Who Let Us Cook This Week??

Summary

De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan

Episode: Who Let Us Cook This Week??

Date: November 13, 2025
Podcast Host: Dear Media
Hosts: Dani & Jordan

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Overview

In this lively, candid episode of De-Influenced, married hosts Dani and Jordan reconnect after a busy, separate day to discuss everything from beauty maintenance and the struggles of influencer life to deep dives into horror movies and childhood camp stories. The episode weaves personal anecdotes with playful banter, touching on pop culture, spiritual questions, and reflections on self-esteem and ambition.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up After a Busy Day ([00:00-04:57])

• Dani describes her packed day, juggling self-care (workout, nail appointment), family holiday preparations, and influencer tasks.
• She vents about splurging on a $1,000 Studio McGee Christmas tree that stopped working after two years.
  • “Just buy the cheap ones. Don’t splurge like I did because you know what? They break.” ([01:18])
• Jordan jokes about dodging assigned chores.
• Updates on Dani’s mom, now a busy influencer, and the realities of “the grind.”

2. Nail Salon Struggles & Beauty Routines ([04:06-08:50])

• Dani explains differences between nail types (gel, dip, builder gel, acrylic).
• Problems with fast-growing nails—requiring biweekly appointments.
• The addiction and inconvenience of beauty maintenance:
  • “Once you start getting them done, you can’t stop. Because here’s another thing… I can’t take this off without them. They use special tools.” ([06:18])
• The unique bond with her local nail salon ("VIP at Rose Couture"), stressing the challenge of potentially leaving for Nashville.
• Exposing the hidden complexities of “girl math” with spray tans, beauty scheduling, and the mental load of keeping up appearances.

3. The Mental Load of Womanhood ([08:15-09:03])

• Jordan expresses surprise at the daily mental checklist Dani describes.
  • “So does your... do y'alls brains work like that? Like the minute you wake up?” ([08:15])
• Quick-fire dialogue on the relentless routines: washing off makeup, contact lenses, exfoliation timing, and the quest for beauty innovation.

4. Permanent Makeup & Cosmetic Regrets ([09:03-10:01])

• Permanent makeup—pros and cons.
• Reference to influencer Ashley Nichols, who regretted her eyeliner tattoo and underwent removal.

5. Holiday & Gift-Giving Stress, Influencer Family Life ([10:01-10:31])

• Dani has already handled personalized gifts for almost everyone in the family (except Jordan’s dad).
• Jordan realizes he’s now responsible for collaborative gifts.
• Ongoing banter about sharing responsibilities and the reality that influencer and family life mean “from us” gifts.

Memorable Moment: "Demonic" Collectibles ([16:15-17:58])

• Dani’s mom warns her that Labubu toys are “demonic.”
• They debate spiritual implications of unknowingly bringing “demonic” items (e.g., Ouija board) into the home.
• Quote:
  • Dani: “I pray that angels protect my kids… It’s like, everywhere… that plant that I bought could have been made by somebody that is demonic...” ([17:58])
• Discussion of whether intention matters in spiritual “agreements” and generational stories of spiritual inheritance.

6. Horror Stories & Movie Critiques ([18:48-27:02])

• Bloody Mary & Horror Superstitions:
  • Jordan: “Listen, as a kid, I don’t think I was summoning a demonic spirit because I didn’t know what that was.” ([19:18])
  • Discussion of horror movie boundaries as parents—Dani recently watched "Frankenstein" (new Netflix movie), appreciating its depth and storytelling.
• Dani strongly cautions against watching the “Ed Gein” show:
  • “I think I just watched something that changed me for the rest of my life... so evil and disgusting and horrific.” ([21:07])
• Analysis of "Frankenstein"—misconceptions about the monster’s name, the humane and tragic elements of the story, and the importance of perspective.

Memorable Movie Talk ([24:16-30:35])

• Frankenstein’s Misunderstood Monster:
  • “The monster isn’t the monster. It’s the scientist... He’s the villain.” – Dani ([24:17])
• Ratings chat: “Frankenstein” vs. “Hook” vs. cult classics like “White Chicks.”
• Lighthearted debate over Rotten Tomatoes scores and personal favorites.

