On Her Terms with Nikki Elledge Brown
by Nikki Elledge Brown
Tired of talking yourself out of what you want? Craving simple reframes to help you get out of overwhelm and back into inspired action? Find comfort knowing you're not the only one navigating life, business, and the pursuit of self-defined happiness while also making time for your fam and fave shows? SAME. Let's discuss. Join me (Nikki Elledge Brown) here for a steady rotation of candid, voice-note-style musings to help you redefine the way you work and play - crafting your own style of #onherterms living. ALSO: If you'd like email reminders every time there's a new episode, head over to onherterms.com to unlock the full On Her Terms® audio library. Priceless (free) instant access, hot off the Voxer button press. I'll meet you there.
Episodes
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🥤 how to suck the fun out of your creative projects [OHT 104]
For when you keep “meaning” to do the thing you said you wanted to do… and then continue not doing it. 🙃 NOTES FROM THE FIELD. We talk overcorrecting, overcomplicating, mistaking pressure for support, and figuring out what actually makes a creative practice easier to return to. (Hint: it’s very...
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🔍 life leaves clues: how success reveals itself [OHT 103]
Reflecting on why the phrase “success leaves clues” has always felt incomplete to me. And how looking at **your own life** tells a much truer story. Join me to noodle on: Self-defined, context-dependent definitions of success (of course) Presence, inhabitation (fave word of late), and feeling…
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💫 defining spirituality on her terms [OHT 102]
In case you're allergic to religion and/or language that leans woo: When I say "spirit" - I mean that non-physical life force that animates us. The undeniable breath and energy that leaves the physical building on our last day in this form. Spirituality, then, is defined as what brings us to…
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📆 a new creative practice for 2026 [OHT 101]
UPDATE: This started as a publish-weekly experiment, but it didn’t take long for that to feel unnecessarily pressured and performative, which is precisely *not the point. I’m going to keep recording these themed mini-collections and will share when they’re ready. If you were actually looking...
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🎁 the NYE wrap party [OHT 100]
We made it to episode 100! 🎉 All those extra zeroes before episodes 0–99 were officially worth it. In this episode, I revisit the year-in-review practice I created last New Year’s Eve, and how this year taught me the value of returning to it far more often than once every 365 days. Taking time…
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🎠 the carousel of progress [OHT 099]
A metaphor upon which we can hang our open tabs and mental laundry with more grace and a lot less guilt. We care about a lot - our work, our people, ourselves. And we know life doesn’t happen in neat lines. More like spirals, squiggles, and polka dots. The carousel of progress* visual shared in...
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📝 more prep, more presence. [OHT 098]
A through-line of 2025 and beyond. We're exploring how thoughtful prep can make a moment richer and more meaningful, not less. This lesson was inspired by a tagline brainstorm for Holidays On Her Terms—a field guide designed to help my clients (and me) create holiday experiences we actually look...
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💘 scheduling is devoting. [OHT 097]
if you cringe at the thought of adding another thing to your calendar (yet hate the feeling of "that was TODAY?!" schedule surprises)... if you relish the thought of rolling around in white space (till you find yourself lost in a scroll or clown-kerchief of chats you'll forget by tomorrow)...…
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⏳ when things feels rushed. [OHT 096]
Next time you're in rush mode, try this thought on for size: "I have all the time that I need." Best case: It's TRUE! And your brain will start searching for evidence to make it so. Worst case: It will at least help you feel a little better while you're speeding from this to that. 📮 Thoughts…
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🛣️ the scenic route: on savoring slower seasons. [OHT 095]
The pace is the point. When life is fuller, (some) things take longer. Instead of feeling sad about that (which is, of course, human and allowed), what if we choose to see this as the scenic route™? We're not forcing patience or settling for a slower pace. We're focusing presence and savoring it....
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⛽️ when running on fumes is optional [OHT 094]
Inspired by a game I’ve been playing with my gas tank this year. If abundance = having what we need when we need it… where could we gift that to ourselves proactively? Adding a buffer to the baseline – in the gas tank, the savings account, the retirement account, the toilet paper or fave family...
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🌎 defining your role in hard times [OHT 093]
This is a special episode for you (and for me) to revisit anytime big, scary things are happening in the news or in our neighborhoods. We want to help. We want to respond. But sometimes we feel overwhelmed, guilty, unsure, frozen, or just tapped the F out. Here’s the thing: every one of us has a...
