Unleash the Cringe

About Unleash the Cringe

Welcome to "Unleash the Cringe," the podcast where we delve into the journeys of creators and passionate individuals on their path to success, revealing their failures and normalizing those cringy moments. Join hosts Hitomi Gonzales and Laura Gonzalez, as they guide you through the process of becoming, building a brand, growing a community, and leveraging your platform for success. Together, "Unleash the Cringe" is not just about embracing the awkward; it's a roadmap to inspire change, take risks, and pursue what fills your soul. Tune in weekly to bloom into the person you aspire to be and navigate the beautiful, cringy journey of success.

Publisher

Hitomi and Laura Gonzalez(s)

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Mar 2024

Latest episode

7 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Sept 2026

   Coffee, Cocktails & Betrayal: The Story Behind Neal Hairston

   S3 E4: It started with a Nutella espresso martini. We met Neal Hairston at a restaurant, became slightly obsessed with his drink, and naturally had to ask him for the recipe. What we didn't expect was to discover that Neal was also a coffee entrepreneur, creative, podcast host, bartender and barista—and that behind his business was a story about creativity, partnership, betrayal, and starting over. In this episode of Unleash the Cringe, Neal takes us behind the bar and into the business. 🎨 We talk about growing up creative, The Artist Table, and finding freedom behind the bar. 🍸 We dive into his journey from bartending and barista life to learning what makes great coffee. 💡 Neal shares the origin story of BBC and how he turned his passion for coffee into a business. 🤝 We get real about the lessons of running an LLC with a partner—and the lesson that came with it. 🎙️ We talk podcast, relationships, and how he met his girlfriend. If you're a creative, entrepreneur, or someone who's experienced betrayal in business, this conversation is a reminder that one person's actions don't get to determine the future of your vision. And yes… you're going to want the espresso martini recipe. Follow Neal: @nealism Email: thenealtalk@gmail.com Follow Unleash the Cringe: Instagram: @unleashthecringe TikTok: @_unleashthecringe YouTube: @unleashthecringe

2. 

   6 Jul 2026

   The Boutique Gym Model That's Changing Fitness | Inside FITSI with Carly Hodson

   S3 E3 | What If the Future of Fitness Isn't About Working Out Harder—but Recovering Smarter? What if getting stronger isn't about doing more—but recovering better? This week on Unleash the Cringe, we sit down with Carly Hodson, Owner and Operator of FITSI, a boutique fitness club in Escondido, California, that's rethinking the traditional gym model. With 24/7 access to strength training and intentional recovery under one roof, FITSI is filling the gap between conventional gyms and luxury wellness clubs. In this episode, we discuss: Why fitness and recovery shouldn't exist in separate silos The growing conversation around GLP-1 medications and their impact on muscle and bone density Why resistance training becomes increasingly important as we age How cold plunges, dry saunas, red light therapy, hydromassage, zero-gravity massage chairs, spray tanning, and UV tanning can complement an intentional wellness routine The differences between budget gyms, mid-tier fitness centers, and luxury clubs—and why FITSI fits into a category of its own Carly's entrepreneurial journey, overcoming a serious lifting injury, building a purpose-driven business, and how fostering rescue dogs has shaped her resilience and leadership Whether you're passionate about fitness, interested in opening your own gym, curious about GLP-1 medications, or simply looking to optimize your health, this conversation offers practical insights into what sustainable wellness really looks like. Learn more about FITSI: https://fitsiclubs.com/ Follow FITSI: 📲 @fitsiescondido Dog Rescue: @pokieandfriendsrescue Follow Unleash the Cringe: 📸 Instagram: @unleashthecringe 🎵 TikTok: @_unleashthecringe 🎥 YouTube: @unleashthecringe

3. 

   4 May 2026

   Hidden Signs of Human Trafficking & a Wedding Garden With a Purpose

   S3 E2 This episode of Unleash the Cringe features Adela Geissen, founder of Petals of Hope and Where 2 or More Gather, and her story reads like purpose being built out of both pain and grit. Adela starts with her early life and entry into law enforcement, where everything shifted during her work in community policing at high schools. She was working with 20 at-risk girls—many impacted by cycles of trauma and gang influence—when a turning point hit: a former gang member began transforming her life. Through Adela’s guidance and grounded faith, that group of girls went on to graduate, reshaping what “possible” looked like for them. The conversation dives into the heavy but critical topic of human trafficking awareness, including how to recognize abusive patterns and warning signs that often go unnoticed. One of the most striking analogies she shares (around the 31-minute mark) reframes danger in a haunting way: not a knife you see coming, but a “bouquet of flowers with a blade hidden behind the back”—beauty masking harm. From there, Adela expands into action. Through Seeds of Justice, a partnership with attorneys, they advocate for stronger protections like SB1414, aimed at safeguarding minors. But she doesn’t stop at advocacy—she builds ecosystems of healing. What makes her work unique is how she transforms a wedding and event space into a mission-driven platform. Her garden becomes: A venue for weddings and events that fund survivor programs A space for quarterly wedding expos and styled shoots A collaborative hub where engaged couples meet vendors and support survivors through celebration A creative outlet where survivors are included in storytelling and talent-sharing She also shares future vision projects like tiny homes and quarterly survivor retreats, blending restoration with dignity and practical support. At its core, this isn’t just a nonprofit story—it’s about reclaiming spaces meant for celebration and turning them into engines for justice, healing, and hope. More info: w2omg.org

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

19 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 36 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

59

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Unleash the Cringe

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.