Today we’d like to introduce you to Nickolas Natali.
Nickolas, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Absolutely! Growing up, I’ve tried my best to have relationships be a significant focal point of my life. Loving God and having intentional relationships with those around me is what gives meaning to everything I do. The most defining moments in my life were when I was able to learn from someone who spoke truth to me, was honest, was giving, caring, vulnerable, the list goes on – and I wanted to create an environment where those meaningful conversations could be had. I’ve heard so many stories that have changed my perspective and encouraged me to be a better man. I’ve been eager to create a platform where I can help share people’s stories.
I invite guests onto The Nickolas Natali Show to share life strategies they use to live a more fulfilling life. Guests range from artists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, pastors, politicians, financial advisors and people that have propelled me forward. I believe the podcast is where it is today because of its consistency, transparency, and value it brings to people. I have yet to record a podcast where I’ve walked away and said, “Oh, I didn’t learn anything from them.” Every time an episode is recorded, I walk away from the conversations saying, “Wow, I hadn’t thought of trying this that way” or “I’m going to use that in this part of my life.”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The furthest thing from smooth. Starting out, I didn’t have any idea about audio production, where I would record, or who I would talk to.
1. Understanding the technical side of what makes a podcast sound crisp and easy on the ears was (and still is) a huge learning curve. I’m constantly trying to find or test new equipment that is going to elevate the podcast even further.
2. Finding guests has also been difficult because I live in a 1986 Chevy Suburban. Most people I reach out to are down to be on the show until I ask them to meet me in my car. Then I get ghosted. Hard. In the beginning, I was driving 2 to 4 hours to meet with guests in their homes to record the podcast. Now we record them in my car – that’s still a bump in the road that I’m hoping will soon smoothen out as traction continues to grow. Getting a studio is calling my name.
3. Hosting the show has been a full of lessons too. I never realized how many elements make up a good interview. It’s the right question. It’s knowing when to chime in. It’s doing your research. It’s making the guest feel safe and creating a connection immediately having never met them before. It’s being knowledgable – while also trying to ensure the audio quality is clean throughout the entire interview. It’s a collection of things that all have to come together at the same time to produce something great.
4. The guests that come onto the show are incredibly talented, knowledgable and carry powerful testimonies of their lives and it’s difficult trying to encapsulate how amazing these people are into a 40Min – 1hr conversation. I will admit it’s a great problem to have.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
I specialize in providing edutainment, aka educational entertainment. While listening to the podcast, you’re going to enjoy the ride, but you’re also going to walk away with something you can apply to your daily life, business or career. The podcast is known for constantly mixing it up – in almost every episode. There’s a new section. For example, last week, I had a section called “Idea Add On” where the guest and I add onto what are usually terrible ideas that I have and try to make them better. The week prior to that, I had “Controversy Corner” where my guest and I chatted about topics too taboo for most (nothing explicit, things like if a vending machine dropped a candy bar would you take it kind of deal).
Additionally, I take pride in doing extensive research on the guests to ask the right questions to provide the best conversation for listeners. That and the off-beat humor that comes out of the episodes help the podcast stand out from the other comedy self-help podcasts out there.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I’ll give you three that come to the top of my head. I had a love at first sight moment with Taco Bell growing up. I ended up celebrating my 14th birthday there. That one has got to be up there on my list.
For some reason, whenever I spent the night at a friend’s house, I felt the need to stay up all night. 24 hours straight. One summer, I spent the night at my friend’s house for three days in a row. You guessed it. 11 year old me stayed up for 72 hours straight, then went stir-crazy and proceeded to have night terrors every single night for two weeks. I kept having a dream an obese man in a diaper was sucking me into his stomach. Terrifying as a child. I still somehow have an affinity for staying up all night, thankfully without the obese man haunting me.
Another one that comes to mind is my brother Daniel and I was messing around throwing foam bowling pins at each other throughout the house. I tried to hide from him in our pantry and he came barreling in. He swung the door open and it ripped my big toe’s toenail right off. I remember consoling myself with a chocolate snack pack.
Okay, fine, one bonus one because two of those didn’t have happy endings. My brother and I used to ride our bikes down to the McDonald’s down the road, or the gas station to get something to quench our thirst. I was probably eleven years old. I had just gotten new handlebars on my bike for my birthday. My bike still didn’t have brakes, but at least they had cool handlebars. My brother and I were approaching the gas station when I hear, “Dude, stop the car! Stop the car!” Two stoners hit my brother with their car and he rolled on top of their hood. Their car crunched his bike in half. He was laughing. I was laughing. The two stoners were in shock. The happy ending is that my brother is okay. His bike, on the other hand, not so much.
Pricing:
- $30 for the comfiest sweatshirt on planet earth (NickolasNatali.com/shop)
- $1.50 for Nickolas Natali for the coolest and stickiest sticker (NickolasNatali.com/shop)
- $22 Tank Tops that will make you look yolked (NickolasNatali.com/shop)
Contact Info:
- Website: NickolasNatali.com
- Email: nickolasnatalishow@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nickolasnatali
- Facebook: Facebook.com/nickolasnatali
- Twitter: twitter.com/nickolasnatali
- Other: youtube.com/nickolasnatali
- Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/thenickolasnatalishow
Image Credit:
Stills taken from videos of The Nickolas Natali Show
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