Society & CultureEducationSelf-ImprovementHealth & FitnessSexuality

JUST DO YOU.

Eric Nicoll

The JUST DO YOU. podcast is a vibrant space for authentic conversations designed to connect, inspire, and empower us. Through these conversations, we explore the journey to finding confidence, discovering our unique voice, and embracing our truth. Along the way, we just might uncover new perspectives that help us step into what I call the JUST DO YOU. sweet spot — the space where you're fully, unapologetically yourself.

Each week, I’m honored to sit down for unscripted conversations with friends, family, colleagues, community leaders, and influencers as they share their personal stories. Together, we’ll laugh, maybe shed a few tears, but most importantly, we’ll remind ourselves that no one journeys through life alone. I hope you enjoy these moments as much as I do.

So, are you ready? WELCOME to the conversation!

Play

Open in

21 episodes
Avg 55 min
English

Episodes 21

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#85
Thursday · 39 min
Episode 85 - Rewriting His Hallmark Ending with Jonathan Bennett
You may know Jonathan Bennett as Aaron Samuels from Mean Girls. But in this candid, funny and refreshingly personal conversation, I sit down with the actor, host, producer, creator, husband, and LGBTQ+ advocate to meet the man beyond the iconic role. Jonathan opens up about the extraordinary career he once dreamed about as a kid — from finally making his Broadway debut in Spamalot, to returning to daytime television on General Hospital, hosting Halloween Wars, and helping reshape what love and representation can look like on Hallmark. But behind the career is a much more personal journey. Jonathan reflects on growing up as the gay kid in Ohio who learned to chase perfection, the pressure of feeling like he had to be the best, and what changed when he stopped trying to fit the mold and began embracing the very things that made him different. He also shares the beautiful lesson his husband, James Vaughan, taught him about unconditional love — and how being truly loved by another person helped Jonathan finally learn to love himself. And yes… I finally get to confesses the decades-long crush that began the moment Aaron Samuels turned around in that math class. Jonathan’s behind-the-scenes story about filming that now-iconic Mean Girls moment makes the confession even better. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful reminder from Jonathan: the parts of ourselves we sometimes try hardest to quiet may actually be our greatest strengths. “Be unapologetically yourself because the things that make you different are your superpower.” This is Jonathan Bennett — beyond the character, beyond the résumé, and very much in his JUST DO YOU. sweet spot. Catch him back in daytime as Detective Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital and bringing the fun, chaos and seriously impressive cakes to Halloween Wars on Food Network. Check your local listings for airing details and spend a little time with the endlessly entertaining Jonathan Bennett. Because sometimes the best ending is the one you finally get to write for yourself. Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
#84
September 10 · 58 min
Episode 84 - You're One of Us with Sarah Sather
What if the thing you didn’t realize you were missing was simply a place to belong? For Sarah Sather, that place was a swimming pool in Carlsbad, California. After years of surgeries, setbacks and seasons when joy felt out of reach, she returned to the water searching for something that might help her feel like herself again. What she found was a community … and four simple words that changed everything: “You’re one of us.” Today, Sarah is the person creating that feeling for others. Through music, movement, laughter and an infectious energy that has to be experienced to be understood, she has built something far more powerful than an exercise class. She’s created a place where people feel seen, celebrated and connected. And I know — because I became one of them. In a world where loneliness and disconnection have become far too common, this conversation is a joyful reminder that finding your people can change everything. This week on JUST DO YOU., Sarah and I talk about resilience, friendship, laughter, love, finding your way back — and the extraordinary power of knowing: You belong here. … and trust me, you are going to fall in love with Sarah, as so many of us have! WELCOME TO THE CONVERSATION ... and if you live in North County, San Diego, come join us at Alga Norte Aquatics Center ... you'll be glad you did! Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
#83
September 3 · 17 min
Episode 83 - When The World Gets Too Loud with Eric Nicoll
