Nancy and Nicole: Real Life, Real Talk

Some days everything flows.And some days… nothing does.In this episode, we talk about what it actually feels like to be off your game—when your thoughts won’t land, your energy is off, and everything starts to feel like a grind.But instead of jumping straight to fixing it, we explore something else:What if being off your game isn’t a problem… but part of the process?We talk about:1. The pressure to "fix" what feels off2. Internal vs external solutions3. When to push... and when to let it be4. And how to recognize what you actually need in the momentIf you've been feeling out of sync lately -- you're not alone.

We thought this was going to be a simple conversation about “the power of showing up.”It wasn’t.What started as a straightforward idea turned into something a lot more honest—about the different ways we show up (or don’t), the stories we tell ourselves, and what it actually takes to be present in our lives and relationships.Nicole shares a deeply personal experience of showing up at the end of her mom’s life—and the unexpected gifts that came from it.We also explore the quieter, everyday moments:showing up in conversations, in relationships, and even when we don’t feel like ourselves.It’s a little messy. A little uncomfortable. And very real.And maybe that’s the whole point.

We almost didn’t record this.Because we didn’t have a takeaway.No lesson. No clarity. No bow.And then we realized, that might be the most honest place to start.This episode is about what it feels like to be in the middle, when nothing is resolved yet, and you can’t wrap it up into something meaningful.No “here’s what I learned.”No steps.No neat ending.Just being in it.If things feel messy, uncertain, or unfinished right now… you’re not doing it wrong.You might just be here.

Feeling off, stuck, or just not yourself?In this episode, we talk about what actually helps shift your energy—and why mindset alone isn’t enough.From movement and music to awareness and smallemotional shifts, this is a real-life conversation about getting out of a funk… without pretending everything is fine.

You’re good at what you do.So why do you still doubt yourself?In this episode, we unpack the real reason confidence drops—especially in moments that matter—and how it often has less to do with skill… and more to do with where you’re sourcing your sense of worth.We talk about the quiet ways we outsource validation—to clients, results, and feedback—and how that shift changes everything about how we show up.This isn’t about becoming more confident.It’s about understanding what’s underneath the doubt.

What if the way you define success… isn’t actually yours?In this episode, Nancy and Nicole unpack the stories we inherit about success—from family, culture, and the industries we work in—and how those stories quietly shape our choices, our boundaries, and the cost of the lives we’re building.From hustle culture and “busy as a badge of honor” to the belief that you have to choose between time and money, thisconversation challenges what success is supposed to look like—and invites you to define it for yourself.If you’ve ever felt like success comes at too high a cost… this one’s for you.

Most of the stories we tell ourselves about what other people think of us… aren’t actually true.In this episode, Nancy and Nicole unpack the invisible narratives that shape our decisions, confidence, and relationships — especially the ones we carry for decades without realizing it.Nicole shares how years of anxiety after selling homes had her convinced clients were unhappy with her — until shediscovered the story in her head wasn’t reality.Nancy reflects on a comment her mother made decades ago that quietly shaped how she viewed herself as a speaker — and how those stories can live in our minds long after the moment has passed.Together they explore:Why our brains create stories about what others thinkHow those stories often become self-limitingThe surprising role hormones and life transitions can play in anxietyHow to interrupt the narrative when it starts running the showAnd why questioning the story might be the most powerful move we can makeIf you've ever held back, second-guessed yourself, or assumed the worst about what others think of you -- this conversation might change the way you hear the voice in your head.

Authenticity is often celebrated as courage.But what happens when you share something real… and it isn’t met?Not with criticism.Not with disagreement.Just silence.In this episode of Nancy & Nicole: Real Life, RealTalk — The Stories We Tell Ourselves, we explore the moments when vulnerability doesn’t land the way we hoped.Those moments when you:• share something honest• think you’ve made a connection• expect resonance…and instead get a subject change, a quiet room, or no response at all.Nancy introduces the concept of the “unchanging self” and how practicing authenticity often increases vulnerability — which makes those quiet moments feel even louder.Nicole shares the real experience of putting yourself out there in work and relationships and sometimes driving homewondering if anything actually landed.Together we unpack the powerful stories our brains create when we don’t understand someone else’s reaction — and why most of the time those stories say more about us than they do about reality.Because the story you just made up about someone else’s reaction?It probably has very little to do with you.

In this episode of Nancy & Nicole: Real Life, RealTalk, we explore the tension between trying to be universally liked and showing up authentically in business and life.Nicole shares how 30 years in real estate shaped her belief that clarity — a clear yes or a clear no — creates betterresults than trying to please everyone. Nancy reflects on identity, visibility, and what it actually costs to sand down your edges for approval.We talk about:• Approval-seeking disguised as strategy• The power of clarity in business• How energy impacts tangible outcome• Why authenticity doesn’t mean oversharing• The role of boundaries in leadershipYou can’t be everything to everyone.But you can be clear about who you’re for.

