Don't Cut Your Own Bangs

Unlock the Power of Self-Validation    Inspired by a recent therapy session, in this solo episode of 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs,' Danielle Ireland explores the practice of self-validation. She shares insights on how to validate your own experiences, calm your nervous system, and push back against self-doubt. The episode includes practical examples, journaling tips, and real-life applications, makin...

In this episode of ' Don't Cut Your Own Bangs ,' Danielle Ireland interviews adventurer and SDM Diving owner Eli Martinez. They discuss his unique career leading land and ocean safaris, dispelling myths about predators, and the connection between exploring the wild and self-discovery. Eli shares his journey from aspiring bull rider to renowned wildlife guide and photographer, emphasizing the thera...

In this solo episode of 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs,' Danielle Ireland dives into key lessons from her recent therapy sessions, emphasizing the importance of relationships. She explores how the drive to 'win' an argument often results in everyone losing, the power of genuine apologies over hollow ones, and the significance of understanding rather than feigned confusion. Danielle also shares personal...

Welcome back to 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs!'    In this lively and heartfelt episode, Danielle Ireland chats with Ashlyn Thompson from the Parent Empowerment Network. Ashlyn shares her journey from growing her nonprofit organization to the emotional rollercoaster of her daughter's complex medical journey.    Get ready to explore how pain can be an unexpected teacher, the magic of community support,...

Danielle Ireland, kicks off the new video era of 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs' by reintroducing herself, reflecting on her journey from ballroom dance instructor to therapist, and discussing her new children's book 'Wrestling a Walrus for Little People with Big Feelings.' She candidly shares her fears and procrastination battle, revealing how overcoming them led her here. Danielle outlines what's to...

Danielle Ireland, kicks off the new video era of 'Don't Cut Your Own Bangs' by reintroducing herself, reflecting on her journey from ballroom dance instructor to therapist, and discussing her new children's book 'Wrestling a Walrus for Little People with Big Feelings.' She candidly shares her fears and procrastination battle, revealing how overcoming them led her here. Danielle outlines what's to...

Welcome back to the final episode of the Creativity Miniseries! In this conversation, Emily Sutherland and I open up our personal creativity toolkits and share the resources and strategies that help us bring our ideas to life. Working on this miniseries with Emily has been an absolute joy. She's not just an incredible creative and coach—she's also become a trusted friend and advisor throughout the...

Creative expression can be a powerful tool for personal healing and growth because the creative work we do is so connected to the healing work we need. From following along in this Creativity Miniseries, you know that Emily Sutherland has been my special guest on this journey. Emily is a ghostwriter, published author, coach, and executive storyteller. Together, we have explored the messy, magical...

Welcome back to our Creativity Miniseries on Don't Cut Your Own Bangs! We're diving into the next (and sweatiest) stage of creativity:  perspiration! This is where ideas move from being dreams and start becoming reality. I'm joined once again by my brilliant friend, Emily H. Sutherland—a ghostwriter, published author, coach, and executive storyteller. Together, we're getting real about what it tak...

Welcome back to Don't Cut Your Own Bangs and our Creativity Miniseries! I'm thrilled to continue this deep dive into the creative process alongside my friend and fellow creative, Emily H. Sutherland—a ghostwriter, published author, coach, and executive storyteller. Together, we're exploring what it means to embrace creativity, break through resistance, and bring ideas to life.  In our last episode...

"becauseOne" is an online platform that connects people's passions with the needs of those served by non-profit organizations. This remarkable initiative sprang from the collaborative vision of sisters Stephany Dolan and Stacia Jones and was driven by their family's desire to strengthen community and make it easier to help others.   We look at how to use becauseOne to get involved with organizatio...

Most of us look long and hard for reasons to avoid therapy. And, granted, therapy is not the only modality for emotional healing. Talking with friends and exercise and travel and dozens of other things can help the healing process. But, only therapy is therapy.    Ultimately, THINKING about starting therapy is way harder than ACTUALLY starting therapy and it's because of these three myths. People...

