Keeping It Complex

Episode 11, The Creative Process, is a solo episode recorded in tandem with the pulse of some IRL astrology. It relates to this specific moment of time, April 2026, a very activated Aries Season lighting up Nicole's 5th house.Looking forward to the upcoming astrology with Uranus leaving Taurus and moving into Gemini for the next 7 ish years, Nicole speaks to some of the themes already coming up as they'll relate to her 7th house of relationships and partnerships.Nicole's birthday arrives three days after this transit takes place, and it has been a profound time of reflecting on where she thought she'd be by this particular birthday.This is a personal episode, where Nicole gives her inner world the microphone and uses astrology to help make sense of the whys. This episode is dedicated to those with the desire to want something more for themselves and the courage to do something about it.Here is the link to the Psychological Astrology writing by FarStellar on Substack https://farstellar.substack.com/The Astrology of the Week Ahead Podcast by Chani Nicholas: https://www.chani.com/podcasts/the-week-aheadFollow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

Episode 10 is a conversation on the art of slowing down from the lens of the nervous system with somatic embodiment coach, writer, and Human Design Reflector: Courtney Zanosky.In this episode, Nicole shares her experience navigating the transition into entrepreneurship and how her body wasn’t ready to hold the type of changes, work and moves she was setting out to achieve. The intention behind those actions was fueled by the pressure she’s always felt to do more to prove her worth. The shift has been in slowing down and actively choosing less in order to show up in a way that’s sustainable, rather than leading to a pattern that inevitably ends in burnout and overwhelm.They speak to wellness as an industry that’s designed to keep you doing more. But as a byproduct of cultivating a relationship where we begin to listen to our bodies we can discern what’s a fit for us, what is safe to do less of or even remove altogether.If you’re someone who has perfectionist tendencies, experienced burnout, is curious about the nervous system & somatic work, or can resonate with the chronic health journey- then this episode is for you!Learn more about Courtney’s work by connecting with her on Instagram @courtkneezanoskySoul Flow Embodiment https://www.soulflowembodiment.com/@soulflowembodiment Follow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

What happens when you get two Self-Projected Projectors on a call? They get deep. In this episode, Nicole is joined by guest, Stephanie Ramirez, to talk about all things related to finding and cultivating Freedom from within.This episode is for those, especially women, seeking a life of alignment who may be starting to navigate the discomfort and doubt that arises from choosing to make changes in order to live life on your own terms. By the end of the episode you'll be reminded why it's always worth it to keep moving through that discomfort to find yourself in the life you desired and always dreamed of living.Stephanie is the embodiment of someone who does what brings her joy. Her identity portfolio includes: owning an extremely successful Strategic Marketing consulting business, voice acting and storytelling in both English and Spanish, competing in the world of ballroom dancing and now launching a new and exciting season as an Identity Expansion Mentor and Coach.We credit our journeys with Human Design to Sara Miller of @projectorsonpurpose.Here's how to find and work with Steph out in the world if our conversation resonates with you:Instagram @stephanieramirezwww.stephramirez.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ramirezstephanieBook a Discovery Call hereFollow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

Episode 8 is a deep dive into the realm of Human Design.The themes that are covered include: Energy Types, Authority, Profile, Environment and Deconditioning.Learning that she is a Projector changed everything for Nicole. Finally it made sense why she was experiencing burn out in her corporate careers and struggled with worthiness and feeling enough. Looking back on how she struggled with confidence and bitterness in the workplace helped her to realize she was always chasing success in how it was defined in a Generator world, not how she was designed to thrive.In 2025 Nicole joined an extraordinary coaching container led by Sara Miller from @projectorsonpurpose where she got to dive deeper into her design and begin her journey of deconditioning.This is a great place to start if you're curious about Human Design and are wondering where to begin.Resources:Here are three resources to calculate your Body Graph and learn your Human Design: Type https://www.mybodygraph.com/https://humandesignblueprint.com/lookuphttps://www.jamielpalmer.com/download-your-human-design-chart/Intro to Human Design Resource https://www.jamielpalmer.com/human-design-explained/Sara Miller, Embodied Projector Guide & Coach https://www.projectorsonpurpose.com/2027 https://humandesignmastery.com/blog/2027The Listings Project, for finding rentals and sublets https://www.listingsproject.com/Follow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_ro.Song #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

In Episode 7 Nicole goes in for a deep dive on the state of our Food System and it's connection to human health. This has been a passion of hers since learning about the intersection of Food & Sustainability during her time studying at Le Cordon Bleu in London.Nicole hopes that drawing connections to her own food intolerances to the state of the food system in the United States will create a call to action for more education, empowerment and behavioral changes among consumers.We explore the topics of:-USDA Organic Certification-How to shop for eggs-What is the difference between Farm Raised and Wild Caught Seafood-Why people who are intolerant to gluten and dairy in the United States feel completely fine eating pizza, pasta, & cheese in Italy.-Why supporting local and organic is best for your health, but it's not financially available to all and is not possible to rely on to feed a growing global population as the system standsBelow are a list of resources to fuel your curiosity and to site the facts and data shared within this episode.How to Become Certified Organic https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/organic-certification/becoming-certifiedWhole Foods Egg Standards https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/quality-standards/egg-standardsMonterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Seafood Guide https://www.seafoodwatch.org/recommendations/download-consumer-guidesOliver English TEDX Talk Why humanity's fate depends on regenerative food https://www.youtube.com/live/aHYzg5GExAwAnimal Agriculture Alliance https://animalagalliance.org/the-role-of-livestock-in-regenerative-agriculture/2019 EAT-Lancet Summary Report https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet/summary-report/https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet/The 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission Livestream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ofJYRz7odQSustainable Food Trust https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/True Cost Accounting https://sustainablefoodtrust.org/our-work/true-cost-accounting/The Waste Resources Action Programme https://www.wrap.ngo/resources/report/uk-food-waste-food-surplus-key-factsRow 7 Seed Company https://www.row7seeds.com/Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025 https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA_508.pdfFollow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_ro.Song #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

