Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores

In the 1970s, long before “Made in China” became inescapable, a series of seemingly small diplomatic and trade decisions quietly rewrote the global economic order. What began as symbolic textile imports and geopolitical chess moves ended up hollowing out American manufacturing, lifting hundreds of millions of Chinese out of poverty, and creating the interdependent yet tense superpower rivalry we l...

In Episode 230 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS),  breaks down U.S.-China relations as a "cautious ceasefire" amid deep economic ties and mutual distrust. He contrasts China's vision under Xi Jinping with U.S. internal debates, the rise of China's tech...

In Episode 229 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Reilan Sandoval discusses challenges of previous generations as opposed to the current one, how our current system lacks color and keeps us distracted, and how faith just might have the answers.   You can find Reilan online (https://www.artbyrei.com/) and on Instagram/TikTok (@artbyrei).   09/10/2025

In Episode 228 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Malachi opens up about fatherhood, navigating life and death, and balancing a growing business. From building a creative community to post production work flows and learning by making mistakes, the moral of the story is this: just keep going.    You can find Malachi online (www.mlstudiosphoto.com), on Instagram (@mlstudios_photo), TikTok (@mlst...

In Episode 227 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Tyler Parr joins us to discuss everything from vaccines and the chemicals in our food, to Israel and Trump, life as a boxing coach, illegal immigration and more.   Tyler Parr is the Co-Owner of Body Works Alpha Annex, a private fitness club that offers 24/7 access, fitness classes, personal training, boxing and more. He is also a boxing coach a...

In Episode 226 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Gianna Eckhardt, Professor of Marketing at King’s Business School, King’s College London, and Vice Dean Engagement and Executive Education, and Alex Atanasova, Assistant Professor / Lecturer in Marketing at Bayes Business School, City St George's University of London, unpack digital nomadism, from its roots in Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek...

In Episode 225 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, 6x USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis shares his journey from YouTube to mastering memory techniques and tackling Mount Everest. He dives into the physical and mental challenges of high-altitude climbing, the power of memory skills in everyday life, and the risks/rewards of AI.   You can find Nelson and his work online ( @nelsondellis.com ), on...

In Episode 224 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Eric Black, Arcata News creator, dives into healthy living, creative hustles and film projects. From the rise of AI generated video content to the war between Israel and Iran. What's happening in Gaza? Will the U.S. enter the war with Iran? No Kings protest? Buckle up.    You can find Eric on YouTube/Facebook/Instagram (@arcatanews) and on X (@...

In Episode 223 of Growing Pains with Nicholas Flores, Dr. Dan Ariely, author and Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University and a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight, reveals how to conquer regret and rethink life’s choices. From surviving severe burns to facing personal attacks and a wave of misinformation during COVID, Dan shares insights on making the ‘...

In this episode Nick and Dr. Emily Zarka discuss her journey from childhood fascination with horror to her scholarly career. Emily highlights her web series "Monstrum," which aims to make academic insights on monsters accessible, drawing parallels to Anthony Bourdain's storytelling. They explore how monsters reflect societal fears, the evolution of figures like vampires, and the impact of technolo...

Michael Wert is a historian, writer, editor, history content consultant, and associate professor of East Asian history with a focus on early modern and modern Japan. You can find Michael and his work online ( michaelwert.com ).   04/01/2025

Nick sits down with Thomas Edrington to discuss tonight's (Saturday April 12th 2025) fundraiser "A Night of Deception and Revelry" hosted by the Transparent Humboldt Coalition and the North Coast Repertory Theatre, Tesla, Elon Musk, propaganda, Ukraine, Israel, Artificial Intelligence and more.    You can find tickets for the fundraiser online (https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=267353). S...

Nick sits down with Steven Saint Thomas to discuss his project of building a natural building in Humboldt County. You can find Steve online ( adventuresinpermaculture.com ).   03/25/2025

Nick sits down with Steven Saint Thomas to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. You can find Steven and his story "Silence The West Bank" on his Substack "Truthsmack" ( Truthsmack ).   02/25/2025

Nick sits down with Angelleigh McCumber to discuss the intricacies of life and more.   01/11/2025

Nick sits down with Steven Saint Thomas to discuss climate change, global temperatures, community resilience, permaculture and more. You can find Steve online ( adventuresinpermaculture.com ). If you're a writer/journalist interested in contributing, you can reach out to him through one of his Substacks.   01/14/2025

Nick sits down with Thomas Edrington to discuss the upcoming fundraiser "A Night of Deception and Revelry" hosted by the Transparent Humboldt Coalition and the North Coast Repertory Theatre, artificial intelligence, Humboldt County's financial problems, America's relations with Israel, autism and technology and more. You can find tickets for the fundraiser online ( tickets ). Opening night is Sund...

Kevin Huntley is an educational speaker, enriching lives through understanding insects. You can reach him online (Kevin@HuntleyFamily.net).   12/20/2024

Nick sits down with Anthony Mantova to discuss the political landscape, crime, legacy media, and more.  You can find Anthony Mantova online ( anthonymantova.com ) and on Substack ( anthonymantova.substack.com ). You can find Mantova's Two Street Music online ( mtsmusic.com ).   12/19/2024

Bethany Nass Cseh is a Pastor at Catalyst Church and Arcata United Methodist Church. She is also an author and blogger. You can find Bethany on Instagram (@bethany.nass.cseh) and Facebook (@bethany.cseh), her blog online (withbethany.com) along with her articles for the Lost Coast Outpost (lostcoastoutpost.com/author/bethany-cseh) and her two books "Stepping Into Lent: A 40 Day Reflection on Loss,...

Nick sits down with Steven Saint Thomas to discuss local news stories to watch going into 2025.   12/17/2024

Joey Viltrakis is a contractor and the founder of Viltrakis Design Build, a one-stop shop for building a unique custom home in Humboldt County. You can find Viltrakis Design Build online (viltrakisdb.com), on Facebook (@viltrakisdb) and on Instagram (@viltrakisdesignbuild). You can also find them on YouTube (@Viltrakisdesignbuild) where their custom home build series is posted along with weekly vl...

Hanks Sims is the editor of the Lost Coast Outpost. You can find the Lost Coast Outpost (LoCO) online (lostcoastoutpost.com) and on Facebook/Instagram (@lostcoastoutpost).

Nick sits down with Eric Kirk and David Frank to discuss Trump's presidential win, the war in Ukraine, the erosion of trust in our institutions, Israel/Palestine and more.   11/23/2024

Steven Saint Thomas is a journalist, writer and permaculture designer. You can find him at Truthsmack on Substack (stevensaint.substack.com).    11/19/2024