Podcast Summary: The Nikki & Brie Show
Episode: Romanticizing Rest
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: SiriusXM
Featuring: Nikki & Brie Garcia

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nikki and Brie dive deep into the idea of "romanticizing rest"—redefining the start of the year not as a frantic sprint but as a slower, gentler reset in tune with nature and personal well-being. The sisters explore how January and February can be periods of mindful rest, renewal, introspection, and intention-setting, rather than burnout-fueled hustling. Through stories of family life, self-care, traditions, and personal growth, they encourage listeners to embrace rest, authenticity, and healthy boundaries in 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Changing the January Narrative

• Slower Starts, Not Fast Hustles:
  Nikki and Brie note a cultural shift away from hard resets and pressure-filled resolutions after the holidays. Instead, they advocate for a calm, restorative approach to the new year.

  • Nikki: “We've been very conditioned to think restart means, like, jumping right into it. But restart doesn't have to happen so fast.” [02:16]
  • Brie: “Romanticizing just how we romanticize about the holidays… let’s have that same mindset for January and February.” [01:32]

• Home Aesthetics Reflecting the Season:
  Brie shares how she transitions her home decor for a “winter reset” feeling, seeking “mood” and coziness to match the time of year. [02:29–03:30]

2. Romanticizing Rest in Daily Life

• Cozy Family Rituals:

  • Nikki describes slowing down with her family: “We're like, let's just have the slowest month possible… Let’s really go to the books, the board games, the puzzles, and just like be cozy, slow and, you know, indulge more into that.” [04:15–05:06]
  • Importance of mindful routines over screen time and activity overload.

• Mental and Emotional Reset Post-Holiday:

  • Brie points out the need for a mental and emotional reset with exhaustion, financial planning, and returning to routines after the holidays. [05:06]
  • Emphasis on giving oneself grace rather than rushing to new goals or punishing routines.

3. Breaking Away from “Grind & Hustle” Culture

• Rejecting Burnout as a Badge:
  • Nikki: “The grind. That's not it anymore. We were taught that at one point and thought, if you're in the grind… you're winning in life. You're not.” [11:00]
  • Both discuss the importance of holding boundaries, saying no, and not overcommitting—even when it means declining other podcast invitations for the sake of presence with family.

4. Tradition, Astrology & Personal Growth

• New Year’s Grapes Traditions & Superstitions:
  Nikki and Brie chat about quirky traditions (like eating grapes under the table for luck in love on New Year’s) and how some viral rituals don’t resonate with everyone. [12:22–13:14]

• Belief in Astrological Influence & Nature’s Rhythms:
  They reflect on a recent supermoon and meteor shower, aligning personal energy and mental states with natural cycles—“Why would it not affect all of us?” [15:02]

• Growth and Resilience Post-Difficult Years:
  Brie shares candid reflections on her transformative 2025, including personal and professional ups and downs, and the importance of “walking in your truth” despite outside opinions.

  • Brie: “Whether you're in the public eye or not, you walk in your truth… As long as you know your truth and you grow from that, you will have the most incredible year.” [22:53]

5. Wellness, Moderation & Self-Love

• Moderation in Social Media Portrayal and Alcohol:
  Clarifies the real lifestyle behind their public personas:

  • Nikki: “People think we drink a lot more than we do… we’re all about moderation.” [24:37]

• Protein and Nutrition Habits:
  Brie shares recent insights from working with a trainer and changing her diet to focus on enough protein, proper fueling, and moderation, challenging the “all or nothing” mentality about diets. [37:10–38:55]

6. Game Segment: “In or Out?—What Stays/Goes in 2026” [29:23]

A rapid-fire, lighthearted segment where Nikki and Brie decide which habits and mindsets to leave in 2025 and which to bring into 2026.