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🗞️ slow down or double down? navigating business as UNUSUAL in 2025 [OHT 092]
What does it look like to show up for your day-to-day work when it sometimes feels like we're livestreaming Earth: The Final Season? What are we doing here, fam? 🙃 This fresh episode is part palette cleanse, part context-setting. Before we round out our first 100 On Her Terms® episodes, I want…
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🎁 the gift of connection: how I'm celebrating my 40th [OHT 091]
As a fun, #onherterms-y way to celebrate my upcoming 40th bday, I've been inviting friends, fam, classmates, clients, and colleagues to join me for a series of 40 real-time reconnection calls - the sparky 40 project. 🎂 (I see each convo as lighting a candle on the cake!) I've managed to host…
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🍊 what's the BODY on her terms workshop?? [OHT 090]
NOTE: This episode was originally recorded as a video to share time-sensitive context about the live *BODY on her terms* workshop I hosted in May 2025, part of The On Her Terms® Mutual Inspiration Society. I'm keeping it here in the archive because it's full of divine breadcrumbs that help paint…
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🧠 a trick to get unstuck + do the thing [OHT 089]
Ever had something you know you want to do… and yet, you just can't seem to start? The longer you wait, the heavier it feels. Then, when you DO finally start, it turns into an endless game of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (one task triggering five more until you're buried in steps you never meant…
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🎆 truth and dare: a NYE challenge + review [OHT 088]
Reflections from a nerd on NYE. NOTE: The habits playlist lives at onherterms.com/spotify. Would love to know what YOUR truth and dare challenge is! Would also love to hear any of your answers and you scroll camera roll for your year's highlight REAL: 2024 SPEED ROUND ⚡ biggest win favorite…
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💅 redefining consistency: the messy manicure method [OHT 087]
This one was inspired by a messy manicure and the reality of progress. Perfection is not a prerequisite for progress. But how often do we keep ourselves from moving forward because on some level, we believe it is? Ex. If I can't write a chapter a week, I won't even write a paragraph. (I don't...
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🦸🏻♀️ your save the day strategy (for blah, squirrely, distracted days) [OHT 086]
Mama said there'd be days like this. - The Shirelles Before you give up and declare energetic bankruptcy on an unusually meh or squirrely day, give this one a listen. Gimme 10 minutes and we'll make a practical plan so you can save your own day when you want to, whether you have five minutes, 30...
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🧊 warm or cold? a playful way to course-correct in the moment. [OHT 085]
This one’s a quickie. Sharing a playful game and pattern interrupt we can use to check in with ourselves: is this action getting me CLOSER to what I want, or further from what I want? Closer = warmer. More fun, more fulfilling, more energizing. Faster. Further - cooler. Seems fun in the moment…
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🌋 moving thru resistance (*the floor is lava* theory) [OHT 084]
You want to WANT to do it, but you don’t yet. Or you’d be doing it. On some level, you believe there’s more benefits to NOT doing it. Or you’d be doing it. Have you ever considered the drawbacks to not doing it? It’s like standing on a hot sidewalk barefoot. Standing still and talking about it…...
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🏰 a shortcut to happily ever after [OHT 083]
If you’re feeling impatient with your progress and wishing you could fast forward, flip to the back of the book, this bud’s for you. Instead of snoozing your satisfaction and delaying (even denying) gratification till you reach your imaginary endgame, let’s try something different. Use that…
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🌪 the habit vortex: building up to high-stakes habits [OHT 082]
Let's talk about the power of a habit vortex. (Sharing more mixed metaphors with you in this one.) Pour out all the puzzle pieces of habits you'd like to try and experiment with. Notice the ones you feel the most emotional attachment to. (There's likely a lot of resistance to those too.) Start…
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☕️ how to STOP (or reduce) a habit without extremes [OHT 081]
This one is a mini masterclass / case study sharing how I've been weaning myself off my daily caffeine fix without major effort and extremes. DISCLAIMER: I'm clearly not a medical doctor, nor am I suggesting what you do with your body. I am sharing what's worked for me and encouraging you to do...
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💭 a mental before + after pic: inspiration thru introspection [OHT 080]
I LOVE external tracking, and yet true, sustainable inspiration is an inside job. Internally tracking what we think and how we feel BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER we take action can be incredibly useful as we build new habits. More in the ep, of course, but here's an at-a-glance summary: BEFORE: Like...
