Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All With Nikki

Episode 51: Why We’re Not a Fan of Big Organizations (And Why That Matters)

For years, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but now I finally understand why our family struggles in big systems.
We are not a fan of big organizations.And it has nothing to do with size… it has everything to do with being seen and valued.
From schools to sports, we have learned that our kids thrive in smaller environments where they are known, valued, and intentionally developed not treated like a number. Watching my daughter struggle in a massive sports organization while my son thrived in a small, hands-on one made this painfully clear.
And here’s the realization that hit me hardest:This is the same reason so many people choose to shop small.
Small businesses offer connection.They remember your name.They care about the outcome.
In this episode, I talk about:• Why big organizations often prioritize volume over value• How this shows up in youth sports and education• The emotional toll of watching your child be overlooked• And how this mirrors the way moms feel in large systems too
This episode is for any parent questioning whether “bigger” is really better and learning to trust that choosing smaller, more intentional spaces can make all the difference.

Episode 50: Why We Lose Our Purpose In the First Place

We say we “lost our purpose.”We say we “lost our passion.”But what does that really mean?
This week, after a conversation with my son’s friend’s mom, something hit me hard:Most moms cannot answer a simple question…
If you had two hours completely to yourself what would you do?
Not for your kids.Not for your spouse.Not for your job.Not for your house.
For YOU.
The truth is, most of us cannot answer because we have spent so long taking care of everyone else that we forgot how to listen to our own desires.
In this episode, we go deep into:💛 Why moms lose their sense of purpose💛 Why high-achieving women feel disconnected from themselves💛 The invisible identity loss that happens in motherhood💛 How to begin finding your spark again
If you feel disconnected from who you are or what you want this episode is your mirror, your guide, and your reminder that you are still in there.

Episode 49: When Moms Give Everything and Still Feel Unvalued: Rediscovering Purpose and Passion Again

Why do high-achieving moms give everything they have… and still feel invisible?
This week, I talked to several pharmacist moms who are brilliant, talented, educated, and experienced yet feel undervalued, unfulfilled, and stuck.And the truth is: they are not alone.
In this episode, we are diving into:💛 Why moms burn out even when they love their families💛 Why high-achieving women lose their sense of purpose💛 Why we feel guilty wanting more💛 The pressure to “do it all”💛 And the real reason so many women feel unvalued
This episode is for every mom who feels unseen, exhausted, and ready for something more.You deserve to build something of your own.You deserve fulfillment again.And you are not stuck.
And join my side hustle coaching https://www.pharmdunleashed.com/side-hustle-coachingif you are ready for more.

Episode 48: Why We Keep Saying Yes When We Are Exhausted

Why do moms keep saying yes… even when we are exhausted?Even when we know we do not have time?Even when it means more late nights and more chaos?
This week, one tiny yes spiraled into a full-on heat press marathon...numbers, logos, sponsor patches, everything. My husband was frustrated. I was overwhelmed. And yet… the end result surprised me.
One grateful coach.An unexpected business opportunity.And a six-year-old girl running across a soccer field proudly wearing the jersey I made.
In this episode, I share the chaotic, funny, frustrating, beautiful story that helped me finally understand:✨ Saying yes is not the problem.✨ Saying yes without intention is.
If you have been saying yes to everything and wondering why you are exhausted, this episode is going to hit home.

Episode 47: The Thanksgiving Target Run That Showed Me We’re Raising Good Humans

This episode starts with a Target run that turned into one of the most emotional moments of my entire motherhood journey.
My kids, without being asked, reminded, or nudged, asked if they could go buy Thanksgiving gifts for each other… with their own money.
My middle son even pulled out his birthday gift card and said he’d split it evenly so everyone could pick something for each other.
And in that moment, standing in the middle of Target, it hit me:Maybe I’m doing something right.
In today’s episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I share:💛 The Target moment that stopped me in my tracks💛 Why moms rarely pause to honor their quiet wins💛 The surprising reminder that our kids really are watching us💛 And the truth we all need: you’re doing better than you think
If you’ve ever doubted yourself or wondered if all the chaos, driving, teaching, reminding, and loving is even working… this episode is your reminder that it is.
Click the button to subscribe if you want to hear more like this episode.