What happens when the world becomes so loud that you can no longer hear your own voice? Chaotic headlines. Intense division. Fear. Uncertainty. An endless stream of things demanding our attention, our outrage, our worry — and sometimes, our response. But what happens when caring about all of it becomes so overwhelming that you no longer know what is yours to carry? In this deeply personal episode of I explore what it means to lose your voice in the noise — and what it takes to find it again. Drawing on powerful research about stress, loneliness and our growing crisis of connection, I reflect on something I've come to understand: we can be strong and scared. Grateful and grieving. Hopeful and uncertain. Two things can be true at the same time. We don't have to solve everything, respond to everything or carry everything. Maybe our job is simply to find what is ours to do — to speak up, create, listen, reach out, choose joy without pretending pain doesn't exist, and sometimes get quiet enough to hear ourselves again. Because when the world seems determined to divide us, perhaps one of the most powerful things we can do is remember: We still belong to each other. Welcome to the conversation. To follow JUST DO YOU. on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ To learn more about my work, visit: https://ericnicoll.com/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E13
August 6 · 1 hr 8 min
S3E13 with David Mont Virgen - Becoming Your Own Reflection
What if the most important masterpiece you'll ever create isn't hanging on a gallery wall — but reflected back at you every morning? Artist David Mont Virgen doesn't simply create reflective sculptures—he creates moments that invite us to see ourselves with greater honesty, courage, and compassion. During this thoughtful conversation, David opens up about his extraordinary journey from growing up in Tijuana to discovering his authentic voice as an artist, designer, U.S. Army soldier, and creative visionary. Together, we explore what it truly means to embrace every part of who we are, why authenticity creates stronger opportunities than trying to meet other people's expectations, and how creativity can become a pathway to healing, transformation, and deeper human connection. David's polished stainless steel sculptures challenge us to look beyond the surface. They become mirrors — not simply reflecting our image, but inviting us to reflect on our lives, our values, and the people we're becoming. Along the way, we discuss coming out, faith, identity, resilience, the unexpected lessons of military service, and why surrounding yourself with people who celebrate you may be one of the greatest decisions you'll ever make. This isn't simply a conversation about creating art. It's a conversation about creating a life that reflects who you truly are. If you've ever questioned who you're becoming, wondered if it's too late to change, or needed a reminder that your life can become your greatest masterpiece, this conversation is for you. To follow David on Instagram, you can find him here: https://www.instagram.com/davidmontvirgen/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E12
July 23 · 1 hr 15 min
S3E12 with Dr Tsotso Ablorh - You are the Compass
What if the beliefs you've carried your entire life deserve another look? In one of the most thought-provoking conversations we've ever had on JUST DO YOU., psychologist, educator, dancer, and newly minted PhD Dr. Tsotso Ablorh invites us to rethink identity, belonging, privilege, trauma, culture, and what it truly means to live authentically. From growing up as the daughter of Ghanaian immigrants in Minnesota to earning her doctorate while building a career that bridges psychology and movement, Tsotso shares a perspective that is both deeply personal and powerfully hopeful. Together, we explore why validation can become a trap, why human connection matters more than ever, how movement helps us heal, and why curiosity may be one of the greatest acts of courage. This isn't a conversation about having all the answers. It's an invitation to pause ... to question ... and to consider that some of the stories we've accepted about ourselves … and each other … may not be our own. If you've ever wondered how to navigate a divided world without losing your humanity ... if you've ever questioned where your beliefs came from ... or if you're simply searching for a little more hope in incredibly complicated times ... this conversation is for you. Why? Because what Tsotso and I uncover during our time together is perhaps one of the most important lessons one can learn: YOU are the compass. Welcome to the conversation. To follow Tsotso on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/dancingwithtsotso/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E11
July 16 · 29 min
S3E11 with Eric Nicoll - The Journey to Pride: A Personal Reflection
