The Nikki & Brie Show

Episode: "Built by HER: Women’s History Month Kickoff"

Date: March 2, 2026
Host: SiriusXM

Episode Overview

Kicking off their special Women's History Month series, Nikki and Brie Garcia devote this episode to discussing the significance of Women's History Month, reflecting on the impact of trailblazing women, and sharing the personal lessons they've learned and unlearned on their journey as women, sisters, and public figures. The duo sets the stage for a month-long celebration featuring inspiring women from diverse backgrounds—including WWE stars, athletes, and authors—aimed at amplifying women’s stories, struggles, and successes. Throughout, the conversation is candid, empowering, and filled with both personal anecdotes and calls to action for listeners to recognize their own value.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance & History of Women's History Month

Timestamps: 01:03 – 04:33

• Why Women’s History Month Matters:

  • Nikki describes Women’s History Month as more than a “calendar moment”—it’s about honoring resilience, leadership, and impact.
  • This series will spotlight “badass, inspiring women” from various fields. (01:03)
  • “This has meant a lot to us and we really just want to give you so much this month. Lot of women empowerment.” — Nikki (01:25)

• Historical Origins:

  • Brie notes how recent it is—only established in 1987 in the US.
    • “It’s not like it’s been around forever.” — Brie (02:17)
  • Traces early roots back to 1909 (Women's History Day in Europe; slow US adoption).
  • Gives a shout-out to Santa Rosa, CA, for initiating a local week-long celebration before national recognition (1978). (03:41)

2. The Ongoing Fight and Why Representation Matters

Timestamps: 05:51 – 07:21

• Not About Excluding Men:
  • Brie addresses critiques that shining a light on women “diminishes” men’s achievements, countering:
    • “We're not taking anything away… it’s just nice to showcase…how hard it was to, you know, do it.” — Brie (06:27)
  • References WWE Superstar Naomi:
    “The struggle is real. And we're allowed to talk about those real struggles, especially this month.” — Nikki (06:43)

3. What It’s Cost: Breaking Barriers & Paying the Price

Timestamps: 07:21 – 10:10, 12:08 – 14:41

• Personal Sacrifices for Progress:

  • Nikki & Brie reflect on public scrutiny and the loss of privacy due to their outspokenness and advocacy for women in wrestling and TV.
  • "What it cost me was privacy, was allowing the world to judge me or to make [assumptions]." — Nikki (12:42)
  • Despite the cost, impact is “far greater,” and Nikki expresses pride in withstanding hate and judgment for a bigger purpose (12:46–13:35).

• Role of Persistence:

  • Brie emphasizes the importance of seeing strong women persist and succeed despite adversity.
    • “Persistence is everything. And you're going to be told no a lot.” — Brie (08:16)
  • Draws parallels to family matriarchs, elevating “everyday” women’s quiet sacrifices alongside historic icons (08:16–10:10).

4. Unlearning People-Pleasing and Embracing Boldness

Timestamps: 13:35 – 18:48

• Boundaries over Pleasing:

  • Nikki and Brie discuss unlearning strict rule-following and people-pleasing (rooted in athletic upbringings) in order to break barriers and lead.
    • “Sometimes you have to break the rules to be heard or to make a change for the right way, the right thing.” — Nikki (14:09)
  • Brie realizes the value of occasionally setting aside “kindness” (as conventionally defined) to find her true voice and become fearless.
    • "By not standing in line and listening, by just going outside the box just a little…that’s when I started to bloom.” — Brie (16:01)

• Learning to Assert Opinions:

  • They share ongoing struggles with not wanting to offend but realize having and voicing opinions (even when contrary) is essential as entrepreneurs and leaders.
    • "If I start to say I agree, I think of that person in my head, pops up like a pixie… don’t agree. Give your opinion.” — Nikki (18:33)

5. Outgrowing Old Habits, Embracing Self-Worth

Timestamps: 22:51 – 27:02

• Letting Go of Needing to Prove Value:

  • Brie revels in having let go of caring about others’ opinions and trends; now happy with simplicity and self-assurance.
    • “If tomorrow I'm just left to be in my gardens and be a mother, I'm winning.” — Brie (23:25)
  • Nikki shares outgrowing the need to prove her worth to others—especially in relationships, business, and friendships.
    • “If you don’t understand my value or can’t see my value, you ain’t kicking it, you ain’t hanging around.” — Nikki (24:46)

• Teaching the Next Generation:

