Podcast appearances and mentions of nina garcia

Send us a text"The Empowered Human Book” is a guide for those ready to shift from feeling powerful to truly empowered. Written with the spirit of a playful adventure quest, this book blends the insights of a licensed counselor and drama therapist to help you embrace your authentic self. You'll learn practical tools for building confidence, strengthening emotional resilience, and showing up fully without masking parts of who you are for others' comfort. It's a journey of self-discovery that invites you to level up and thrive, while honoring both your worth and the worth of those around you. Visit our link below for more info.

World-renowned Belgian interior architect and designer Gert Voorjans is a master at crafting daring, expressive spaces, and if you have ever set foot in a Dries Van Noten store, you know his work.   Celebrated for his intricate layering of historical and contemporary influences, exceptional use of colour and textures, and a deep understanding of art and psychology in design, Voorjans has shaped homes, flagships and hotels for clients, including Nina Garcia, Joyce Ma, Inge Onsea and Mick Jagger. On this episode, Gert sits down with Dominique Nzeyimana to discuss his foundational years working with Axel Vervoordt and Dries, the lessons learned as a young man living alone in Japan, and why great design should be about emotion rather than fleeting trends.  Follow Gert Voorjans HERE. More Gert Voorjans HERE Follow The Most: on Instagram. on Facebook.  

Send us a textAre you truly emotionally secure—or just pretending to be okay? In this final part of the four-part series on leveling up emotionally, Nina breaks down what real emotional security feels like and how to actually build it. If you've been doing the work—building emotional fitness and growing emotional wealth—this episode ties it all together. Nina introduces the "colored zones" framework: green, yellow, orange, and red. These aren't just traffic lights—they're a clear way to check in with yourself and figure out where you're standing emotionally. Get the inside scoop on:

Send us a textEver feel like some relationships lift you up while others just drain the life out of you? In this episode of Empowered Human, Nina Garcia breaks down the idea of emotional wealth—the value you build (or lose) in your relationships. Just like financial investments, the connections in your life either give you a return or leave you emotionally bankrupt. So, are you investing wisely? Press play and find out.

Send us a textHow strong are you emotionally? Can you handle tough feelings, bounce back when life knocks you down, and actually feel all your emotions without getting stuck? In this episode of Empowered Human, Nina Garcia breaks down emotional fitness—the foundation of emotional security. Think of it like working out at the gym, but for your emotions. Listen in as we explore:

Pieces of life, countryside backpack diffusions, noisy-distorted-no-wave-crazy-guitar. The Paris-based guitarist discusses three important albums.Nina's picks: Gastr Del Sol – Upgrade & AfterlifeGéométries – NebuloasaOfficine – S/T (2E)Nina's new album, Bye Bye Bird, is out now on Ideologic Organ. Check it out on Bandcamp. Nina is also on Instagram.Donate to Crucial Listening on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cruciallistening

Send us a textEver feel like you're stuck emotionally and don't know how to move forward? In this episode of Empowered Human, Nina kicks off a month-long series focused on emotional growth. This is the first of four episodes designed to help you level up emotionally, starting with understanding your own emotional landscape. Hit play to dive in to:

Send us a textFeeling helpless with everything happening around you? Wondering what you, as one person, can do to make a difference? In this episode of Empowered Human, Nina Garcia breaks it down with real talk and practical tools to help you step into your power without getting lost in fear, frustration, or uncertainty. We're diving into:

Send us a textHave you ever worked with someone whose beliefs or actions make you feel small, dismissed, or rejected? How do you handle that without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, host Nina Garcia breaks down what it means to create an empowered work culture—one where respect, understanding, and real human connection matter. If you want to create a workplace or develop a relationship where people feel seen and valued (or survive a toxic one without losing your sanity), this episode is for you. Here's what we're covering:

Send us a textEver feel like you're stuck in surface-level interactions and wonder why some relationships just don't go deeper? In this episode, host Nina Garcia breaks down the difference between making connections and building relationships. She shares a personal story—Luther's breadcrumbing investment strategy—to highlight how people engage in relationships differently and why it's important to be clear about what you're investing in. Press play to explore:

Send us a textAre you a man struggling with intimacy, even if you don't want to admit it? Maybe you've been told vulnerability is weakness, or you're afraid of failing in relationships. In this episode, Nina Garcia breaks it all down with raw honesty and passion, calling out the fears that hold men back from more profound, more meaningful connections. Tune in to hear:

