The Nikki & Brie Show

Episode: The Mix Tape Episode: Taking It Back
Release Date: October 20, 2025
Podcast: The Nikki & Brie Show, SiriusXM

Episode Overview

In “The Mix Tape Episode: Taking It Back,” Nikki and Brie Garcia invite listeners to join them on a nostalgic journey through music and life milestones. The iconic twin duo create their own personal mixtapes by sharing five meaningful songs each—exploring the stories and emotions behind them—and reminisce about favorite 90s trends, childhood memories, and the contrasts between growing up pre-social media and life today. With their trademark mix of humor, vulnerability, and sisterly banter, Nikki and Brie take listeners from happy high school moments to “fight songs” that fueled their careers, while also sharing touching stories about family and loss. The episode wraps up with their favorite 90s things they’d bring back, and a little inspiration straight from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why a Mixtape Episode?

[04:11 – 06:13]

• Nikki and Brie wanted to curate personal “mixtapes” of songs that shaped them, connecting musical memories with life’s significant moments—from childhood to adulthood.
• The idea was inspired by a live show game, turning into an intimate sharing of the tracks that bring nostalgia, empowerment, and connection.

2. Sharing Their Musical Journey: 5 Songs Each

[08:08 – 36:17]

Nikki’s Picks & Stories

• “Scar Tissue” – Red Hot Chili Peppers [08:21 – 09:56]

  • Symbolizes resilience, healing, and moving on despite scars from childhood to adulthood.
  • “Scar Tissue is that… childhood left all these scars in me. But now I’ve become strong, resilient, and I’m going to move on into a better place.” - Nikki [09:56]

• “Fight Song” – Rachel Platten [14:57 – 16:34]

  • Anthem during WWE neck injury and comeback, a reminder that affirmations and music can “change your mindset.”
  • “I still will play that all the time... that song had major impact on me because then when that came out, I listen to that on repeat and literally inspired me and changed my mindset, and it helped so much.” - Nikki [15:00]

• “I Remember Everything” (Zach Bryan & Kacey Musgraves) [19:14 – 20:26]

  • Special mother-son duet with Matteo in the car; the first song he sang all the lyrics to.
  • “It would be on repeat on the way to school and we would just be singing together.” - Nikki [20:25]

• “No Tears Left to Cry” – Ariana Grande [28:50 – 31:04]

  • Embodies resilience after hardships. Nikki is shocked Brie hasn’t heard it.
  • Nikki: “I can’t believe you don’t know this song. … Ain’t got no tears left to cry, so I’m picking it up, picking it up. I’m loving, I’m living, I’m picking it up.” [29:32 – 30:05]

• “Hosanna” – Hillsong (special mention to their gospel and jazz loves) [33:32 – 35:32]

  • Gospel song that gives Nikki hope, anchoring her spirituality and daily affirmations.
  • “You feel like you’re in God’s arms when you listen… you feel hope and you feel Jesus.” - Nikki [35:04]

Brie’s Picks & Stories

• “San Dimas High School Football Rules” – The Ataris [10:17 – 11:56]

  • Punk ode to high school joy and freedom shared with her high school friend Katie.
  • “The song reminds me of, like, the fun parts of youth… all you worried about was passing school, like, before s--- got real.” - Brie [11:29]

• “Fool in the Rain” – Led Zeppelin [16:36 – 17:31]

  • Deeply sentimental; connected to the passing of Bear, who made her a special mix CD.
  • “Anytime I hear ‘Fool in the Rain,’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’ [Pink Floyd]… I just always think of Bear, always.” - Brie [17:21]

• “Stubborn Love” – The Lumineers [20:28 – 24:00]

  • Reflects adult transitions—breakups, discovering independence, moving to New York.
  • “Every time I hear that song, it takes me back to that time… leaving a bad breakup, becoming a woman.” - Brie [24:00]

• “Love the Way You Walk Away” – Blitzen Trapper [32:02 – 32:59]

  • The unconventional “couple song” with her husband Brian, not typically romantic, but for them, full of dating nostalgia.

