Back to Life with Nicole Green

FRENEMIES: Friendship Threats

Episode 6 - "Frienemies: Friendship Threats"

Welcome back to the Back to Life Podcast with Nicole!

In our sixth episode, host Nicole Green and her insightful friend Kelly tackle the delicate topic of "Frienemies: Friendship Threats." This episode delves into identifying healthy versus unhealthy friendships, navigating the complexities of friendship breakups, and recognizing red flags that may indicate toxic relationships.

Episode Highlights:

1. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Friendships

• Nicole and Kelly discuss the characteristics of a healthy friendship, such as mutual respect, support, and emotional safety.
• They explore how to distinguish between a healthy friendship that uplifts and a potentially toxic one that drains energy.

Friendship Breakups: It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

• The hosts share insights on the emotional challenges of ending a friendship that no longer serves one's well-being.
• Advice on navigating friendship breakups with empathy, honesty, and self-care.

Identifying Red Flags of Friendship

• Nicole and Kelly outline seven red flags to watch out for in friendships, including walking on eggshells, frequent criticisms, and unreliable behavior.
• Discussion on the importance of recognizing these signs and setting boundaries to protect one's emotional health.

Reflective Moment: Nicole and Kelly encourage listeners to reflect on their friendships. Are there any red flags they’ve noticed? How do these friendships make them feel? It’s a reminder to prioritize well-being and cultivate positive, supportive relationships.

Join Us: Join us on this journey to understand the dynamics of friendships and navigate their complexities with wisdom and self-awareness.

Action Items:

• Reflect on the qualities of your friendships. Are they healthy and supportive?
• Consider how you handle friendship breakups and prioritize your emotional well-being.
• Identify any red flags in your friendships and take steps to address them with compassion and clarity.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow us on social media @BeWellwithNicoleG for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
• Follow on our websites: 
  • Nicole   www.bewellwithnicole.com
  • Kelly     www.pedersenabq.com
• Share your thoughts and stories about friendship with us!

Thank You for Listening! Thank you for tuning in to our sixth episode. Join us next week as we continue exploring ways to live well, love well, and be well.

True/False Quiz: Red and Green Flags of Friendships

Instructions: Test your understanding of the red and green flags discussed in Episode 6 of "Back to Life Podcast with Nicole" about friendships. Decide whether each statement is true or false based on the podcast content.

1. Walking on eggshells constantly around a friend is a green flag of a healthy friendship.

• False: Constantly feeling like you have to walk on eggshells around a friend is a red flag of an unhealthy friendship.

Frequent criticisms from a friend indicate a potentially toxic relationship.

• True: Frequent criticisms can be a red flag of a toxic friendship, where you may not feel supported or accepted.

Healthy friendships require mutual respect, support, and emotional safety.

• True: These qualities are essential for maintaining healthy and positive friendships.

Friendship breakups should be handled with empathy and honesty.

• True: It’s important to approach friendship breakups respectfully, considering both parties’ feelings and well-being.

Feeling small or inadequate around a friend is a green flag of a healthy relationship.

• False: Feeling small or inadequate around a friend is a red flag that the friendship may not be uplifting or supportive.

A friend who frequently cancels plans without honest communication is showing a green flag of reliability.

• False: Frequent last-minute cancellations without honest communication can be a red flag of unreliability in a friendship.

A friend who dismisses kind, honest, and successful people in conversations demonstrates a red flag of judgmental behavior.

• True: Dismissing others who are kind, honest, and successful can indicate judgmental behavior, which is a red flag in friendships.

Reflection: Reflect on these statements to better understand the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy friendships. Take steps to cultivate positive and supportive relationships in your life.

Thank You For Being A Friend

Episode 5 - "Thank You For Being A Friend"

Welcome back to the Back to Life Podcast with Nicole!

In our fifth episode, host Nicole Green and her wonderful friend Kelly explore the essence of friendship. This episode focuses on friendship gratitude, the importance of consistency and momentum in friendships, and recognizing friendship green flags. Join us for an insightful and heartwarming conversation that celebrates the beauty of friendships.