A replay of Season 1, Episode 17 - A MATTER OF PRIDE There are moments when the most important conversation isn't a new one ... It's the one we need to hear again. As San Diego celebrates Pride this week, I found myself reflecting on where this podcast journey began — not with a guest, but with my own story. A story of growing up in silence. Of believing I had to hide. Of carrying shame that was never mine to carry. And of discovering that the greatest freedom any of us will ever experience is the courage to become exactly who we were created to be. I recorded this episode during PRIDE week in Season 1, but listening back today, it feels more relevant than ever. Because Pride has never simply been about parades or festivals. It's about reminding the person who feels invisible that they are seen. It's about reminding the person who feels afraid that they are not alone. It's about reminding every member of our LGBTQ+ community — and everyone searching for the courage to live authentically — that your life matters, your story matters, and your voice deserves to be heard. If you're feeling weary ... if you're questioning whether you belong ... if the weight of the world feels especially heavy right now ... this episode is for you. And if you're an ally, a parent, a friend, or someone who simply wants to better understand the human experience, I invite you to listen with an open heart. Because conversations create understanding. Understanding creates compassion. Compassion has the power to change lives. Never let anyone convince you that you need to become someone else to be worthy of love. Happy Pride, San Diego and welcome to the conversation. Visit me at http://www.ericnicoll.com or follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/dericnicoll/ or the podcast at: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E10
July 2 · 1 hr 1 min
S3E10 with Sydney Rogers - Please Don't Leave Before The Miracles Start
What does it really mean to live authentically when the world constantly asks you to be someone else? In this powerful Pride Season episode, I sit down with Sydney Rogers—speaker, advocate, drag artist, Senior Manager of the Trans Wellness Center at the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center, Chair of the Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Commission, and one of the most inspiring people I've had the privilege to meet. Sydney shares her extraordinary journey from surviving homelessness and addiction to becoming one of the leading voices for transgender advocacy and community empowerment. But this conversation goes far beyond identity. We talk about choosing yourself even when it costs you people's approval. The difference between visibility and self-acceptance. Why joy, rest, and softness are acts of resistance. The power of chosen family. The courage to release people who no longer celebrate you. And why authenticity isn't something you discover once—it's something you practice every single day. This episode is also an invitation. An invitation to listen before judging. To replace assumptions with conversations. To lead with curiosity instead of fear. And to remember that every person deserves to be seen, respected, and celebrated for exactly who they are. Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, love someone who is, or simply want to become a more compassionate human being, I hope you'll spend this hour with us. Because this conversation isn't just about Pride. It's about what becomes possible when we finally give ourselves permission to JUST DO YOU. To follow Syndey on Instagram, visit https://www.instagram.com/missbarbieqla To learn more about Sydney and her work, visit https://www.missbarbieq.com/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E9
June 11 · 55 min
S3E09 with Matthew Conrado - Authenticity Doesn't Ask Permission
As we kick off Pride Month on JUST DO YOU., I'm excited to welcome a guest who isn't afraid to challenge assumptions, spark important conversations, and speak his truth with conviction. Matthew Conrado is the Founder and CEO of Alphabet Mafia Consultancy, a groundbreaking LGBTQ+ marketing and brand strategy firm dedicated to helping organizations authentically connect with queer audiences and communities. Recognized by Adweek as a Pride Star, Matthew has built a reputation for challenging the status quo and speaking openly about the issues many people would rather avoid. In this episode, we explore the intersection of business, branding, representation, and identity, while also diving into the realities facing LGBTQ+ communities today. Matthew shares insights from his journey as an entrepreneur and advocate, offering a candid perspective on visibility, inclusion, and the responsibility brands, leaders, and individuals have in shaping culture. One thing is certain: Matthew doesn't mince words. He says what he believes, stands firmly in his convictions, and invites us to think more deeply about the world we're creating together. As we begin a month dedicated to celebrating authenticity, resilience, and Pride, this conversation serves as a powerful reminder that progress has never come from silence—it comes from people willing to show up, speak out, and live their truth. To learn more about Matthew and his amazing work, visit https://www.alphabetmafiaconsult.com/ To listen in on Matthews Podcast, Thanks For Swiping Left, visit https://open.spotify.com/show/3E0SYklQqjKvAhpOpwtYA6?si=f55431a9449b4c1b To follow Matthew on Instagram, visit https://www.instagram.com/mattconrado/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E8
May 28 · 1 hr 4 min
S3E08 with Nikki K. Lopez - Soft Heart. Strong Soul.