7. Childhood Movie Memories ([27:27-30:32])

• “Hook” and “Homeward Bound”—nostalgic movie nights with their kids.
• Curiosity about movie-making—the logistics of animal movies and prosthetics in "Frankenstein."
• Dani reveals Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein’s monster) spent 12 hours in prosthetics for the movie.
  • “Every time he had to do, like, the full body shots… 12 hours.” ([30:24])

8. The Art and Pressure of Acting ([31:00-33:48])

• Admiration for actors’ skill, memorization, and the demanding work environment.
• Dani confesses envy and insecurity over not “having it” as an actor.
• Discussion of acting improvisation—how famous unscripted movie moments emerged.
• Valuing collaborative directors, referencing Miles Teller’s interview about creative input.

9. Influencer Industry Parallels ([38:47-39:24])

• Comparison between the drama of Hollywood actors and influencer culture—some influencers are divas but necessary for brands.
• The nature of “having something special”—influence, voice, presence.

10. Dani’s High School Acting Heartbreak ([39:26-45:55])

• Dani shares her earnest (and unsuccessful) attempts at high school theater.
• Auditioned for "Scout" in To Kill a Mockingbird; the theater teacher was her ex’s mom.
• Nepotism twist: The other candidate, dating the teacher’s other son, wins the part—now married to him.
• Dani’s reflections: “I always thought I had it. Maybe I still do.” ([39:38])
• Jordan teases, asking for a sample of her (admittedly bad) singing.

11. Childhood Summer Camps and Quirky Tales ([45:55-54:47])

• Dani reminisces about being sent to many camps—improv, Spanish, basketball, typing.
• Memorable friendship with a girl fluent in sign language and Spanish.
• Humorous confusion as Dani relays how she learned both languages, with Jordan persistently clarifying details.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dani (on beauty upkeep):
  “Nothing in life is free.” ([04:46])
• Jordan (on beauty routines):
  “There should be some innovation happening around here.” ([08:47])
• Dani (on horror):
  “I think that what I just watched, I’ll never recover from.” ([21:07])
• Dani (on Rotten Tomatoes):
  “But then there’s also a movie like, like, White Chicks, and it’s like Rotten Tomatoes is, like, 15 percent. Audience is, like, 100 percent.” ([27:20])
• Jordan (on her acting past):
  “I thought you were having like a quarter life crisis because your boyfriend went to college and you like, auditioned for a movie.” ([41:22])
• Dani (on camp friendships):
  “Sometimes I just looked for like, the easiest kill, you know?... Like, we have to be friends for life or anything. I just need somebody to, like, make me not feel alone.” ([52:19])
• Dani (self-belief):
  “I really do believe I can do anything. Anything I put my mind to, I can do it.” ([47:26])

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Important Timestamps

• Nail Salon Deep Dive: [04:06-08:50]
• Beauty Maintenance Mental Load: [08:15-09:03]
• Demonic Items Discussion: [16:15-17:58]
• True Crime & Horror Movie Reactions: [18:48-22:16]
• Movie Analysis—Frankenstein & More: [24:16-30:35]
• Acting Admiration & Anecdotes: [31:00-33:48]
• High School Acting Fiasco: [39:26-45:55]
• Summer Camp Adventures: [45:55-54:47]

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Tone and Style

The episode is honest, rapid-fire, playful, and often self-deprecating. Dani and Jordan’s banter is affectionate with plenty of teasing, nostalgic storytelling, and authentic reflections on the pressures of beauty, influencing, parenting, and making sense of adulthood.

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This episode delivers humor, personal insight, and a “real life” peek behind influencer culture, perfect for anyone who wants to feel seen in their daily chaos—or just laugh along.

Transcript

[Dani]

Foreign. The following podcast is a Dear Media production hello and welcome back to your favorite podcast De Influenced. This is. These are always the best kind of episodes when we haven't seen each other all day. I just. Now I'm seeing you for the first time. How's your day been, honey?

