There's nothing we want more in a relationship than accountability. How do we admit we were wrong and not take a huge hit to our ego? The more accountable we are for our actions, the more people will trust us. Saying we're sorry, then changing the inappropriate behavior so that it doesn't happen again goes a long way with our friends, coworkers and loved ones. We also discuss the other side of accountability which is being able to receive an apology and what to do if we feel like we're being taken advantage of.

Nikki's favorite item of the week:
https://topfoxx.com/products/small-bella-coffee-tangle-free-aviator-sunglasses

What is the difference between practicing idiot compassion versus wise compassion? Idiot compassion is when you're more focused on avoiding conflict and feeding your own ego. Wise compassion acts with courage and wisdom to address the root cause of another's suffering. Wise compassion gets to the heart of the issue instead of staying surface oriented and placating or enabling the other person. Idiot compassion can also be called "Yeslighting". In this episode, we dig into some of our own experiences of yeslighting, wise compassion and how it has changed the structure of our lives. We all need to learn how to bring more wisdom into our lives by practicing true compassion and accepting it when it's given.

Tary's favorite item of the week:
https://lumineuxhealth.com/products/whitening-strips-14-treatments?srsltid=AfmBOorZmnIGiWzRY4lWS-D-opAf24dN2LkSRak8qcPvpkUkdYMhOnP8

Nikki's favorite item of the week:
https://www.shopicebrrg.com/products/icebrrg-shaker?srsltid=AfmBOor-Z-Yh78WgOnyb0gcSPXtAuwLG721E5DPC-UfY6oxxzQbSAFOp

Sleigh bells are ringing, and Santa is coming! In this episode, Nikki and Tary talk about their families' Holiday traditions in the 1980's and how it compares to their current traditions with their growing families. Christmas can also be a hard time for families and kids that are dealing with addictions, depression or illness. Nikki shares her "Christmas Trauma" that formed the way she celebrates the holidays and made her appreciate the family that she and Mike have built.

Nikki's favorite item of the week
https://sequencing.com/

Tary's favorite item of the week
https://www.amazon.com/Lights-Out-Into-Darkness-Novel/dp/B0FL2T86WF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NCTWCNLZ15JS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Sb0l4rCbehjLv0SQhXlQ_t9nH1IXoFX0YNmLSCfiNU0eLzj3BFKvVKi4MuuhhM3hmlZl88JhlDxpD83Un0KHsin0h1sUDAYGA4kFUhPA_q8GM_esWEh8g4BQ-lbZtUJoTUSVKZlumIyEEJt9ptZXWMbIu3CRM0ioWvg-h2VrkSnb_qxKMIE5Ct4Mojn51VJ1nh4BZeW2-XLjd6rOV9buufk8W_tmeCC1bz0gPY-3iO0.p7AokzQSIQh61uxJ22GAJWV1pS35Aj6FD2ZT_IGdym4&dib_tag=se&keywords=navessa+allen+lights+out+series&qid=1764707865&sprefix=navessa+allen+light%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1

We have a gut feeling that a lot of people out there need to hear this. Intuition used to be thought of as some kind of mystic psychic thing that people didn't really understand. Well, it's not magic...it's science! Albert Einstein thought intuition to be a "sacred gift" and "the only real valuable thing". He also believed that while the rational mind is a useful servant, intuition is the source of true discovery and innovation. Research shows that our "gut feeling" is rooted in past experiences, accumulated knowledge, and core instincts. At certain times, our brains are flipping through gobs of learned information at lightning speed to make sense of a situation. While this is happening, we might feel a bit sick to our stomachs, off balance, headachy or tingly. That is the "gut feeling". In this episode, we'll share with you why it's important to listen to your inner voice, how to pay attention to your intuition, and the benefits you receive when you learn how to do this.

Nikki's Favorite Item of the Week
https://snif.co/products/crumb-couture?_pos=1&_psq=crumb&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Tary's Favorite Item of the Week
https://www.amazon.com/Cobbe-Handheld-Pressure-Showerhead-Substance/dp/B0BJDPJNN3/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=3ISDFOBCMPE3L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.65SO_FX0GH0XiWwo9fSa8sYfXo48lDD43fuKkWxfbrGBLRib0Z-7xB9C8G7CS1uF7H6bhbo-sLXBD4E3w_8iyzHkLlkK0SleMJTrXDcqo5-AYvLb98h4JOGcBlNec_FAC6Cv1djPkkrq7x50GAEFNP7V4lUPZl0Czal1AA02eGsNUvz4RG5hUcRGSZL0b8YqSFpJK-FOk5sLv8tkMDoTTLUCXCEvEoA4Eu6wq4C8VaZT325EMFz3AS48203GbwvH7_0XD_C4GEamPbSon8m7NSI7mFlv2xbDGjxx_5Goklw.Qncetbv7wMKDFI5Jc3fE7G_ySuhhmLA7BXkeTHlv5OE&dib_tag=se&keywords=shower%2Bhead%2Bfilter%2Bfor%2Bhard%2Bwater&qid=1763236233&sprefix=shower%2Bhead%2Bfilter%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Oxytocin is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland that makes us feel connected to others. Interestingly, it also can make us feel more empathetic and plays a role in fidelity. In this episode, we reference many different studies that show how oxytocin seems to help us stay monogamous in our relationships, improve mental health, combat addictions and feel connected to our loved ones. We'll tell you what you need to do in order for your body to produce this "love hormone" so that we can all live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Tary's favorite item of the week:
https://theherocompany.co/?srsltid=AfmBOopf_ODqqGO1NItgtFxZc6zOCLG2xyAlw7yFWLL-VxynApemYF8Z&zCountry=US