Send us a textDo you feel stuck, like you're avoiding the tough stuff in your life? In this episode, host Nina Garcia is joined by her brother, Chris Garcia, a husband, father of three, head of sales, and platoon leader in the Texas Army National Guard. Together, they dive deep into what it takes to push past discomfort, take ownership of your emotions, and grow into your best self. Tune in for to hear more about:Balancing personal and professional roles, including the challenge of addressing emotional "weights" in relationships.The powerful metaphors that will help make the journey of emotional growth relatable and actionable.Why making decisions, even imperfect ones, is better than staying stuck in indecision.What you will get:4:04 Why striving for perfection isn't the goal6:51 What it means to lean into your edge emotionally12:09 Embrace the suck: Why discomfort is key to growth19:35 Emotional strength: Handling 50-pound vs. 500-pound conversations29:56 The importance of owning your time35:06 How to recognize discomfort as an opportunity for growth45:16 Why making a decision is better than staying stuck53:05 Adventure challenges to level up your emotional gameResources:Connect with Chris on IG @thecatalystchris Get Empowered Now with Nina's Offerings: https://linktr.ee/empoweredwithninaEmpowered Human with Nina Garcia is an episodic journey for self justice, personal freedom, and lifelong liberation. We can all use tools to recondition cultural beliefs that don't serve our lived experience as a human being. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend. New episodes Wednesdays, with a tool for Empowerment in each one: subscribe for notifications!Support the show

Send us a textWhat does it mean to grow confidence and security in your emotional world? Tune in and be guided through Nina's five-part structure, sharing personal stories, practical skills, and an actionable adventure challenge. In this episode, Nina: 

Send us a textHow can you reset a relationship in one week? By knowing your role in the relationship and FLIPPING THE SCRIPT with “Thought Fasting”. In this episode Nina invites you to explore your relationship with yourself, strengthening and empowering your inner voice so it radiates out to others and the world at large.

Send us a textEmbrace your full self and vibrantly step into the human being you are meant to be. Tune in as Nina reveals the five power dynamics and character profiles of the Empowerment Spectrum.

Send us a textYou asked, and I'm answering! Beyond financial wealth, what are some truly fulfilling ways to create, nourish, and live a rich and abundant life? Tune in as we dive into a powerful visualization tool you can use this holiday season to cultivate abundance in every area of your life.

Send us a textImagine yourself as the most valuable property—whoever you invite onto your land should only enhance its worth, my friend.Join me as we dive into the art of knowing your value and fully owning your worth.

Send us a textThe holiday season is here—are you prepared to tackle all those holiday triggers? Join Nina as she shares insights from her Holiday Survival Guide and discover essential skills to navigate the season with ease and grace.

Send us a textThe holidays are here, and with them often comes stress overload! But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: Are you reacting to the idea of something scary, or the reality of something dangerous? ➡️ Either way, it's time to tune in and discover how to transform stress into opportunities for feeling truly Empowered—not just powered through sheer willpower—as you navigate the holiday season and life beyond.

Send us a textHow does a city girl respond to an invitation to a "Redneck Thanksgiving"? Tune in as I recount last year's Thanksgiving adventure, reflect on calling myself into “the work,” and explore how you, too, can practice courage, healing, and belonging on your human journey.

Send us a textHow do you handle triggers that stem from events years—or even decades—past? In this episode, Ann Hince takes us on her journey of emotional healing, starting with an experience that opened the door to deep, buried emotions from her childhood. We're inviting you to join us in exploring her path to emotional freedom ❤️ Listen in as Ann shares her story and empowers you to embrace and release your emotions.

Send us a textEver feel like you're stuck on a never-ending merry-go-round of trauma and drama, with the same cycles repeating over and over? “That was the pattern I created—imprinted in my psyche and replayed endlessly.” Feeling triggered is tough, but there's hope for healing and breaking free from those cycles.Join Bo Bissett as he dives into understanding triggers, tapping into your intuitive self, and finding ways to reconnect with and settle into your body.

Send us a textFrom "I can't imagine having sex again" to "Am I moving too fast?"—Nina and Liz guide you through the journey of embracing empowerment and self-discovery after sexual trauma. Join us for this episode as we explore how to lean in and move forward, reconnecting with your Sexual Self.

Send us a text“I keep exploding...I keep imploding! What do I do with all these triggers?" Triggers come from highly emotional circumstances folks. Listen in to learn what happens when you lean in, Empowered Human

Send us a textDid almost losing my home push me to realign, or was realigning what helped me keep my home? If you've ever felt the sting of thinking, "This wasn't supposed to happen to me, something if off..." it might be time to get your Alignment on.  Tune in to this episode and learn practical skills to align with what matters.

