This—"reclaim all the small pieces of self that I gave away during that project, and tenderly tuck them back inside my heart instead"—is incredibly wise, moral, and beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing those shards for so many years, Nicole. I've sincerely enjoyed them, wish joy for you upon reintegrating them, and look forward to what your creative compost will yield when you're ready.
This was such a refreshing new perspective: creative composting. I’m not sure how I feel about it and also fully support your decision in what you’ve chosen to do.
I recently shared in a Projectors group I’ve been facilitating since September this idea that as a Projector with no reliable sacral energy I feel good knowing that all my past creations feel like me having dropped “pieces of light” for people who need them to find them at the right time. It helps me not to have to reinvent the wheel. So thank you for your new take on this. Here’s to making room for all our perspectives to live and flourish!
That's a lovely perspective! I honestly sometimes wish I felt that way, but I trust that honoring myself & how I actually do feel is the best next step 💜
I'm debating what to do with one of my podcasts when the website is up for renewal next year. I just renewed it another year because I wasn't ready to figure out what to do yet but I'm hesitant to take away the content but then also ready for it to not take up brain space, too. Do I make it live on via YouTube? Where I don't have to do anything to maintain it much? So many questions. I'll be curious to see how it works out for you once you hit delete. Do any of your guests have thoughts about losing that content they can share where they have been a guest? It's almost like the loss of journalists who have had stories on websites and those websites remove the archives. it's such a complex issue!
I can really only speak for myself as a guest on other people's podcasts, but I'd be totally supportive & understanding about a choice like this, especially for a show that ended 3+ years ago. When I'm a guest on a podcast and really love the experience I make sure to download the episode for myself so I can keep it :)
I really love this and the timing for this was perfect. I have struggled with holding on to things I’ve created because it felt like I was honoring that part of myself. Like, if I don’t hold gratitude for that abundance, then it will disappear, but even that line of thinking is still a result of me having to *do* the right thing in order to have a *good* life. The other piece of what you are saying, which things do I consume just because, is helpful as I realize how much I am influenced by sources outside of myself. So may be starting completely over with a clean slate and seeing what comes is an option for moving forward. Thank you for this!
I'm so excited for your coming year and what might arise from that compost pile. I deleted all my social media accounts last week after knowing I needed to let them go for several years. Consuming/participating was leaving me feeling the same way I felt when I came to the end of my drinking and let go of alcohol. I'm curious about what might spark my interest and if it can be for more than 10 seconds at a time. I know I had to walk away from social media to have the energy to finish writing my novel while also taking 2 online certifications. Here's to enjoying the spaciousness of time that's not filled with things that make us feel like crap. Cheers to you!
I have a 20-episode podcast that I've been thinking about composting, too. It was very much a creative activity that I didn't share or promote very much.
In the spring semester of my senior year of college, I did a 365-day self-portrait project which I posted on Flickr (but also didn't tell anyone about). I finished the year and left it up for a while but then took it down a few years later.
I love this so much, Nic! I have emails I've been hanging on to from an old job that contain so much ick. I'll be deleting all of them as part of my Winter Solstice celebration. Thank you for sharing this splendid idea. <3
Thank you for this. I've been feeling the impact of ending two of my revenue streams earlier this year and had doubts whether or not I had made the right decision. But this is a powerful reminder that we need to make space for what's next in whichever way makes sense for us <3
Thank you for sharing this! As a little goodbye note to Real Talk Radio, I wanted to share with you that the episodes of this podcast are literally all I listened to on my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2022! I listened to so many hours of those beautiful, open, and explorative conversations while making my way from Georgia to Maine. Because of this, when I think of the AT, one of the things I associate my experience with is you! I'm honestly getting sentimental writing this because that podcast got me through one of the most challenging and most impactful 6-month periods of my life. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing all of the pieces of you that went into that work, and for indirectly inspiring me and fulfilling me on my journey. I am excited for you to reap the benefits of this creative composting, and may it nourish and inspire whatever creative direction you choose to head in next!
This is so beautiful, Katie. I love knowing that I got to hike all those many miles "with" you — especially a full year after the show was over. I'm really glad you shared this :)
A goodbye Real Talk Radio - a body of work that I learnt so much from and enjoyed so much. I hope it feels good to reintegrate those pieces of yourself and thank you for sharing them with us for so long. (Also I have such a hard time unsubscribing from podcasts and/or newsletters. I am so sure I’ll forget they exist in the world! But I love her expansive 2025 sounds for you and wondering how I can make space next year!)
I have such a hard time unsubscribing to podcasts too ... especially when I am not sure if they will one day post more content. I've noticed some podcasts "ghost" ... there are no new episodes and no notice/explanation what happened. Not that all hosts have an obligation to "explain" their decisions but I've noticed I feel unsettled when something just disappears ... and I'm still subscribed waiting for more. Makes me appreciate Nicole's transparency even more. I didn't find Real Talk Radio until most of the episodes were published but I notice there are several episodes with updates on Nicole's plans for the show and I SO appreciate that.
