De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan
Episode: "We're Going Through it, Jordan's a Hater, and of Course, Taylor Swift"
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Dear Media
Episode Overview
This episode is a candid, witty, and deeply personal conversation between influencer couple Dani and Jordan Austin. They kick things off with honest banter about Dani's pregnancy struggles, digress into intrusive thoughts and how they manage them, and segue into their takes on internet culture. Key recurring threads include deconstructing social media behaviors, dissecting haters and “cringe” online personas, discussing their own family milestones (including their new baby's gender), and a major segment breaking down Taylor Swift’s viral New Heights podcast appearance. Throughout, the tone is playful, revealing, and packed with the kind of real talk their audience loves.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Surviving the First Trimester (01:46–08:05)
- Pregnancy Nausea is Real: Dani shares in vivid detail how unrelenting nausea defines her days.
“It's just like, you know, truly like the same way of feeling hungover, you know...for like, three months straight.” — Dani (02:26)
- Coping Mechanisms & Intrusive Thoughts: She uses visualizations (like picturing a bowl of ice) to distract herself from nausea-inducing intrusive thoughts (03:31–05:51).
- Empathy Between Partners: Jordan humorously recounts becoming sympathetic sick, and respecting Dani’s resilience after experiencing a taste of her symptoms.
2. Condom & Lube Myths—A Public Service Announcement (08:16–12:12)
- Publicly debunk myths about what lubes can be used with latex condoms:
“Condom destroyers, lubricants you should not use…coconut oil, baby oil, body lotion, butter. Dang.” — Dani (08:35)
- Lighthearted discussion of “vegan” or “sheep” condoms and how confusing branding/misinformation can be.
- The couple pokes fun at themselves and influencer culture’s language:
“Allegedly. Apparently, if you just say the word allegedly before everything...” — Dani (10:23)
3. Internet Hating & Defending Strangers Online (12:12–28:18)
- Jordan’s Confession: Admits to being a “jealous hater” about influencers online, specifically Clayton Echard (ex-Bachelor contestant turned Instagram dancer).
- Dani’s Online Defending Habit: She reveals she regularly defends public figures on X (Twitter) and Threads, and tells a story about defending a high school runner who lost her medal over a “fire extinguisher” celebration (14:00–15:15).
- A Moment of Existential Realization:
“It really challenged me…because I was that person. I was like, dude, what are you doing?” — Jordan (16:06) “If I'm being honest, 100%...I'm just a jealous hater.” — Jordan (22:13/22:17)
- Why Are Certain Influencers So Cringe?: Extended, self-aware debate about which male influencers Dani finds “cringe” (with hilarious, veiled references but no names dropped).
4. Gender Reveal and Honest Feelings (28:18–41:55)
- Baby #4 is a Boy! (Announced at 35:10)
- Description of the Peekaboo at-home gender test and Dani’s nervousness about “male DNA contamination.”
- Dani admits to having a wave of disappointment about not having another girl, followed by joy at her boys being so close in age.
“I'm just gonna be honest. I was hoping for a girl at the time, and I did maybe cry a little bit.” — Dani (36:11)
- Tackles Stella (their daughter’s) reaction:
“She’s like, ‘I wanted a girl, Mommy...Nobody ever wants to play with me ever. I’m gonna go. Goodbye forever.’ That’s what she always says.” — Dani (42:18)
- Honest reflection about family expansion:
“I knew that my best window to get snipped was probably your first trimester...And then the baby's gonna come. You're gonna be like, let's wait…” — Jordan (40:31)
5. Car Shopping and Childhood Memories (46:11–52:38)
- Weighing car choices for a big family (Escalade, Wagoneer, Kia, Range Rover) and nostalgia about lax car seat laws of their own childhoods.
- Dani shares stories of sitting in the front seat or on her dad's lap, contrasting with today's parent anxieties and safety standards.
- Discussion of Dani’s LASIK side effects, i.e., halos and nighttime driving struggles.
6. Medical Mysteries & Pregnancy Cravings (53:39–56:44)
- Dani describes her history of the flu, being a "medical mystery", and how Hot Cheetos (not smoothies) are her ultimate pregnancy cure.
“When I eat a hot Cheeto, it gets in there and it scrubs it all away.” — Dani (55:16)
- Detailed, funny rundown of food aversions and minor pregnancy quirks, including how visual triggers like aprons, dead ants, and certain colors make her gag (57:04–57:41).
7. Taylor Swift on the New Heights Podcast (60:22–73:42)
(Major Segment — Loaded With Insights, Wit, and Quotes)
- Taylor’s Humility & Normalcy:
“[Ellie] gained so much respect for her...she was like, ‘Wow, she's so humble, is filled with so much humility, is so intelligent. I love the relationship. She's so normal.’” — Dani (61:13)
- Taylor & Travis’s Relationship: Analysis of why their dynamic is so compelling; Taylor's nurturing, propping up her partner even when he’s being teased by his brother (Jason).
- Taylor’s Healthy Social Media Boundaries:
“She's not on social media. She talked about it. She's like, I don't do social media. Really. Like, she doesn't do comments. She doesn't do dms.” — Dani (63:43)
- Work Ethic and Hobbies: Taylor bakes, sews, makes things by hand, and stays grounded through “old school” hobbies (64:19–64:32).
- Intense Fan Connection:
“She has this genuine, authentic adoration and respect and love and appreciation for her fans, which so many artists don't have.” — Dani (65:48)
- Taylor’s Team, Strategy, & Success:
“She built everything...She does everything in house. She built her whole team in house.” — Dani (65:18)
- Self-Awareness & Humor: How Taylor’s self-deprecation and defense of Travis on the podcast made her even more likable (66:55).
- Memorable Taylor Quotes from the Interview:
“…your energy being like a luxury good and not everyone can afford it…” — Referenced by Dani (67:36)
- Relationship Dynamics:
- How Taylor and Travis bond over their professionalism—he calls her an athlete, they connect over discipline, routines, and respect for their crafts (71:22–72:11).
- Fans speculating about whether Taylor will perform at the Super Bowl if Travis’ team (Kansas City Chiefs) go all the way (72:32).
- Tangent on Taylor boosting NFL ratings and father/daughter bonding moments.
“Taylor, thank you for what you’ve done for us. We don’t deserve it. I’m not worshiping her. I’m just saying it’s nice.” — Dani (73:41)
8. Pop Culture: The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Millennial Chokehold (74:12–77:39)
- Dani wonders aloud why millennial moms are obsessed with the show The Summer I Turned Pretty, analyzing the nostalgia for ‘90s aesthetics and innocent love stories.
- Acknowledges the acting isn't top-tier, but the coming-of-age vibes are addictive:
“It's all so 90s...like it’s our childhood. The way that she's like, biking to pick up peaches...It’s so nostalgic.” — Dani (75:14)
Notable Quotes & Moments
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On Intrusive Pregnancy Thoughts:
“Sometimes, like, these intrusive pregnancy-nausea thoughts come in, and I’ll just picture the most disgusting thing ever...like Nikki dipping her French fries into mayonnaise — and it instantly…” — Dani (04:31)
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On Internet Hating:
“It really challenged me…because I was that person. I was like, dude, what are you doing?” — Jordan (16:06)
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On Gender Reveal Emotions:
“I just think I was wanting to cry in general.” — Dani (36:29)
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Daughter Stella’s Dramatic Meltdown:
“Nobody ever listens to me. Nobody ever wants to play with me ever. I’m gonna go. Goodbye forever. That’s what she always says.” — Dani (42:22)
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Instant Preggo Cure:
“When I eat a hot Cheeto, it gets in there and it scrubs it all away.” — Dani (55:16)
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Taylor Swift is Goals:
“She has this genuine, authentic adoration and respect and love and appreciation for her fans, which so many artists don't have.” — Dani (65:48)
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Taylor & Travis’s Opposites-Attract
“She’s like, I think she really respects him for who he is...although he’s not this Joe Alwyn character where they can have these, like, super deep, intellectual conversations, I mean, maybe they’ll get there...” — Dani (70:47)
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Millennial Nostalgia:
“It’s so nostalgic. And then it's like the type of love that we grew up with in the '90s.” — Dani (75:42)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Coping with Pregnancy & Intrusive Thoughts: 01:46–08:05
- Condom & Lube PSA: 08:16–12:12
- Defending Strangers on Social Media: 12:12–28:18
- Gender Reveal & Family Reactions: 28:18–41:55
- Car Shopping & Childhood Car Seat Laws: 46:11–52:38
- Pregnancy Cravings & Medical Mysteries: 53:39–56:44
- Taylor Swift on New Heights Podcast: 60:22–73:42
- The Summer I Turned Pretty Discussion: 74:12–77:39
Final Takeaways
This episode offers a rollercoaster of everything fans of Dani and Jordan love: raw honesty about parenthood and marriage, good-natured internet snark, poignant reflections about self-acceptance and online judgment, and deeply enthusiastic deconstructions of pop culture phenomena (especially Taylor Swift). Their unfiltered dynamic and storytelling make even the deeply personal moments relatable, funny, and endearing—while giving listeners thoughtful takes on staying grounded and authentic in a hyper-connected world.