  • Brie passes these lessons on to her daughter, Birdie, emphasizing self-value and boundaries at a young age.
    • “If they don’t see your worth and how special you are, they don’t deserve you as a friend.” — Brie (27:21)

6. Early Inspirations and Role Models

Timestamps: 30:12 – 39:37

• Teachers as Early Role Models:

  • Bri credits Ms. Giles, her third-grade teacher, for helping her gain courage and feel valued as a child in a new school.
    • “She made me feel like I was needed, that my help was like... She didn't come at me and was like, 'Hey, I know you're really, like, scared,'…No, she made me feel like I was needed." — Bri (31:09–32:21)
  • Nikki reminisces about Ms. Boyd, her elegant teacher, and idolizes soccer icon Mia Hamm for giving her the courage to compete with boys (33:15–33:36).

• Acts of Selflessness as Inspiration:

  • Brie looks up to figures like Angelina Jolie—for boldness—and Mother Teresa for her “completely selfless” life.
    • “To be completely selfless, like Mother Teresa ... that is so bold, and that is making history.” — Brie (38:16)

• Frida Kahlo:

  • Both express being moved by Kahlo’s wild artistry and her unapologetic breaking of rules (39:06).

7. Evolving Women’s Landscape in WWE and Beyond

Timestamps: 39:37 – 41:29

• Sisterhood & Strengths in Wrestling Today:

  • Brie praises today’s generation of WWE women for recognizing and combining strengths, empowering one another rather than exposing weaknesses.
    • “The women today know that no one's trying to expose, like, decades ago, people's weaknesses… Today, I've never, I've seen it more than ever that people have aligned with each other's strengths and empower each other.” — Brie (40:06)

• Qualities Honored in Women's History Month:

  • Nikki: fearless, bold, brave women with “a great story to share that we can use as a tool that can inspire, motivate, and have impact.” (40:57)

8. Closing Affirmation: The Greener Grass Metaphor

Timestamps: 42:34 – 43:56

• Affirmation:
  • “Be her. The woman who knows: The grass is greener wherever she stands because she brings value to every space she enters.” — Nikki (42:54)
  • Brie and Nikki encourage listeners to recognize themselves as the “greener grass”—bringing value wherever they are.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Women's History Month… is about honoring stories, resilience, leadership and impact.” — Nikki (01:03)
• “It's not like we're talking about hundreds of years. Like, a lot of us… the stories still feel like they weren't that far away.” — Brie (02:24)
• “‘Persistence is everything. And you're going to be told no a lot.’ That's what I teach Birdie.” — Brie (08:16)
• “Would I do it all over again?…100%. Purpose and the impact is far greater than that.” — Nikki (12:46)
• “By not standing in line and listening … is when I started to bloom and started to find myself, and I was like, oh, okay, here she is.” — Brie (16:01)
• “If you don't understand my value or can't see my value, you ain't kicking it, you ain't hanging around.” — Nikki (24:46)
• “We hope you get inspired this month and that it ignite something in you to go do you.” — Bri (42:34)
• “Be her. The woman who knows: The grass is greener wherever she stands because she brings value to every space she enters.” — Nikki (42:54)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 01:03–04:33 — Why Women’s History Month matters; history of the month
• 05:51–07:21 — Addressing “women v. men” and why representation is critical
• 07:21–10:10 & 12:08–14:41 — What it costs to break barriers; persistence and privacy
• 13:35–18:48 — Unlearning people-pleasing; embracing bold opinions
• 22:51–27:02 — Outgrowing the need for approval; teaching the next generation
• 30:12–39:37 — Women who inspired Nikki & Brie, early teachers, famous role models, acts of selflessness
• 39:37–41:29 — WWE’s current landscape; empowering women as a group
• 42:34–43:56 — Closing inspiration and affirmation, “the greener grass” metaphor

Tone & Style

• Warm, candid, and empowering with doses of humor and vulnerability.
• Occasional sibling banter and nostalgia, with practical wisdom and encouragement.
• A strong focus on authenticity, self-worth, and collective progress.

For New Listeners

This episode is an uplifting entry to the Nikki & Brie Show, blending touching personal stories with broader insights about women's progress, sisterhood, and the ongoing journey of learning to value oneself and each other. It sets up a dynamic Women's History Month series intended to leave listeners feeling “happy, seen, and motivated to be yourself.”

Skip to [01:03] for the start of the real conversation. Ignore ad breaks and catch the core topics between the timestamps above for the richest content.