafeChild Gala Story 08:08 One in Four Kids 11:46 DA Path to SVU 13:57 Building the Advocacy Center 17:02 New SafeChild Facility 18:41 Fundraising and Foster Care 24:12 Volunteer Firefighting Origin 26:14 Coping With Trauma 34:10 Remote Testimony for Kids 35:28 Safe Child Forensic Interviews 36:44 Expanding CAC Services 39:38 Hot Dog Sandwich Debate 41:03 Song Stuck on Repeat 42:05 AI Fears and Regulation 46:48 Voicemail Petty Hills 52:36 Cancel Culture and Comments 57:00 Wrap Up and Dog Talk

  3. Sep 22

    West Coast Road Trip, Bus Build Updates, Concert Controversy & Remembering Dolly Parton

    Jen and DeJah return from a summer hiatus to recap recent meaningful episodes (including a Mother’s Day special with their mom and a guest appearance by Tim “Big Sarge” from Sons of Liberty, with a live shoot planned in October). They ramble about highlights from a largely unplanned West Coast trip—San Francisco (Alcatraz, Ghirardelli, driving the Golden Gate Bridge), the Redwoods, Humboldt County ranch stay with dispensary tours and an infinity-pool “spiritual” moment, and Portland during Pride Weekend, including an Airbnb heat/AC struggle and a late-night “plum massacre.” Joe describes a Michigan family trip to a deer farm and updates progress on DeJah's bus-to-RV conversion. The conversation turns to politics and free speech around Macklemore being removed from an Ed Sheeran lineup by stadium owners, potential concert cancellation impacts, voting-roll concerns, and a tribute to Dolly Parton’s legacy and Imagination Library support. 00:00 Back From Hiatus 00:54 Recapping Big Episodes 01:45 Joe Joins On Camera 03:03 Summer Heat Talk 03:46 West Coast Trip Begins 04:22 San Francisco Highlights 07:16 Humboldt Ranch Retreat 08:23 Redwoods And Portland 09:43 Plum Tree Airbnb Chaos 12:50 Cooling Hacks And Pride Weekend 14:44 Back Home And Fall Hopes 14:58 Joe Summer And Boone Heat 16:26 Michigan Trip Deer Farm Debate 18:21 Barndominium Airbnb Talk 19:35 Albino Deer Banter 20:09 Bus Build Update 21:38 Tariffs And Gas Rant 22:57 Ed Sheeran Show Risk 24:08 Macklemore Controversy 27:44 Free Speech And Money 32:26 Sponsor Break 33:43 Concerts As Safe Spaces 37:26 Dolly Parton Tribute 45:28 Dolly Quotes And Legacy 47:08 Wrap Up And Vote

  4. Jun 2

    Big Sarge (Sons of Liberty) on Vet Voices, Progressive Candidates, and Turning Rage Into Votes

    Jen and DeJah welcome Tim “Big Sarge,” founder of Sons of Liberty, a veteran-led activist content community that grew from a Facebook rant page into a multi-platform presence after viral posts and a later Facebook takedown. Big Sarge explains how he used pro-patriot branding to counter MAGA narratives, shifted from historical “Confederate Heritage Month” content to viral “truck rant” videos, and then stepped back due to fatigue and audience pressure for entertainment over substance. He emphasizes that the work he most wants supported is their Tuesday 7 PM Eastern YouTube livestream interviews with progressive, non-establishment candidates (including Courage Caucus and impeachment-supporting contenders), urging viewers to get informed and vote. The conversation also covers protest safety resources, veterans’ political diversity, party dynamics, merch origins like “brisket and t*****s,” and the need for renewed protest music. 00:00 Vote Over Virality00:43 Meet Big Sarge05:17 Sons of Liberty Origins08:11 Viral Growth and Takedowns12:09 Truck Rants and Brand Dilution16:29 Candidate Interviews Matter28:33 Protest Safety and Education31:27 Sponsor Break NC Estate Solutions32:25 Veterans Finding a Voice34:40 MAGA vs GOP and Veteran Policy39:25 Trust But Verify40:22 MAGA Infighting Watch45:02 GOP Discipline Vs Left47:23 Reclaiming Symbols48:40 Brisket And Titties54:08 Hot Dog Philosophy56:34 Where Did Protest Music Go01:04:55 Activist Festival Blueprint01:09:17 Support Artists And Activism01:11:48 Where To Watch Streams01:14:28 Closing Thanks And Call01:16:46 Podcast Outro Voicemail