[Danny]

I actually think that you, you like it whenever we, we don't see each other and then we come back together at the end of the day. I think you enjoy it. No, but much more than like, if I was around all day.

[Dani]

No, I, I will say when I have things to do like I did today, it was great to be on my own, you know, like, I needed to work out and then I need to get my nails done.

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

And then I needed to design our Christmas cards. I needed to get all these Christmas trees that are not working. Figure it out. I ordered a tree from Studio McGee, like two years ago. It was over a thousand dollars. Like, I really splurged because I was like, this is going to be the tree that like my children grew up with. And two years later, it's not working. So I've been just back and forth with customers.

[Danny]

Studio McGee has Christmas trees?

[Dani]

Yeah, she's there. Her, her holiday Christmas decor is like always the cutest.

[Danny]

She's probably killing it.

[Dani]

Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's pricey, but I was like, you know what? I'm gonna invest in a good Christmas tree. Like a tall, big one, and this is what I get. So just buy the cheap ones. I'm just telling you, get like the seven foot, the nine foot, for like 300, $400. Don't splurge like I did because you know what? They break.

[Danny]

Okay, so you've had a busy day.

[Dani]

I've had a busy day. And I think the hardest part about my day is I, I'm not even halfway done and it's four. Like, I have so much work I'm gonna assign to you tonight, it's.

[Danny]

Oh, gonna be crazy. I have to go.

[Dani]

Where are you going?

[Danny]

Somewhere.

[Dani]

Where are you going? For real?

[Danny]

No, I'm not going anywhere.

[Dani]

I just, I mean, we're gonna be a busy, busy. You know, I got a ten foot Christmas tree that none of the ladies in this house.

[Danny]

Why don't you call your mom?

[Dani]

No, my mom's busy. She's going on another cruise.

[Danny]

Is she really?

[Dani]

Yeah, tomorrow.

[Danny]

No way.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

So you already called?

[Dani]

No, not to ask her to help me, but she was like, I don't really ask her for help anymore because she's not really Ever here.

[Danny]

Well, you made her an influencer, so I know. It's kind of what happened.

[Dani]

I know. I know. I did. I did to myself.

[Danny]

And she's in that, like, early influencer grind, too. Yeah, she's sprinting.

[Dani]

She's, like, doing deals every day. I do, like, two deals a week. And she's like.

[Danny]

She's in that phase where she's like, should I quit at all? No, I can't quit at all.

[Dani]

Oh, no. Today she was like. Like a week ago, she was like, yeah, I think I just need to give. Like, I need some time off. Like, I need to quit. And then today she was like, if I can just figure out how to just. You know, it's so good. I just. If I can just figure it. I was like, I knew you were not ever gonna quit. Like, I know you. You'll never quit. Yeah, I know that. Maybe you'll find some, like, work life balance like I did, but it'll take you years to get there. Years.

[Danny]

A lot of pain.

[Dani]

A lot of pain. A lot of suffering. So, yeah, so I was really busy. I got my nail fixed because, you know, I ripped my nail, like, right in half. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone to get my nails done. But, like, it was like. It was like. Like a. Like a physical emergency, you know? Like, it was painful, and if it would have gotten caught on something, it was, like, on, like, right in the middle of the nail.

[Danny]

Did it just throb?

[Dani]

Yeah, no, I just. It was just, like, ready to rip the rest off, you know, just like, rip the skin. Oh, it's so gross. And. But Nina, my girl at Rose Couture, she's always got my back. So what she did is she, like, kind of sawed it down, and then she put an extension on it. So this is actually not my full nail. It's fake.

[Danny]

What I learned from you was that your. Your nails get weaker because you do the.

[Dani]

So I do dip and then.

[Danny]

Is that what that is?

[Dani]

So I switched to gel, and she was like, no, Danny, you can't just switch to gel. That's like, switch. Like, I made too far of the. The leap.

[Danny]

So what is that, like, light dip?

[Dani]

Yeah, basically this is builder gel. So what are the first nail polish, and then there's gel, so it's a little bit thicker, but still pretty thin. Then there's builder gel, and then there's dip, and then I guess there's acrylic. So, yeah, you can. There's, like, lots of different. And then you can get, like, fake Tips, which is just, like, completely fake.

