My Crunchy Zen Era
Welcome to My Crunchy Zen Era — we're not exactly sure what it means, but we're figuring it out.
It started when I asked my friends: How do you create a life you love? Then it turned into a podcast full of a little fun, a little humor, and a whole lot of curiosity. Each week we dive into a fresh topic with a guest, exploring everything from everyday joys to life’s bigger questions. Whether we’re laughing, learning, or just letting things unfold, this show is your weekly dose of lighthearted inspiration.
Hosted by Nicole Swisher.
Episodes
21 episodes
Toupees, Chickens, and the Slow Build of Standup Comedy with Alex Velluto
What do toupee influencers, runaway kids, and velociraptors have in common? Nicole sits down with comedian Alex Velluto to find out. From his first open mic at sixteen to three Dry Bar specials, Alex shares the chaos, craft, ...
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Episode 20
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40:51
Faith, Grit, and the Grace to Quit with Stuart Cooper
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t climbing higher—it’s knowing when to walk away.This week on My Crunchy Zen Era, Nicole chats with Stuart Cooper—a self-described sales hunter who’s grown companies across healthcare, biot...
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Episode 19
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47:28
Nashville Travel Tips, the FTC, and Inappropriate Dating Questions with Sarah Beth Schulte
Two words you don’t expect together: margaritas and the FTC. Nashville creator Sarah Beth Schulte of The Tip Jar Nash joins My Crunchy Zen Era to talk creator ethics, brand deals, and her “40 Dates in 40 Days” experiment. We dive into ...
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Episode 18
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43:21
The Science of Joy: How Positive Psychology Can Rewire Your Life with Jackie Oña Cascarano
If your nervous system has been living on espresso and good intentions, this episode is your gentle nudge to breathe, laugh, and maybe rethink everything you thought you knew about happiness. Nicole chats with Jackie Oña Cascarano — Executive C...
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Episode 17
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50:14
The Business of Belonging: Building a Creative Home with Scott Field
What does it really take to build something that lasts—through late-night doubts, hard conversations, and a global pandemic?This week, we sit down with Scott Field, co-owner of Third Coast Comedy Club in Nashville, to trace the jo...
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Episode 16
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53:23
The One About Bigfoot (He Doesn't Believe In You Either)
What do you get when believers, skeptics, and the cryptid-curious pack into a Bigfoot conference in Gatlinburg?Midnight sightings. Missing time on desert roads. Portal theories. Skinwalker stories. And... way too much nacho cheese...
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Episode 15
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52:48
Starting Stand-Up at 45: Why It’s Never Too Late To Try Something New with Tara Brown
Can You Start Stand-Up in Your 40s? Tara Brown Did—And It Changed EverythingIn this episode of My Crunchy Zen Era, we sit down with comedian Tara Brown, who first tried standup comedy at 45 and ended up leaving her corpor...
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Episode 14
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52:09
The Accidental Standup Comedy Curator: Behind the scenes with Josiah Bourke
What happens when a comedy fan with zero stage time accidentally becomes a trusted curator in stand-up?Meet Josiah Bourke — the low-key force behind Comedian Discovery and Comedian Discovery Live, two platf...
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Episode 13
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58:24
Scotland by Train: A Travel Adventure with my Mom and a Traumatic Brain Injury
We Finally Made It to Scotland – After 3 Years, a Pandemic, and a Traumatic Brain Injury?!After three years of delays (thanks, global chaos and a traumatic brain injury), my mom, Heidi, and I finally ticked off our bucket list dr...
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Episode 12
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57:12
Lights, Camera, Laughter: A Cinematographer's Journey with Brinn Daniels
Stubbornness, talent, and occasionally rapping all 14 minutes of "Rapper's Delight" are just a few traits that helped Brinn Daniels in her cinematography career. On this episode Brinn and Nicole chat about:Internships at Comed...
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Episode 11
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58:57
Finding Calm Through Connection: Horse-Assisted Wellness with Dr. Ashley Dial
Can a horse take the place of your therapist? Well, perhaps we shouldn't go that far since we're a big fan of therapy over here... In this episode, Nicole is joined by Dr. Ashley Dial who shares how horses serve as powerful therapeutic partners...
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Episode 10
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58:06
Government Watchlists, Creativity, and Cozy Mystery Novels with Ashley Weaver
Has her google history landed her on a government watchlist? Edgar-nominated author Ashley Weaver ponders the occupational hazards of being an author as she joins host, Nicole Swisher, this week as they discuss:The ...
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Episode 9
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50:30
Mentorship, Gamified Learning, and Saying No with Dr. Stephanie Moore-Lotridge
What would happen if we all approached learning with more creativity, collaboration, and genuine curiosity? Dr. Stephanie Moore-Lotridge takes us inside her work as an educator where she's pioneering approaches that could trans...
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Episode 8
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52:49
Mindfulness Trends, AI Dating, and Dead Bodies with Phillip Headrick
Is silent walking the mindfulness trend we all need now? Who can really say... But Phillip Headrick might try in his return to My Crunchy Zen Era with host, Nicole Swisher. In this attempt at a reflective episode, N...
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Episode 7
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47:52
Standup Comedy, Wellness and Cat People with Paula Kosienski
What happens when your dream career collides with your physical limitations? When external validation no longer sustains you? Join standup comedian, Paula Kosienski, and host, Nicole Swisher, as they discuss:Is clean come...
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Episode 6
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47:24
Quitting Your Job, Writing a Romance Novel, and Enneagram Struggles with Sara Holifield
I had this fear that I would die without having written a book because I was too scared.... Sara Holifield aka Avalon Griffin admits as she shares about quitting her job to write a paranormal romance novel. Join Sara and Nicole...
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Episode 5
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55:45
Improv, Building Confidence, and Getting Rid of Fish Smells with Zeta Graves
I feel like I've designed my life to be a very stress-free experience... Zeta Graves shares on this episode with host, Nicole Swisher. Join Zeta and Nicole as they chat about: Mental health benefits from improv (sooo...
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Episode 4
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59:15
Therapist or Hairstylist, Ghosts, and Being Uncomfortable with Brittany Otto
It was a karmic lesson for us to be uncomfortable... Brittany Otto shares in this week's episode. Join us this week as we discuss:Brittany's Akashic readingSpying on neighborsGhosts and hauntingsThe challe...
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Episode 3
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53:47
Barbecue, Primitive Camping, and Trying New Things with Phillip Headrick
Say yes to everything unless it gets you killed... is Phillip Headrick's life philosophy that he shares on this episode with host, Nicole Swisher. Join Nicole and Phillip as we chat about:• Daily affirmations and meditat...
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Episode 2
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56:07
Goat Milk, Shower Curtain Killers, and Some Crunchy Zen Stuff with Marianna Barksdale
What does "crunchy zen" actually mean? That's exactly what host Nicole Swisher and her guest Marianna Barksdale are figuring out together in this warm, funny, and not so insightful debut episode. Join us to:De...
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Episode 1
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46:51