Dare Greatly Podcast

What if joy wasn't something you stumbled into… but something you practiced? Today's episode wraps up our 3-part series on spiritual power inspired by President Russell M. Nelson, and we're talking about one of the biggest spiritual misconceptions out there: If the gospel is a gospel of joy, then why does life feel so hard? Oh, friend. You're not alone. And it's not because joy is missing. It's because we don't know how to access it. Yet. In this episode we'll break that down. Here's what you'll learn: The real difference between "feeling good" and true joy (Hint: one numbs you, the other strengthens you.) Why joy requires redirection, not perfection (and how President Nelson modeled this masterfully—yes, through heartbreak). How boredom might actually be your biggest spiritual opportunity (and how to use that 5 minutes when your brain wants to scroll.) The simple, joyful way to "collect God's promises" — one verse at a time. Three real-life examples from scripture you can copy today: Isaiah 61 and binding your broken heart Enos and praying for people who've hurt you Alma the Younger and God hearing a parent's prayers No guilt. No forced positivity. Just real joy, the kind that grows your confidence in God and yourself. Big Takeaway Joy isn't something you wait for. Joy is something you collect, one promise at a time. When you gather God's promises, you gather spiritual power. Try This (Your Joy Challenge for the Week) Just once this week, when your brain defaults to scrolling or snacking from boredom, redirect. 📖 Open your scriptures for 5 minutes. 🔎 Find one promise. 💚 Write it down or mark it. (Extra credit: mark promises in green like I do—green for growth.) Watch what starts to change. If You Loved This Episode Go listen to Part 1: Repentance as a joyful practice And Part 2: Covenants and spiritual power You'll see how all three build on each other. Trust me — it's worth it. Let's Stay Connected If this resonated with you, share a screenshot, tag me, or send it to a friend who needs a lift. Joy grows fastest when shared. Where you can connect more with Danielle:   Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

If you've ever thought, "Can't I be a good person without all the rules of organized religion?" — this episode is for you. In Part 2 of our Spiritual Power series, Danielle gets real about something a lot of us quietly wrestle with: feeling disconnected in our worship, going through the motions, or wondering what the point of covenants even is. Here's what you'll discover in today's episode: ✨ Why covenants are not about rules — they're about relationship. ✨ The story of Abraham in Genesis 15, and how it shows God's covenant love — His hesed — a love that never quits on you. ✨ The surprising meaning of the number five in scripture (and what it reveals about grace). ✨ Why "letting God prevail" doesn't mean giving up — it means giving over. ✨ What covenant living looks like in real life for a woman in midlife — especially if you're worried about your young adult kids and trying to trust God with their journey. You'll also hear powerful insights from President Russell M. Nelson and Emily Belle Freeman, woven with personal stories from Danielle — including one about faith, fear, and finding God in an ambulance ride with her infant son. This episode will help you: 💛 Understand where covenants come from — and how they still matter today. 💛 Feel more grounded and confident in your relationship with God. 💛 Remember that faith isn't about perfection — it's about partnership. So if you've been craving a deeper connection with Heaven, or just wondering why covenants matter in a modern world — this conversation will shift something inside you. Where you can connect more with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