Episode Highlights:

1. Friendship Gratitude:

• Nicole and Kelly share what they love and value most about their friendships.
• Discussion on the importance of expressing gratitude to friends and recognizing their positive impact on our lives.
• Reflective moment: Think about what you love and value most about your friends. Have you expressed your gratitude to them recently?

Consistency and Momentum as a Friend:

• The significance of making time for friends and staying connected, even when life gets busy.
• Tips on how to maintain consistency in friendships through regular check-ins and proactive efforts.
• Reflective moment: Consider how you can be more consistent in your friendships. What actions can you take to keep the momentum going?

Friendship Green Flags:

• Identifying positive signs of a healthy and fulfilling friendship, such as mutual respect, open communication, and shared joy.
• The importance of trust and reliability in friendships.
• Reflective moment: Reflect on the green flags in your friendships. What positive signs do you see in your relationships that show they’re healthy and fulfilling?

Join Us: We invite you to join us on this journey to nurture your mental health and get back to living a fulfilling life. Cherish and invest in your friendships to strengthen these vital connections.

Action Items:

• Express gratitude to your friends and recognize their positive impact on your life.
• Make a conscious effort to maintain consistency and momentum in your friendships.
• Identify and celebrate the green flags in your friendships that indicate they are healthy and fulfilling.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow us on social media @BeWellwithNicoleG for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
• Follow on our websites: 
  • Nicole:   www.bewellwithnicole.com
  • Kelly:     www.pedersenabq.com
• Share your thoughts and stories about friendship with us!

Thank You for Listening! We appreciate you tuning in to our fifth episode. Join us next week as we continue exploring ways to live well, love well, and be well.

That's What Friends Are For

Episode 4 - "That's What Friends Are For"

Welcome back to the Back to Life Podcast with Nicole!

In our fourth episode, host Nicole Green and her delightful friend Kelly explore the magic and complexity of friendships. This episode delves into unlikely friendships, the importance of forgiveness in friendships, and ways to bring joy to our friendship connections.

Episode Highlights:

1. Unlikely Friendships:

• Nicole and Kelly share personal stories of forming unexpected friendships.
• Discussion on how stepping outside our comfort zones and being open to new people can lead to rewarding relationships.
• The value of different perspectives and experiences in enriching our lives.

Friendship Forgiveness – A Lesson of Relationships:

• The importance of forgiveness in maintaining healthy friendships.
• How forgiveness helps move past conflicts and misunderstandings, strengthening bonds.
• The significance of self-forgiveness and letting go of resentment to foster compassion and understanding.

Bringing Joy to Our Friendship Connections:

• Simple ways to infuse joy into friendships, like sending funny memes or planning surprise meet-ups.
• Celebrating successes, sharing fun moments, and creating new memories together.
• The power of laughter and positivity in strengthening friendship bonds and enhancing well-being.

Reflective Moment: Nicole and Kelly encourage listeners to reflect on their friendships. Do you have any unlikely friendships that have enriched your life? Is there someone you need to forgive, or do you need to forgive yourself? What little acts of kindness or fun can you incorporate to bring more joy to your friendships?

Join Us: We invite you to join us on this journey to nurture your mental health and get back to living a fulfilling life. Cherish and invest in your friendships to strengthen these vital connections.

Action Items:

• Reflect on any unlikely friendships and appreciate their value.
• Practice forgiveness in your friendships and with yourself.
• Find ways to bring joy and positivity to your friendship connections.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow us on social media @BeWellwithNicoleG for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
• Follow on our websites: 
  • Nicole:   www.bewellwithnicole.com
  • Kelly:     www.pedersenabq.com
• Share your thoughts and stories about friendship with us!

Thank You for Listening! We appreciate you tuning in to our fourth episode. Join us next week as we continue exploring ways to live well, love well, and be well.

Frientimacy

Episode 3 - "Frientimacy"

Welcome back to the Back to Life Podcast with Nicole!