Episode 46: When You Realize It’s Time for More: Helping Pharmacist Moms Find Purpose Again

This week, I returned to my alma mater, Purdue University, for the College of Pharmacy Advisory Council meetings and something incredible happened.
When I shared my story of helping pharmacist moms create side hustles to earn extra income and rediscover their purpose, something shifted.
Several women came up to me afterward and said,“That’s exactly how I feel.”“I want that too.”
These conversations reminded me of the exact moment I realized I was made for more. I had the title, the career, the paycheck but I didn’t have fulfillment. I felt stuck, unseen, and tired of going through the motions.
That’s when I decided to take everything I knew as a pharmacist and build something of my own something that gave me freedom, purpose, and passion again.
💛 In this episode, I’m sharing:
How I reconnected with Purdue after vowing I’d never go back
The moment I realized I wasn’t the only one craving more
Why so many pharmacist moms are ready to rewrite their story
And how you can use your degree to build a life that lights you up again
If you’re a pharmacist, healthcare worker, or just a mom who’s ready to stop feeling stuck and start creating something that’s yours I’d love to help you map it out.
🎯 Book your free call with me at www.talktonikkiw.com and let’s find your purpose together.

Episode 45: The Day I Finally Chose Myself

Around this time last year, I did something that changed my life.
I got on a plane, left my family at home, and went to my first-ever live event The It’s Her Turn Summit by Cathy Heller.
It was the first time I had truly put myself first. I didn’t know anyone there. I didn’t know what to expect. But what I found was transformation...the kind that only happens when you take a leap of faith and choose you.
That weekend, I stood in a room full of women chasing purpose and possibility, and Christina Perri performed “A Thousand Years.” The lyrics hit me like a wave because in that moment, I realized… I had waited a thousand years to love myself.
That trip changed everything. My confidence, my business, my health, and my sense of worth. It was the turning point that led me here...to the woman I am today.
💛 Inside this episode, I share:
The fear I felt before leaving my family for the first time
The moment I stopped asking for permission and started choosing myself
How that one decision reshaped my life, my business, and my purpose
And the reminder that every mom needs to hear: you are enough
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to put yourself first this is it.  Subscribe now and send this episode to every mom you know!

Episode 44: Full Circle: Going Back to Purdue 20 Years Later

When I left Purdue University in 2006, I vowed I’d never go back.
Not because I didn’t love it...my six years there gave me some of the best memories of my life but because the way it ended left me heartbroken. I wanted to forget it all and start fresh. So I did.
But sometimes, God has a way of bringing you right back to the place you thought you’d left behind… not to relive the pain, but to rewrite the story.
In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I share how my journey came full circle:💛 Returning to my alma mater for the first time in over a decade💛 Reconnecting with classmates who still remembered me by name💛 Being invited to serve on Purdue’s Dean’s Advisory Council💛 And being chosen as a speaker for the upcoming Leadership & Innovation Forum
What once felt like a closed chapter is now a new beginning and proof that God’s timing is always perfect.
If you’ve ever tried to run from a part of your past, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the place you swore you’d never return to becomes the very place you’re meant to rise from.

Episode 43 – “How Many Games Do You Have Today?” The Burnout of Busy Family Life

It’s the question every parent hears at least once a weekend:“So… how many games do you have today?”
And honestly? I never know how to answer.
Between three kids, five soccer games, two tennis matches, diving practice, and coaching toddler soccer it’s a full-time job just keeping track of who’s playing where.
This weekend alone, we had seven games, two practices, and about a hundred snack breaks in between. 😅
In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I’m talking about the beautiful chaos of being a sports parent and the real burnout that comes with it.
💛 Inside, I share:
The endless weekend routine of games, matches, and practices
How our kids are starting to notice the toll it takes on us
When to ask the hard question: “Are we doing too much?”
And why saying no sometimes teaches our kids more than saying yes ever could
Because the truth is, we all want our kids to succeed but not at the cost of their joy (or our sanity).

Episode 42 – When You’re Ready to Quit… and God Reminds You Why You Started

Have you ever hit a point where you just wanted to quit...on everything?The business. The activities. The endless to-do list.
Last week, I was there.I prayed and asked God, “Am I even supposed to be doing all this?”
And then… He answered.
That same afternoon, my daughter walked into my office holding a huge bouquet of roses and tulips...my favorites. It was from one of my clients, completely unexpected, with a note thanking me for everything I’d done to help them. 🌷
The next day? A new discovery call booked.An email from a potential client ready to start.By the end of the week, my kids and I toured a new school they absolutely loved.
It was like God was saying:“Don’t give up. You’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.”
In this week’s episode of Struggle & Strength, I’m sharing the story of how a week that began with exhaustion turned into one filled with affirmation, gratitude, and divine reminders that we’re on the right path...even when it feels impossible.
💛 Inside, you’ll hear:
The real emotions behind wanting to quit everything
The moment God showed up and reminded me to keep going
How to recognize divine affirmations in your own life
A message of hope for every mom who’s carrying too much
Because sometimes, when you’re ready to quit… that’s when God sends you flowers. 🌸