Welcome to a new three-part series on Spiritual Power — inspired by the remarkable life and teachings of President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this first episode, I'm sharing lessons that have changed the way I see repentance — not as something heavy or guilt-driven, but as a source of joy and strength. President Nelson once taught about "the joy of daily repentance" in his 2022 talk The Power of Spiritual Momentum — and in a world full of fear, uncertainty, and division, that simple phrase holds extraordinary power. Together, we'll explore how daily repentance helps us: 🌿 Gain strength to overcome the world — even when the world feels heavy. 💫 Find freedom from fear — by turning our hearts toward God instead of anxiety. 🕊️ Experience greater peace — through humility, honesty, and daily reflection. ❤️ Build deeper unity in our families — by practicing apology, forgiveness, and connection. You'll hear how these promises have unfolded in my own life and how modern psychology beautifully supports what prophets have always taught — that humility, self-forgiveness, and honesty restore our mental and emotional well-being. Because daily repentance isn't about shame or perfection. It's about becoming. It's about building spiritual power — one quiet, courageous choice at a time. In this episode, we talk about: ✨ Lessons from President Russell M. Nelson's remarkable life — heart surgeon, prophet, and disciple of Christ. ✨ The connection between repentance and psychological well-being. ✨ How humility and honesty invite peace and freedom. ✨ Simple daily practices that restore spiritual momentum and joy. A gentle invitation for the week: Take a quiet moment each night and ask Heaven one simple question: "Father, what is one thing I could do a little better tomorrow?" Not because you're not enough — but because you're in the process of becoming. Where you can connect more with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and today's conversation is tender, raw, and full of hope. I'm sitting down with my dear friend who lost her brother to suicide over 30 years ago. Together we talk about the weight of that loss, how grief has shaped her life, and the ways she has found resilience and meaning over the years. In this episode we explore: What it's like to navigate the first days and years after losing a loved one to suicide. How to honor and keep alive the memory of someone we love while still moving forward with life. The role of compassion, rituals, and connection in carrying grief with grace. What helps and what hurts when supporting someone who is grieving. Where hope can be found, even in the aftermath of devastating loss. Whether you have personally lost someone to suicide, are supporting a loved one through grief, or want to better understand how to show up for others, this conversation offers honesty and encouragement. My guest's story reminds us that though grief changes us, it can also teach us resilience, deepen our compassion, and help us live with more love. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is available: In the U.S., call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime, day or night. If you're outside the U.S., please look up your local crisis line number or go to the nearest emergency department. Local: Stay MENtally Strong Foundation founded by Gina Oliverson in loving memory of Sean.  Your life matters. You are not alone. Where you can connect more with Danielle:   Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

Have you ever felt like the world is just… too much? The noise never stops — the headlines, the worries, the family concerns — and you wonder where to find peace in days that feel anything but peaceful? In this final episode of Be Still: A Summer of Meditation, we're wrapping up with a verse that feels like an antidote to the chaos: "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me." (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23) This promise from the Savior gives us a three-step pattern we can practice in our everyday discipleship: Learn of Him — discovering His qualities and picturing ourselves walking beside Him. Listen to His words — creating space in our prayers for God's voice to speak. Walk in His Spirit — choosing quiet strength even when anger is justified. All summer long, we've been practicing how to "be still and know" — weaving together the wisdom of meditation, the truths of neuroscience, and the hope of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We've learned how quieting our hearts opens the door to the Spirit, how stillness rewires the brain for peace, and how even in a world where prophecy says peace will be taken from the earth, Christ promises, "You shall have peace in me." This last episode ends with a guided meditation that will help you step away from the noise, walk with Him in the meekness of His Spirit, and carry His peace into your day. Whether you've been here for all ten episodes or you're just joining us today, I'm so glad you're here. You'll leave this conversation with practices you can use in prayer, in study, and in your everyday relationships — practices that help you hear Him more clearly and feel His peace more deeply. Where you can connect more with Danielle:   Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

In this tender and illuminating episode, we're exploring what it means to live from your center and shine your light — even when it feels small. Drawing from the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world," we'll look at three kinds of light we're invited to be in the world: lower lights, luminaries, and lighthouses. Each serves a sacred purpose — including yours. You'll hear the moving backstory behind the beloved hymn "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy" and learn why the "lower lights" matter more than we realize — especially for women in midlife who might feel like their light is dim or overlooked. We'll also transition into a guided meditation inspired by questions that invite you to reconnect with your true light: 💭 What kind of light are you being right now? 💭 Who has been a lower light for you? 💭 Where are you being invited to shine — even if it's uncomfortable? This is more than a conversation — it's an invitation to trust your light, just as it is. To reflect divine Light. To remember: someone is watching for your glow to find their way home. 💌 Loved this episode? Send it to a friend who's been a light in your life. Or someone who needs reminding that their glow still matters. 🌿 Next week is the final episode in our "Be Still" summer meditation series — you won't want to miss it. Where you can connect more with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify  

