Soul School

You're Not Depressed, You're Self-Obsessed

Two tomatoes for ten bucks, a $35 sandwich, and a guy at the gym who can't stop saying "you made it" — Nikki and Jessica start with the small talk that makes their skin crawl and end up somewhere much bigger. This week: the DM that went sideways, the funeral where "hi how are you?" came out on autopilot, the boss who got a one-hour fireside chat about how Nikki actually was, and the Starbucks bathroom story that may or may not have involved a person who didn't exist. The thesis, courtesy of Nikki: you're not depressed, you're self-obsessed. And the way out isn't pills or another therapist circle-jerking your problems — it's radical acceptance, showing up for other people, and finding one good thing in every person you meet (especially the ones you can't stand). Also discussed: NPCs, why "lol" from a man is a red flag, mood as a daily decision, and how to actually wake somebody up without being a dick about it.

The Lies That Keep You Sick: Doctor Knows Best, Go to School & Social Media Myths

What if the biggest obstacles in your recovery — or your life — weren't your past, your diagnosis, or your circumstances… but the stories you were handed as truth? In Episode 15, Jess and Nikki go deep on the lies that keep people stuck, sick, and small. They're not holding back. In this episode: * "Your doctor always knows best" — They challenge the blind trust most of us were raised with around medical authority, including how pharmaceutical incentives shape the advice you receive, why more people are firing their doctors, and what it actually means to advocate for yourself and your family's health. * "Go to school, get a degree, get a job" — Both hosts share their wildly non-linear paths — alternative school, multiple licenses never used, the strip club, real estate — and make the case that your lived experience is the credential that actually matters. Sound familiar, recovery community? * "Everyone else is living their best life" — The social media comparison trap. Why the highlight reel is a lie, what the Britney Spears moment taught an entire generation about public image vs. private pain, and a simple mindset shift to stop measuring your insides against everyone else's outsides. They close with a powerful exercise: what if you threw all your problems in a pile with everyone else's — would you really swap? This one is raw, funny, and deeply honest. As always.

You're Not a People Pleaser — You're a Liar

We're calling it: people-pleasing isn't a personality trait. It's dishonesty. In this episode, Nikki and Jess take one of the most trending conversations on social media — people-pleasing — and flip it completely on its head. Forget the soft reframes. If you're suppressing your truth to avoid conflict, you're lying. And the person you're hurting most? You. They dig into why people-pleasing never actually pleases anyone, what it really means to give someone authority to speak into your life (and why random people don't get that access), and how not doing the inner work now will catch up to you in your relationships later. This episode is raw, honest, and exactly the kind of conversation you didn't know you needed. Words matter. Honesty heals. And your people-pleasing? It's costing everyone — especially you. Soul School is back and she has no filter. Nicki and Jess unpack one of the most misused terms in self-development: people-pleasing. Their take? Stop softening it. People-pleasing is a form of radical dishonesty — and until you call it what it is, you can't change it. What They Cover * Why "people pleaser" is a comforting label that lets you avoid the real word: liar * The difference between avoiding confrontation and being honest * How to know who has actually earned the right to speak truth into your life * Setting limits on how and when people can access you — and why that's an act of love * The connection between not doing your inner work and people-pleasing in relationships * Why staying silent to "protect" someone is often just self-protection in disguise * The Burning Bed and what Farrah Fawcett's character teaches us about what happens when people-pleasing builds up * Taking full accountability for your life — not 50%, not your "part" — all of it Notable Quotes from This Episode * "People pleasers — give me the phone numbers of the last five people you pleased." * "People pleasing is dishonesty. You're a fucking liar. Why don't you speak your truth?" * "I want to avoid confrontation. I want people to like me. I can't stand being uncomfortable. Just say what it is." * "You are the maker of your life." Mentioned in This Episode * The Burning Bed (1984, Farrah Fawcett) * Spiritual bypassing (referenced from previous episode)

Spiritual Bypassing: Why Crystals Won't Save You

Are you actually healing — or are you just keeping yourself busy enough to avoid feeling it? In this episode, we get into spiritual bypassing: the sneaky ways we use crystals, shadow work, self-help books, Eat Pray Love trips, and endless "inner child" content to feel like we're doing the work — without ever actually sitting still long enough to let it happen. We talk about toxic over-productivity, the restlessness that drives it, and why the most spiritually advanced thing you can do might just be... nothing. We also tell the Alan Watts Chinese Farmer parable — and by the end of it, you'll understand why "I don't know" might be the most honest and freeing answer you've ever given yourself. Topics covered: * Why being sober isn't the same as being healed * What shadow work and inner child work actually mean (and when they become avoidance) * People addiction and why it's one of the hardest to talk about * The silent work behind real peace — and how it looks different than the content version * The Chinese Farmer parable and surrendering outcomes to God

The Truth About Resentment, Sleep & Spiritual Growth

What if the pain you keep feeling… isn’t happening to you — but being replayed by you? In this episode of Soul School, we break down what resentment really is, why so many people stay stuck in the same emotional loops, and how spiritual growth actually happens in real life — not just in theory. We talk about: * Why “resentment” isn’t just anger — it’s re-feeling old pain * How holding things in keeps you stuck in the same cycle * The discipline required to grow (even when you don’t feel like it) * Questioning the beliefs you’ve always accepted as truth * Why connection to something greater doesn’t require going through anyone else * Letting go of control, opinions, and the need to “play God” This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about becoming aware enough to stop repeating what’s not working. If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, or like something deeper is missing — this episode is for you. 🎧 New episodes weekly — follow to stay connected.