In this episode of Nancy & Nicole: Real Life RealTalk, we talk about the in-between — that frustrating space where you’re showing up, doing the work, trying to stay aligned… and the results just aren’t here yet.You’re not in your groove. Things feel sticky. And it’s easy to spiral into comparison, doubt, or hiding.We unpack how to recognize the signs (snippiness, friction, story spirals), and how to shift your energy without forcing outcomes. Nicole shares how “proof it’s working” can still exist even when business proof isn’t showing up, and Nancy offers the reminder she keeps coming back to: you can’t steer a parked car.The core message is simple: you don’t need a giant breakthrough. You need a reset — connection, small action, and a daily practice that brings you back to trust.Follow along:• Nancy on Instagram: @nancy.chapin.seattle• Nicole on Instagram: @nicole_mangina• Join our email list: https://nancyandnicole.com Connect with us:• Nancy — Real Estate & Speaking:https://www.nancychapin.com• Nicole — Coaching & Real Estate:https://successperspective.com If this conversation resonated, subscribe and share withsomeone who might enjoy it.We’re glad you’re here.

In this episode of Nancy & Nicole: Real Life Real Talk, we explore the tension between being nice and being honest — and why so many of us (especially women) default to people-pleasing even when it costs us clarity, results, and self-trust.We unpack the stories many of us learned early, like “nice is the price of inclusion,” and how those beliefs show up in our work, friendships, and high-stakes conversations. Usingreal-life examples from real estate — pricing strategy, prepping a home, and navigating client boundaries — we talk about why being “nice” can sometimes be the least helpful option, and how honest conversations (when delivered well)are often the kindest thing we can offer.The deeper shift we explore: honesty isn’t just about outcomes or relationships. It’s about who you want to be in the world — and whether you can put your head on the pillow at night knowing you showed up in alignment.

We all carry stories about what it takes to want more in life—more joy, more connection, more meaning.In this episode, Nancy and Nicole explore the deeply ingrained beliefs around effort, sacrifice, and worthiness, and question whether wanting more truly requires doing more. Along the way, they unpack the subtle but powerful shift from hoping something will work out to trusting yourself enough to receive it.This is a reflective, real-time conversation about unlearning old assumptions, noticing where ease is already present, and allowing a different way forward to emerge.

This week’s planned episode didn’t feel right to release.So I recorded a solo reflection on collective grief, exhaustion, and how we keep showing up — for ourselves and for one another — when the world feels heavy.One breath at a time.

Are you pushing because it’s time to push—or because you think you’re supposed to?In this episode, Nancy and Nicole explore the difference between force and flow—in work, relationships, money, health, and even the seasons of our lives. Using everything from puzzle pieces to travel calendars to Starbucks coffee decisions, they unpack how alignment, values, and intuition often matter more than effort.This is a real conversation about recognizing when something fits… and having the courage to stop forcing what doesn’t.

Perfectionism is sneaky. Sometimes it looks like integrityand high standards. Other times, it looks like procrastination, over-editing, people-pleasing, or avoiding hard conversations altogether.In this episode, Nancy and Nicole explore where perfectionism comes from, how it shows up differently in the doing parts of life versus the being parts, and why “done” often beats “perfect.”They talk about creativity, relationships, conflict avoidance, group support, and even a surprisingly revealing go-kart racing experience.If you’ve ever:Talked yourself out of sharing something because it wasn't "ready"Been harder on yourself than you'd ever be on someone elseBelieved getting it just right might protect you from discomfort or disappointment... this conversation is for you!

Goals can motivate—or completely shut us down. In thisepisode, Nancy and Nicole unpack their complicated relationship with goals and share a more human, flexible way to think about direction, growth, and progress.

When your battery hits 1%, everything feels harder — the decisions, the expectations, the people you love, even the basics.In this episode, Nancy and Nicole unpack what real self-care looks like in a full, busy life. This isn’t spa days and bubble baths. It’s the everyday practices that help you notice your limits, honor your capacity, and make small shifts that restore your energy. We talk about why so many women feel depleted, the stories we tell ourselves about rest, how to set better boundaries, and the micro-moments that make a meaningful difference.If you’re feeling stretched thin or overwhelmed, this conversation will help you reconnect, recalibrate,and give yourself the care you actually need.

In this episode, Nancy and Nicole pull back the curtain on how they really approach business planning — and why traditional “binder-based” planning has never worked for them.If thick planners, spreadsheets, and color-coded tabs make you want to change careers, you’re in good company. And if you're NOT an entrepreneur or in real estate, there are some gold nuggets of insight for you, too!They unpack:Why rigid business plans often shut people downHow personality, neurodivergence, and values shape the waywe planThe role of energy, alignment, and consistencyWhy “one-size-fits-all” planning leaves so many agentsfeeling like failuresWhat they actually do to stay grounded, intentional, and successfulWhether you’re Team Binder or Team“I lost the binder,” this episode will help you create a business plan that actually fits your life.✨ Connect with UsInstagram:• Nancy — @nancy.chapin.seattle• Nicole — @nicolemanginaYouTube:• https://www.youtube.com/@nancy.chapin• https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleManginaWebsites:• Nancy — https://www.nancychapinspeaks.com• Nicole — https://successperspective.comWant to join our email list for upcoming events and episodes?DM either of us on Instagram and we’ll add you.If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend.

Nancy and Nicole get real about the holidays—expectations, blended families, grief, boundaries, “experiences vs. stuff,” and what it means to move through a tender season with more honesty and compassion. They talk about mismatched holiday traditions, grown kids and shifting plans, decorating disappointments, what happens when you bulldoze your vision onto everyone else, and how to show up with more communication and care. If this time of year feels tender, complicated, or just a lot, this conversation will make you feel less alone.Follow along: • Nancy on Instagram: @nancy.chapin.seattle• Nicole on Instagram: @nicole_manginaLet us know if you want to join our joint email list to keep up with upcoming events.• Watch episodes on YouTube: – Nancy’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nancy.chapin– Nicole’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleManginaWork with us / Connect: • Nancy — Real Estate & Speaking: https://www.nancychapinspeaks.com • Nicole — Coaching & Real Estate: https://successperspective.comThanks for listening. Please like, subscribe and share! We’re glad you’re here.

Like so many, Nicole’s life has been a beautiful winding path that she never could have anticipated. Each experience has added to her story - whether living in Europe while her Dad was in the military, earning a nutrition degree, building a thriving real estate practice or speaking about the power of our own energy and mindset to create amazing businesses that feel aligned (meaning we can make great money AND have a life).Through all of it, Nicole remains fascinated by the way the stories we tell ourselves shape the world we experience. And the magic that comes when we chose to shift the ones that no longer serve us. In this episode, Nicole shares some of her own stories.Follow along:• Nancy on Instagram: @nancy.chapin.seattle• Nicole on Instagram: @nicole_manginaLet us know if you want to join our joint email list to keep up with upcoming events.• Watch episodes on YouTube:– Nancy’s channel:    / @nancy.chapin  – Nicole’s channel:    / @nicolemangina  Work with us / Connect:• Nancy — Real Estate & Speaking: https://www.nancychapinspeaks.com• Nicole — Coaching & Real Estate: https://successperspective.comThanks for listening. Please like, subscribe and share! We’re glad you’re here.

In this episode, Nicole turns the mic on Nancy for a deep-dive into how she actually ended up doing this work. It’s a zigzag path—think Family Circus, but make it midlife. Nancy shares the twists of her “mosaic career,” why real estate wasn’t the sellout move people assumed, and how facilitating life transitions became the through-line from social work to sales.She also opens up about the early years of muted authenticity, the role mentors played (for better or worse), and the moment the midlife whisper got too loud to ignore. From COVID clarity to cold-plunge discipline to finding purpose on stage, this episode is part origin story, part permission slip.If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this all there is?”—or if you’re craving more meaning, more resonance, and more being seen—this conversation is for you.Follow along:• Nancy on Instagram: @nancy.chapin.seattle• Nicole on Instagram: @nicole_mangina Let us know if you want to join our joint email list to keep up with upcoming events.• Watch episodes on YouTube:– Nancy’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nancy.chapin– Nicole’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleManginaWork with us / Connect:• Nancy — Real Estate & Speaking: https://www.nancychapinspeaks.com• Nicole — Coaching & Real Estate: https://successperspective.com/Thanks for listening. Please like, subscribe and share! We’re glad you’re here.

In our very first episode, we talk about why we’re doing this podcast in the first place. We get real about what it actually takes to live a full, beautiful, messy, meaningful life. This is the beginning of something we’ve both been craving — real life, real talk.Follow along: • Nancy on Instagram: @nancy.chapin.seattle• Nicole on Instagram:@nicole_manginaLet us know if you want to join our joint email list to keep up with upcoming events.• Watch episodes on YouTube: – Nancy’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nancy.chapin– Nicole’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleManginaWork with us / Connect: • Nancy — Real Estate & Speaking: https://www.nancychapinspeaks.com • Nicole — Coaching & Real Estate: https://successperspective.comThanks for listening to our very first episode. We’re glad you’re here.