Welcome, friend. This episode might be the theme of why I do everything I do, helping you find balance in loving without grasping too tightly. If you've ever felt the ache of letting go as your child grows up, or the tension between holding on and trusting God—this one's for you. Today, I'm sharing a tender meditation on motherhood, rooted in the ancient wisdom of Zen and framed by my own experience raising teenagers—and now watching my 22-year-old prepare to move into his first home he just bought. We'll explore: What Zen actually is, and where it intersects with Christian and Latter-day Saint teachings How to "mother with the end in mind" without missing the beauty of now What Fiddler on the Roof, motorcycle maintenance, and motherhood have in common Why stillness, simplicity, and presence are more powerful than control And how meditation has helped me heal anxiety and navigate a difficult childhood with grace Whether you're a mom, a mentor, or someone in a season of surrender, may this episode offer insights to help you remember that you are not alone in motherhood. The world may be changing, but the presence of God remains steady—and so can you. 🧘‍♀️ Be Still: A Summer of Meditation continues with this short but mighty episode. ––– 💌 Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at daniellevaughncoaching.com 🎙️ Leave a review if today's episode resonates with you—it helps others find inspiration, too. Where you can connect more with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

Welcome back to Be Still – A Summer of Meditation. In this episode, we explore what it means to partner with God—not just in our stillness, but in our everyday doing. Too often we think of spirituality and meditation as passive surrender, but today, we're shifting that idea. Drawing from the powerful words of President Ezra Taft Benson, we consider ten specific promises God makes to those who turn their lives over to Him—promises like deeper joy, expanded vision, quickened minds, and poured-out peace. You'll hear short stories from the scriptures—about Nephi, Esther, Mary, Moses, and others—who partnered with God in practical, courageous ways. We'll look at how these divine patterns mirror ancient truths from Zen Buddhism, where stillness gives rise to insight, resilience, and compassion. 🧘‍♀️ This episode also includes a guided meditation to help you: Practice spiritual partnership with God Tune into the divine support available to you Anchor your spirit in the present moment This is for the Doers who have a hard time letting go. For those who pride themselves on hard work, but want to learn to trust heaven more fully. And for anyone who's ever wondered if they can do less striving and more abiding—without losing momentum. 🌿 Key Takeaways: 10 Promises from God to those who partner with Him How meditation opens the soul to receive Scriptural examples of spiritual partnership in action The connection between Zen mindfulness and gospel living A peaceful meditation to center your spirit in divine partnership 🕊 Scriptures referenced: 1 Nephi 17:7–13 Exodus 3–4 Mark 4:39–40 Genesis 41:16, 38–39 Luke 1:28–38 Esther 4:13–16 This episode is a reminder: God will be the God you need, when you need Him. And your stillness is not a pause in progress—it's part of the process. Where you can connect more with Danielle:   Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

What if your imagination was one of the most powerful spiritual tools you've been given? What if you could learn to use it—not to escape reality—but to see what's most true, most good, and most possible in your life, through the eyes of God? In this episode, we explore why your imagination isn't childish or frivolous—it's sacred. It's how you co-create with God. And when you combine it with stillness and mindfulness, it becomes a superpower for clarity, healing, and divine direction. Whether you're facing a crossroads, navigating uncertainty, or just yearning to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in a world that's loud and overwhelming—this episode is for you. 💡 You'll Learn: How mindfulness clears space to actually hear God's voice Why spiritual imagination is key to transforming fear into faith What neuroscience reveals about imagination and executive functioning (and how that helps you build a better life) The difference between fear-based thinking and God-inspired vision How to discern if your inner voice is fear… or divine guidance 🌿 Plus, a Guided Meditation: Walking with the Good Shepherd Let Psalm 23 come alive as you close your eyes and imagine sitting beside Jesus by still waters. This practice will help you tap into your spiritual imagination—and sense the peace, presence, and clarity that's always available to you. ✨ Key Scriptures in This Episode: John 10:27 – "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Proverbs 29:18 – "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Romans 12:2 – "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…" 2 Timothy 1:7 – "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Psalm 23 – "He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul…" 💬 Favorite Quote from the Episode: "When you bring your imagination into stillness with God, it becomes a canvas for healing, vision, and divine partnership." 💛 This episode is for you if: You're longing for clarity about your next step or season You want to discern God's voice from the noise You're curious about meditation but grounded in Christian faith You believe there's more inside of you waiting to come alive You need a gentle, hopeful reminder: people can change—and that includes you You'll hear a powerful story about civil rights leader John Lewis and the transformative power of spiritual imagination—one that just might stay with you all week. Where you can connect more with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

