Nicci Opens Up About Identity Loss, Healing & Dating After Motherhood

In this candid "Life Goes On" episode, Nikki joins Carissa for a heartfelt hot spot interview, opening up about reinventing herself at 47, survival mode, motherhood costs, and daddy issues. Sponsored by Luxe Kitchen LLC Florida, the hosts rave about buffalo lemon pepper wings, crab stuffed shrimp, sticky Asian wings, and salmon while diving deep into personal growth. Nikki shares her journey from ICU as a newborn after a used needle incident, fighting all her life like in The Color Purple, to finally giving herself permission to live on her own terms. She discusses being perceived as mean due to resting bitch face while actually being goofy and sweet, categorizing relationships, moving beyond survival to thriving, and the challenges of watching adult children live independently. The conversation explores identity loss from motherhood, boundaries, what motherhood has cost her, healing daddy issues, forgiving herself for not loving herself enough, and embracing travel and new experiences without guilt. Carissa encourages Nikki to date, travel solo, and live unapologetically, emphasizing that we'll never be this age again. A raw, inspiring talk on resilience, self-discovery, and living fully after putting everyone else first. (1,478 characters) Topic Segments: 00:00:27 - 00:02:08: Intro, hosts, and Luxe Kitchen LLC Florida sponsor talk with food highlights (wings, shrimp, salmon) 00:02:19 - 00:05:04: Who is Nikki outside of mother/employee roles? Reinventing herself after survival mode 00:05:04 - 00:08:03: At 47, giving herself permission to live authentically; assumptions people make (resting bitch face) 00:08:03 - 00:14:14: Categorizing relationships, evolving social life, desire for chill/upscale environments and solo dates challenge 00:14:14 - 00:20:15: Living life unapologetically, friend's passing, motherhood costs and identity loss 00:20:15 - 00:27:39: Feeling unseen, trust issues, boundaries with adult children, hopes for daughters 00:27:39 - 00:38:52: Hardest parts of kids becoming adults, losing father young, and its impact on identity/relationships 00:38:52 - 00:50:06: Sabotaging good relationships, types of love no longer accepted, graduation achievement and what it represents 00:50:06 - 01:01:03: Feeling just getting started, fear of failing vs succeeding, recent self-forgiveness for not loving herself enough 01:01:03 - 01:10:39: What she'd do if everyone was okay (travel to Dubai/Maldives), living without regret, closing remarks /// Life Goes On is a raw, real, and deeply relatable conversation between Carissa and Nicci, two women who have lived through enough to know that survival is not the same as healing, and healing is not the same as having it all figured out. At its core, the podcast is about resilience, faith, accountability, and the messy but powerful process of breaking cycles for the next generation. Carissa and Nicci bring lived experience to every episode. They speak honestly about being single mothers, felons, and women who have had to rebuild themselves while raising children, navigating relationships, and learning how to choose better for their families. Their stories are not polished or sugarcoated; they are grounded in truth, growth, hard lessons, and the kind of tenacity that keeps you moving even when life keeps throwing hits. What makes Life Goes On stand out is the way it blends vulnerability with strength. The hosts talk about motherhood, generational patterns, education, career setbacks, spirituality, and the pressure of trying to become who you were always meant to be. They create space for people who feel overlooked, judged, or stuck, reminding listeners that a setback does not define the rest of your story. This is the podcast for anyone who has had to bounce back, start over, and keep going anyway. With honesty, humor, faith, and no fear of telling the truth, Carissa and Nicci invite listeners into conversations that feel like late-night talks with women who have been through it and made it out stronger. Catch the latest Life Goes On Podcast discussion where we talk about real-life experiences and meaningful connections. Gain new perspectives on daily challenges and family dynamics through our honest, open dialogue. This episode features a candid podcast discussion between two hosts as they break down the complexities of life, relationships, and parenthood. Whether you are navigating your own family conversations or simply looking for relatable stories, these insights offer a grounded look at how we manage the ups and downs of our personal journeys. We explore the realities behind the images of everyday life, from the pressures of professional roles to the joy of parenting. By sharing these life advice moments, we aim to provide clarity for anyone trying to balance their own path. Tune in to hear stories that resonate with the heart of what matters most in our daily routines. Subscribe for weekly Life Goes On Podcast episodes and comment below with a topic you want us to cover next.