n this episode of The Other Half Podcast, hosts Cruze and Erika dive deep into a raw and reflective conversation: "What did you go through as a kid that still affects you today?"

We share personal stories from our childhoods, how those experiences shaped who we are today, and how we continue to grow and heal through open dialogue. Whether it’s trauma, tough love, or just the little moments that stuck with us — we unpack it all.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments: What did YOU go through as a kid that still affects you today?

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🎧 Available on YouTube + all podcast platforms
📲 Follow us on social @TinoCruze + @Sauceyyyxo

Merch/Music/Videos
TinoCruze.com

Podcast Video:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLKnc-BRF332BAwTuTo0r3ihZwBwi2IWW

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Follow me on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/TinoCruze​
https://www.instagram.com/yourstrulyyye_/

Email: TinoCruzeBiz@gmail.com

What happens when love meets unresolved trauma? This raw, unfiltered conversation explores the delicate journey of step-parenthood through the eyes of someone who's lived both sides of the story.

Tino shares his profound realization: "It's hard to come into a child's life when there's trauma that hasn't been unpacked." Having become a father to both younger children (who've known only him as their dad) and older children (who had established relationships elsewhere), he reveals the careful navigation required to build authentic connections. His caution wasn't about readiness but about consent – understanding whether the children were willing to accept him into their lives.

The conversation shifts into professional territory as both hosts discuss their service industry experiences. As a barber, Tino highlights how chronic lateness affects his livelihood, while Erika explains the domino effect of tardy clients in her waxing career. Their shared frustrations reveal a universal truth: respecting someone's time means respecting their ability to provide for their family.

Perhaps most powerful is their exploration of communication barriers in relationships. They acknowledge their growth over time, with Erika revealing how her professional training unexpectedly provided therapeutic breakthroughs in managing anxiety and confronting her tendency to "run when things get tough." Their candid discussion about misunderstandings demonstrates how different perspectives shape our interpretations of others' actions.

The episode concludes with a heartfelt reminder to extend grace to others, understanding that everyone carries hidden battles. Their journey reveals that successful blended families aren't built overnight but through consistent effort, communication, and the willingness to see beyond our own experiences.

Merch/Music/Videos
TinoCruze.com

Podcast Video:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLKnc-BRF332BAwTuTo0r3ihZwBwi2IWW

LETS CONNECT!
Follow me on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/TinoCruze​
https://www.instagram.com/yourstrulyyye_/

Email: TinoCruzeBiz@gmail.com

The hardest conversation we've ever shared publicly pulls back the curtain on our journey through unexpected grief. When grief happens in the family it changes everyone.

We talk candidly about the unique challenges of losing someone to violence rather than natural causes. The details haunt you differently. The questions linger longer. The what-ifs play on repeat. And when you're trying to maintain normalcy for children while processing your own grief, the burden doubles. Some days, we'd take turns being strong while the other fell apart. Other days, we both struggled to function.

This episode isn't about answers – it's about acknowledging the messy, non-linear path of grief when experienced as a couple. Sometimes you have to be there for your partner even when you're not okay yourself. And sometimes you need to create space for private moments of remembrance. Whatever you're facing, know you're not alone in feeling lost, angry, or forever changed by loss.

Merch/Music/Videos
TinoCruze.com

Podcast Video:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLKnc-BRF332BAwTuTo0r3ihZwBwi2IWW

LETS CONNECT!
Follow me on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/TinoCruze​
https://www.instagram.com/yourstrulyyye_/

Email: TinoCruzeBiz@gmail.com