Patio Talks

Patio Talks

Welcome to Patio Talks. A space where you can pull up a chair, sit back, and enjoy honest conversations, real stories, laughter, and healing. This is your mic, your moment, your patio.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Do I Feel Like I’m Running Out of Time? | Who Gave You the Deadline for Your Life?

    What if you’re not behind… you’re just following someone else’s timeline? From an early age, many of us create a mental checklist of what life is “supposed” to look like. By a certain age, we should have the career, the house, the relationship, the family, and the answers. But who decided those milestones in the first place? In this episode of Patio Talks, Gissell and Charleston explore the pressure of living on a timeline that may have never belonged to them. Together, they reflect on childhood expectations, family influence, career dreams, grief, personal reinvention, and the fear of running out of time. Charleston shares how he once believed success had to happen before a certain age and how embracing his authentic voice in music changed his perspective. Gissell opens up about growing up with a carefully planned future, only to discover that the life others envisioned for her wasn’t the life she truly wanted. This conversation is a reminder that growth doesn’t always happen on schedule, healing doesn’t follow a calendar, and success isn’t measured by how quickly you arrive. Sometimes the greatest progress begins the moment you stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s. In This Episode Why we feel pressure to reach certain milestones by a specific ageHow family, school, and society quietly shape our expectationsThe difference between being “behind” and simply taking a different pathWhy Charleston believes his later start became his greatest advantageGissell’s journey of letting go of the life others planned for herHow grief, change, and reinvention can redirect your purposeWhy your timeline doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s About Patio Talks Patio Talks is a weekly conversation hosted by Gissell Colon and Charleston Tubbs, where every episode begins with one meaningful question. Together, they explore real-life experiences, relationships, identity, leadership, personal growth, and the beliefs that quietly shape the way we live. Because sometimes the right question changes everything. Buy Us a Coffee ☕ If Patio Talks has encouraged you, challenged your perspective, or simply made you feel a little less alone, you can support the show here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thepatiotalks Your support helps us continue creating meaningful conversations, improving the show, and reaching more people around the world. Disclaimer The views and opinions shared on Patio Talks are based on our personal experiences and are intended for conversation, reflection, and educational purposes. They are not a substitute for professional medical, legal, financial, or mental health advice. Keywords personal growth, life timeline, feeling behind in life, self-discovery, purpose, success, adulthood, comparison, family expectations, grief, healing, mindset, identity, career change, relationships, life goals, motivation, authenticity, emotional growth, Patio Talks. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

  2. Jul 15

    Do Men Have to Suffer in Silence? — Men’s Mental Health, Strength & Emotions

    What does it really mean to be a strong man? From the time many boys are young, they’re told to “man up,” hide their emotions, and keep moving no matter what they’re carrying. But is staying silent really strength? In this episode of Patio Talks, Gissell and Charleston are joined by their longtime friend Alex for an honest conversation about men’s mental health, masculinity, emotions, and the different ways men learn to navigate hardship. Together, they explore how childhood shapes emotional expression, whether men should confide in their partners, what true mental strength looks like, and how each of them has learned to protect their peace while carrying the responsibilities of adulthood. Rather than searching for one “right” answer, this episode offers three different perspectives on what it means to be a man—and why respectful conversations like these matter. In this episode, we discuss: Why many boys are taught to suppress their emotionsLogic vs. emotion when facing difficult situationsWhat real strength looks like as men grow olderThe pressure to provide, protect, and keep moving forwardThe influence of fathers, grandfathers, and male role modelsMental health, resilience, and personal responsibilityHealthy ways men process overwhelming seasonsWhy asking for help isn’t always weaknessProtecting your peace while carrying life’s responsibilities About Patio Talks Patio Talks is a weekly conversation hosted by Gissell Colon and Charleston Tubbs, where we pull up a chair and have honest discussions about identity, relationships, leadership, healing, personal growth, and becoming who you’re meant to be. Through real stories and authentic conversations, our goal is to help you feel seen, encouraged, and a little less alone. Support Patio Talks If Patio Talks has encouraged you, inspired you, or reminded you that you’re not alone, you can support the show here: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/patiotalks Every contribution helps us continue creating meaningful conversations and growing this community. Disclaimer The views and experiences shared on Patio Talks are based on our personal lives, observations, and opinions. We are not licensed therapists, counselors, medical professionals, or legal advisors. Nothing in this episode should be considered professional advice. Our goal is simply to share conversations, experiences, and perspectives that have helped us along our own journey. Keywords: men’s mental health, masculinity, men’s emotions, emotional intelligence, emotional resilience, mental strength, resilience, fatherhood, leadership, personal growth, healing, relationships, men’s wellness, Patio Talks Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

  3. Jul 1

    Why Boundaries Feel Like Guilt — Protecting Your Peace Without Feeling Selfish

    Have you ever said yes when every part of you wanted to say no? In this episode of Patio Talks, we explore why setting boundaries often brings guilt, why saying no can feel selfish, and how many of us learned that our worth came from always being available for everyone else. Through personal stories, we talk about growing up as the “strong one,” feeling responsible for other people’s emotions, learning that even family doesn’t always respect healthy boundaries, and discovering that protecting your peace isn’t the same as pushing people away. We also discuss the difference between helping from love versus helping from obligation, why guilt doesn’t always mean you’re doing something wrong, and how healthy boundaries create stronger relationships built on clarity, communication, and mutual respect. If you’ve ever struggled with people pleasing, overextending yourself, or feeling responsible for everyone else’s happiness, this conversation is for you. In this episode we discuss: • Why boundaries often feel selfish
 • People pleasing and emotional responsibility 
• Family expectations and healthy boundaries
 • Choosing peace over guilt
 • Learning to say no without apologizing
 • Why healthy relationships need boundaries
 • Protecting your mental and emotional well-being About Patio Talks Patio Talks is a weekly conversation hosted by Gissell Colon and Charleston Tubbs, where we pull up a chair and have honest discussions about personal growth, relationships, healing, identity, leadership, and becoming the person you’re meant to be. Through real stories and authentic conversations, our goal is to help you feel seen, encouraged, and a little less alone. Support Patio Talks If Patio Talks has encouraged you or helped you in some way, you can support the show here: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee:
 https://buymeacoffee.com/patiotalks Every contribution helps us continue creating meaningful conversations and growing this community. Disclaimer The views and experiences shared on Patio Talks are based on our personal lives, observations, and opinions. We are not licensed therapists, counselors, medical professionals, or legal advisors. Nothing in this episode should be considered professional advice. Our goal is simply to share conversations, experiences, and perspectives that have helped us along our own journey. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

  4. Jun 24

    Who Are You Without the Struggle?

    Patio Talks Podcast | identity, healing, self-worth, personal growth, survival mode SUMMARY Have you ever wondered who you are when nobody needs you, when there’s nothing left to fix, and when life finally becomes quiet? In this episode of Patio Talks, Gissell and Charleston explore how survival, responsibility, and constantly being “the strong one” can slowly become part of our identity. Through personal stories about childhood, leadership, family expectations, and self-worth, they reflect on the hidden cost of always carrying everything and why healing sometimes feels like letting go of the version of yourself that got you here. This conversation dives into people-pleasing, over-functioning, emotional growth, and the uncomfortable realization that your value was never meant to come from suffering. Because maybe healing isn’t becoming someone new—maybe it’s remembering you were always more than your struggle. KEY QUESTIONS • Who are you when you’re not fixing something? • Can struggle quietly become part of your identity? • Why does peace sometimes feel uncomfortable? • How do you separate your self-worth from achievement and responsibility? • What does confidence look like when it’s no longer tied to survival? PATIO MOMENT “Maybe the goal isn’t to become someone new… maybe the goal is finally realizing you were always more than your struggle.” 🎧 Listen now on Patio Talks. If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who’s learning to put down the weight they’ve been carrying. SUPPORT PATIO TALKS ☕ If Patio Talks has encouraged you, challenged you, or simply kept you company during a difficult season, you can support the podcast here: ☕ Buy us a coffee: Buy Me a Coffee – Patio Talks⁠ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations and building a community where people feel seen, heard, and valued. DISCLAIMER Disclaimer: The views and experiences shared on Patio Talks are based on our personal lives, observations, and opinions. We are not licensed therapists, counselors, medical professionals, or legal advisors. Nothing in this episode should be considered professional advice. Our goal is simply to share conversations, experiences, and perspectives that have helped us along our own journey. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

  5. Jun 17

    One Year Later — What Happens When You Keep Showing Up

    SUMMARY One year ago, Gissell and Charleston pressed record without a roadmap, without a guarantee anyone would listen, and without knowing exactly where Patio Talks would lead. In this special anniversary episode, they reflect on the lessons, challenges, and unexpected growth that came from showing up week after week. From finding their voices and processing old emotions to learning the value of consistency, they share what changed over the past year and why success looks very different than they once imagined. This conversation explores the reality behind building something from the ground up, the moments they wanted to quit, the episodes that impacted them most, and the importance of continuing even when the outcome isn’t clear. Because sometimes growth doesn’t happen through big breakthroughs. Sometimes it happens by simply showing up again tomorrow. KEY QUESTIONS • Did we think Patio Talks would still be here one year later? • What was the hardest part about showing up every week? • Which episodes impacted us the most personally? • How did the podcast change us? • What surprised us most about the journey? • What does success look like now? • What are we still building? PATIO MOMENT “The goal was never perfection. The goal was to keep showing up.” 🎧 Listen now on Patio Talks. If you’ve ever started something before you felt ready, this episode is for you. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