There are moments in life when the hardest question is not what we do… but who we truly are beneath the expectations, fear, labels, survival, and the roles we’ve spent years playing for everyone else. This week on JUST DO YOU., I’m joined by Northern California entrepreneur, caregiver advocate, author, and LGBTQIA+ voice Nicola Lopez for a deeply honest and heartfelt conversation about identity, healing, purpose, and the courage it takes to live authentically. Inspired by her book Lesbian, Who Are You?, Nikki shares her journey of navigating truth, visibility, belonging, and what it means to stop hiding pieces of yourself just to feel accepted. But her story goes even deeper than that. Rooted in the love and lessons passed down through her family — especially the powerful influence of her grandmother in Jamaica — Nikki transformed personal caregiving experiences into a mission-driven life dedicated to helping others. Through her organizations, Caring Haven and Caregiver OneCall, she now supports families navigating aging, dementia, caregiving, and the emotional realities that come with caring for the people we love most. This conversation is about identity. It is about compassion. It is about resilience. And it is about the deeply human journey of finally allowing yourself to be seen fully and unapologetically. Because JUST DO(ing) YOU. is not about becoming someone else. It is about finding the courage to come home to who you’ve been all along. To find Nikki's books, visit https://www.amazon.com/Lesbian-Who-Are-You-Belonging-ebook/dp/B0DXRLBLV3?utm_source=chatgpt.com and https://www.amazon.com/When-Strong-Get-Tired-Caregiving/dp/196792760X?utm_source=chatgpt.com To find out more about Nikki's amazing caregiving work, visit https://caringhavenhomecare.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com and https://caregiveronecall.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E6
May 7 · 1 hr 7 min
CELEBRATORY REPLAY S3E06 - with Matthew Collin Marrero - Holding On To Love Through The Unthinkable - UPDATE!
Some stories don’t end when the episode does …they keep unfolding in real time. And today, this one brings the news we’ve been hoping for ... Allan is FINALLY HOME! After ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DAYS of detention, uncertainty, and being moved multiple times across the country, Allan is finally back where he belongs — with his husband, Matthew. And while there is deep relief … and overwhelming gratitude … there’s also something else. Because for Allan, coming home didn’t mean forgetting about his experience ... It meant carrying with him the stories, the faces, and the voices of the men, women and children he left behind — people he now calls his brothers and sisters … still desperately trying to navigate a system that tested all of them in ways most of us will never fully understand. That’s who Allan is. Even in his own freedom, his heart is still with them. So today, we’re revisiting our conversation with Matthew — not just as a story of what happened … but as a reminder of what’s still happening ... every single day ... across the US. We love you Allan and are so happy you are home where you belong! This is a true story of love, resilience, community and a fight that, for so many, is far from over. Take a listen. Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E7
April 23 · 1 hr
S3E07 with Charlie Chapman - The Practice That Changed Everything
In the midst of all the chaos, how do we heal, reconnect, and come home? This has been a question that has consumed my daily thoughts of late so today’s conversation feels especially timely. In a world that can feel overwhelming where uncertainty, stress, and constant noise can take a real toll on our nervous systems it’s easy to find ourselves drifting into anxiety, disconnection, or even isolation. In those moments, self-care isn’t a luxury… it’s essential. It’s how we find our way back to ourselves. That’s why I’m so honored to introduce today’s guest, Charlie Chapman. Based in San Diego, Charlie is a wellness practitioner offering a deeply intentional approach to embodied and contemplative yoga that is deeply rooted in presence, nervous system care, and relational integrity. What makes his work so impactful is that it was born from lived experience. After a chapter that tested and transformed him, Charlie found his practice and it didn’t just steady him, it changed everything. Now, he’s paying that forward. Through in-person group classes, private sessions, workshops, retreats, and collaborations, Charlie has created more than just offerings he’s built a community. A space where people can slow down, reconnect, regulate, and feel supported in navigating life’s challenges. Because in times like these, having tools and a community to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being can be everything. This conversation is an invitation to explore what it means to care for yourself on a deeper level, to tend to your nervous system, and to remember that even in difficult chapters, transformation is possible and you don’t have to go through it alone. So take a deep breath, settle in, and let’s get into a conversation that left me changed … for good. To follow Charlie on Instagram, visit https://www.instagram.com/charchap.embodied Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E6