What if there's a way to meet frustration, loneliness, or even a difficult person—with something softer and something stronger at the same time? In today's episode, we explore the transformative practice of Loving-Kindness, also known as Metta—a simple but radical form of meditation that teaches us how to see others, and ourselves, through the eyes of compassion. You'll hear a story about a yoga class in Seattle, a rattlesnake on a trail run, and what happens when you decide to look people in the eye—even when they look away. Drawing on the timeless wisdom of Sharon Salzberg, the words of Jesus Christ, and the teachings of the Buddha, Danielle guides you through a practice that's more than a moment of peace—it's a blueprint for becoming who you were always meant to be. This is the practice for when your heart feels guarded. For when you don't know what to pray or how to cultivate charity. For when you want to lead with light, but the world feels heavy. You'll learn: What Metta really means (and how to use it) The spiritual practice hidden in Matthew 5:44 to love your enemies Why the hardest person to love is often… you How to offer compassion without feeling fake A 7-minute guided Loving-Kindness meditation you can return to again and again Plus, Danielle shares how practicing Metta helped her form a soul-friendship in a new city, and how even a rattlesnake can become a teacher. Whether you're brand-new to meditation or ready to deepen your spiritual practice, this episode will meet you right where you are—and walk with you toward more peace. Because compassion is not weakness— It's strength wrapped in softness. It's charity in action. And as Moroni says, "Charity never faileth." Where you can connect more with Danielle:   Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

Have you ever felt like you're running on fumes… Pouring love into everyone else while secretly feeling like you're the one falling apart inside? If your mind races. If your to-do list is never done. If your heart is full of love but your nervous system is fried, …then this episode is for you. In today's conversation, we're going straight to the source of power most people ignore: Coming home to your breath. And not just any breathing — I'm talking about the kind of intentional, Spirit-connected breath that recenters you in moments when you want to lose it. Like when your teenager slams the cupboard. Or your body aches from trying so hard to hold it all together. Or the world feels too loud for your sensitive heart. You'll learn: The neuroscience behind why just a few breaths can reset your brain What the Buddha, Jesus, and Tara Brach all teach about sitting with pain Why radical acceptance makes you more emotionally resilient — not weaker A simple 4-7-8 breath practice you can return to when you feel stuck, scattered, or soul-weary And yes — I share a very real story from my own kitchen about a moment I almost missed that turned into a sweet connection with my young adult son. This episode will help you: 💫 Reclaim your calm. 💫 Feel your feelings — without drowning in them. 💫 Return to the truth that your breath is never just air — it is Spirit. It is power. And it's always with you. So, join me.. Close the tabs in your brain. Open your heart. This is your invitation to come home to the present moment — and breathe. Connect more with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

Life hurts sometimes. We get overwhelmed, stuck in our own heads, and desperate for peace. And if you've ever wondered why it's so hard to find it, this episode is going to help you understand more clearly. Today, I'm sharing the core of what the Buddha taught—The Four Noble Truths—not to preach a different gospel, but to point to the deeper truth: that God meets seekers wherever they are. That truth is truth, wherever it's found. And that Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, invites us to learn, grow, and awaken to the patterns that keep us from Him. In this episode, we'll explore: 🔹 Why human suffering runs deeper than just difficult circumstances 🔹 How craving and clinging rob us of joy 🔹 The surprising overlap between Buddhist teachings and Christ's invitation to "come unto Me" 🔹 A simple meditation inspired by Alma the Younger's story—to help you catch hold of a healing thought. This one is honest. It's for the seeker in you—and the disciple who wants to learn how to suffer less and live more fully in the Spirit and hear Him. Where you can connect more with Danielle:   Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

