My Crunchy Zen Era
Just your average millennial with a traumatic brain injury trying to simplify life in a chaotic world. Since I don't remember half of what I hear, the best option was obviously to record smart or interesting people (sometimes… they’re even both!!) answering my questions about life. And it'd just be downright awkward if I didn't share it on a podcast.
Welcome to My Crunchy Zen Era... we're not exactly sure what it is but we're figuring it out!
Hosted by Nicole Swisher.
Episodes
35 episodes
Happy Employees = Bigger Profits? Here's What Leaders Get Wrong with Nadian Zak
Fresh off a three day silent retreat, Nadian Zak, founder and CEO of Zak Human Solutions, joins Nicole on the first episode back from spring break! Nadian's company began in response to her frustration with the CEOs she worked with...
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Episode 33
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44:49
Painting as Meditation? Here's What Happened with Drew Harrison
This week Nicole sits down with standup comedian, podcaster and artist (and editor of the pod!) Drew Harrison... Drew has rediscovered his love of art as he gets older and has used it to help deal with everyday stress and the roller coaster of ...
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Episode 32
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40:17
A Recovering People Pleaser Achieving a Renaissance Life with Sydney Dozier
Life integration not work life balance leads to a Renaissance Life. Nicole is joined by Sydney Dozier this week and they discuss how high achieving women can love their lives and thrive despite the hustle. While juggling a business and a ...
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Episode 31
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44:19
Why This Orthopedic Surgeon Chose Stand Up Comedy with Dr. Ben
Nicole and Dr. Ben (orthopedic surgeon *and* comedian) dive into medicine, creativity, and courage. He'll tell you how dad jokes led to stand-up, plus the secrets to confidence, stage fright vs. surgical prep, and why creatives need creative es...
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Episode 30
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41:11
Your Current Career Might Be Costing You More Than You Think with Luke DeLaVergne
Find your life's "aha!" moment and unlock your true potential! This week, we're thrilled to have Career Coach Luke DeLaVergne joining us. Luke is going to share the ONE single, transformative question that completely rerouted his en...
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Episode 29
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44:48
Breaking the Shame That Keeps Us Hidden with Sarah Wilson
Get ready for a powerful episode! Sarah Wilson, calling a Spiritual Director a "soul beautician" and "spiritual midwife," joins Nicole to reveal a journey through postpartum struggles and a child in hospice, ultimately a story of incredible hop...
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Episode 28
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46:51
This Might Be Our Most Unhinged Episode Yet | Bear Winter Era with Zeta Graves
Valentine's Day: Overhyped or just… a thing? Either way, we're ditching the roses for International Quirkyalone Day. Nicole and returning fave Zeta Graves are breaking down V-Day's wilder cousin: the "bro equivalent of Galentine's,"...
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Episode 27
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43:58
You’re Not Your Worst Day… It's Never Too Late to Have the Life You Want with Jeff Allen
Jeff Allen, a comedian whose career spans 6 decades, is in the studio with Nicole! He is also an author, husband and recovering addict. He loves finding the humor in everyday family life and will admit he is head over heels in love with his lif...
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Episode 26
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48:14
Adaptability Is Worth More Than Any Strength You Have with Iveth Gamez
This episode Nicole is joined by Iveth Gamez! Having received career advice from Iveth herself, Nicole knew this was a guest she wanted to bring to you. They talk about Iveth's journey into the business world after she abruptly ended her longti...
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Episode 25
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42:53
No Diet Personal Training: Sometimes It's as Easy as Getting Moving with Barb Puzanovova
Nicole sits down with exercise advocate Barb Puzanovova! The duo instantly bond over their love of floating... Barb shares her love of fitness that started with her family sharing time staying active! It eventually led to her falling in love wi...
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Episode 24
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39:21
Faith, Motherhood, Recovery... and ADHD with The Recovering Californian Carollynn Xavier
Trigger Warning: Discussion of Suicide in the Episode.Nicole sits down with Internet personality Carollynn Xavier. A self described driven weirdo that accepts herself.. Carollynn has built an audience as the Recovering Californian.. a t...
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Episode 23
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51:03
A Notch Above Base Settings: From the Ballet World to the Stand Up Stage with Judson Veach
What makes a ballerina leave the world they know and pivot to making people laugh? Nicole sits down with comedian Judson Veach to find out. They took the same stand up comedy class and Nicole is delighted to check in with her...
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Episode 22
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45:37
Holiday Hiatus: We'll be back Jan. 8, 2026!
We're taking a holiday hiatus to get some rest and spend time with family and friends! The next episode will be back on January 8, 2026. See you then!
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0:21
Midwestern Salads, Turkey Spam, and Other Holiday Crimes: A Thanksgiving Special
This Thanksgiving, Nicole invites returning guests Phillip Headrick and Marianna Barksdale for a holiday full of questionable Midwestern “salads," unexpected facts, and one very emotional debate over sweet potato marshmallows.We’re talki...
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Episode 21
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47:11
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