Yeah I feel much the same, which is why it's so important to me to share behind-the-scenes updates and give advanced notice on changes whenever possible in my biz. I'm so glad to know you appreciate it!
So I almost hesitate to ask this because I want to respect your desire for composting but did you say in GSDC that if we download episodes we will be able to listen to them after the Solstice?
You are always so welcome to ask questions, Melissa! I promise :) And yes I believe you can download the mp3 files and keep them — looks like it's one of the options under the "share" button on each episode https://real-talk-radio-with-nicole-antoinette.castos.com/
My black friday and cyber monday traditions are to liberally unsubscribe and unfollow! But I like what you are offering here, as part of the unsub ritual: "I’m curious to see what I’ve been consuming simply because it’s there, what I genuinely miss when it’s gone, and which new questions/interests arise in the blissfully blank space that I’ll reclaim by being quiet within myself for a while." I am going to think about that! :)
You said you're not saying anything radical, but it feels radical to me- in the best way.
Lately, I've found myself getting grumpy about the number of new podcast episodes and new Substack posts that greet me when I open my apps. Not sure that simply unsubscribing would ever have occurred to me without you putting it plainly like that 🤯😶🌫️🫠
As a person who regularly unfollows social media accounts, podcasts, newsletters, I love them. I try to be really careful about what automatically pops up in front of me, and those needs change over time. I love this!
Just wanted to say a big thank you. I learned so much from Real Talk Radio, and it accompanied me during many long, snowy winter walks and runs. It feels fitting that it will disappear on the Winter Solstice. I particularly loved how the show evolved over time, and how I could see some of your changing interests in subject matter be expressed by who the selected guests were. Thank you for putting so much heart into that project & for all that it taught me; I am so grateful.
This—"reclaim all the small pieces of self that I gave away during that project, and tenderly tuck them back inside my heart instead"—is incredibly wise, moral, and beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing those shards for so many years, Nicole. I've sincerely enjoyed them, wish joy for you upon reintegrating them, and look forward to what your creative compost will yield when you're ready.
I warmly receive this wish, Megan. Thank you!!
This was such a refreshing new perspective: creative composting. I’m not sure how I feel about it and also fully support your decision in what you’ve chosen to do.
I recently shared in a Projectors group I’ve been facilitating since September this idea that as a Projector with no reliable sacral energy I feel good knowing that all my past creations feel like me having dropped “pieces of light” for people who need them to find them at the right time. It helps me not to have to reinvent the wheel. So thank you for your new take on this. Here’s to making room for all our perspectives to live and flourish!
That's a lovely perspective! I honestly sometimes wish I felt that way, but I trust that honoring myself & how I actually do feel is the best next step 💜
I'm debating what to do with one of my podcasts when the website is up for renewal next year. I just renewed it another year because I wasn't ready to figure out what to do yet but I'm hesitant to take away the content but then also ready for it to not take up brain space, too. Do I make it live on via YouTube? Where I don't have to do anything to maintain it much? So many questions. I'll be curious to see how it works out for you once you hit delete. Do any of your guests have thoughts about losing that content they can share where they have been a guest? It's almost like the loss of journalists who have had stories on websites and those websites remove the archives. it's such a complex issue!
Can't wait to see how your gap year goes!
I can really only speak for myself as a guest on other people's podcasts, but I'd be totally supportive & understanding about a choice like this, especially for a show that ended 3+ years ago. When I'm a guest on a podcast and really love the experience I make sure to download the episode for myself so I can keep it :)
I really love this and the timing for this was perfect. I have struggled with holding on to things I’ve created because it felt like I was honoring that part of myself. Like, if I don’t hold gratitude for that abundance, then it will disappear, but even that line of thinking is still a result of me having to *do* the right thing in order to have a *good* life. The other piece of what you are saying, which things do I consume just because, is helpful as I realize how much I am influenced by sources outside of myself. So may be starting completely over with a clean slate and seeing what comes is an option for moving forward. Thank you for this!
You're so welcome, Wendi! I'm curious what we'll both find on the other side of a cleaner slate of content :)
I'm so excited for your coming year and what might arise from that compost pile. I deleted all my social media accounts last week after knowing I needed to let them go for several years. Consuming/participating was leaving me feeling the same way I felt when I came to the end of my drinking and let go of alcohol. I'm curious about what might spark my interest and if it can be for more than 10 seconds at a time. I know I had to walk away from social media to have the energy to finish writing my novel while also taking 2 online certifications. Here's to enjoying the spaciousness of time that's not filled with things that make us feel like crap. Cheers to you!