In our third episode, host Nicole Green and her wonderful friend Kelly delve into the concept of “Frientimacy” – a blend of friendship and emotional intimacy. They discuss the importance of establishing your friendship circle, the power of vulnerability and honesty, and the essentials for maintaining meaningful friendships over time.

Episode Highlights:

1. Establishing Your Friendship Circle:

• Nicole and Kelly talk about the importance of being intentional when building your circle of friends.
• Emphasis on quality over quantity: surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people who align with your values and interests.
• The benefits of having a diverse friendship circle with different perspectives and backgrounds.

Sharing Your Stuff (Vulnerability & Honesty):

• The role of vulnerability in deepening friendships.
• How being open and honest builds trust and transforms casual friendships into close, intimate ones.
• The importance of mutual vulnerability: listening and supporting your friends when they open up.

Maintaining Meaningful Friendships:

• The significance of consistency: regular check-ins and making time for each other.
• Effective communication: being honest about feelings, addressing issues, and celebrating successes.
• Supporting each other through tough times and having fun together to create new memories.

Reflective Moment: Nicole and Kelly encourage listeners to reflect on their current friendships. Are you being intentional about who you surround yourself with? Are you allowing yourself to be vulnerable and honest? What steps can you take to maintain those meaningful connections?

Join Us: We invite you to join us on this journey to nurture your mental health and get back to living a fulfilling life. Cherish and invest in your friendships to strengthen these vital connections.

Action Items:

• Reflect on your friendship circle and its quality.
• Practice vulnerability and honesty in your friendships.
• Take steps to maintain and nurture meaningful connections with consistency and communication.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow us on social media @BeWellwithNicoleG for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
• Visit us online - Nicole: www.bewellwithnicole.com and Kelly:  www.pedersenabq.com
• Share your thoughts and stories about friendship with us!

Thank You for Listening! We appreciate you tuning in to our third episode. Join us next week as we continue exploring ways to live well, love well, and be well.

Friend-ish: The Company You Keep

Friend-ish: The Company You Keep

Welcome back to the Back to Life Podcast with Nicole!

In our second episode, host Nicole Green and her wonderful friend Kelly continue their exploration of adult friendships, diving into the vital role they play in our lives. They discuss why we all need friends, how friendships impact our mental health, and the different types of friends that enrich our lives.

Episode Highlights:

1. We All Need Friends:

• Nicole and Kelly discuss the fundamental human need for connection and belonging.
• How friends provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of identity.
• The joy and purpose that friendships bring to our lives.

Friendship and Mental Health:

• The positive impact of supportive friendships on reducing loneliness, anxiety, and stress.
• The importance of having a safety net of friends who boost self-esteem and resilience.
• Recognizing the negative effects of toxic friendships on mental health and well-being.

The Different Types of Friends:

• Lifelong friends: those who have been with you through thick and thin.
• Situational friends: coworkers, neighbors, or people you connect with in specific contexts.
• Activity friends: those who share hobbies or interests with you.
• Supportive friends: the ones who are always there to listen and offer advice.
• Fun friends: those who bring joy and excitement to your life.
• Mentor friends: friends who inspire and help you grow.

Reflective Moment: Nicole and Kelly encourage listeners to reflect on the different friends in their lives. How do they each contribute to your well-being? Are there any friendships that might need more attention or appreciation?

Join Us: We invite you to join us on this journey to nurture your mental health and get back to living a fulfilling life. Cherish the company you keep and recognize the unique value each friend brings to your life.

Action Items:

• Reflect on the different types of friends you have and how they impact your life.
• Nurture positive relationships and show appreciation for your friends.
• Be mindful of the diversity in your friendships and embrace the unique roles each friend plays.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow us on social media @BackToLifeWithNicole for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
• Follow on our websites: 
  • Nicole Green, LPCC         www.bewellwithnicole.com
  • Kelly Pedersen, LMHC     www.pedersenabq.com
• Share your thoughts and stories about friendship with us!

Thank You for Listening! We appreciate you tuning in to our episode. Join us next week as we continue exploring ways to live well, love well, and be well.