In this episode of Be Still: A Summer of Meditation, we go on a journey—not just back in time, but deep within the human heart. I'll take you through the powerful story of Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became the Buddha, and explore what his quest for meaning, peace, and awakening can teach us today—especially if you, like me, are trying to follow Jesus in a world that feels loud and chaotic. You'll hear how Siddhartha's path mirrors five profound truths in the life and teachings of Christ—truths that invite each of us to help others who are suffering, lean in to compassion, and live more consciously. This isn't just a history lesson. It's an inspiring story of how one man made a difference and what we can learn from him about meditation, surrender, and what it means to truly see. So wherever you're listening from—whether it's the car, the kitchen, or your own quiet corner—take a moment, be still, and join me in this captivating story of the Buddha. Because the path to peace often begins with a question: Is there more than this? Let's find out together. Connect with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

Have you been craving more peace, clarity, and calm in your life—but you're not sure where to begin? Have you wanted to try meditation but not sure where to start? This episode kicks off a brand-new summer series I've been dreaming about for months—Be Still: A Summer of Meditation. Whether you're a complete beginner or someone who's dabbled in mindfulness and wants to go deeper, this series is for you. Each week, I'll guide you through practices to help you slow down, reconnect with your soul, and anchor yourself in the present moment. I'll be drawing from ancient traditions—including the story of the Buddha and the teachings of Jesus—and showing you how these spiritual tools can align beautifully with a modern, faith-filled life. You don't have to escape to a monastery or sit for hours to benefit. You just need a few quiet minutes, an open heart, and a willingness to show up. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, burned out, spiritually flat—or if you simply want to feel more you again—this series was made for you. Hit play and join me for a powerful, grounding start to your summer. Let's dare greatly by going inward together. For more resources, meditations, and to follow the full 10-episode series, visit daniellevaughncoaching.com for more. If you love this first episode, share it with a friend who could use a little stillness too. ✨

If you've been feeling blindsided as a parent by the challenges our teens of today face, or confused on how to help and support them, today's episode is exactly what you need.    These are the most direct, concrete answers on how to help your teens navigate the anxious generation you'll ever hear.   Today, I share wisdom I learned from a high school counseling office as I spent the last three months learning from a rockstar team of high school counselors who are helping teens build their high school years with the strengths of resilience, confident decision-making, and empowerment.   This episode feels personal, in that I share my own daughter's difficult high school years and what I've learned since that first fateful therapy appointment finding out she was in crisis with an eating disorder. That was ten years ago. Fast forward to now, and my passion for helping you help your kids.    If you've ever wondered what to do about:   Smart devices in the schools (chromebooks and iPads) and how to be the boss of them versus letting them be the boss of you What healthy norms to adopt with raising kids in the digital age How to have meaningful conversations with your teens that build trust and connection   Then this episode is for you.   We unpack the research and the best norms you can adopt with your family based on social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, from his book The Anxious Generation to help you parent with confidence, quiet the confusion, and move forward with more clarity, peace and grounded parenting.   This episode promises to help you know exactly how to best support your teen, how to navigate the digital age of parenting, and help your child with healthy decision making skills.    For more on Jonathan Haidt, click here for his books and excellent work he is doing to help make the world a better place.   If you liked this episode, you'll love reading this blog post on Danielle's website: Parenting Fundamentals: Teaching About Digital Media   If you want to download Danielle's free training on Emotion Coaching as developed byJohn and Julie Gottman, PhD, click here.    Connect more with Danielle: Danielle's website Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign up for Danielle's personal newsletter Learn more about trips to Italy with Danielle and friends Danielle's music on Spotify

Have you ever wondered what it REALLY looks like when someone says they turned their anxiety around and it's no longer as big of a deal as it used to be? Do you wish you could just sit down with them and ask them to explain in more detail how that worked for them? If so, you're going to love my conversation with today's guest on the show, Kate Skinner...   Today's episode is a must-listen because you'll gain powerful insights on what to do (and not do) to take back your life from anxiety, to ignite your creative pursuits, and learn how a battle with cancer didn't stop my guest from showing up for life with courage and vulnerability, which helped her heal.    In this wisdom-packed episode, a top-loved university professor of jazz piano studies joins me to share candid truths about overcoming challenges, being a mom with a demanding career, healing anxiety, and battling cancer all while honoring her creativity and authenticity.   Kate Skinner shares with us how anxiety can be minimized and take a backseat, and she is here to share how she learned to write music and record in the studio without worrying what other people think, to let the creativity flow from within, and to honor her creativity and let it out with joy - not easy to do when you have tendencies toward people-pleasing. This conversation is going to make you think differently about anxiety, from panic attacks to playing small - it's all covered today.    I ask some hard questions and today you get to learn from a brave, vulnerable, woman who when it comes to life dealing you some hard things, you're getting sincere answers, no fluff, just the real truth.   And you'll also want to listen all the way to the end for one of the most beautiful, inspiring endings to any episode of the Dare Greatly Podcast.    For more of Kate's music, including links to Kate's Etsy shop and website, see the following for the links:   Kate Skinner Website: Kate's Etsy shop - Blue Bird Peak: Find Kate's music and stream on Spotify: Kate on Apple Music:   Connect with Danielle: Get your Word of the Year cards here. Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign Up for Danielle's Dare Greatly Newsletter Listen to Danielle's music on Spotify      

In today's episode, you'll learn how one activity can set your new year up for the best it can be.   Your next chapter is going to be beautiful. It's going to be just what it needs to be. Not because of what happens to you. But because you know how to be a co-creator with how you respond to the world around you and the people in it, regardless of what they do or don't do.   And the way to do that is to be intentional and choose a Word of the Year or a theme as your guiding principle.   This one exercise will help you navigate your new year more empowered, more intentional.   It's our ability to respond, our response-ability to use our power for good that gives us our personal power.   There are things that are going to happen in the coming year you will have no control over. This simple activity is what I've used over and over in my life to be empowered and face any challenge with more confidence.   We're talking about more freedom. More success.   And so what does that look like? How do we do that?   You choose ahead of time your theme or mantra, or word of the year for this next chapter. You decide ahead of time and let it anchor you back to your vision of who you want to be when things get messy.   Anytime someone is frustrating you, or a situation is weighing you down, you come back to your theme or word of the year.   I will walk you through how I've used this activity in my own life, including how to have fun with it and brainstorm, and I share specific insights that will help you find just the right word for your current needs.   By the end of this episode, you'll feel ready to start taking action and inspired to find your own word of the year so you can have the best possible year it can be.   Connect with Danielle:  Get your Word of the Year cards here. Follow Danielle on Instagram Sign Up for Danielle's Dare Greatly Newsletter Listen to Danielle's music on Spotify

Have you ever wondered how to juggle being productive while also being present with the people you interact with? - Or, are you so into your To Do list, you overlook the people you love in your day-to-day life? My guest today, Maria Reid, is here to remind us that even our To Do lists can be more heart based and less check-box based.   Maria, known in her community as one with a heart three sizes too big - who knows how to Make Life Sweet, has built a company that thrives on leading with the heart, taking women to Italy with her sister and showing them a great time, she's known for being an excellent cook, seamstress, gardener, friend, and master of the side-hustle while also making people feel valued, seen, and loved.   In her new creative project, a beautiful spiral-bound journal called the Make Life Sweet Journal/Planner, it's a great tool that helps you, anyone with creative ideas and To Do Lists floating around in your head, this book gives you a place and the space to organize your day leading with what matters most, in her words, "people to be loved."   Maria shares how to never let a job to be done become more important than a person to be loved - proving that you don't need to be so focused on productivity you forget why you're being productive in the first place.   Today, we discuss the lessons from over the years juggling motherhood, entrepreneurship, To Do lists, all the creative ideas and inspiration that life offers, and how to honor those dreams that also call to you inside - how to create the space to listen to what your heart needs most. If you've ever felt like your To Do list is hard to juggle with being present with your children, your family, your friends, the clerk across the checkout counter, and you're looking for ways to feel more connected to why you do what you do, you'll love this conversation! So click play and enjoy.   What You'll Learn on this Episode:  How putting people first, to-do lists second, will skyrocket your productivity. Why morning routines of centering yourself is a gamechanger for setting up your day for success. The true definition of the 'three sizes too big' measure of the heart, and why it is a powerful place you want to operate from. How journaling makes a difference with managing anxiety. My favorite ways to think about to-do lists, how focusing too much on checking boxes is problematic, and what to do instead. Mentioned on the Show: Order Maria's book/journal/planner, click here.  Come to Italy with Danielle, Maria and Gina - spring of 2025, click here for more info. Stream more of Danielle's music on Spotify To work with Danielle for coaching, follow this link to learn more.   If you're wanting support for your older teen, young adult, or for yourself as a parent, you want to join our three month private coaching program, The Dare Greatly Coaching Program. Click here to sign up for private mentoring from Danielle.  

