Hey There, It's Danielle (2024)

06/04/2021

Ohhh it’s a two parter for sure! This week’s episode is live and I’m thrilled about this content. Learning how to be the most loving and compassionate towards ourselves in our mess, mistakes, emotions and imperfections is what I call “loving my humanity”. Now that is NOT permission to stay where you are and never grow! But it IS your divine access to compassion AND power.

I’m getting better and better at this thing right here and it’s changed my life for real. And next week, is maybe one of my favorite personal realizations and therefore favorite episodes ever.

SO step one: take a listen to the episode (link in bio!) step two: let me know what ya think! And step three: like, comment, rate, review and SHARE!

01/03/2021

So here's how it goes. Something normal, human and life-y happens. Maybe someone does something hurtful, you make a mistake, get in an argument with a friend, go through something difficult or painful, could be anything. You feel feelings. Feelings that aren't inherently "bad" or "good" but are meant to show you what's going on inside of you!

Most of us have labeled certain feelings, emotions or reactions as "bad", "wrong", "immature". So what do we do with them? Because our belief system says, "if I was better (more mature, less emotional, more logical), I wouldn't be feeling this way." So we throw compassion and investigation out the window and turn to logic, numbing, stuffing, denying and "should'ing" on ourselves. 👎😂💩

When we've shoved it down far enough we call ourselves "past it!" and "mature!" and "masterful" at managing our emotions! Too bad that emotion closet is just getting more and more stuffed with things you haven't dealt with.... and the next time something comes around to touch on those feelings, out come the good, the "bad", the "ugly"... The things that are relevant to this event and things that are totally irrelevant but are from old events or triggers.

So uh oh! Turns out you weren't actually managing your emotions, you were just keeping them under wraps until... you can't. Anyone else remember that “Friends” Episode? The One With the Secret Closet? An explosion (or an implosion) is bound to happen at some point.

So what about you? Are you processing or are you just hoarding? Things are bound to get as cluttered and unmanageable as a hoarder's living room. Unless we learn how to safely, compassionately, wisely, process what's going on on our insides. Let it come up, come out and move all the way through.

01/02/2021

What the heck have I been up to?! ALL (ok maybe some) of your questions finally answered!

But really guys, I am SO excited to share with you about my NEW venture and to answer any and all of your questions about this LAUNCH! More details to come soon but I seriously was about to BURST holding this all in! Cannot wait to hear from YOU — my people— and to tell you all the ways I’m thrilled to come alongside you and help you discover the life you were created for!

I am no longer a secret entrepreneur! 😂💗👍🏻🎉🙋🏻‍♀️✨✨✨

01/09/2020

“Episode 11: What Do You Think About Me” is about this very thing. How we treat people is always up to us. How they perceive us is a c t u a l l y up to them. There. I said it.

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For a long time, I was certain it was my job to make sure everyone liked me and I carried everyone’s opinions of me on my shoulders. FYI it’s exhausting and I don’t recommend it. When I realized that how people see me is their responsibility, it was really freeing.

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Are you carrying someone else’s opinions around like they’re yours to manage? What would it feel like to make like Elsa and let it goooo? ❄️❄️❄️

31/08/2020

BTS of my very organized workspace. 😂 I love getting to create and work on all the dreams in my heart. Currently have 7ish projects rolling — including the launch of my website AND growing my skill set so that I can BETTER serve you guys! My people.

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What beautiful things are you working on right now? What dreams in your heart do you have a “yes” for that are just waiting for you to begin?

28/08/2020

If you happen to follow my personal account, you may have seen my posts yesterday about the phrases I use when my kids are “pitching fits”, arguing, talking back, whining or complaining. So today, I just sat down and recorded a quick episode unpacking these tools for you!

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These phrases (“maybe so”, “probably so”, “I’m sure it feels that way”, etc.) validate the child AND empower them while refusing to enter into a power struggle! Anyone ever been in a power struggle with a 2-year-old? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️ yeah me too. Guess what. NO ONE WINS.

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Utilizing these tools can help us stay out of the trap of using logic, defense or our own superiority to “win” in these moments and ya know what!? The same principles CAN actually apply to our relationships with adults! Would I say “probably so” to an adult? No! But I can help the people in my life to feel both validated and empowered in their problems without engaging in defense, hero-syndrome or powerlessness.

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Tune in this week on YouTube OR apple podcasts OR Spotify to hear what it sounds like when I tackle a topic entirely off the cuff based on my actual fresh life experience! 😂😂😂 no make up, no script, no planning, no problem!