  5. May 19

    The Return of Cheryl (Mom) Part 2

    Motherhood, Boundaries, and Single-Mom Strength | Ramblings of a Restless Mind In this episode, the host interviews her mom about motherhood, parenting, and family, including stories from labor and delivery and how witnessing birth can change perspectives. They discuss parenting as choosing battles, setting boundaries, following through with discipline, building respect without relying on patriarchal “wait till your dad gets home” dynamics, and the challenges of raising kids in a device-driven culture. The conversation also covers societal pressure around having children and gratitude for a mom who never judged her daughter for not becoming a parent. The mom shares what helped her children through divorce—perseverance, honest communication about life changes, and refusing to speak badly about their father—plus how she coped with kids leaving home by embracing each life chapter, loosening “apron strings,” and trusting the values she taught. The episode closes with appreciation for chosen family, love, and resilience. 00:00 Meet Mom and Gigi00:26 Reality of Childbirth01:02 Pain Relief and Respect02:52 Picking Battles as Parents03:39 Mom as Authority05:23 Boundaries and Teaching07:12 Discipline and Follow Through12:11 Tech and Kid Independence14:06 Choosing Childfree Without Shame16:17 Society Shifts on Parenthood18:57 A Welcoming No Judgment Home19:52 Questioning and Gratitude20:22 Divorce Single Mom Question23:12 Kids Perspective and Co Parenting25:32 Strength Through Divorce27:32 Lioness Tribute and Sponsor28:49 Empty Nest Heartache32:37 Letting Go and Trust35:37 Respect and Check Ins37:58 Proud Mom Moments39:20 Family Love and Farewell

  6. May 5

    Mother’s Day Special: Cheryl (Mom) Part 1

    In this Mother’s Day–themed episode of Ramblings With the Restless Mind, the hosts welcome Jen’s mom (and DeJah’s adopted mom) Cheryl, a retired RN who worked many years in labor and delivery before finishing her career in an OB-GYN clinic and retiring in December 2021. They celebrate Cheryl’s love of themed parties, music, and the Dallas Cowboys, and highlight her “claim to fame” of being the nurse for Steve Perry’s daughter’s C-section delivery, describing his down-to-earth demeanor and the challenge of protecting privacy. Cheryl shares how living in Germany for a year shaped her, how her father “Marv” raised three daughters after her mother and sister died in a car accident, and how she approached parenting boundaries, single motherhood, and supporting her children, including respecting Jen’s choice not to have kids. 00:00 Warm Welcome and Spring Check-In01:43 Meet Cheryl Bonus Mom04:03 Nursing Career and Women’s Care06:21 Steve Perry Delivery Story09:11 Mother’s Day Spotlight and Gratitude12:40 Germany Move and Early Marriage15:10 Fan Sleep Tradition and Hurricane Chaos17:41 Hot Seat Questions Begin19:26 Parent vs Friend Boundaries21:12 Parenting Boundaries22:33 Marv Steps Up24:29 Fatherhood Contrast25:46 Dancing Memories26:32 Sponsor Break27:30 Disco Night Story29:45 Learning Without Mom32:16 Single Mom Reflections37:51 Mother’s Day Grief40:28 Hip Fusion Resilience43:26 Dreams Beyond Iowa45:17 Choosing Childfree46:41 Wrap Up and Teaser Connect with Us: Email: arestlessmindpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: instagram.com/ramblingsofarestlessmindpodWebsite: https://ramblingsofarestlessmind.transistor.fm/Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2fazFuSWWoLmnEbLP0e4lRApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ramblings-of-a-restless-mind/id1784103773iHeart: iheart.com/podcast/246199720