We all have that innate tendency to be hard on ourselves sometimes, and the concept of Grace can be confusing if we don't understand what it is or how it works. We know it's important to take personal responsibility, but we also know it's important to invite Grace into the process of personal growth. So how to do that?   This is what I call the Middle Path.    Join me this week as I explore insights into Grace in the hopes that it illuminates how generous Grace really is and what it looks like. You'll hear why the real skill of giving yourself (and others) the benefit of the doubt can be difficult, but necessary, how judgment makes personal growth harder, and how you can begin being more generous with yourself and others to build a better world, starting with you.   If you're ready to bring that dream in your heart that lives inside of you out into the world and you're wondering how you can get support, you're in luck! The Dare Greatly Creator 10-week program is happening this fall, starting soon, where you'll learn tools and strategies applicable to artists, creatives and entrepreneurs who also run a household, you can click here to register.    If you're wanting support for your older teen, young adult, or for yourself as a parent, you want to join our three month private coaching program, The Dare Greatly Coaching Program. Click here to sign up for private mentoring from Danielle.   What You'll Learn on this Episode:  Why grace is one of the most useful skills you can cultivate. How judgment and holding yourself accountable are not the same things. The true definition of the Middle Path and why it is a powerful place you want to operate from. How grace makes you better at everything you want to accomplish. My favorite ways to think about grace and how focusing too much on earning it is problematic.   Mentioned on the Show:   Stream more of Danielle's music on Spotify Come to Italy with Danielle spring of 2025, click here for more info. To work with Danielle for coaching, follow this link to learn more.  Join the Dare Greatly Creator Mastermind, fall semester ten week group starts soon. Click here to join. If you're a parent who is wanting your teen or young adult work with Danielle, check out Dare Greatly Coaching.

This is one of the hardest topics and most emotional episodes that have ever been on the Dare Greatly Podcast, the topic of men's mental health and suicide.   Today's episode is special because it is so real and honest.  My guests I am sharing with you have been through a really difficult time losing their husband and father to suicide. As you listen, you will gain insights on how to help your loved ones who are struggling. They are doing important work to minimize stigma with finding help and hope when you need it.   If you've ever felt alone, you don't know where to find help, Gina's foundation, Stay Mentally Strong will help you find resources and more answers of where to turn.    Today, Gina and Ellie Oliverson join me to share their incredible story of Sean and their powerful wisdom they've learned since his passing.    Sean was the last person in the world anyone would ever think would take his own life. Top of his class in college, a well-beloved orthodontist in our home town of Ogden, Utah, handsome, super fit, financially successful, just all the things, but very few knew how much he was suffering from anxiety, OCD, and not sleeping.    Gina and Ellie share what they've learned about men's mental health and how they feel called to make a difference in the space of making men's mental health more accessible, more easy and affordable for men to reach out before they are in crisis.    They're teaching us what it means to honor your loved one's memory while also turning heartbreak and grief into something that can help others who are going through similar hardships. Let's Stop waiting to get the help you or your loved one needs and thinking you need to be strong all the time by yourself.    It's time to disarm all the shame that keeps our men from seeking the support they need and take back the sense of control and the healing they need, if they feel like they've lost that.   For more resources, including links to connect with Gina and Ellie and the Stay MENtally Strong Foundation, see below:   Learn more about the Stay MENtally Strong Foundation here. Follow Ellie's podcast, Her Horizon podcast on Apple Podcasts. To learn more about retreats to Italy with Gina and her sister, click here. To work with Danielle for coaching, follow this link to learn more.  Join the Dare Greatly Creator Mastermind, fall semester ten week group starts soon. Click here to join. If you're a parent who is wanting your teen or young adult work with Danielle, check out Dare Greatly Coaching.