• “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles [35:44 – 36:44]

  • Family kitchen dance favorite, especially with her daughter Birdie: “We always sing as a family…we’ve all danced a million times in our kitchen to this song.”

3. Shared Musical Memories & Family Anecdotes

[12:30 – 14:00, 14:00 – 15:00]

• The twins reminisce about Red Hot Chili Peppers concerts, sneaking into shows, and collecting autographs as “life-changing” moments.
• Discovering music through family—jazz (Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone), and parental influences shaping their wide musical tastes.

4. Nostalgia for the 90s: What They’d Bring Back

[43:37 – 52:21]

Each picks five ‘Bring Back’ items from the 90s:

• Pogs, 90210, Blockbuster Video, TGIF Friday TV lineup, 90s rom-com movies, Beanie Babies, landlines and answering machines, disposable cameras and surprises in developed photos, milky pens, Butterfinger BBs, Furbies, book fairs, neighborhood life.

Notable Quotes:

• “I miss Blockbuster… I would do anything to take my kids after school on Friday. Just pick a treat, yes!” - Brie [46:36]
• “There’s something about 90210… that show made me realize who I wanted to be.” - Brie [45:38]
• “The simplicity of not keeping up… that was the great part about it.” - Brie [52:16]

5. Reflections on Growing Up Pre-Social Media

[44:05 – 44:53]

• Both share gratitude for experiencing a “simpler, fuller” childhood without the pressures of social media or instant tech gratification.

6. Inspirational 90s Affirmations

[53:07 – 54:28]

• “The only limit is the one you set yourself.” – Fresh Prince of Bel-Air [53:46]
• “Don’t want no scrubs.” – TLC [54:28]

Notable & Memorable Moments

• Nikki’s passionate defense of “Scar Tissue” and recalling standing in line for an autograph from Anthony Kiedis [08:21 – 09:56]
• Brie’s emotional connection to “Fool in the Rain” and stories of Bear making mixtapes [16:36 – 17:38]
• Both sisters sharing the Lumineers phase, including family dance parties and their kids’ love of the band [20:28 – 24:00]
• Nikki introducing “No Tears Left to Cry” to a shocked-to-be-unfamiliar Brie [28:50 – 31:19]
• Deep dives into 90s nostalgia—Blockbuster runs, the heartbreak when movies were “out,” and the thrill of landlines with music on their answering machines [46:41 – 50:25]
• Sisterly banter about who was the “hater” or more “prepared” for segments, and gentle teasing over song choices throughout.

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:11 – Official show start and introduction of the “Mixtape” theme
• 08:08 – 36:44 – Sharing and discussing their personal mixtape songs
• 43:37 – 52:21 – "Bring it Back" segment: Five 90s things they wish would return
• 53:07 – 54:28 – Closing affirmations and favorite 90s inspirational quotes

Overall Episode Tone and Takeaways

Warm, inviting, and candid—Nikki & Brie balance laughter and genuine vulnerability as they reflect on the music and memories that shaped them. Stories of love, loss, strength, and the enduring power of music provide inspiration for the listeners to curate their own “mixtapes.” The 90s nostalgia segment adds relatable, lighthearted fun, capped with iconic affirmations that echo the era’s spirit of resilience. The mix of personal anecdotes, pop culture references, and motivational moments make this episode a feel-good throwback—perfect for listeners of all ages.

Quick-Reference Quotes

• “Scar Tissue is that… childhood left all these scars in me. But now I’ve become strong, resilient, and I’m going to move on into a better place.” – Nikki [09:56]
• “The song reminds me of, like, the fun parts of youth… all you worried about was passing school, like, before s--- got real.” – Brie [11:29]
• “I miss Blockbuster… I would do anything to take my kids after school on Friday.” – Brie [46:36]
• “The only limit is the one you set yourself.” – Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (quoted by Nikki) [53:46]

For those who want to reconnect with the songs that shaped their journeys, and crave a hit of 90s nostalgia, this episode of The Nikki & Brie Show is pure, relatable joy—a mixtape in podcast form.