Jealousy is often seen as a negative emotion. And let's be honest, it doesn't feel great when we experience it. BUT, what does it look like when we approach our jealousy with a little compassionate curiosity? In my experience, jealousy is calling our attention to a deeper desire that's hiding inside us.   Like every emotion, jealousy can be a great teacher. It can show us that there is something w...

My guest, Ashlyn Thompson, is the co-founder of Charlotte's Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, encouraging, and educating parents and caregivers of children facing difficult health challenges. Ashlyn, and co-founder Emily Whiting, have daughters with rare medical complexities. By sharing their stories, they hope to connect other parents and caregivers with valuable...

Talk about a throwback! From 2018, this is the first ever recorded episode of the Don't Cut Your Own Bangs podcast. Not the first to air, but the first to be recorded.     My guest, David Dellen , is a Harley Davidson dealer , a big brother in the Big Brother Big Sister Program, and also MY HUSBAND. He is an incredible leader and entrepreneur with a lot of valuable experience to share.    I wish I...

Our special series focusing on the seven life themes in The Treasured Journal continues with the second in a two-part discussion of relationships. This is a big topic that can include communication, boundaries, trauma, pleasure, needs identification, and more. But, here, I want to zero in on two specific concepts that I've found to be invaluable for myself and my clients—and I'm confident they wil...

We continue with a special series of exercises that will be our focus over the coming weeks. With each podcast, I'll examine one of the seven life themes in The Treasured Journal:  career, relationships, love, sex, money, family, and purpose.    Journaling is one of the most powerful tools we have for gaining clarity and understanding of ourselves, which in turn, helps us advocate for ourselves, c...

I am excited to announce a very special series of exercises that will be our focus over the next seven to nine weeks. With each podcast, I'll examine one of the seven life themes in The Treasured Journal: career, relationships, love, sex, money, family, and purpose. Whether you're experienced at journaling or brand new to it, I encourage you to take advantage of these guided exercises to explore t...

Sheena Birt is the owner of Color Story Studio, a custom design studio that turns brick-and-mortar businesses into destinations people can't wait to visit. Color Story Studio is known for creating one-of-a-kind installations for a variety of high-profile locations in and around Indianapolis. Her work has been featured at Dior in Chicago and Two Chicks District Co. (the store owned by the women of...

There really is no escaping the year-end holidays. From decorations to music to parties, the season is everywhere! And, with the season, comes the expectation that this is a festive time of year and you had better get on board and be grateful. We love and encourage feelings of gratitude. Gratitude feels good and we want to feel good, right? But gratitude can go very wrong when it doesn't allow for...

I started the "Don't Cut Your Own Bangs" podcast to explore the "messy middle," that place between the before and after photo. It can also be thought of as the gap between how we are feeling and how we think we should be feeling. The middle doesn't only exist during the year-end holidays, but as we're closing in on that time of year, the gap between how we feel and how we want to feel can seem esp...

Lauren Rieker, RDN, is a registered dietitian and owner/manager of Collaborative Counseling & Nutrition, an outpatient nutrition and body image counseling center in Indianapolis. In this episode, I talk with Lauren about her own history with food, exercise, and health—and how it led her to pursue an approach to eating disorders, body image, and intuitive eating that emphasizes compassion, mindfuln...

Let's face it, sometimes things just don't go as planned. But, how do we respond? Do we hang on fiercely to the original plan? Do we let go and adjust to the new situation? If we let go of the original plan, how do we know when to let go? A lot of my clients have been faced with this question lately. So, in this episode I share a recent experience of my own to explore these questions and more.   ...

In episode #42 from April 2022, Jen Petro and I discuss the benefits of taking a solo retreat. She first suggested the idea to me while working side by side at Cafe' Patachou .⁣ ⁣I remember thinking, "Huh? Just go somewhere by myself, for myself, for no other reason than I want to?"⁣ ⁣It sounded indulgent, a little selfish, and OH SO NECESSARY. Saying yes to myself in this way changed my life. Tru...

This episode revisits my discussion with Danielle Wolter Nolan , who has a question for you. When was the last time you did something for the first time? In episode #42 from April 2020, Danielle and I talked about taking leaps of faith, what it means to push past what you believe is possible, and what it takes to live adventurously. Danielle and her wife, Kate Nolan, founders of DNK Presents , org...