March 26 · 1 hr 7 min
S3E06 with Matthew Collin Marrero - Holding On To Love Through The Unthinkable
Matthew Collin Marrero is a New York City–based singer, songwriter, and published poet ... an artist whose work lives at the intersection of identity, advocacy, and truth. Through his voice, he’s spent years telling stories of resilience and self-expression. But nothing could prepare him for the story he’s now living. What began as a routine immigration interview with his husband Allan quickly turned into something unthinkable. After arriving with what Matthew described as “a three-inch binder of their entire life”... photos, letters, proof of love ... the interview took a sudden and chilling turn. Within minutes, the tone shifted. They were separated, questioned harshly, and then ... without warning ... Allan was taken away in restraints by ICE officers. That moment would begin a devastating, months-long ordeal that is still unresolved. Allan was moved through a maze of detention centers across the country, New Jersey, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and beyond, often in the middle of the night, with little explanation and no sense of stability. At one point, he was held in overcrowded conditions in the Everglades, describing cages, overflowing toilets, and the constant fear of being forgotten. Meanwhile, Matthew was left on the outside trying to track his husband across state lines, navigating a system that felt, in his words, like psychological warfare. Through it all, their love was tested in ways most of us can’t imagine. This is not just a conversation about immigration. It’s a story about love under pressure … about resilience in the face of injustice … and about what happens when the system meant to legally process people on their pathway to citizenship, instead begins to break them. I know both Matthew & Allan would welcome your prayers and to hold the space for Allan, and the countless others detained, to return home to their loved ones. To follow Matthew & Allan's remarkable love story, you can find Matthew at https://www.instagram.com/collinmarrero/ and Allan at https://www.instagram.com/i_am_raylandon/ Michael & Allan's community has set up a GoFundMe page to help them put a dent in the costly legal fees incurred during their diligent fight to get Allan home. https://gofund.me/989abf3b7 Every little bit helps! Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S1 · E7
March 12 · 44 min
SPECIAL REPLAY! S1E7 with Brittaney Latta, LMFC - The Courage to Heal
This week, I’m bringing back one of the most vulnerable conversations we’ve had on the JUST DO YOU. podcast. In this special replay, formerly titled Anxiety, Trauma and Loss, therapist Brittaney Latta, LMFT joins me for an honest and heartfelt discussion about grief, anxiety, trauma, and loss—and why healing requires us to face the hard things rather than avoid them. Brittaney is a compassionate but no-nonsense therapist who helps people work through life’s most difficult experiences. In this episode, she also shares her own powerful journey as a survivor of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She speaks openly about her path to healing, her experience coming out as a bisexual, polyamorous person, and how choosing to live authentically has shaped both her life and her work. After years of personal growth, education, and professional practice, Brittaney now dedicates her life to helping others find peace, empowerment, and authenticity through therapy. Her story—and her work—beautifully reflect the spirit of JUST DO YOU. Learn more about Brittaney and her therapy services: https://www.instagram.com/brittaneydoestherapy/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E5
February 12 · 57 min
S3E05 with Jay Valle - Shaping The Narrative
Some journalists report the news. Others make sure you feel the people behind it — and that’s exactly what today’s guest, Jay Valle, does. Jay is an award-winning New York City–based journalist whose work centers community voices, accountability, and real-world impact. In a moment when so many in the LGBTQ community feel targeted, isolated, and afraid, that kind of journalism isn’t just important — it’s essential. In this episode, we dive into the responsibility of telling stories from marginalized communities, the power of lived experience, and what speaking up looks like when it truly counts. For nearly five years at NBC News, Jay reported national investigations, LGBTQ policy coverage, and powerful human-interest stories that connected lived experience to real change. His investigative reporting on robberies targeting LGBTQ New Yorkers earned a 2024 GLAAD Media Award and helped shift how those cases were handled. Jay now embarks on a new journey committed to our community and ensuring that our voices continue to be amplified. I’m grateful to Jay for spending some time with me today and I know you will enjoy getting to know him and learning about his journey as much as I did. To follow Jay on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/theofficialjayvalle Welcome to the conversation! Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S2 · E10
January 29 · 1 hr 2 min
SPECIAL REPLAY: S2E10 with Marc Winski - Embracing Your Superpower