You've Got A Friend in Me

"You Got A Friend in Me"

Welcome to the Back to Life Podcast with Nicole!

In our very first episode of the series, host Nicole Green dives into the heart of what it means to live well, love well, and be well by exploring the intricacies of adult friendships. Joined by her wonderful co-host, Kelly, they embark on a conversational journey to unpack the essence of true friendships and how they shape our mental health and overall well-being.

Episode Highlights:

1. What is a Friend?

• Nicole and Kelly discuss the fundamental qualities of a true friend.
• The importance of mutual respect, support, and having fun together.
• How adult friendships evolve from fun companions to serious support systems.

How Do We Show Up in Our Friendships?

• The significance of being present and attentive.
• Consistency and the little efforts that show you care.
• The role of honesty, openness, and setting healthy boundaries in friendships.

Loneliness and Building a Friendship with Yourself First

• Understanding the relationship you have with yourself is the foundation for all other relationships.
• Embracing loneliness as an opportunity for self-growth and self-understanding.
• Practical tips on how to be your own best friend and why it matters.

Reflective Moment: Nicole and Kelly encourage listeners to reflect on their current friendships and their relationship with themselves. Are you showing up the way you want to in your friendships? Are you being a good friend to yourself?

Join Us: We invite you to join us on this journey to nurture your mental health and get back to living a fulfilling life. Remember, you got a friend in us!

Action Items:

• Reflect on your friendships and self-relationship.
• Take small steps to show up more consistently and attentively in your friendships.
• Practice self-care and self-love to build a stronger relationship with yourself.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.
• Follow on social media @BeWellwithNicoleG for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. 
• Follow on our websites: 
  • Nicole   www.bewellwithnicole.com
  • Kelly     www.pedersenabq.com
• Share your thoughts and stories about friendship with us!

Thank You for Listening! We appreciate you tuning in to our first episode. Join us next time as we continue exploring ways to live well, love well, and be well.

Welcome to Season 2

Welcome to Season 2 of the Back to Life Podcast, a conversational journey dedicated to living, loving, and being well. Together, we'll explore the art of living well - from cultivating healthy habits to finding joy in the little things that make life extraordinary. But that's not all! We'll delve into the realm of loving well, because true well-being extends beyond ourselves. We'll talk about fostering meaningful connections, nurturing relationships, and spreading kindness like confetti. And let's not forget about being well. This is about embracing who we are, finding balance, and practicing self-compassion. Because when we are well within, the world around us becomes a brighter, more vibrant place. So, whether you're seeking inspiration for your wellness journey, looking to enhance your relationships, or just in need of a boost for your mental health, you're in the right place!  Get ready for insightful conversations, expert interviews, and a sprinkle of positivity to brighten your day. Let's create a space where living, loving, and being well isn't just a goal; it's a way of life.

End of Season 1 Message

Well, here we are at the end of season 1…short and sweet.  Thank you for sticking it out with me during my first season of The Back to Life Podcast.  This was sooo out of my comfort zone, but I did it! For that, I am truly grateful. I am also grateful to the guests […]

The post Back to Life Podcast S1|E7: End of Season 1 Message appeared first on Be Well with Nicole.

You Give Good Love: Love Languages & Maintaining Relationships

Hey there! I’m so excited to have special guest Nikki Delaney join us again for part two of our series on romantic relationships.  Nikki Delaney is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Relationship Specialist, and owner of A New You Counseling here in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She has more than 15 years of experience […]

The post Back to Life Podcast S1|E6: You Give Good Love: Love Languages & Maintaining Relationships appeared first on Be Well with Nicole.

Vision of Love: Expectations & Reality in Relationships

Hey there! I’m so excited to have special guest Nikki Delaney join us for the next couple of episodes, as we’ll be addressing the complex topic of romantic partnerships, and how we can improve these critical — and often very challenging — relationships in our lives. Nikki Delaney is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified […]

The post Back to Life Podcast S1|E5: Vision of Love: Expectations & Reality in Relationships appeared first on Be Well with Nicole.