The Nikki & Brie Show
Episode: The Summer Blues are Real
Date: September 15, 2025
Podcast Host: SiriusXM
Hosts: Nikki & Brie Garcia
Episode Overview
In this lively, heartfelt episode, Nikki and Brie Garcia dig into the emotional complexities that come with the end of summer and the transition back to school. They candidly discuss family routines, the "summer blues" experienced by both kids and parents, sibling dynamics, parenting challenges, and the importance of kindness and affirmation for children. The episode also features candid storytelling, relatable mom moments, sibling rivalry games, and signature Garcia sister banter—all wrapped in positive, supportive energy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Transition from Summer to Back-to-School Routines
Timestamps: [02:16]–[04:54]
- Nikki and Brie discuss the change in seasons, how the weather impacts their mood, and the switch from "slow summer mornings" to the structure of school routines.
- Both express bittersweet feelings: enjoyment of unstructured summer days versus craving the productivity and personal time that comes when the kids go back to school.
- Nicole: "Towards the end of the summer I did start to create, like, crave a routine again." [03:11]
- Nikki: "I did enjoy—this was like my first summer with him where we really really enjoyed later evenings." [03:34]
- Nicole mentions the unrealistic expectations she sets for summer self-care: "You think it's suddenly going to be like a wellness retreat. I didn't do one thing for me." [04:41]
- Both agree that back-to-school brings much-needed "sanity" and the ability to focus on themselves for brief windows.
2. "Summer Blues" and Emotional Hurdles for Kids
Timestamps: [04:56]–[06:48]; [20:55]–[22:36]
- The sisters notice a phenomenon they dub "summertime blues"—more kids than usual struggling with the transition back to school, with increased levels of tears and separation anxiety.
- Nicole: "...there was a lot of kids that didn't want to go to school...more kids in tears, more kids like ‘No, Mommy, don't leave.’" [04:58]
- Nikki shares relatable stories about her son Mateo's reluctance to leave home and the struggles of enforcing routines post-summer.
- Nicole recounts Buddy's attempt to negotiate homeschooling—yearning to be with his mom all the time.
3. Parenting Realness: Struggles, Humor, and Chaos
Timestamps: [06:48]–[17:58]
- The sisters swap hilarious and honest stories about the chaos of school mornings, enforcing personal hygiene on kids, and why children always test boundaries at home versus behaving for others.
- Nicole: "...the worst he'll be for is you. He's not like that with anyone else..." [08:45]
- Nikki: "Unconditional love, right? We tend to give people our worst, for sure." [09:10]
- They ponder why their kids ignore parental instructions but listen intently to teachers.
- The daily rollercoaster: bracing for meltdowns about hair-brushing, tooth-brushing, and random acts of defiance (e.g., Buddy opening doors after being firmly told not to, stirring sibling rivalry, and dramatic declarations of "you're the worst!").
- Sibling Dynamics: Nicole and Nikki discuss the battles and deep bonds between their children, relating them to their own sibling history.
- Nicole: "It's just the fighting is hard. I mean, I look at how you and I used to fight." [18:05]
- Nikki: "But we loved each other more than the fighting." [18:13]
4. Kids Say the Darndest Things: Language, Honesty, and Empathy
Timestamps: [11:08]–[20:46]
- Nikki shares stories of Mateo picking up questionable language at school and how she manages her reactions to accidental (and not-so-accidental) cursing.
- Nikki: "So there'll be moments where he wants my attention, and he'll go, 'what the hell?' And then I'll look, and he'll be sitting there smiling, knowing." [11:24]
- Nicole explains how she cleverly redirects Buddy by making the “F word” mean "fox,” turning would-be profanity into hilarious innocence.
- The sisters reflect on children’s brutal honesty, hilarious logical gaps, and the power of positive reinforcement.
5. Affirmations, Self-Esteem & Supporting Children’s Mental Health
Timestamps: [48:06]–[51:07]
- The importance of affirming kids and building their self-esteem is front and center.
- Nicole (quoting Christopher Robin): "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." [48:10]
- Nikki talks about doing daily affirmations with Mateo and shares a touching story about him giving himself affirmations in the mirror at school.
- Nikki: "He was working on his stuff, and...he gets up, he walks over to the mirror, and he goes, 'You did so good. I am so proud of you.'" [49:16]
- The hosts stress the role of parents in fostering kindness and resilience, emphasizing starting these practices young.
6. Sibling Connection & Garcia Family Bond
Timestamps: [46:18]–[47:17]
- Nikki and Brie lean into their unique twin bond, from FaceTiming multiple times a day to sharing moments of silence while prepping dinner.
- Nicole: "Do you FaceTime your sibling, like, 100 times a day? We do...and sometimes Nicole and I will just sit on FaceTime as we’re, like, chopping dinner." [46:18]
7. Fun & Games: Juice Box Geniuses
Timestamps: [41:59]–[45:54]
- The sisters play “Juice Box Geniuses”—a lighthearted quiz of kindergarten-level questions to see who’s the real “brainiac.”
- Friendly (and competitive) banter ensues over who wins, with lots of playful accusations of cheating and nostalgia for when they used to play “Bella Brains.”
- Game Host: "What are the three primary colors?" Nikki: "Red, blue and yellow." [43:01]
- Nicole: "So fox off." [46:04]
8. Advice for Parents: Empathy, Kindness, and World Peace
Timestamps: [51:07]–[52:53]
- The episode rounds off with reflections on world events, teaching kindness, and promoting the value of empathy.
- Nicole: “What we need more than ever right now is to love each other — to show kindness...all the things we were taught in kindergarten.” [51:07]
- Nikki: “We don’t have to agree with opinions…but if we can get to a place where that’s okay, I could still know that I can love thy neighbor.” [52:18]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Nikki ([11:24]): "So there'll be moments where he wants my attention, and he'll go, 'what the hell?' And then I'll look, and he'll be sitting there smiling, knowing.”
- Nicole ([18:05]): “It's just the fighting is hard. I mean, I look at how you and I used to fight.”
- Nicole ([48:10]): “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
- Nikki ([49:16]): “He gets up, he walks over to the mirror, and he goes, 'You did so good. I am so proud of you.' And he's giving himself affirmations in the mirror.”
- Nicole ([51:07]): "What we need more than ever right now is to love each other — to show kindness...all the things we were taught in kindergarten.”
Segments with Timestamps
- PSL & Cozy Season Banter: [01:57]–[02:16]
- Summer vs. Fall Mom Life: [02:26]–[04:54]
- Kids & the ‘Summer Blues’: [04:56]–[06:48]
- Morning Routine Chaos: [07:07]–[12:28]
- Sibling Squabbles & Love: [16:18]–[19:02]
- Funny Kid Stories (Bad Words & Animal Mix-ups): [11:08]–[15:38]
- Self-Esteem & Affirmations: [48:06]–[51:07]
- Parent Affirmations about Kindness: [51:07]–[52:53]
- Juice Box Geniuses Game: [41:59]–[46:04]
Closing Inspiration
Nicole: "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." [48:10]
A heartfelt reminder for all parents and kids as they head into a new school year—to nurture resilience, self-esteem, and above all, kindness.
For more episodes, video content, or to connect with the hosts, follow @TheNikkiAndBrieShow across all platforms, or call their hotline at 833-GARCIA2.