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Oh! And ps, my buddy, Tara, from gets a shoutout this week. Check out her account for some amazing resources and stay tuned cause I feel a collaboration coming on. 😉💗

25/08/2020

Backyard Tea Party Tuesday is our new tradition we just decided. If you saw my stories you heard me talk (blabber on and on) about knowing your season and well.... THIS right here is my season. Showing up for giggles and laughs and “nic-nics” and tea-with-too-much-honey in the backyard with the most amazing little girl in the world. I’m constantly blown away by her you guys... like how is this my daughter she’s just the BEST!!! We sat here playing and sipping and talking for half an hour (the absolutely difference in girls/boys, introverts/extroverts I suppose because Ev man would have NEVER done this). I think I’ll turn all the video footage (of which there is p l e n t y) into an Instagram TV thing and call that my podcast for the week. Wouldn’t you like to hear about the world through these big mosaic brown steal-your-heart eyes??!?

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I couldn’t pick a favorite picture so I’m using them all. Swipe all the way through to see one where I think she looks exactly like big brother. “He’s my best buddy”.

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15/08/2020

Heading into Sabbath rest. Every weekend I delete social media because I need a refresh... to come back on Monday with a fresh perspective and renewed relationship with it. Bonus: we also go no dishes, no laundry, no work, and no cooking on the weekends (to the best of our ability) and even no spending... it feels like an obstinate refusal to participate in the hustle and hurry we’ve grown accustomed to. A call to connect to the life happening right in front of me. My kids get a no-work, no-screen version of me and so do I. So... bye bye for 48-ish hours and see ya Monday!

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How do you “disconnect” on the weekends? Do you intentionally unplug?

12/08/2020

A still shot grabbed from our first ever YOUTUBE video!!!! Officially, the hey there podcast can be found on YouTube! So you can now see my face when I crack myself up, watch me touch my hair 1000 times and see my weird facial expressions when I try to explain my brain. You’re welcome.

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My first ever “interview” chat happened today and guys. This guest is a HUNK! 😍😍😍 have you listened to the episode yet??? Or are you gonna be a watcher now???

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Alright let’s take a poll? Are you a professional fixer too?

07/08/2020

What if what you’re upset about isn’t what you’re upset about? What if the thing that made you sad isn’t the reason you’re sad.... wait.... what??? What is this craziness? Check out episode 17 to find out! Link in bio 👆🏻 And then let me know your favorite moment. Mine is “nothing is nothing and everything is something” 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😂 does anyone else understand my rambling brain?!?

05/08/2020

Just little shot of my “workspace” from last week’s episode. Remember when I told y’all I was recording from my car, in a parking lot, surrounded by businesses and other cars? Yeah I wasn’t joking and I actually snapped these pics right in the middle of recording episode 16! Have mic, will travel! Amiright? ⠀
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If you didn’t catch last week’s episode, you got a little bit of extra time because this weeks episode will drop TOMORROW (Thursday) instead of my usual Tuesday launch. So! Go ahead! Get all caught up! Check out last week’s episode about the healthy church and hear me take this photo mid-recording. Or take a listen to any other episodes that you may have missed and then tune in TOMORROW for Episode 17! ⠀
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30/07/2020

“Work towards relationships where mistakes are safe, accidents happen and connection can coexist with disagreement.”⠀
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Wouldn't this just be the dream? Our culture right now is opposite to this truth. Even in our most important connections, mistakes or accidents can feel really scary. Consequently, our relationships are filled with fear, hiding, shame and control instead of freedom, choosing and responsibility. ⠀
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What if we flipped the script and normalized mistakes? What if our bonds were based in powerful choice not agreement? If you want to be in any relationship with a human being, it’s going to be messy. You are going to get hurt. You yourself are going to make mistakes. Let’s eliminate the fear that our relationships are dependent on us being perfect, (read: hiding our true selves, constant agreeing, no accidents allowed) and move into freedom and choosing. No more victims here. Powerful people alert. ⠀
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29/07/2020

Just over here, on that journey to live "fully present to my purpose on the planet", as would say. Have you caught this week's podcast episode yet? What was your favorite part?⠀
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You know, Jesus was human before you were. The difference between his humanity and mine is that his discomfort/emotional distress/humanity always led Him to the father and mine so often leads me to make choices that are not good or healthy for my life. Sometimes down paths that lead to sin or shame or brokenness. I am learning to become more and more like Him... always staying connected to the Father. ⠀
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I have my own mess you guys. Trust me. There's some of my own crazy up in here. But instead of being focused on perfection or product, I'm getting better at embracing process and getting real with what's going on inside of me. Getting HEALTHY and free and becoming more and more ok with my humanity and leaning into HIM in the midst of it. ⠀
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HA! Sometimes my own episode is exactly what I need to hear at just the right time! LOL So what stood out to YOU about the episode this week?

