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First and foremost, excuse the poor sound quality of this episode. My mic malfunctioned and I had to resort to my trusty airpods.

Enjoy this special episode with my cousin, Christian!

Grief doesn’t end, it reshapes you—and that’s where our conversation begins. We sit down with my cousin Christian to trace a life that spans Seaside party pads, frozen Minnesota mornings, and a late-blooming career in cybersecurity, all while carrying the love and loss of his wife. The story is raw and practical: how a recession closed one door, curiosity opened another, and therapy helped turn pain into movement instead of silence.

We go deep on what it takes to rebuild. Christian shares the jump from PC repair to Linux and networking, the breakthrough that came with mentors and certifications, and why imposter syndrome is a signal to ask better questions, not to shrink. We unpack the culture shock of the Midwest, the power of simple family check-ins, and the hard truth that support systems don’t magically appear—you either cultivate them or change your zip code. And we talk about mental health the way it should be talked about: cost, access, and the real payoff of unlearning “suck it up” in favor of steady, honest conversations.

Then we push into the fire of modern dating after loss. Expectations are sharp, forgiveness is scarce, and apps turn judgment into a reflex. Christian offers grounded advice: slow down, meet through shared activities, and let context build before chemistry gets tested. Hip-hop threads it all together as discipline, not nostalgia—b-boying as a practice that keeps the body honest and the ego humble, even as injuries linger longer and the next generation flies higher.

If you’ve ever started over—after grief, divorce, or a career dead end—this episode gives you language, tools, and proof that momentum can return. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and drop a review with your best start-over rule. Your story might be the lifeline someone’s waiting for.

• moving from California grit to Minnesota quiet
• learning to live after losing a spouse
• late shift into cybersecurity and certifications
• mentorship, imposter syndrome and career momentum
• therapy costs, access and the payoff of speaking up
• generational norms versus modern mental health
• dating after loss, boundaries and app burnout
• b-boy longevity, injury management and evolving style
• family as support system and the pull of relocation

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Ever tried to love well while your brain is sprinting and your calendar won’t quit? We dive straight into the messy space where mental health meets relationships—how therapy, self‑awareness, and clean communication can turn chaos into something you can actually build on. With Anu co‑hosting and Sydni from 444 Hawaii in the studio, we get real about hustle culture, single parenting, and what it takes to protect your peace without ghosting the people you love.

We unpack the early warning signs that your mind needs care—panic spikes, irritability, and that numb drift that turns small disagreements into big blowups. Sydni shares why she chose to normalize therapy and medication, how angel numbers and legacy shaped her brand’s mission, and the daily habits that keep her grounded. We challenge the idea that partners should be each other’s therapists and offer a simple loop to repair after conflict: name the feeling, name the need, make one clear request, and revisit together. Short, human, repeatable.

Respect and transparency become the backbone of everything: letting your person know when plans change, acknowledging island dynamics where everyone knows everyone, and not leaving out the “small” details that later feel like betrayal. We also tackle the thorny stuff—work‑trip crushes without physical contact, whether preventive couples therapy is smart or overkill, and how to tell the difference between boys who play games and men who commit. Finally, we talk identity and attraction with compassion: labels can guide, but character and safety carry relationships across lines.

If this conversation hits home, tap follow, share with a friend who needs a calm, honest take on love and mental health, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find us. Your support keeps these real talks going.

mental health signals and coping in relationships
• hustle culture stress, single parenting and side gigs
• therapy, medication and removing stigma
• transparency, respect and preventing jealousy
• not therapising your partner and setting limits
• work‑trip crushes, monogamy and repair at home
• roasting with boundaries and trigger words
• identity, preference and raising inclusive kids
• breaking generational patterns with vulnerability

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A first mic, a sandy shoreline, and a set of hard-won lessons about love and timing—Sage brings a full-life story that hits both the studio and the heart. We dig into how he broke into radio through production, why tedious edits matter more than hot takes, and what it really takes to balance a day job, gym sessions, content, and weekend shifts on Island 98.5. His path is equal parts grind and guidance, with a nod to mentors who opened the door and a work ethic that kept it open.

We move from the board to the beach as Sage breaks down body surfing culture: competition stops, judging flow and form, and finding your crew. In the gym, he’s lived both sides—chasing heavy numbers as a teen and now prioritizing high-rep strength, mobility, and a kitchen-first approach to change. We talk fasting, hydration, and why the quiet choices between sets and meals outlast the loud ones. There’s a candid look at gym culture too, from tripods to pump covers to the awkward reality of accidental eye contact and what respect looks like in shared spaces.

Then we get personal. Missed flirting signals, when to ask “Do you want me to listen or fix?”, and the grown-up way to end a relationship when nobody is the villain. We walk through boundaries with exes, the art of transparency that prevents jealous spirals, and how to build a home where kids can speak without fear. It’s honest, sometimes messy, and ultimately hopeful: style is personal, trust is built, and clarity saves time, tenderness, and pride.

If you enjoy real talk that blends radio grind, ocean breaks, and relationship wisdom you can use today, hit play, follow the show, and share this with a friend who needs a nudge toward clearer conversations. Subscribe, rate, and drop a review—what’s one communication habit you want to practice this week?

• landing a radio role via production and mentorship
• balancing a day job with weekend on-air shifts
• body surfing competitions, judging, and community
• training shifts from maxes to high-rep strength
• fasting, kitchen discipline, and hydration
• attraction, gym culture, and social cues
• handling space versus fixing in conflict
• honesty without cruelty in feedback
• parents, privacy, and building trust at home
• missing flirting signals and naming feelings
• ending relationships with mutual respect
• transparency with exes and current partners
• first impressions and treating people well

“Don’t forget to tune in Island 98.5 every weekend. Saturday 4–10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on iHeartRadio too.”