Send us a textDo you tend to lean more toward Avoidance or Approach? Take a moment to genuinely reflect: Are you someone who often uses Avoidance as a strategy, or do you embrace Approach and *leaning in* more frequently? Perhaps most importantly—whatever your answer—how is that strategy serving you and those around you?

Send us a textDo you ever sense when something feels "off"? What if you had the power to fix it? Many people feel like life happens to them, struggling with the concept of "controlling what you can control." But what if you could actively manifest alignment—practically and powerfully?Get ready to:

For our adult audience: How comfortable are you really with exploring your relationship to sex and love? Whether you're embracing self-love, navigating dating, committed to monogamous love, or exploring polyamory—love is love in all its forms.Join me and Zach Budd as we dive into the complexities of sex and love. It's a fun and enlightening journey, y'all!Important Note: This episode, while educational, is not explicit.

"WHAT IF THE FAIRYTALE YOU WERE SOLD ISN'T AS IT SEEMS?" This question can trigger deep emotions in many of us and significantly impact our mental well-being. In this episode we dive into the complexities of self-love, lost love, and unrequited love. Join us as we explore how to navigate these feelings and reclaim your narrative.

ARE YOU OWNING YOUR TRUTH... AND LETTING OTHERS OWN THEIRS?Learning to play with perspective is a powerful tool for recognizing and addressing moments where you or others might be experiencing invalidation or oppression. In this episode, you'll be invited to explore what it means to "resist the box" by owning your truth. If you're struggling with shame or judgment, don't worry! Practice non-judgment from the previous episode before diving into this one.

CULTURE ISN'T JUST FOR LARGE GROUPS. Learning about Individual Culture is a huge part of empowerment, yet it can be incredibly triggering for some people to own their truths. In this episode, you'll play with some spaces where you or others may be avoiding ownership of personal truth or avoiding acknowledging the truths of others. Explore your relationship to identity, culture, and diversity.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT." No one wants to hear themselves say that on a date—let alone repeatedly. Fear can hijack us, but instead of dismissing it, let's explore how to build a healthier relationship with ourselves. Join me as we examine our personal insecurities and the tools to challenge unhelpful beliefs. Have a journal or a friend handy to discuss what you discover. If you can't play with this today, that's okay. Stay curious and join us next time.

"I'LL NEVER GET OUT OF DEBT." This statement is a trigger for so many of us, and can hugely affect our mental health.  Nickolas Natali of nickolasnatali.com shares what he's learned on the journey toward financial freedom which - in case you missed the title - involved choosing to move into his car. Join Nick & Nina to explore debt & mental health. Whether it's you who struggles with these moments as a trigger or someone you know - we can all use tools to recondition cultural beliefs that aren't realistic or helpful to our personal experience as a human being. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

Ask yourself: "Are my beliefs around divorce worth more than someone else's beliefs around divorce?" While this is a two way street, we often get so caught up in our own beliefs, that we fail to see the human experience of someone else right in front of us. Join Drama Therapist Nina to explore divorce & vulnerability. Whether it's you who struggles with these moments as a trigger or someone you know - we can all use tools to recondition cultural beliefs that aren't realistic or helpful to our personal experience as a human being. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

Ask yourself: "Do I know how to keep myself from being emotionally hijacked...and do I know why that might be valuable to me at all?" The body holds stories folks - patterned ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. Join realtor Amanda Chavez to explore road rage & vulnerability, coming away with a funny-scary story and:

Relationships are not without drama - but when the drama in the present is actually triggering things from the past…we might be in danger of losing that relationship.  Learn about our very human responses to survive & how they sometimes happen so often, they become habit. Whether it's your relational trauma or the trauma of someone you know and love - we can all use tools to recognize trauma responses in relationships (and hopefully support a more intentional shift). And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend. 

Recognize trauma immediately - without getting sucked in to the emotional vortex. Come away with a creative intervention to help you recognize and process the trauma in your life, as well as resources for dealing with trauma and PTSD professionally. Whether it's your trauma or the trauma of someone you know and love - we can all use tools to recognize the hardest things in life. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

What if there was a way to control our emotions more when it mattered? Get ready to hold your own as you 1) Notice 2) Channel, and 3) Express your emotions as energy BEFORE they hijack your world. Whether you're the person that implodes or explodes - we all need tools for balancing our emotions. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

What if we told you there's no such thing as "not racist"? Listen in to hear one way to empower people to gauge themselves on the Racial Disorder spectrum: from 1 (Least Racist) to 5 (Most Racist). We invite you to flip the script on your understanding of Racism, empowering you to open to the idea that we're all affected - and we all need tools for symptom maintenance. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