  6. Jun 10

    Why Success Feels Weird When You’re Used to Survival — Peace, Healing & Letting Go of Chaos

    Why Success Feels Weird When You’re Used to Survival Patio Talks Podcast | survival mode, healing, peace, personal growth, emotional resilience, self-worth SUMMARY What happens when the chaos finally stops? In this episode of Patio Talks, Gissell and Charleston explore a surprising reality many people experience after years of struggle: peace can feel uncomfortable. They discuss how survival mode can become part of your identity, why calmness can feel unfamiliar, and how people sometimes mistake peace for stagnation because they have spent so much of their lives carrying responsibility, solving problems, and pushing through hardship. Through personal stories about leaving draining careers, rebuilding their lives, and learning to embrace a healthier pace, they reflect on the emotional challenges of healing and the mindset shifts required to move from survival into stability. This conversation explores the difference between self-sabotage and nervous system conditioning, the hidden cost of constantly staying busy, and why learning to receive peace can be one of the hardest parts of growth. Because sometimes the next level of healing isn’t surviving something difficult—it’s learning how to stay in something good. KEY QUESTIONS • Why does peace sometimes feel uncomfortable after years of struggle? • Can survival mode become part of your identity? • Why do people sometimes sabotage healthy relationships, opportunities, or success? • What’s the difference between self-sabotage and nervous system conditioning? • How do you learn to trust peace when chaos feels familiar? PATIO MOMENT “Maybe success feels weird when you’re used to survival because you’re finally experiencing something your younger self never got enough of: peace.” 🎧 Listen now on Patio Talks. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who’s learning that healing isn’t just getting through hard seasons—it’s learning how to stay in good ones. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

  7. Jun 3

    When Survival Was the Win — Burnout, Emotional Exhaustion & Resilience

    Patio Talks Podcast | burnout, emotional exhaustion, mental health conversations, resilience, personal growth, emotional healing, self-care Summary There’s a version of all of us that almost gave up. Not publicly. Not dramatically. Quietly. Internally. In this deeply honest episode of Patio Talks, Gissell and Charleston explore the emotional reality of silent struggles—the kind that happen behind smiles, responsibilities, and the appearance of “having it together.” From emotional burnout and mental exhaustion to the pressure of always being the strong one, this conversation unpacks what happens when life becomes heavy and survival starts looking less like thriving… and more like simply making it through the day. Charleston opens up about one of the darkest mental seasons of his life, reflecting on isolation, financial pressure, emotional overload, and the quiet realization that he had stopped fighting and was simply existing. Gissell reflects on how strength is often misunderstood, and why survival itself deserves more recognition than people give it. Together, they explore the hidden cost of carrying too much, the difference between resting and giving up, and why rebuilding yourself often happens slowly—not dramatically. In This Episode, We Explore: • What silent emotional burnout actually looks like • Why strong people often struggle in private • The emotional weight of responsibility and isolation • The difference between resting and giving up • Why self-care is survival, not selfishness • How quiet resilience can become transformation Because sometimes growth doesn’t look powerful. Sometimes it looks like surviving a season you thought would break you. 🎧 If you’ve ever smiled through exhaustion, carried more than people knew, or quietly questioned whether you could keep going—this episode is for you. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

  8. May 27

    You Don’t Actually Want It — Success, Discipline & The Truth About the Process

    Patio Talks Podcast | entrepreneurship, self-awareness, success mindset, discipline, validation, personal growth, purpose Summary Do you actually want the life you say you want… or do you just want how it looks? In this episode of Patio Talks, Gissell and Charleston unpack a hard but honest question about ambition, success, and self-awareness: are we chasing something because it truly aligns with us… or because we love the image of what it represents? From entrepreneurship and leadership pressure to perfectionism, emotional burnout, and the unrealistic expectations created by social media, this conversation explores the difference between wanting the reward and respecting the process it takes to get there. Gissell opens up about the emotional reality of entrepreneurship—the stress, the pressure, and the hidden weight that people don’t see when they romanticize working for yourself. Charleston reflects on leadership, responsibility, and the emotional exhaustion behind titles that look successful from the outside. Together, they explore why some goals feel forced, how misalignment gets mistaken for laziness, and why real success is built through discipline—not excitement. In This Episode, We Explore: • Why people fall in love with outcomes instead of the process • The emotional truth behind entrepreneurship and leadership • How social media romanticizes success • The difference between validation and genuine purpose • Why discipline matters more than motivation • How to know if a goal truly aligns with who you are Because sometimes the most freeing realization is this: You don’t need to force yourself into a life that only looks good from the outside. 🎧 If you’ve ever questioned whether your goals are truly yours or just something that looks successful—this episode is for you. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/patio-talks/donations

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Welcome to Patio Talks. A space where you can pull up a chair, sit back, and enjoy honest conversations, real stories, laughter, and healing. This is your mic, your moment, your patio.