Replay Episode This week we're replaying one of the most powerful conversations from Season 2 — an episode that continues to resonate long after the microphones were turned off. Please meet Marc Winski. Marc is a dynamic actor, singer, dancer, and speaker based in New York City who uses his artistry — and his voice — to champion inclusivity. As a person who stutters, Marc knows firsthand what it means to navigate a world where fluency is expected and voices like his have too often been dismissed or ignored. Instead of shrinking himself to fit the narrative, Marc chose to rewrite it. Today, he is a bold and unapologetic advocate for people who stutter across theatre, film, television — and just as importantly, in everyday life. With his million-dollar smile, razor-sharp wit, boundless creativity, and a fierce commitment to authentic representation, Marc has built a powerful platform through social media. Through his ever growing TikTok and Instagram presence, he educates, entertains, and challenges audiences to rethink what they’ve been taught about communication, disability, and belonging. His content doesn’t just raise awareness — it creates community for a group that has long been marginalized in mainstream storytelling. In this conversation, Marc shares his extraordinary journey and even invited me into a firsthand experience of what it truly feels like to stutter. It was vulnerable, eye-opening, and deeply human. This replay is a reminder of why this episode mattered then — and why it still matters now. I remain incredibly grateful for the time, trust, and truth Marc shared. He is a true change-maker, and this conversation is one you need to hear again! To follow Marc on TikTok: 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@marcwinski To follow Marc on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/marcwinski Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E4
January 23 · 1 hr 13 min
S3E04 with Toni Nuñez - Truth In Motion
Today’s guest doesn’t just move bodies ... he disrupts them. Toni Nuñez is a Southern California based, award winning professional dancer and movement coach who uses movement to shake people out of autopilot and back into themselves. His work is raw, embodied, and rooted in the belief that the body already knows the truth ... we just have to stop ignoring it! Toni’s approach isn’t polished for approval. It’s honest, physical, and sometimes uncomfortable in the way real growth tends to be. Through dance, he helps people break patterns, release what’s been stored, and reclaim a sense of power that lives below the neck. This is movement that confronts what’s buried, releases what’s stuck, and creates absolute freedom. As a proud and openly gay man, Toni understands what it means to be watched, judged, and underestimated ... yet he refuses to shrink. He brings that lived experience into his work, challenging people to take up their space, trust their bodies, and show up without armor. He’s not interested in fitting in; he’s interested in waking people up. This conversation is about a journey that is grounded in love, real, and unapologetic. No fluff. No performance. Just truth in motion. We had A LOT to talk about and you won't want to miss it! Welcome to the conversation! To follow Toni on Instagram, visit https://www.instagram.com/toni_nunez85/ Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E3
January 15 · 1 hr 4 min
S3E03 with Scott McGlothlen - The Naked Truth
In this episode of JUST DO YOU, I sit down with Scott McGlothlen — life coach, counselor, and nudist based in Denver, Colorado — to talk about authenticity, body acceptance, and what it really means to feel at home in your own skin. Scott works with LGBTQ+ individuals and anyone curious about reconnecting with their bodies ... and themselves. Over the years, he has developed an approach that blends coaching, counseling-informed practices, and holistic tools — all in a consent-centered, non-sexual nudity setting designed to help people show up fully as themselves. I’ve had the privilege of experiencing his transformational work firsthand this past year and can honestly say that, for the first time in my life, I feel comfortable in my own body. During our conversation, Scott and I explore how nudism can be a path to being present, to enhance confidence, and to build deep self-connection — especially during major life transitions. This isn’t about fixing what’s “broken.” It’s about discovering what’s already within you, shedding your armor, and allowing yourself to thrive. We also dismantle some common myths about nudism while recreating a new conversation around the freedom of exploring it ... and the many benefits it offers. Whether you’re curious, new to nudism, a longtime naturist, or simply seeking deeper self-acceptance, this episode invites you to strip away shame, stop hiding, and live more authentically than ever before. To learn more about Scott and Beyond Bare Coaching, visit https://www.beyondbarecoaching.com Content Note: This episode includes discussion of non-sexual nudity, body acceptance, and wellness. No explicit sexual content is discussed. Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E2
January 8 · 57 min
S3E02 with David Morgenstern - When Parenting Isn't One Size Fits All