In Episode 6 Nicole discloses her history and experience with anxiety and how it was rooted in her childhood experiences.Travel always stretched her mind and allowed her to gain new perspectives, by shifting out of uncomfortable and repetitive states. It was one particular trip to Myanmar that gave her the most perspective on how different life could really be.As with most trips, the biggest reflections were gained from a perspective of growth and how to navigate challenging situations by learning to change the narrative and where we allow our minds to fixate.For those interested in reading the book: Guided, as referenced in this episode. Feel free to view it on Amazon here.Follow & donate to World Central Kitchen for the work they've done to support the Burmese people following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar back in March 2025.Follow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_ro. Photos from the Myanmar trip can be found in her story highlights as well.Song #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

Episode 5 touches upon the idea of a spiritual awakening and how from the beginning of her health journey, Nicole always felt like she was going through it for a reason.Before her official awakening began, Nicole was introduced to the spiritual and occult worlds through a reading with a Medium and a virtual Vedic Astrology reading.Astrology has been the most profound tool that Nicole has turned to, to give meaning to the challenges she was experiencing and the direction her life was taking her. She shares some examples of what she learned about herself from studying her own birth chart, as well as from a reading with an astrocartographer.The astrologers who Nicole would like to credit for their readings, teachings and wisdom are as follows. They have been her teachers and biggest influences in her astrological studies thus far.Danielle Paige @iamdaniellepaigeChani Nicholas @chaninicholas @chani.appNadine Jane @nadinejane_astrologyHelena Woods (astrocartography) @mshelenawoodsFollow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

Episode 4 continues with Nicole's story into what life post Tarlov Cyst Disease diagnosis looked like. Trying to fix one issue only happened to cause more until she finally had to learn the ultimate lesson. Nicole's journey led her to working with all different types of practitioners and healers, but without acknowledging her nervous system she was only making matters worse.Despite having to navigate a very challenging disease, Nicole knows she was meant to learn how to truly listen to her body. The way she is able to receive information and guidance from within is a gift she gained along the way and plans to use in all areas of her life going forward.For those sensitive to discussions regarding vaccinations this is something that is addressed in this episode. However, the purpose of this conversation is to share a story of how Nicole learned to listen to the language of her body.Here's the link to the Private Facebook group mentioned for those navigating their own journey with Tarlov Cyst Disease: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cystersandmysters/It's one of the best resources that Nicole has come across and recommends it to anyone trying to understand their diagnosis. There are nearly 10,000 members to date.Link to Tush-Cush Orthopedic Seat Cushion https://tushcush.com/Follow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

In Episode 3: Where It All Began Nicole shares her experience navigating a transition from working in Marketing Research in Sydney, Australia that led her to enrolling in culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in London.While in London she suffered an injury that later led to a shocking diagnosis of a rare disease, known as a Tarlov Cyst. Tarlov Cysts are perineural cysts that in her case sits within her sacrum, encompassing and pressing on her nerve endings. Only 5% of cysts are considered symptomatic.The road to diagnosis lasted roughly 5 months. This is the story of where it all began.Follow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

In light of the recent terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Nicole shares her experience processing her emotions having just left Sydney the day before the shooting took place.This podcast was recorded after Episode 1 (An Intro) and Episode 3 (Where It All Began). They were already published in the queue before the tragic events on December 14th, 2025 took place.Occurring too close to home, she sees this as a wake up call and urges humanity to start behaving differently. We are all responsible for creating a new world and there are things we can do individually to change the collective narrative.Sending love to Bondi Beach, to Australia and to all of those impacted by the devastating events that took place on the first night of Hannukah 2025.Follow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights

Welcome to Keeping It Complex! I'm your host, Nicole Romano. Before we get into the details of my chronic health journey, I wanted to share a little bit about myself and why I decided to create this podcast. I've been navigating complex and chronic health issues for over six years.At the start of 2025, I set out to change every area of my life. I've overcome a lot and would love to use what I've learned to help those navigating change as we aim to create our most aligned lives despite living in such challenging times.Healing is multifaceted so get ready to come along for all things physical, mental, emotional and subconscious that contribute to the challenges I've faced and a taste of how I've started to overcome them. It all starts with showing up authentically. So here we go!Follow along on my personal Instagram page @nicnac_roSong #96028 / Here We Go feat. We Lepers - InstrumentalCredit ivywild / Musicbed.comLicense Standard - YouTube/PodcastTerm Beginning December 6, 2025 - Perpetual Archival Rights