28/07/2020

So... WHY am I doing this? Why the podcast? Why the vision for health? Why all the behind the scenes dreaming scheming and planning? Well, here's a big part of it. Because I believe the church should be the healthiest people out there. That as Kingdom people, revivalists and lovers of God we should be at the helm of the conversation around mental health, emotional health, relational health, body health, soul health, HEALTH.⠀
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I feel the shift has happened. We are waking up to be the freest, healthiest, most alive, and connected versions of ourselves. Not for the sake of self, but because the church is becoming more and more like Him. I'm not about some weird self-actualization model. But what I am about is living fully alive and free so Jesus gets the full reward of His sacrifice.⠀
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I want to be living the abundant life He paid for so that I can draw other people into it. I'm committed to becoming the most on fire, effective, healthy, free version of myself. Are you with me?⠀
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23/07/2020

Catch us doing a lot of crafts and art projects lately... though my supplies are dwindling as we're deeper into this season than I expected. {Also, peep my grandmother's kitchen table now covered in paint -- iloveit wontchangeit keepitforever) Anyone else feel the ramp up into "school" kinda kicking ya into gear?⠀
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I've started slowly transitioning the kids back into "normalcy" so it won't be such a shock to their systems when the time really comes. So even though we're doing a hybrid-homeschool model this year, this week I've started introducing real clothes back to our lives. Honest moment: We've lived in pjs and swimsuits since March 😂. So having clothes on before breakfast is our first step back into routine. Next week? We'll tackle our first attempt at "morning circle time" which is how we'll start each day during the school year to make sure we're all on the same page and ready to win the day ahead of us! Baby steps...⠀
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Transition is HARD. Especially for littles. (Also especially, and definitely-more-so and extra-especially for ME). But with the babes I have learned that softening the edges makes it easier. Even with small transitions throughout the day: a 5 minute warning before bedtime, the choice of walking or hopping to their rooms, a phrase of calm understanding when a transition is met with discomfort. Because even for me. An adult. Transition is HARD. And sometimes the edges are soft but sometimes the abruptness of a season's end/beginning can take your actual breath away. ⠀
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How do you handle transition? Can you recognize transition when it comes?⠀
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22/07/2020

Connection above all else doesn't mean at the expense of all else. It just alters our perspective and our intended target -- in relationship (with my kids, my husband, my friends and my God) I'm always aiming for the heart. ⠀

20/07/2020

These little loves of mine. My goodness they are just the best part of my day, the most joyful part of my life. I adore being their mom and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But reality check: being a mother is H A R D. It’s exhausting. It requires all — not “much” — ALL. I’ve given more of my time, money, resources, brain space, energy, love, confidence, body, emotions, fear, worry, joy, memories, memory, focus, intentions, planning, breath, to motherhood than to any other cause. And it’s worth it. Exhausting. Hard. Lovely. Sacrificial. Worth it. ⠀
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Now. Lemme tell ya something about obedience. In the moment. Obedience feels like the supreme goal. It feels like the most pressing need. It feels like the obvious solution. But as a mom, I gotta aim at that longterm vision. That legacy/destiny/kingdom vision. “Ugh”, she said as she re-remembers this truth and in graceful conviction pulls her hair into a messy bun and gets back to the work of raising thoughtful, kind, powerful, world-changing adults not just robot children. ⠀
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I forget sometimes. I go off course. I slip into what’s easier. What’s fruitful for a moment. What feels “powerful”. I don’t care that you don’t want to ______. I’m the mom and I’m in charge — I’m more powerful. Aiming for just obedience is easier. I CAN get my kids to do what I want them to do. I can get an “immediate result”. But what about the long term fruit. The harvest that takes years to develop. The connection that will outlast their years under my roof. NOW I’m not saying let’s throw obedience out the window. Obedience is critical. For both our children and ourselves in relationship to God. But what I am saying is, let’s aim higher. Aim at connection. Aim at love. Because when we hit that target... it’s like a tower of champagne glasses... when we fill the love and connection glass, the one at the top, all the other glasses get filled as a result of keeping first. things. first. ⠀
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Hear more on the latest episode of the “hey there podcast!” Questions? Comments? Thoughts?? Comment! Share! Review! I wanna dialogue with you. :)