When David Morgenstern and his husband became dads, they quickly realized that while parenting advice is everywhere, community for gay dads is not. The joy of fatherhood was real — but so were the assumptions, the erasure, and the systems still built around the idea that every family has a “mom and dad.” From public spaces to school forms to everyday interactions, their family often felt unseen. Rather than accepting that gap, David decided to build what he and his husband couldn’t find. That vision became Gaddies — the first brand created specifically for gay dads, rooted in pride, visibility, and connection. What started as fun, their apparel has now evolved into something much bigger: a platform for storytelling, community-building, and celebrating the lived experiences of gay fathers. In this episode, David shares what it’s really like to navigate parenthood as a gay dad — the moments no one prepares you for, the questions that come from strangers, and the importance of focusing on family, not formation. As he puts it, maybe 90% of parenting is the same — but it’s the remaining 10% that no one is talking about, and that’s where representation and community matter most. We also talk about building gay dad culture in real time, honoring those who fought for the right to love and parent openly, and why visibility isn’t just affirming — it’s necessary. Whether you’re a gay dad, thinking about parenthood, or simply interested in how community gets built when it doesn’t already exist, this conversation is about belonging, pride, and parenting on your own terms. Welcome to the conversation! To learn more about Gaddies, visit https://heygaddies.com Just Do You listeners get 20% off with code GAY20 — that’s G-A-Y 20 — at heygaddies.com Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S3 · E1
January 1 · 15 min
S3E01 with Eric Nicoll - Turning the Page
Hello friends, Happy New Year! As we turn the page on 2025, I wanted to speak about something honestly: last year was really hard. Not just busy or challenging, but emotionally heavy. For those of us who live with anxiety — and especially for our beautiful LGBTQ+ community — last year asked a lot of our nervous systems, our hearts, and our sense of safety in the world. Today’s episode isn’t about rushing into an expected “new year, new you” energy or pretending that everything is "fine." It’s about slowing down, telling the truth about what the past year has taken from us, and honoring what we’ve survived and how we are going to step into 2026 with intention and clarity. Together, we’ll reflect on the year behind us, release what no longer serves us, and step into a new season with care, compassion, and connection — not pressure or perfection. If you’re tired, anxious, or unsure how to close out the year we just had, how to get back into your own body and actually create a powerful new year, you’re not alone. This one's for you. Welcome to the conversation. To follow JUST DO YOU. on Instagram, visit https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript
S2 · E20
Dec 25, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
HOLIDAY REPLAY: S2E20 with Tanner Haney - Moving Through Fear and Finding Freedom
The holidays are a time to reflect, release, and reclaim what brings us joy—and this episode is exactly that. Formerly titled “One Song, One Dance, and a Moment of Courage,” this conversation brought us so much joy, along with a powerful call to action as a reminder to never shrink yourself in fear! In this special holiday replay, I sit down with Tanner Haney, a Los Angeles–based actor who challenged himself to dance in public for 30 days straight ... right in front of total strangers ... and ask them to film him. What began as a bold personal experiment quickly became a radical act of self-acceptance. After coming out, Tanner found himself wrestling with the fear of being fully seen and the pressure to tone himself down ... a pressure so many of us in the LGBTQ+ community still face every single day. This year, as his birthday approached, he made a courageous choice: to stop shrinking and start reclaiming his joy, freedom, and authenticity, one dance at a time. We talk about fear, vulnerability, the healing power of movement, and what happens when you stop hiding and start showing up as your truest self. In our current climate, this conversation feels more important than ever and is a reminder to live out loud and stay true. If you’ve ever dimmed your light to feel safe, let this holiday replay be your reminder: JOY IS BRAVE. Give yourself this beautiful gift and unwrap the courage to be fully seen. Happy holidays to you and yours and know that you are seen, you are valued and you matter ... AND always remember to JUST DO YOU! Welcome to the conversation. To follow Tanner, visit: https://www.instagram.com/tannerhaney Send us Fan Mail Thank you for joining us and we can't wait to welcome you back again next week! New episodes drop every Thursday and can be found wherever you find your favorite podcasts! Remember to like, rate, share and subscribe to the JUST DO YOU. podcast in order to receive our weekly episode updates! If you like what you hear, please leave us a review at Apple Podcasts! To follow us on Instagram, visit: https://www.instagram.com/justdoyoupod/ Want to learn more about our host, Eric Nicoll? Visit: https://ericnicoll.com
- Transcript

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes