From Nikki, With Love

In this week's episode, we talk about Holy Week, wall-climbing, phone games, healthy relationships, and communicating your needs within a relationship. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook. Send letters at bit.ly/heynikki. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikkivicente/message

In this episode, we talk about The Sound of Music, The Eras Tour, that 'ostiya review', getting called out online, and Ed Sheeran's upcoming album. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook. Send letters at bit.ly/heynikki. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nikkivicente/message

Happy November you guys! Talked about a bunch of things in this episode: Typhoon Paeng, South Korea's Halloween crowd crush, what I did over the long weekend, listening to the Midnights album, and the deleted scene in Taylor Swift's 'Anti-Hero' music video. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Things that went down in September. I got COVID, I felt lonely, and other super fun stuff. No really, there are other fun stuff that happened, don't worry. Anyway, listen to this episode, hope it makes for good company today! Send letters at bit.ly/heynikki. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Continuing our discussion about the future, here's a short episode on one of my favorite quotes from Henri Nouwen and how it has helped me. I hope it helps you too and eases any of your worries about the unknown that lies ahead. You can send a letter to the show at bit.ly/heynikki. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Let's catch up: what's been going on in my life, how I feel about what's to come, and why I think nobody really knows what they're doing in life (which is comforting to know). I also read a letter from a listener named Jana, a junior in college, who feels anxious about her future, career, and achievements and feels left behind when comparing herself to her peers. Send your own letter at bit.ly/heynikki. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

"Gaston" sent a letter about a girl he's been talking to for about a year now and how he's getting attached to her even though they don't really have a label yet. He's worried that because he's a bit torpe, he's not able to make conversations consistent and isn't sure how to make her feel special. Plus, he's in Quezon City and she's all the way in Bataan. Ready for another pandemic love story? Hope you guys enjoy this week's episode with our guest Gio Raz. I wanna hear from YOU! Send your own letters at bit.ly/heynikki. Follow the show on Spotify! We're also on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. You can follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/nikkivicente and Gio at instagram.com/raz_gio. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

"Iza" sent a letter about her experience with getting ghosted after a month of late-night talks and movie dates. While she was under the impression that she and the guy had built this safe space for each other, he leaves her hanging with nothing else but an empty apology. Listen to the episode to hear about how "Iza" was able to pick herself back up and deal with her unanswered questions on her own. We also talk about being upfront with your partner when ending a relationship and the tragedy of having to doubt ourselves and worrying about being "too much" because of partners who can't seem to give the bare minimum. Send your own letters at bit.ly/heynikki. Follow the show on Spotify! We're also on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. You can follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/nikkivicente. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

"Art sends different messages to other people, but design sends the same message to everyone" (Arucan). This week's guest, Vanilla Arucan, is a self-taught graphic designer based in Manila and a good friend of mine. She believes that graphic design is so much more than looks and that it should also be meaningful and helpful to us as human beings. It's been around five years since I last saw her so it was so fun to catch up with each other (02:49)! Vani and I had such an insightful conversation about the origins of her project, Color Story (08:05), doing the work that you want to get hired to do (10:16), graphic design needing to provide solutions (21:59), the difference between art and design (23:31), how she attracted clients that resonated with her aesthetic (27:14), and the reason she creates visuals (49:44). Where to follow Vanilla: Vanilla's Instagram Vanilla's website If you want to share your own story, just click here or go to bit.ly/heynikki. Follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. You can also follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/nikkivicente. Links & things: The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair Andy Warhol Color Story Sampaguita scarves The Philippine Star featuring Vanilla Henri Matisse cut-outs Yayoi Kusama Artinformal Bellas Artes Projects Art Cube Gallery Tarzeer Pictures Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

