De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan Episode: Dani's Raw, Real & Maybe A Little Too TMI Natural Birth Story
Release Date: January 30, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with Dani and Jordan welcoming listeners back to "De-Influenced." This time, they introduce their newborn, Summit, showcasing the challenges of managing a family of five. Dani humorously expresses her desire for a family with children closer in age to streamline logistics.

Dani Austin [00:19]: "I really need a family of five, like, with similar age children."

2. Navigating Life with Three Kids

Dani and Jordan delve into the complexities of balancing life with their existing children and a newborn. Dani shares the logistical nightmare of fitting three car seats into their Porsche Cayenne, highlighting the practical challenges influencers often overlook.

Dani Austin [01:05]: "It's very confusing. I mean, just the car alone, the car seats situation. I think I'm on my third car seat."

3. Taking a Social Media Break

The couple discusses their recent two-month break from social media, which was initially intended to focus on personal well-being. Dani reflects on the unexpected duration of the break and its impact on their business and personal lives.

Dani Austin [02:13]: "I had no intention of being gone for so long. I think when people saw I wasn't around for Black Friday, that's when they knew it was for real."

Jordan adds that the break benefited them more than constant posting ever did, emphasizing the importance of stepping away to maintain relevance and mental health.

Jordan [04:28]: "The theme that you always had was, if I take a day off of the Internet, everyone will hate me. But this time, I felt more relevant during your break than I ever did when you posted every day."

4. Decision for an Unmedicated Birth

Dani recounts her profound decision to pursue an unmedicated birth, influenced by her struggles with postpartum depression and a challenging pregnancy. She hired a doula two weeks before delivery, seeking a more natural and empowering birthing experience.

Dani Austin [08:57]: "I decided I think I'm going to do this. And here's the thing... I knew once I pay, like, I'm doing it."

Jordan highlights the financial and emotional commitment involved in choosing a natural birth, underscoring the depth of Dani's resolve.

Jordan [12:22]: "They are trusted by thousands of skiers and travelers...they handle the rest."

5. Labor and Delivery Experience

The narrative intensifies as Dani describes the onset of labor, marked by heavy bleeding and intense contractions. Despite the alarming symptoms, she remains determined to manage the process naturally, pushing herself to the hospital with Jordan's support.

Dani Austin [22:25]: "Like, this is gonna come out...I knew I wasn't going to."

Her commitment is evident as she rationalizes delaying the hospital visit to prolong staying home and managing the pain, reflecting her strong desire for a natural birth.

Dani Austin [26:09]: "I'm just trying to keep myself distracted longer here than get to the hospital and feel like I have to."

6. The Birth of Summit

Upon arrival at the hospital, Dani enters active labor, ultimately delivering Summit after a swift three and a half-hour process. She vividly describes the pain and fear experienced during the final moments of childbirth, including an unexpected out-of-body experience during crowning.

Dani Austin [35:03]: "I was scared of, like, I can't do this. I can't do it."

Jordan recalls Dani's intense reactions, including her dramatic pleas for help, which add a raw and unfiltered perspective to the birthing story.

Jordan [38:34]: "I can't squeeze my hands because I, like, I like, I'm like, so stiff and like, I feel the blood just curdling."

7. Postpartum Reflections

After Summit's birth, Dani shares her mixed emotions and the immediate postpartum challenges. Unlike her previous experiences, she feels detached and overwhelmed, struggling to bond with Summit amidst physical discomfort and the responsibility of delivering the placenta.

Dani Austin [41:01]: "I feel like I didn't really get that sweet moment...and it was so weird."

Despite these challenges, Dani emphasizes the empowerment she felt during the unmedicated birth, comparing it to running a marathon—acknowledging personal strength without negating others' experiences.

Dani Austin [41:50]: "I feel so empowered and so amazing about this unmedicated birth... You did something incredible."

8. Family Dynamics with Three Kids

The episode transitions to how Dani and Jordan manage parenting with their older children, Stella and Stratton, alongside Summit. They discuss strategies to ensure that their older children feel valued and connected, highlighting Stella's nurturing nature and Stratton's sensitivity.

Dani Austin [61:23]: "She loves Summit so much. She kind of like, it's like she thinks of him as like a little baby doll."

They share heartfelt moments of Stella and Stratton interacting with Summit, reinforcing the strong family bonds established despite the challenges of expanding their family.

Jordan [62:07]: "He thinks of Summit as a little baby doll."

9. Final Thoughts and Lessons

In concluding the episode, Dani reflects on the significance of taking breaks from social media and prioritizing personal well-being. She hopes her experience encourages other influencers to recognize their limits and seek balance, preventing burnout and fostering a healthier lifestyle.

Dani Austin [47:12]: "If I'm being honest, like, I think that because of the break I took, I'm... I was able to do the unmedicated birth."

Jordan echoes the importance of fortifying personal boundaries and recognizing when to step back, advocating for proactive measures to maintain mental and emotional health.

Jordan [48:39]: "We should watch out for that. His name is Summit."

Key Takeaways

• Empowerment Through Natural Birth: Dani's choice for an unmedicated birth stems from a desire for empowerment and addressing postpartum mental health challenges.

• Importance of Breaks: Taking a break from the constant demands of social media can rejuvenate mental health and strengthen personal relationships.

• Family Dynamics: Balancing multiple children requires intentional strategies to ensure each child feels valued and connected.

• Support Systems: The role of doulas and family support is crucial in navigating the challenges of childbirth and parenting.

Notable Quotes

• Dani Austin [02:13]: "I did decide to prioritize other things in my life, and that's what I did. And I'm back."

• Jordan [04:28]: "Maybe the lesson learned for all these influencers is, like, you can take breaks and it kind of keeps the hype train going."

• Dani Austin [08:20]: "The first week back from the hospital... was like, one of my favorite weeks of my entire life."

• Jordan [35:52]: "I don't remember what it felt like. I remember what the contractions felt like."

• Dani Austin [41:10]: "I've never felt like, oh, my gosh. My postpartum depression has always been very, like, internal."

This episode offers an unfiltered and intimate glimpse into Dani's journey through pregnancy, natural childbirth, and the early stages of expanding their family. It underscores the importance of personal well-being, the power of breaking away from societal pressures, and the resilience required to navigate the complexities of parenthood.