Nikki's favorite item of the week:
https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Repair-Cream-Circles-Puffiness/dp/B00JJPMXDO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R81Q2BPCBSCX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nT1G4mXP8ASLSRmgdKpv-qiE-mi-RqlAautLySQ5_q_nObFjvv2gOGqMfYpP_mk_NC4LG9bvLugAlLNIEw3ERspUzMZxEwqs1IlzlyW9A5sI_kmjSQd5ThSzfx8Vy-wAz7XKYTbk8DPXC5GbywN6iRoZMiiUxUcHQT_BLKvom7LIdGwJeUw2cIebXSj652PMYmtnd7EQSDGRScZvzxq6oOf6ccW6MEWVxn6UvLCXnhKzeFIeAiwyvAHVY0LPIixz46aXmmPwkYe8T5qH9ix6qHIW1HWPsmbMs7l0V80ZzKE.ct_f4VdEWm--BgU6JO-RF5pJb40x0hiEYEY27peqS3I&dib_tag=se&keywords=cerave+eye+repair+cream&qid=1762212875&sprefix=cerave+eye%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1

There is a big misconception out there that you have to be nice in order to be kind. Not true! Women, especially, have a tendency to be nice even when they're in danger emotionally or physically, and we are here to give you permission to STOP BEING NICE. Being nice is very surface oriented where being kind comes from a place of genuine care, empathy, compassion and a desire to act in another person's best interest...even if it's hard. Let's all start standing up for ourselves while also doing the right thing. We hope you think differently about what it means to be nice vs. kind after listening to this episode.

Nikki's favorite item of the week
https://www.amazon.com/l-f-Long-lasting-High-pigment-Cruelty-free-Bold-Faced/dp/B0DFMXLWN2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=JZW1FZM4D0YU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c4AWaaWQqDu6Ph3zueiesGeFT5-eGXPFmJTPtJ1hpdBLEw1RG5ZE0lno1B45KTYzJwnvNtTa_ndsB6tur40e9aN5rOIBN9q3VcdJZ03VETHXPZ-a3mO0f1M1-VHMju6qS3oS6jVtuJ_patZksG4MM0KOa4m4LSAgF0Nvo3v0a3m2o6P1D3rM6grr2B0aXBMUU3qUUELlsfi-ykP5COoz9_Sk2FYujuPY3f0o7hwJbkKXWUFCDyyR8nENkRnNGX40Zvm4jitfR3LD_ynN7qMW92ahB_uw3YxIOUbUdM0jOUk.7eiAAi69sYgI0Q7ladvGYZU4rt6Ya5zMvEwjtjVbb_I&dib_tag=se&keywords=elf%2Bcamo%2Bliquid%2Bblush&qid=1761271916&sprefix=ELF%2Bcamo%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Tary's favorite item of the week
https://www.ilovehalloween.com/americas-best-pumpkin-patches/

We are going down the Dark Romance rabbit hole, and we invite you to join! Dark Romance culture is exploding on BookTok, and we are here for it. Listen while we discuss the different genres, themes and dating culture that involves anti-heroes such as uber masculine bikers, mob bosses and more. Dark Romance books can get VERY SPICY, and so does this convo, so try not to clutch those pearls too tight while we deep dive into this intriguing subculture!

Tary's favorite item of the week
https://www.amazon.com/TOWKING-Heavy-Duty-Off-Road-Traction-Storage/dp/B0F541DDH8/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3ER7LZOIF4VYA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lFneh1tv5DB0nWu53HfkBpxMbqRrAldo2MN5sNTDrq-sMiIZx1mB5v6D3FtaIyw1-4CEN05r0yf4ddweAetiw3SiAQ3u2zVED9G4BeS0xNL280prcV076mM3O09XBX1Of_HerkcT_AyYngskIDvIl8PW5m8xmfW8mZnpfqH1veiXpPApAeuvwgFel4cU4Ec3-POv5B4EW0kT7L_DftCEKkPicJsq_cp5b0or7dDso1Y.2rYudKU-v2vn8yb0IekRSwSqvZw04cfAFKp4Vk9BrjI&dib_tag=se&keywords=towking%2Btraction%2Bboards&qid=1760657565&sprefix=towking%2Btraction%2Bboards%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Nikki's favorite item of the week
https://www.costco.com/p/-/room-service-womens-shawl-collar-pajama-set/4000255907?storeId=10301&partNumber=4000255907&catalogId=10701&langId=-1&krypto=xcWiMTPLlrfA7kGD8qvafkCXa5RROwsp%2F1XhIEWLPi9%2BwJEPLysTNMS%2F1XAyNo6A3Stxuv5PsL2S9pO%2FobE5ujv3azpOQrxA7WfKa2ftdLk1xUukQLJJ8NnrhgNieamA

The book Nikki talks about in this episode
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJCSZRL/?bestFormat=true&k=camera%20shy&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k0_1_10_de&crid=56YJ0R4LPRHV&sprefix=camera%20shy

Self expression is an active way to show others our true personality. We can do this in many different ways such as art, sports, personal style, or just doing anything we love. This episode gives you suggestions on how to find your authentic true self and why it's so important for your overall health. Stop masking your amazing unique personality, and show the world who you really are!

Nikki and Tary's favorite item of the week:

https://tv.apple.com/us/show/shrinking/umc.cmc.apzybj6eqf6pzccd97kev7bs