The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows & Lessons
The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows & Lessons
The Balancing Act with NikiMarie is where real life meets reflection. Each episode dives into the highs, lows, and lessons that shape our daily lives, exploring topics like mental health, purpose, relationships, and personal growth. Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality for Nassau Community College Radio Station, 90.3 WHPC, the show blends heartfelt storytelling with practical insight. NikiMarie reminds us that balance isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence, peace, and learning to give ourselves grace along the way.
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The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows & Lessons

The Balancing Act with NikiMarie is where real life meets reflection. Each episode dives into the highs, lows, and lessons that shape our daily lives, exploring topics like mental health, purpose, relationships, and personal growth. Hosted by NikiMarie, a Mental Health Advocate and Radio Personality...

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Recent Episodes

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S02 E05: Navigating Parenting in the iPhone Generation
5
May 31, 2026

S02 E05: Navigating Parenting in the iPhone Generation

In this episode of The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows, and Lessons, host NikiMarie takes an honest and relatable look at what it means to raise children in a world filled with smartphones, social media, and constant digital connectivity. While technology has created incredible opportunities for learning, communication, and entertainment, it has also introduced new challenges for families striving to stay connected with one another. Parenting is about much more than providing love and protection. It
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S02 E04: The Voice That Shapes Your Self-Esteem
4
Dec. 13, 2025

S02 E04: The Voice That Shapes Your Self-Esteem

In this episode of The Balancing Act Highs Lows and Lessons, NikiMarie explores the quiet but powerful role self esteem plays in every part of our lives. From the inner voice shaped in childhood to the pressure of society and comparison, this conversation looks at where our beliefs about ourselves begin and how they follow us into adulthood. With honesty and compassion, NikiMarie unpacks how low self esteem shows up in our mental health, relationships and daily choices and how we can begin rewri
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S02 E03: Breaking the Cycle: Healing While Raising Children
3
Nov. 24, 2025

S02 E03: Breaking the Cycle: Healing While Raising Children

Welcome back to The Balancing Act. Today’s episode is one every parent should hear. Niki invites listeners into a raw and honest conversation about parenting while healing, something so many people experience but rarely admit out loud. It is the tiredness you feel before the day even begins. It is carrying emotions you never had time to unpack while still pouring love into your children. It is doing everything for your family while quietly trying to rebuild yourself. In this episode, Niki opens
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S02 E02: Social Connections and Support Systems
2
Nov. 1, 2025

S02 E02: Social Connections and Support Systems

In this episode of The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows, and Lessons, I dive into the relationships that shape our lives. We explore how to cultivate meaningful connections, spot toxic dynamics, and set boundaries that protect your energy and emotional well-being. Whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, the people around you either lift you up or drain your spirit. I share practical strategies to strengthen supportive relationships, navigate difficult ones, and create space for growth, joy, and
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S02 E01: Running on Empty: The Hidden Cost of Hustle
1
Oct. 18, 2025

S02 E01: Running on Empty: The Hidden Cost of Hustle

Ever felt like you’re doing everything right, showing up, grinding hard, hitting goals, yet somehow you’re still exhausted, anxious, or disconnected? You’re not alone. What happens when success starts to feel like survival? In this raw and reflective episode of The Balancing Act, NikiMarie explores burnout, the pressure to perform, and the real meaning of balance, reminding us that peace isn’t found in perfection but in permission to pause. From sleepless nights and silent breakdowns to the con
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S01 E10: Dealing with Grief & Reflecting on Highs, Lows and Lessons
10
Aug. 6, 2023

S01 E10: Dealing with Grief & Reflecting on Highs, Lows and Lessons

In life we have challenges and we often try to search for answers from within but some times we just need to reach out. On this episode of the balancing act, I am taking a moment to say thank you to my listeners for coming back. But I am also reflecting on the loss my family and I are still dealing with today and may always feel. It's an emptiness that just feels so unnatural. Tune in as I give you an update on my career now and also what we are dealing with in our family. Hosted by NikiMarie
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Recent Blog Posts

Sometimes the Loudest Cry for Help Is Silence: Suicide Prevention Beyond September
Sept. 30, 2026

Sometimes the Loudest Cry for Help Is Silence: Suicide Prevention Beyond September

As September comes to an end, this is one conversation I don’t want to leave behind. Mental health advocacy is personal to me because I’ve had my own struggles with mental health, and I like to think of myself as someone still on the road to recover…
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When a Mother's Mind Becomes a Place She No Longer Recognizes
Aug. 18, 2026

When a Mother's Mind Becomes a Place She No Longer Recognizes

When we talk about having a baby, most of the conversation is about the baby. How much did the baby weigh? Is the baby sleeping? Are you breastfeeding? Who does the baby look like? Is the baby eating enough? Everybody wants pictures, everybody wants…
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Parenting Beyond the Screen: Finding Balance in the Digital Age
May 31, 2026

Parenting Beyond the Screen: Finding Balance in the Digital Age

Parenting has never been easy, but raising children in today's digital world presents challenges that many of us never imagined when we were growing up. Smartphones, social media, streaming platforms, gaming apps, and instant access to information h…
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About the Host

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NikiMarie

Founder / Mental Health Advocate

Nikiya “NikiMarie” Jeffries, formerly known as Nikiya Rodriguez, is a media creator, mental-health advocate, and higher-education professional whose voice and storytelling continue to inspire and uplift diverse audiences. She is the creator and host of NikiMarie Radio, The Balancing Act: Highs, Lows and Lessons, Mentality Mondays, and several developing multimedia projects centered on healing, culture, and emotional growth. Her work reflects a unique blend of creativity, empathy, and dedication to helping people feel seen and understood.

Born and raised in New York, NikiMarie has always been guided by a deep passion for communication and community connection. Professionally, she serves as the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. In this role, she supports students through the complexities of federal aid, FAFSA requirements, verification, loan counseling, and compliance. Known for her clarity and compassion, she has become a trusted resource for students who rely on her ability to break down complicated information with ease and patience.

In media, NikiMarie’s warm presence and relatable storytelling resonate across radio, podcasts, and digital platforms. Her shows, heard on 90.3 WHPC and major streaming outlets, explore themes such as mental health, relationships, burnout, identity, parenting, and personal transformation. Through honest reflection, humor, and research-based insight, she creates a safe space where listeners can learn, heal, and grow alongside her. Many admire her ability to discuss difficult topics with authenticity, depth, and heart.

NikiMarie is also the founder of NikiMarie Productions LLC, where she develops original audio and visual content. She continues to expand her brand through podcast development, community storytelling, media partnerships, and creative collaborations. Her mission is rooted in resilience, purpose, and the belief that every story has the power to make an impact.

Nikiya “NikiMarie” Jeffries is building a legacy of connection, healing, and empowerment, one meaningful conversation at a time.

Reviews

Awesome Pod

"This podcast feels like listening to a friend who actually gets it. Some episodes wander a bit and could be more organized, but the heart and honesty always shine through. It is a genuinely uplifting…"

Emma Williams | Nov. 27, 2025

Honest and Insightful

"I like how NikiMarie shares honest feelings and useful advice, which makes each episode calming and inspiring. A few parts feel a bit long, but overall it’s a comforting podcast that helps you reflec…"

Maya Brooks | Nov. 27, 2025
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