08/07/2020

oof. the one where i try to dive into a G I G A N T I C topic... y'all, my 13th episode dropped yesterday and i gotta tell ya, I hold my breath every tuesday. and this week was NO different! partially because i get a little vulnerable with a personal story and partially because i know that there is absolutely no way i could thoroughly and perfectly cover the topic i chose! what was it again? oh yeah. FORGIVENESS. good thing i kicked perfection in the teeth years ago or i never would have hit that little "publish" button.⠀
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see, forgiveness is deep. its wide. its powerful. and it truly is a huge part of every single healing and freedom journey. every. single. one. hands down. no question. this one key, when used in a powerful and thorough way (not passive, permissive or incomplete) can literally bring freedom and healing to parts of your heart you didn't even know were connected to un-forgiveness. uh-oh. i feel a "part two" coming on....⠀
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got several sweet and encouraging texts from some listeners this past week -- each of them regarding different episodes. and that. is. just. the. best. so if you have an episode you're loving, or if you wanna ask some questions, REACH OUT TO ME! as always, thank you for the listens. oh and ps... i did a thing. i'll tell you about it in... a while. ;)⠀
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30/06/2020

this little cutie says "goodbye" on the episode today if you hang out til my catchy outro music 🤪🎶🎶! the real life, behind the scenes of the "hey there podcast", is that i'm often recording during nap times and sneaking in recording sessions wherever i can get them. but of course it means i sometimes have adorable guest stars. this week, listen close and you'll hear both 2-year-old daughter, Juliet and our 4-month-old Aussie puppy, Reese (inspired by the candy, pronounced like the actress). ⠀
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being off social for the past month has afforded me extra time for puppy kisses, baby snuggles and oh ummm little things like space, breath, peace, joy and hope. catch me on the podcast today discussing social media boundaries, why we need them and how i personally set them. boundaries in relationship actually create freedom, not restriction -- allowing us to show up safely as our most authentic selves. why then wouldn't we also create boundaries for the relationships we have through and with social media? when we know what we will and will not allow into our internal world, we create systems to cultivate our environment. dive in with me as i unpack some of my personal boundaries and, as always, jump in the conversation with me HERE coincidentally and ironically ON social media 😂😜. ⠀
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23/06/2020

i believe part of the design of the garden was that we would be both free and responsible. freedom doesn't rid of us responsibility anymore than responsibility eliminates freedom. just the opposite actually -- i think the more we recognize what we ARE responsible for (hello: our emotions, managing our internal world, taking our thoughts captive, our actions and behaviors, etc.) the more FREE we become in relationship. free to become our true selves, to show up without ulterior motives, to rid ourselves of passivity, manipulation, fear, and all the things that hinder us from true connection and intimacy. ⠀
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today on the podcast, we're gonna talk more about taking responsibility but don't worry -- you'll get a little break too. we'll also talk about something that is actually NOT your responsibility. intrigued? "i thought we were designed to be responsible!!" oh you are... for YOURSELF. hop on over to the podcast for an introduction to one of my favorite topics and then head back over here to chat with me about your thoughts!
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22/06/2020

we celebrated this fella yesterday. honestly guys, it's one thing to be married to the most incredible (read: thoughtful, loving, wonderful, amazing, encouraging, supportive) husband but what a crazy joy it is to watch him as a father to our beautiful kiddos. he truly is: thoughtful, kind, compassionate, steadfast, faithful, wise, grounded, intelligent, caring, intuitive, fun, loving, careful, safe, adventurous, deep, and i could just go on and on. i sit here crying thinking how blessed my babies are to have him as their father. the absolute gift of a great dad is not lost on me, and to know that my kids will get to say they too had a great dad is enough to wreck me for a little while. brb, gotta go hug this man.

