The Orange Tapes

I Love God… But I’m Still Traumatized

OT. Episode 11: "I Love God... But I'm Still Traumatized" For too long, many Christians have believed that loving God should erase emotional pain, traumatic events and mental health struggles. But what if healing looks different than we imagined? Nicole J. welcomes licensed therapist Dorene Kyando for an honest conversation about trauma, faith, therapy, attachment, and the journey toward wholeness. Together, they challenge harmful misconceptions, offer practical wisdom, and create space for anyone learning that healing and faith can coexist. If you've ever felt guilty for not being "okay," this episode is for you. Dorene's Socials IG and TikTok: @DoreneKyando OT Socials Follow us: Host: @ByNicole J. IG: @theorangetapes TikTok: @theorangetapespod FB: @theorangetapes Youtube: @theorangetapes Contact us Email: @theotpodemail@gmail.com [theotpodemail@gmail.com]

Dear Sister,

OT. Episode 10: "Dear Sister," This is a close one. In “Dear Sister,” Nicole J sits down with her sister, Monique Akisanya, for one of the most honest and layered conversations they’ve ever shared. What unfolds is a deeply reflective dialogue on sisterhood—unpacking comparison, conflict, grief, faith, and identity. Together, they explore the unspoken reality that siblings can grow up under the same roof yet experience life—and each other—so differently. Through vulnerability and truth-telling, they confront distance, rediscover connection, and examine how God has used their relationship to reveal who they are and teach them how to love better. This isn’t just one conversation—it’s many. Raw, evolving, and intentional. A layered episode. A shared story. Made for your ears. Monique's Socials IG: @monique.aki OT Socials Follow us: Host: @ByNicole J. IG: @theorangetapes TikTok: @theorangetapespod FB: @theorangetapes Youtube: @theorangetapes Contact us Email: @theotpodemail@gmail.com [theotpodemail@gmail.com]

culture wars, viral tragedies, rage bait… where do you stand?

Season 2 kicks off with Nicole J and Olu Akinwande exploring a world divided by polarization, politics, and Christian nationalism, where viral tragedies dominate our feeds and emotions run high. In this episode, we dig into why society feels increasingly extreme, why people are so quick to pick sides, and how these pressures impact the way we think, feel, and respond to one another. We discuss how to stay grounded, navigate online outrage, and engage with current events thoughtfully without letting anger, fear, or ideology define our relationships or our sense of self. This conversation challenges us to examine our loyalties, confront the ways cultural and political forces shape us, and consider what it looks like to respond with empathy, wisdom, and clarity in a world that often demands we pick a side. Olu's Socials IG: @oluandsho OT Socials Follow us: Host: @ByNicole J. IG: @theorangetapes TikTok: @theorangetapespod FB: @theorangetapes Youtube: @theorangetapes Contact us Email: @theotpodemail@gmail.com [theotpodemail@gmail.com]

Season 2, what it do?

Welcome to season 2 of The Orange Tapes with Nicole J. This season, we’re going a little deeper and having the conversations that are often felt but rarely spoken out loud. From navigating the political climate to unpacking mental health, unhealthy family dynamics, the realities of being a woman in today’s world, and what healthy relationships and marriages truly look like, nothing is off the table. Each episode is an invitation to reflect, learn, and grow through honest dialogue and shared experiences. Take a moment, lean in, and join us as we peel back the layers together.

It took me 32 years to understand this — and I had to stop replaying what hurt me

OT Ep. 8 – It took me 32 years to understand this (Part 2) In this conclusion of season 1 and the second installment of It Took Me 32 Years to Understand This, I continue sharing the 32 lessons that have shaped me over 32 years. In this episode, we dig into some of the most transformative lessons like releasing offense before it becomes a prison, refusing to let one chapter define your whole story, and breaking free from group-think so you can stand firm in who you truly are. If you’ve ever felt stuck, misunderstood, or held back by trauma, this conversation is for you. Grab your headphones and let’s peel back a few more layers together. Hope you can join me in season 2! OT Socials Follow us: Host: @ByNicole J. IG: @theorangetapes TikTok: @theorangetapespod FB: @theorangetapes Youtube: @theorangetapes Contact us Email: @theotpodemail@gmail.com [theotpodemail@gmail.com]