As human beings, it's natural to crave genuine connection, especially during such an isolating time. I started using Bumble in the latter part of 2020, just for fun and to meet new people but I didn't really expect much to happen. Now half a year later, in this episode, I have a conversation with Gio, my Bumble match-turned-boyfriend, about practical tips on making the most out of dating apps and virtual dating during the pandemic. We talk about our own experiences with Bumble (04:53), how to ask engaging questions (13:11), letting your match know you like them and showing interest (16:35), using tools at hand like voice messages, video calls, and GIFs (20:12), moving from dating apps to messaging apps (28:11), setting up virtual dates like Netflix Parties and online games (34:18), and the magic of being open to whatever comes your way (43:52). I hope you guys find this episode useful! And to everyone who's virtual dating right now... STAY STRONG lang tayo!!! If you want to share your own story, just click here or go to bit.ly/heynikki. Follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. You can also follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/nikkivicente. Links & things: Gio's Instagram Aftermath's Instagram --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Trying new things can be intimidating and it's usually something we avoid as creatures of habit. But if we just bite the bullet and go out of our comfort zone, we might just discover new things about ourselves (02:01). In this episode, I talk about new things I've been trying: new shows, books, games, apps, practices (07:22). And to celebrate the new podcast artwork, I think about what it was like to start this show back in 2019, how new it felt to me, what's changed since then (21:36), and how the idea "done is better than perfect" encouraged me to jump into the world of podcasting (24:38). Hopefully, you can apply that mentality in some aspects of your life too. :) If you want to share your own story, just click here or go to bit.ly/heynikki. Follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. Links & things: Paui's Instagram (the podcast cover artist) Prank Encounters on Netflix Violet Evergarden on Netflix Chloe's Twitch Joe's Twitch Memories of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel García Márquez --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Most of us work from home now because of the pandemic, so it's important to make our work-from-home life doable, sustainable, and fun (if the stars are aligned). I asked you guys for your best WFH tips and broke them down into categories. In this episode, let's talk about WFH tech (05:31), tips for productivity (11:06), morning routines (21:07), taking breaks (24:58), and why making time for fun is crucial for our wellbeing (31:35). If you want to share your own story, just click here or go to bit.ly/heynikki. Follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

I've always wanted to share my mom's stories with you guys. In this episode, I finally convinced her to sit down with me so she can tell you some herself! We talk about her first job (03:52), how she met my dad and why he wasn't what she expected (09:02), why her mother fainted (twice!) the day she got married to my dad (15:05), her pregnancies (20:13), and other funny stories. Listening to my mom's kwentos (kahit paulit-ulit na) never gets old for me. I hope this encourages you guys to also take the time to hear your parents' stories! If you want to share your own story, just click here or go to bit.ly/heynikki. Follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Normalize conversations about mental health! Cessy Galguerra joins me as we talk about her mental health journey, read a letter from a listener who struggles with anxiety attacks (06:18), how seeing a professional for six years (and counting) has helped Cessy (11:33), the stigma around mental issues (14:50), why you should take the lead in taking care of yourself (27:47), practical tips for dealing with anxiety attacks (34:54), and much more. You are not alone. :) If you want to share your own story, just click here or go to bit.ly/heynikki. Follow Cessy on Instagram at instagram.com/cessypaints or check out her website at cessy.studio. Follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/fromnikkiwithloveph and on Facebook at facebook.com/fromnikkiwithloveph. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

"I've been in love with my best friend for five years now. What do I do?" Hang out with me as we talk about mechanical keyboards and managing online shopping habits (03:41), read a letter from a troubled listener (09:45), talk about falling in love with a best friend (14:27), the dilemma between confessing and hiding what you really feel (15:53), and getting over someone without actually cutting them off your life (25:28), if at all possible. If you wanna share your own story, just click here or go to bit.ly/heynikki.  Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @fromnikkiwithloveph! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Let's talk about BREAK-UPS. Our letter-sender is going through a rough one. As if the pandemic wasn't difficult enough, the universe decided to throw heartbreak into the mix. Thanks, universe! In this episode, I talk about tips on how to make this painful time a little more bearable. If you wanna share your own story, just click here! Also, we finally have socials! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @fromnikkiwithloveph! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Let's start the year right (kahit patapos na ang January) with practical tips on how to battle our "AYOKO NA MAGTRABAHO" woes. In this episode, I read a letter from a listener who vented about feeling suffocated and about not being able to get any work done. Now that a lot of us work from home, I'm sure many of you guys can sympathize with this struggle. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

What is up with 2020? I try to pause and unpack some things that happened this year. How are we coping? Do you want to beat this year to a pulp with me? Hehe... but as violent as this title may be, I hope we'll all learn something by the end of the episode. As a softy, I couldn't help it. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

I witnessed a woman flip out in the grocery store the other day dahil napagkamalan siyang senior citizen ni kuya guard. How would you have reacted if you were in her shoes? Is looking old something that you detest? I also talk about other things in this episode: the reading rut I'm in and the guilt that comes with going out during the pandemic. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Chris and I talk about what it’s like to keep friendships during the pandemic, how our friendship dynamic has changed this year, and how social media interactions have taken on a new meaning because of the quarantine. What can you do to stay present in your friends’ lives? What does it really mean to “reach out” to your friends? You can follow Chris at instagram.com/chrisnotkris. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, let’s talk about being comfortable in our own skin despite the fear of being judged. There are two yous, the TRUE You (the you that’s unapologetically you) and the PSEUDO You (the you that walks on eggshells). Which one do you want to be? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

It’s all about SHREK! I answer a quiz and see how well I know my Shrek facts. I also talk about the themes within the movies, why I think it’s such a crowd favorite, and how it explores the other side of fairytales. What role does Lord Farquaad play in how the movie discusses the lengths we go to in order to look perfect? Does anyone know what happened in Shrek 3? Why are ogres like onions? Is it because when you leave them out in the sun, they get all brown and start sprouting little white hairs? I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

How do we deal with Negative Nancys, Defensive Debbies, and Presko Pedros? What if we’re stuck with difficult people during quarantine? HELP! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

The presidential pardon of Pemberton is painful and blood-boiling news to most of us. Where is the justice for Jennifer Laude? In this episode, I talk about the helplessness I’m feeling towards this issue and many others such as the SOGIE Equality Bill, homophobes, and Christian views on being gay. How far is the Philippines from being LGBT-affirming? Can I be a Christian and an LGBTQIA+ ally at the same time? SPOILER: I don’t know the answers to most of these questions, but you can listen to me attempt to wrestle with them. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

In this episode, I talk about vulnerability in content creation, words to steer clear of when job hunting (like "rock star" and "unicorn"), and anxiety poop caused by work calls. I also give some life updates! We all had big plans for 2020 and thought it was gonna be THE year. It certainly has been THE year, but not in the way we expected it to be. I hope you're staying safe! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nikkivicente/message

Again, death takes center stage. Cremation, embalming, caskets, death denial, death acceptance. It's a fun discussion, I swear. Read "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory" by Caitlin Doughty as soon as you can!

Nikki talks about death, among other things, in this episode. There's also a conversation about what shows she's been watching and why documentaries about murderers are entertaining. Is there something wrong with us? Hopefully not! Hope you're staying safe and staying home!

Frozen II is out and Nikki talks about how difficult it must be to be Elsa (mysterious icy powers and all). Imagine being thrown into queenship, being a big sister, and on top of that trying to figure out where your powers come from? Nikki also digresses to the topic of voice actors (and how both weird and amazing it is to watch them behind the scenes), specifically the woman behind the Jollibee delivery voice. Oh, and Miley Cryus was also discussed in this ep. Her Backyard Sessions on YouTube are amazing.

Nikki's back, and in this episode, it's all about seeing things you don't want to see. She talks about falling down the stairs and getting the biggest bruise of her life. Never wear socks on stairs, people. On the bright side, she also reflects on how a dead pixel she found on her camera changed her attitude when it comes to small life problems.

Nikki talks about bathrooms, periods, the two kinds of extroverts, and pregnancy in this episode.

In this first episode of From Nikki, With Love, Nikki talks about why she started this podcast, her teeth problems, her photo albums, and being thankful.