17/06/2020

the grey streak gets a shoutout in the episode this week so i thought I’d give it a shout out in the feed. 👩🏻‍🦳🤷🏻‍♀️ lean in close and you’ll see it popping through! ⠀
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guys I gotta be honest with ya. and truth be told you probably already noticed... but I haven’t been in this space for a solid 2 weeks. I took pause. I took space. I took breath. and amongst many reasons, on of my primary reasons was because I needed to take personal responsibility for my inner world. I couldn’t tell which thoughts were my thoughts. my emotions were getting swirly. my headspace needed a total reset. and I remembered that Jesus is my only source for truth, peace and strategy. so while I’m still not participating in full, I’m here to share about this week’s episode which, is surprisingly timely. ⠀
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talking to ya about taking responsibility for your emotions. when we can take a hard look at who is responsible for our feelings (and our actions as a response to those feelings) it can be a really freeing thing. I’m truthfully not always in the drivers seat of how I feel — but when I take ownership for managing my feelings, and remember that I was created to be powerful, free and responsible, I can step right into peace and health in all of my relationships. and in this case, even my relationship with social and digital media 🤪✌🏻⠀
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what stood out to you this week? what takeaways from yesterday’s episode left you going “hmmm”? would love to hear from you! link in bio!

26/05/2020

this little guy turned the big FIVE yesterday. it’s impossible to describe how much life and joy he brings to our life and the world around him. and being his mama (and Juliet’s!) has taught me more about Jesus and His love for us than most anything else. but these beautiful kiddos of mine have also taught me a LOT about how we relate to the world around us. about our design for intimacy in relationships, about healthy emotional processing, about parenting with grace and understanding and compassion. it’s been a LOT of learning these past 5 years and I know I’m no where NEAR done.⠀
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in this week’s episode, I get all “verbal processy” about a concept that is STILL developing in my brain. something the lord shared with me that is taking a lot of “wrapping my head around”. while there aren’t a lot of “tricks for success” I think it’s something we all need to chew on for a while... bonus, hop on over and take a listen to hear the birthday boy open the episode along with our daughter, Juliet. ⠀
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what did you think of this week’s episode? did you relate as a parent? what about your childhood? how would you say your parents led your relational dynamic? how can this concept relate to how we love and serve the world around us? would love to hear from you! ⠀

19/05/2020

woooahhh baby alert! this pic was taken only one year into our marriage. sooo 7 years ago?!? my goodness time has actually flown by. now we are 8 years, 2 babies, countless experiences and a puppy into this lifetime together! ⠀
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we don’t always get everything right... but we have set our marriage up for success by applying a few powerful and intentional tools into our relationship. and while I’m no marriage expert, I have seen the fruit that the seeds of intentionality have produced in our lives, and in the lives of those who apply some of these same tools! honestly, I’m really proud of the marriage we’ve created and the equipment Holy Spirit has given us to do so! honestly, every single day is a journey together and with Jesus to create the life-giving, abundant, joyful, productive and strong marriage He has for us. I can honestly say, we’re crazy about each other and we’re crazy about Him and the combo is working out pretty great.
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what was your favorite tip from the episode this week? what are some of YOUR favorite tools that maybe I didn’t mention? single friends, what stood out to YOU as something you’ll use one day down the road OR can you use right now in close relationships in your life??? I would love to dialogue with ya! and stay tuned this is the first but most certainly not the last relationship episode for the hey there podcast!

12/05/2020

this is a pile of tree bark. ok it’s not so much a pile as it is an arrangement. a few weeks ago we had some pretty big limbs fall in our yard after a wind storm. the tree is actually dead, so the bark just sort of peels right off... ⠀
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but my son Everett didn’t see broken bark. he saw an art project in the making. he spent serious time collecting and arranging the pieces to make puzzle-like artwork. and just as a mother would, I loved it. and I took a picture to save it forever. I was moved by his intentionality. his ability to see beauty in brokenness. to be so proud of something that others would have stepped right over. to take precious time to recreate something out of nothing.⠀
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my 6th episode is out today. and it’s about seasons and sabbatical. this photo took my breath away when I thought about it in this context. a lot of us may be feeling like broken tree bark... stripped away. scattered on the ground. unsure of purpose or plan. but in my own life I have seen the faithfulness of the creator to take those pieces and carefully, beautifully and meticulously use them for HIS purpose. I see the pieces that I thought were “broken” as intentionally re-placed right to their new purpose. and the parts of my story that felt disjointed at one time, now point directly in the direction He’s been guiding me all along.⠀
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my pieces are not scattered, they are gathered. my story is not fractured it’s being created. there is beauty in the broken. and the same is true for you, today and always. if I know nothing else, it’s His faithfulness and His love.⠀
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I would so love your thoughts on the episode whenever you listen... did anything connect with you? are you identifying your own season? can you see his faithful intentionality in your own story? are you still feeling scattered or gathered? link in bio.

Hey There, It's Danielle