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🌟 the power of streaks, stacks, and dopamine [OHT 079]
Let's leverage the power of dopamine and heart our OWN posts of progress. In this message we're talking about the power of external tracking and validating ourSELVES as we establish these new habits. Stickers, Sharpies, streaks and stacks - time to find a system that works for you. (It's the...
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⏰ early bird action: make moves before your resistance wakes up! [OHT 078]
What's your personal resistance routine? When do you tend to have more will power to challenge your default thoughts (and let mom brain talk you into beneficial action)? When do you tend to have slippery-fish-style excuses to talk you into maintaining the status quo? My resistance seems to snooze...
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🧠 don't wanna? let mom brain talk you into action. [OHT 077]
Habit creation, continued... This is for the moments when you just don't want to do it (because those moments will absolutely happen). Try leaving the door open, cracked, even just UNLOCKED so your *mom brain* voice can step in and do what she does best. She holds the line, the standard, and the...
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🥀 planning for low power days [OHT 076]
Life is life-ing. Always will be. It's fun to ride the wave of inspiration when we're high on energy, time, focus, etc, and some days we just have less gas in the tank. Less space in the calendar. Harder to find a rhythm, for any collection of reasons. Let's talk about how we can plan for that…
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🎯 on micro-habits: bc bullseye or bust isn't helpful. [OHT 075]
If you're talking yourself out of action because you think it's "massive action" or bust (and "massive action" sounds exhausting), give this one a listen. It can be so helpful to broaden our definition of habit-creation success, deciding on a SPECTRUM instead of a binary. Good-better-best style,...
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👯♀️ onboard new habits with the buddy system [OHT 074]
We've talked about SEEING new habits as oldies with the HABIT HALO concept. Now let's talk about actively bringing them into time and space with the buddy system (and/or time tethers). Think of it like a Big Sister / Big Brother program. Or training wheels. A leash or a lead. Whatever works for...
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😇 habit halos: try this when you're resisting a new habit [OHT 073]
Been a busy bee building habits to support my physical (and mental, overall!) health this year (2024). In this episode (and the next several to follow) I'll be sharing reframes, tips, and tricks that have helped me get into motion after years of "knowing" but not doing the things that once felt...
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🛍 W.A.I.T.: 4 Qs to ask before buying another ...anything. [OHT 072]
Had no plans to record a message today, but this acronym / message came through SO quickly I had to hot potato it directly to pod form for us. (This is what I mean by hot 'n fresh Krispy Kreme content!) *The main course starts around 4:20. Four Qs to help you purchase with more presence and…
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💥 the power of giving without attachment [OHT 071]
The true, generative power of SUSTAINABLE service. Offering and creating things that give you satisfaction in the process, closing that feedback loop REGARDLESS of what other peoples do with it. When the reward for your efforts isn't dependent on anyone else's response or reaction you're free....
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💘 if self care still feels selfish [OHT 070]
I've been writing about this in my manuscript(s) for years. Time to anchor it into audio for us: Takiing care of you is NOT optional. It's the key to sustainable generosity. You gotta take care of you *so that* you can care for your people. A great book on this topic: Real Self-Care by Dr. Pooja...
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🍿 long-term tracking: who's invested in your storyline? [OHT 069]
There's so much value in getting a fresh perspective on your personal scenario. But there's so much fun and fulfillment in long-term REALationships. People who have been tracking with you for SEASONS and are fully invested in the storytline. Reflecting on that (and a wild season of Suits...
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💤 suffering isn't superior: on laziness and efficiency [OHT 068]
Call me lazy. Sometimes I need rest. Most of the time I prefer efficiency. Suffering isn't superior and we don't earn bonus points for taking the most complicated, exhausting route. Let me know what comes up as you listen to this one! 📮 Thoughts, Qs, topics you’d love to hear more about? Share...
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🍏 time flies: musings from a daycare day [OHT 067]
Thoughts when babies fly the nest - whether they're 2 or 22. Recorded in Sept. 2022. "Go and grow." When love transcends (and our connection doesn't hinge on) physical presence. The value of the VILLAGE. How fast time can go (in a meta or a micro sense - time for pickup!) What do you want to do...
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🎬 the REEL is not real (on internet illusions) [OHT 066]
A friendly reminder to you and me that (even despite our best efforts to be honest and transparent!), the internet is a reality tv show. Info is limited, skewed, and some is straight up false. The highlight REAL includes more than what makes the REEL. (Sidenote: Remind me to tell you about my...
