We’re welcoming you behind the scenes in this season finale of sorts as we head into a hiatus! Catherine, one of Checkbox Other’s podcast producers, joins Nikki to talk all things CBO – its origin story and evolution over the years, the strategy behind choosing guests, conducting vulnerable, impactful interviews and intentionally bootstrapping the podcast while dancing with perfectionism and self doubt. They discuss the transformative power storytelling has to heal deep wounds and bridge gaps between people who believe they have nothing in common. In this episode, we celebrate the past, embrace the present, and chart an expansive course forward towards an amazing future for Checkbox Other. 

Our listener community plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the podcast, so we urge you to connect with us, share your thoughts and get VIP perks, updates and invitations as we nurture the podcast to its next level. Connect here: nikkiinnocent.com/cbo  

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/behindthecurtain

The topic of disability can sometimes bring up feelings of discomfort or avoidant silence, but the reality is that it’s something that many of us will face at some point in our lives. Today’s guest, Nichole Beiner Powell-Newman, shares her journey from being a successful lawyer to fighting for equitable healthcare while navigating the challenges of a mysterious neurological disorder and seeking a diagnosis and treatment for this chronic illness. She discusses how the combination of her personal and professional background and this battle for self advocacy paved her path forward as an entrepreneur focused on social justice. In this episode, we talk about how feeling rejected at a young age shapes us, the importance of embracing the changing tides of life, and how standing up for yourself as an adult can heal your younger self while leaving a legacy of deep impact for the collective. 

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/nicholegabrielle

Perfectionism is a survival response to a society that has us all looking at each other like competition so it’s no wonder almost all of us are plagued by it. In this approach, perfection equals acceptance → acceptance equals belonging → belonging equals safety and survival. But here’s the deal, we are humans, not robots. They call it human error for a reason, we are not built to be “perfect” and neither is the world around us. But giving yourself permission to show up imperfectly or share something before it’s perfectly polished can be terrifying for so many of us. Leaning into and witnessing our humanity, especially in our stumbles, is the secret sauce – finding opportunities and spaces where the imperfection is celebrated, fostered and supported. In this episode, we talk about what perfectionism is, how it shows up, real-life examples of it, and how to work through it. We talk about starting before you’re ready, valuing curiosity over certainty, and embracing progress over perfection.

For show notes and more info, visit nikkiinnocent.com/podcast/podcast-episodes/perfectionism