  7. Apr 7

    Thanks for listening - Wash your A$$ Please

    On this episode of Ramblings of a Restless Mind, the hosts reflect on small moments of being seen, sparked by a new black Claddagh ring and ancestry DNA results confirming Irish and Scottish heritage with small Egyptian and Swedish percentages. DeJah recounts a chaotic, dangerous multi-state trip involving a bad car purchase, breakdowns, rental car issues, and driving through multiple whiteout blizzards to reach her brother and return home. The conversation shifts into an extended political rant opposing sending Americans to war over oil, criticizing Trump’s claims of ending multiple conflicts, and citing budget figures for the Pentagon, ICE, healthcare spending, and universal healthcare estimates, while naming Americans they say have died recently. The episode ends with a voicemail confession about hating Valentine’s Day, texts about washing feet in the shower, and a question about what dreams came true since age 18. 00:00 Show Intro and Vibes 00:25 Claddagh Ring Story 01:45 Ring Meaning and Jokes 03:25 Car Disaster Road Trip 06:59 Blizzards and Survival 10:13 CDs and Road Music 11:23 War and Iran Rant 15:40 Trump Claims Ending Wars 21:01 American Deaths and ICE 25:19 No Kings Protests and Politics 30:12 Viruses and Anti Science 33:14 Call to Speak Up and Vote 36:24 Marine Assault and Outrage 38:26 Veterans Loss and Reality 41:09 Breather and Moving On 41:28 Unnamed War Helpers 41:38 Trump Rant Break 42:26 Podcast Balance Talk 43:18 Estate Solutions Ad 44:14 Voicemail Valentines Confession 48:03 Valentines Pressure Dating 50:21 Text Question Wash Feet 53:49 Hygiene Rant Wash Ass 01:00:37 Life Hard Talk To 18 01:01:14 Dreams Survival And Self Love 01:09:37 Grace And Sign Off Connect with Us: Email: arestlessmindpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: instagram.com/ramblingsofarestlessmindpodWebsite: https://ramblingsofarestlessmind.transistor.fm/Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2fazFuSWWoLmnEbLP0e4lRApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ramblings-of-a-restless-mind/id1784103773iHeart: iheart.com/podcast/246199720

  8. Mar 24

    Ghosting, Comedy, and Clarity with Comedian Ashley Preston

    Hosts Jen Bordeaux and DeJah Debon welcome Raleigh-based comedian and performer Ashley Preston, who shares her background, comedy work, and experiences as a Lyft driver, plus lighthearted talk about bowling, tennis, and being recognized in public. The conversation centers on modern dating frustrations—ghosting, love bombing, insecurity around performers, and men competing with her comedy—along with why clear communication and maintaining standards matter. They discuss self-sufficiency, not settling, dating as a way to see real-life behavior, and wanting partnership without sacrificing peace, while swapping stories about bad gifts, low-effort dates, and how dating apps create endless options. Ashley reflects on outgrowing certain friendships, plugs her socials and clean-comedy group, and the episode ends with questions about whether a hot dog is a sandwich and the last song stuck in her head. 00:00 Materialistic Man Roast 00:31 Podcast Welcome Chaos 01:31 Meet Comedian Ashley 04:28 Tennis Not Pickleball 05:11 Bowling Talk And Tips 07:53 Comedy For A Cause 08:53 Getting Recognized In Public 11:34 Ghosting And Petty Texts 19:29 Dating As A Performer 21:06 Soft Pretzel Standards 23:21 Priorities Love Bombing 28:46 Dating Expectations And Gifts 31:33 Harbor Freight Gift Fail 33:03 Communication Bar Is Low 33:34 Worst Gifts Stories 36:11 Ghosting And Blocking 38:18 Standards And Single Life 41:23 Partnership Not Parenting 42:30 Perpetual Bachelor Red Flags 46:41 Pay Your Own Way 48:21 Dating Needs Real Effort 51:18 Trust Your Gut Advice 52:45 Hot Dog Sandwich Debate 56:22 Friendships Outgrown 58:56 Where To Find Ashley 01:01:05 Final Laugh Through Darkness Connect with Us: Email: arestlessmindpodcast@gmail.comInstagram: instagram.com/ramblingsofarestlessmindpodWebsite: https://ramblingsofarestlessmind.transistor.fm/Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2fazFuSWWoLmnEbLP0e4lRApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ramblings-of-a-restless-mind/id1784103773iHeart: iheart.com/podcast/246199720

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to Ramblings of a Restless Mind, where curiosity leads the way! Join Jen Bordeaux and DeJah Debon as they journey through random thoughts, wild ideas, and deep dives into everything from life’s big questions to quirky obsessions. Each episode explores topics ranging from philosophy and pop culture to the thoughts that keep us up at night. If you love to laugh, think, and ramble along with us, this show is for you!

Information

  • Channel
    Podcast Cary
  • Creator
    Jen Bordeaux and DeJah Debon
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ©2024

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