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♻️ redefining ambition (the on her terms way) [OHT 065]
A word-nerd study and hypothesis: If ambition is "a strong desire or determination to succeed" and success is "the accomplishment of an aim or purpose" and purpose is "the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists" .... the ultimate AMBITION is to live the life...
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🏟 competition vs. creation (for when you're stuck comparing) [OHT 064]
This message pairs well with You're Not Behind on the Naptime Empires feed. This message proposes a new visual / metaphor to help you see the track / comparison / sense of urgency actually isn't REAL. Life isn't a competition. It's a creation. You're. not. behind. Instead of a track with others...
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👗 on self-consciousness and first day of school outfits [OHT 063]
A reframe inspired by Clueless, the first day of school outfit selection, and this classic message by Yes Yes Marsha: “No one’s thinking about me. Everyone’s thinking about themselves, just like I am right now.” - Marsha Shandur 📮 Thoughts, Qs, topics you’d love to hear more about? Share here >>...
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🚦ready-position parenting: bc these kids just keep growing. [OHT 062]
Been meaning to anchor this thought in for a while. A spoiler from 12 years deep into my parenting journey: Contrary to what I used to think on some level - kids growing older doesn't mean they need us less. I find the older they get, the more I want to be in "ready position" for moments big and...
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💧using tears as a treasure map [OHT 061]
A musing inspired by a carpool conversation on dental procedures *and a client reflection that made me cry like a Pixar baby. Hypothesis / observation: Tears are like a treasure map to who you are and what we're here to do. What we care about. What brings us to life. It's helpful to consider that...
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[2023] 🌟 You are HERE: A fresh trail of divine breadcrumbs. [OHT 060]
Don't want to wait patiently for the rest of the series to drop? I got you. Sign up for the private podcast feed at onherterms.com to access all 11 eps on demand. 🍿 Related links and things: naptimeempires.com/listen onherterms.com/listen (you already are!) workwithnikki.com...
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[2022] 📚 Deal or no deal? On rejection and redirection. [OHT 059]
Don't want to wait patiently for the rest of the series to drop? I got you. Sign up for the private podcast feed at onherterms.com to access all 11 eps on demand. 🍿 Related links and things: Launched this pod in ‘22! Private feed: onherterms.com And shares in IG stories:...
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[2021] 🛣 RV there yet? Living the dream (then changing it). [OHT 058]
Don't want to wait patiently for the rest of the series to drop? I got you. Sign up for the private podcast feed at onherterms.com to access all 11 eps on demand. 🍿 Related links and things: Serving #onherterms mode private clients through the magic of Zoom and Voxer:...
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[2020] 🎀 A Pandemic Pregnancy: Co-creating with my human pomodoro timer. [OHT 057]
Don't want to wait patiently for the rest of the series to drop? I got you. Sign up for the private podcast feed at onherterms.com to access all 11 eps on demand. 🍿 Related links and things: Drafted a book, birthed a baby! #3 announcement post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqTZJWHwBK/ Book…
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[2019] 🤍 Profit and Loss: Navigating loss while tending to life. [OHT 056]
Don't want to wait patiently for the rest of the series to drop? I got you. Sign up for the private podcast feed at onherterms.com to access all 11 eps on demand. 🍿 Related links and things: Planting seeds and tending to what needed tending do. 18-19 travels and speaking via IG stories:...
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[2018] 🍎 Home Sweet Homeroom: The power of a mutual inspiration society. [OHT 055]
Don't want to wait patiently for the rest of the series to drop? I got you. Sign up for the private podcast feed at onherterms.com to access all 11 eps on demand. 🍿 Related links and things: Hawaii trip IG stories: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17972805886130023/ Oahu adventures:...
About this show
Tired of talking yourself out of what you want? Craving simple reframes to help you get out of overwhelm and back into inspired action? Find comfort knowing you're not the only one navigating life, business, and the pursuit of self-defined happiness while also making time for your fam and fave shows? SAME. Let's discuss.
Join me (Nikki Elledge Brown) here for a steady rotation of candid, voice-note-style musings to help you redefine the way you work and play - crafting your own style of #onherterms living.
ALSO: If you'd like email reminders every time there's a new episode, head over to onherterms.com to unlock the full On Her Terms® audio library. Priceless (free) instant access, hot off the Voxer button press.
I'll meet you there.
Hosted by
Nikki Elledge Brown