EPISODE · Feb 27, 2026 · 45 MIN
Episode 161: Durian, Decompression, and the Nervous System: Nikki Smit
from Everything & Anything...and a bit gay Podcast · host Zach Randes-Friedman
What you’ll hear in this episode Zach’s Singapore memories: chili crab vs. black pepper crab… and why durian is a hard no Nikki’s clear explanation of occupational therapy: “occupation” = everything meaningful you do (self-care, relationships, leisure, work, and more) Nikki’s personal story: growing up neurodivergent before there was language for it—and how her parents intuitively accommodated her needs The burnout turning point: leaving “fix people” systems and rejecting a rigid medical model of wellness Nikki’s definition of wellbeing: fluctuates over time rooted in strengths less about “fixing” and more about capacity to meet the moment The myth of “permanent ease” and why believing it exists can create unnecessary suffering Why Nikki’s work is relationship-based: healing happens in safe connection and community A body-first approach: how emotions live in the body and why somatic + sensory strategies matter Zach’s big question: did COVID reset our nervous systems—and our social bandwidth? needing downtime after holidays being “done” by day four of family time the post-trip decompression crash Nikki on masking and why it’s exhausting (and often invisible) A practical metaphor: stress as a balloon—why we need to release pressure along the way instead of bursting Work travel reality: how constant meetings + dinners can overload even highly social people The rise of neurodivergence awareness: progress, nuance, and why “it’s your superpower” can sometimes oversimplify real challenges Workplace wellness culture: why “unlimited vacation” can be a trap why rest is treated like it’s “not productive” Nikki’s point on the brain: why creativity and solutions come from nothingness (default mode network) The Telepathy Tapes conversation: what it suggests about non-speaking communication and how often competence is underestimated Intuition, attunement, micro-expressions, and “feeling someone’s intent” before words How nonstop news cycles and social media whiplash hit the nervous system (cute puppy → catastrophe in seconds) Hope as a survival tool: using history as proof humans endure, adapt, and rebuild Nikki’s favorite part of her work: the quiet “integration moments” with clients that feel like real change happening How to connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nickismittherapy (Zach notes he’ll link it in the episode description) Guest Nikki Smit — Occupational Therapist & neurodivergent-focused practitioner (Singapore) Instagram: @nickismittherapy Nikki's Website https://projectplay.sg/ Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Everything and Anything in a Bit Gay, Zach Randles-Friedman welcomes his first-ever guest from Singapore: occupational therapist and neurodivergent wellness practitioner Nikki Smit. What starts as a laugh about durian (and a shared love of chili crab) turns into a grounded, validating conversation about what it actually means to feel okay in a world that rarely slows down. Nikki breaks down what occupational therapy really is (spoiler: it’s not just about work), why so many of us hit burnout trying to “fix” ourselves, and how wellbeing is less about constant ease—and more about building the capacity to meet each moment. They also talk about how COVID reshaped our tolerance for socializing, why decompression days are more normal than we think, the toll of masking, and what nervous system care can look like in real life (especially on work trips when you just need one night alone). Plus, Zach and Nikki dive into the Telepathy Tapes phenomenon, intuition, “attunement,” and how much we still don’t understand about the mind, communication, and nonverbal connection.
NOW PLAYING
Episode 161: Durian, Decompression, and the Nervous System: Nikki Smit
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.