• Major “Ins”:

  • Complimenting strangers [30:00]
  • Positive self-talk [30:52]
  • Therapy [33:47]
  • Letting little things be enough [33:49]
  • Digital detoxes [40:00]
  • Clear boundaries [36:03]
  • Intentions over goals [35:26]
  • Romanticizing rest [35:41]
  • Quiet wins [40:33]

• Major “Outs”:

  • Holding grudges [30:25]
  • FOMO and overexplaining [31:19, 32:00]
  • Comparing (especially comparing timelines via social media) [34:27]
  • Hustle culture [40:17]
  • All-or-nothing diets [37:01]

7. Memorable Quotes & Affirmations

• On Resting Slow:

  • Bri: “January is not a time to restart or reinvent, but to rest. In nature, nothing is rushing to bloom, and neither should we.” [41:40]
  • Nikki: “Just how nature doesn’t rush to bloom, so neither should we.” [42:10]

• On Boundaries:

  • Nikki: “For anyone who's listening, who's not good at boundaries, this your year to do it. Set it. You do feel good after you put them there.” [36:10]

• On Social Media & Comparison:

  • Nikki: “Should we pick a week where we all detox all together off social media?” [35:12]
  • Brie: “Lock themselves in their rooms and they just live on the Internet. Get out and live what God made outside.” [35:00]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:02] — The culture shift in approaching January and February
• [04:15] — Cozy, slow routines for families; the value of puzzles and board games
• [11:00] — Rejecting hustle culture and embracing rest
• [12:22] — New Year’s superstitions and the “grape eating” tradition
• [14:21] — Effects of the supermoon and reconnecting with nature's rhythms
• [18:41] — Brie’s reflection on 2025: Growth and bouncing back from difficult times
• [22:53] — The importance of “walking in your truth” and self-acceptance
• [24:37] — Moderation in lifestyle, correcting public misconceptions
• [29:23] — “In or Out?” Game: habits and attitudes for 2026
• [35:26] — “Intentions over goals” as a New Year’s focus
• [36:03] — Boundaries: advice and encouragement
• [37:01] — Out with extreme diets, in with moderation and protein education
• [40:33] — Praise for “quiet wins” and reflection amid overstimulation
• [41:40] — Episode-closing affirmation about aligning with nature and rest

Notable Quotes (with Attribution & Timestamps)

• “Restart doesn't have to happen so fast.”
  — Nikki [02:22]

• “January is not a time to restart or reinvent, but to rest in nature. Nothing is rushing to bloom. And neither should we at all.”
  — Bri [41:40]

• “We were taught that at one point… if you're in the grind… you're winning in life. You're not.”
  — Nikki [11:05]

• “You walk in your truth… As long as you know your truth and you grow from that, you will have the most incredible year.”
  — Brie [22:53]

• “All or nothing diets? Out, out, you guys… Moderation. Eat healthy.”
  — Nikki & Brie [37:01]

• “Sometimes I feel like when I have the most power is when I’m in my garden. … In such a world where we’re overconsuming… the quietness, because you can hear yourself… it’s incredible what you’ll learn about yourself.”
  — Nikki [40:44]

Episode Tone & Style

Friendly, candid, honest, and supportive, with plenty of sisterly teasing, mom-life moments in the background (cute interruptions from kids), and a focus on encouragement and relatability. The conversation flowed naturally, mixing light-hearted stories with meaningful reflection and practical advice.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Rethink the “fresh start”: Embrace slowness, gentleness, and self-connection in January, rather than immediately hustling for change.
• Prioritize rest—not just as a necessity, but as something worthy of celebration.
• Focus on intentions and mindful habits; set boundaries for your own well-being.
• Moderation and authenticity matter more than public perceptions or trends.
• Honor growth through adversity, stay true to yourself, and lean into the natural rhythms of life.
• Small wins, self-kindness, and peaceful routines can carry more power than noisy accomplishments.

For more Nikki & Brie content, follow them on social platforms and check out the video episode on YouTube.

End of Summary