So much celebration for this decision of yours, Kelly!!
I love the idea of creative composting.
I have a 20-episode podcast that I've been thinking about composting, too. It was very much a creative activity that I didn't share or promote very much.
In the spring semester of my senior year of college, I did a 365-day self-portrait project which I posted on Flickr (but also didn't tell anyone about). I finished the year and left it up for a while but then took it down a few years later.
The note of daring podcast? If so, is there a way I could download the episode I was on?
Yes, I haven't yet but I'm thinking about it when my hosting service is up for renewal later in 2025.
I love this so much, Nic! I have emails I've been hanging on to from an old job that contain so much ick. I'll be deleting all of them as part of my Winter Solstice celebration. Thank you for sharing this splendid idea. <3
Winter solstice of composting!! Love this for us.
Thank you for this. I've been feeling the impact of ending two of my revenue streams earlier this year and had doubts whether or not I had made the right decision. But this is a powerful reminder that we need to make space for what's next in whichever way makes sense for us <3
Absolutely! And also that we are always allowed to change our minds (ie you can bring back those revenue streams if you ever choose that path!)
Thank you for sharing this! As a little goodbye note to Real Talk Radio, I wanted to share with you that the episodes of this podcast are literally all I listened to on my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2022! I listened to so many hours of those beautiful, open, and explorative conversations while making my way from Georgia to Maine. Because of this, when I think of the AT, one of the things I associate my experience with is you! I'm honestly getting sentimental writing this because that podcast got me through one of the most challenging and most impactful 6-month periods of my life. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing all of the pieces of you that went into that work, and for indirectly inspiring me and fulfilling me on my journey. I am excited for you to reap the benefits of this creative composting, and may it nourish and inspire whatever creative direction you choose to head in next!
This is so beautiful, Katie. I love knowing that I got to hike all those many miles "with" you — especially a full year after the show was over. I'm really glad you shared this :)
A goodbye Real Talk Radio - a body of work that I learnt so much from and enjoyed so much. I hope it feels good to reintegrate those pieces of yourself and thank you for sharing them with us for so long. (Also I have such a hard time unsubscribing from podcasts and/or newsletters. I am so sure I’ll forget they exist in the world! But I love her expansive 2025 sounds for you and wondering how I can make space next year!)
I learned so much from making that show too! Thanks, Lara 💜
I have such a hard time unsubscribing to podcasts too ... especially when I am not sure if they will one day post more content. I've noticed some podcasts "ghost" ... there are no new episodes and no notice/explanation what happened. Not that all hosts have an obligation to "explain" their decisions but I've noticed I feel unsettled when something just disappears ... and I'm still subscribed waiting for more. Makes me appreciate Nicole's transparency even more. I didn't find Real Talk Radio until most of the episodes were published but I notice there are several episodes with updates on Nicole's plans for the show and I SO appreciate that.
Yeah I feel much the same, which is why it's so important to me to share behind-the-scenes updates and give advanced notice on changes whenever possible in my biz. I'm so glad to know you appreciate it!
Support it 🙌🏼
So I almost hesitate to ask this because I want to respect your desire for composting but did you say in GSDC that if we download episodes we will be able to listen to them after the Solstice?
You are always so welcome to ask questions, Melissa! I promise :) And yes I believe you can download the mp3 files and keep them — looks like it's one of the options under the "share" button on each episode https://real-talk-radio-with-nicole-antoinette.castos.com/
My black friday and cyber monday traditions are to liberally unsubscribe and unfollow! But I like what you are offering here, as part of the unsub ritual: "I’m curious to see what I’ve been consuming simply because it’s there, what I genuinely miss when it’s gone, and which new questions/interests arise in the blissfully blank space that I’ll reclaim by being quiet within myself for a while." I am going to think about that! :)
Yeah I do that with more sales/shopping stuff around that time for sure! This recent round was more content based for me.
You said you're not saying anything radical, but it feels radical to me- in the best way.
Lately, I've found myself getting grumpy about the number of new podcast episodes and new Substack posts that greet me when I open my apps. Not sure that simply unsubscribing would ever have occurred to me without you putting it plainly like that 🤯😶🌫️🫠
Haha well then I am very glad to be of service 😂
As a person who regularly unfollows social media accounts, podcasts, newsletters, I love them. I try to be really careful about what automatically pops up in front of me, and those needs change over time. I love this!
Just wanted to say a big thank you. I learned so much from Real Talk Radio, and it accompanied me during many long, snowy winter walks and runs. It feels fitting that it will disappear on the Winter Solstice. I particularly loved how the show evolved over time, and how I could see some of your changing interests in subject matter be expressed by who the selected guests were. Thank you for putting so much heart into that project & for all that it taught me; I am so grateful.
Wow, thanks for this lovely reflection! That project taught me so much too 💜