What is the cost of hiding or avoiding your emotions? Sometimes - more than it feels like we can bear. In this episode, we talk about a new suicidal part that popped up for Nina, and how she creatively invites clients to process through their own unique emotional landscape. Listen in as we explore seeing, feeling, and hearing your emotions to get you back to living your most vibrant life. Get ready to:

What if there was a way to control our emotions more when it mattered? Get ready to use the emotional forces within the next time your emotions are about to hijack your world. Whether you're the person that implodes or explodes - we all need tools for balancing our emotions. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

Saying no can be hard, but we believe it's vital to living a vibrant life. This episode offers the idea that saying no can be practiced like any other skill, and we'll go over five different ways we've done it - and how you can too. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

Today's episode begins with a running start, asking "Am I OK with being an Oppressor?" Tune in to hear how your fellow Humans Erika & Nina wrangle racism at the dinner table - and how you can too. It starts with you, so have a journal on hand or a good friend to dialogue with what comes up for you in this episode. And if you can't play with this today? That's okay too. Stay curious. We'll see you later, or in the next episode friend.

A throwback episode of our first interview of season 2, supported by Erika Garcia: a conversation session with Host Nina, as she shares what it's like to not identify as a race in a world that expects you to fit in the category you've been assigned...only what happens when some of us don't check all the boxes? Listen in to:

Be intentional about how you show up in this world: not who your emotions want you to be, or even who the stories that are bigger and older than you make you out to be. Use this week's tool as a framework for emotional sobriety, growth and transformation ❤️ Listen in to use the Self Actualization pyramid and:

When all or nothing, "take it or leave it" thinking gets in your way: going from two options to more may be your best bet to lightening up the pressure, and moving forward. Your tool for today's episode: Spectrum/Continuum Thinking. Listen in to:

Whether online or in-person, when family gets together, you'll probably be talking to someone who will say or do something you may not agree with. You may disagree with it so much in fact, that it leaves you triggered.  Listen in to:

Judgment comes easily to most of us - at best, it can help us survive. At worst, it can leave us so triggered we can't function. Listen in to explore a real moment, and how to use Nonjudgmental Stance as a tool that can turn hard conversations into teachable moments. Post-Note: This episode uses the term "intersex", defined by isna.org as "a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. For example, a person might be born appearing to be female on the outside, but having mostly male-typical anatomy on the inside. Or a person may be born with genitals that seem to be in-between the usual male and female types. Listen in to this episode to:

Let's imagine your emotions are wolves - can you play with that? In this episode, we explore what it means to empower your inner wolf pack and vibrantly express your Human truth: before your wolf-like emotions speak a Triggered Truth for you. Get ready to:

Fashion Runway's Suede steps Behind The Rope. Yup, fan favorite, blue haired, likes to refer to himself in the third person, Suede.  Suede discusses the Project Runway casting process, the filming process, his fellow contestant designers, the difficulty of Runway and how you really had to “Make It Work”. Speaking of “Making It Work”, Suede opens up about Project Runway Mentor Tim Gunn, judges Heidi Klum, Michael Koors, and Nina Garcia, Issac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman. We discuss Georgina's Husband at the time and Former Runway Producer, Harvey Weinstein, what did he see at the time, was he shocked at what has transpired since regarding Weinstein? We discuss one of the most successful winners of Project Runway, Christian Siriano, how, what, where and why did he become the most well known winner in Runway's history? On a larger note, Suede explains whether Reality Competition shows are still a valid means to achieve success in ones field after the show ends. Finally, Suede discusses some of his inspirations growing up that have inspired both his fashion as well as his life - Madonna. Cher and Cyndi Lauper.  Tune in now to this blast from the past chat with the one and only Suede.  @suedesays @behindvelvetrope @davidyontef BONUS & AD FREE EPISODES Available at - www.patreon.com/behindthevelvetrope  BROUGHT TO YOU BY: CHIME - chime.com/VELVET (Start Building Your Credit. Open a Chime Checking Account) INDEED - indeed.com/velvet (Seventy Five Dollar $75 Sponsored Job Credit To Get Your Jobs More Visibility)  NOOM - noom.com (Sign Up For Your Trial Today So You Can Manage Your Weight For The Long Term) RAKUTEN - rakuten.com (Members Earn Cash Back On Everything They Buy Through Rakuten or The Rakuten App) ADVERTISING INQUIRIES - Please contact David@advertising-execs.com MERCH Available at - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/behind-the-velvet-rope?ref_id=13198 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices