Talk Healing to Me Kristina Nikolaj

This woman is special. Ana does some really powerful and unique work. I had the pleasure of doing a session with her and it was one of the most powerful experiences I've ever had with a coach/healer. In this episode, she shares her unconventional story on how she came to this powerful work.

Topics Discussed:


Growing up with strict Albanian parents
Moving in with her boyfriend 
Moving to India to live in an ashram
The importance of working with/learning from someone who’s teaching from experience
Her relationship with the Albanian culture
Her journey to becoming a trauma coach
Responding to triggers in relationships



Find her on instagram: @traumacoach_ana

If you're a young Albanian woman looking for some inspiration to do what's best for you (even if that means disappointing others) then this episode with Alisha Coku is the one for you. It's real. It's relatable. It's inspiring. She actually reached out to me to share her story, so I'm sure there will be many of you out there that it will speak to.



Topics Discussed:


Moving out of state just because she wanted to
Not fully fitting in with other Albanians
Fighting for a "normal" teenage life
The growth you experience from moving out
Getting pushback for her choices
Healing her relationship with being Albanian

I walked away feeling really inspired after this call, you guys, and I know you will too. Dita, the host of the podcast, Vajza and Gra, shares her journey with the podcast and her personal growth along with it. It's deep. It's real. It's vulnerable. And I know many of you listening will relate.

Topics discussed:

- Why she took a break from the Vajza & Gra
- What inspired her to start Vajza & Gra
- The positive and negative responses she received
- The struggle of growing up in “2 different realms” (Albanian and American)
- Healing resentment towards the culture
- Overcoming the fear of being vulnerable (publicly)
- Her experience with activism in the Albanian community

Find her on instagram here: @vajzaandgra
Find her on TikTok here: vajzaandgra

If you enjoy the episode, please take some time to show some love for the show with a like and subscribe. Your support means the world 💙
Find me on instagram: @kristinanikolaj
My website: www.kristinanikolaj.com

I really love this episode. I speak with Ariana Metalia, a first generation Albanian American therapist, on ways the Albanian community has evolved and ways it still has room for growth. This episode is really relatable and educational, so I know you'll love it as much as I do. 

Topics Discussed:

- Her journey to becoming a therapist
- Getting married young in Albanian community
- Grappling between Albanian and American identities
- The Gen Z (2nd generation) experience
- Forgiving/understanding our parents
- The importance of doing the work as a parent
Find Ariana on instagram: @therapywithariana
Find me on instagram: @kristinanikolaj
My website: www.kristinanikolaj.com

In this episode I chat with Nika Veseli, singer/songwriter/producer and overall go-getter. When she says she's going to do something, she does it, including moving out of her strict Albanian household to start living life on her own terms.

Topics discussed:

- Singing in Central Park
- Meeting the love of her life
- Having a strict Albanian father
- Rebelling and moving out of her house
- Learning to live life on her own terms
- How therapy changed her life
- Following her dreams in the music industry

Find her on instagram: @nikaveselimusic
Find me on instagram: @kristinanikolaj
My website: www.kristinanikolaj.com

In this episode I chat with my first and only Albanian therapist, Mediha Gega on some of the struggles of growing up as a first gen Albanian American woman. This is something I personally needed to hear, so if you're also a first generation Albanian American woman, I know it will be for you too.

Topics Discussed:

- Grappling with differences between American and Albanian identities
- Understanding your place in your family and how it's molded who you are
- Upholding the "good girl" image
- Competition amongst women in our culture
- Feeling responsible for our parent's emotions
- Enmeshment in Albanian families 


Find her on instagram: @medihagegatherapy
Find me on instagram: @kristinanikolaj
My website: www.kristinanikolaj.com