[Danny]

So acrylic basically is like stone.

[Dani]

I think acrylic is, like, when those people have, like, really long nails, you know, because they have to be really strong, otherwise they're just gonna tear right off.

[Danny]

But what I learned was that the stronger you go, the weaker your nails become.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

So it's like. It's like.

[Dani]

It's kind of like hair extensions. It's like the more hair extensions, the thicker they are. The more that you do, the longer they are, the weaker your real hair becomes. Nothing in life is free.

[Danny]

So let me ask you this. Do acrylic nails and dip nails last the same amount of time?

[Dani]

Well, so the thing is, is what's a bummer about my nails is they grow so fast, so it doesn't even matter how thick it is. That's why I started. That's why I wanted to go down on the thickness, because no matter what, I have to get them redone, like, every 10 days because my nails grow so fast. So I'm like, why am I going so thick when I can't even really enjoy the thickness of him? So I might as well just go thinner.

[Danny]

So this is a rookie question, but if you have dip on your nails and your nail grows, does that mean it just pushes.

[Dani]

Yeah. The dip out? Yeah.

[Danny]

Does that hurt?

[Dani]

No.

[Danny]

But it will break at the tip. Because your nail is growing out, right?

[Dani]

No, because it's so strong. The dip is so strong.

[Danny]

So your. Your nails are growing, but they're blocked by dip.

[Dani]

Let's just move on.

[Danny]

No, no, no.

[Dani]

It's really not that interesting, babe.

[Danny]

There's a couple male listeners that are fascinated by this conversation.

[Dani]

No, it's. It's. Your nail just grows out with the dip. And then you can start to see your, like, natural nail.

[Danny]

Your cuticle.

[Dani]

Yeah. Your natural nauseous. Yeah.

[Danny]

So you have to do that every.

[Dani]

10 days for me, like, every 10 to.

[Danny]

I honestly, this whole time, I thought you just liked going to the nail salon.

[Dani]

No, I actually hate getting.

[Danny]

I thought it was like, self care for you. And I was like, she goes a lot.

[Dani]

That's why I've been trying. It's like, addicting. Like, once you start getting them done, you can't stop. Stop. Because here's another thing is this is where they get you. I can't take this off without them. They use special tools.

[Danny]

That's why. Okay, this is all making so much sense. That's why when we were talking about moving to Nashville, you were like, where am I going to get my nails done. Because this is a. A weekly occurrence for you.

[Dani]

This is a big decision. Two or three times a month. Yeah.

[Danny]

And so if there's a place that doesn't have dip, you're effed.

[Dani]

Well, most places have dip, but are they good? And that's the thing. It's hard to find a good nail salon. And here's the thing. I also have, like, I always thought.

[Danny]

That was so silly.

[Dani]

I have like that like rose couture too. Like, they, like, they. They love me over there.

[Danny]

Right.

[Dani]

So like, I can call and like get in anytime I want. Like, you know, I'm like a kind of a VIP member. And so it's. It's hard. It's going to be hard to leave them.

[Danny]

Wow. I thought you were being so silly.

[Dani]

Drive like two hours. Like an hour to get their nails done. 100.

[Danny]

That's.

[Dani]

It's kind of like getting your hair done.

[Danny]

Yeah. People will like, fly on planes. Right.

[Dani]

It's kind of like, you know how you have to get your hair cut so much because your hair grows so fast?

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

That's how like, my nails are.

[Danny]

Got it.

[Dani]

But some people, like, they're. They only do it like once a month because their nails go really slow. Like, I get my haircut once a year because it grows so slow.

[Danny]

Man. To be a girl is just a lot of work.

[Dani]

Oh, don't get me started on spray tans. That's like a whole nother, like, girl math. Like, it's like you have to figure out exactly the day to exfoliate. Exactly the day that you're gonna go swimming. If you're gonna go swimming, because chlorine will take it off. It's just like. It's like, you know, and then. And then you wanna touch me and give me a hug and I'm like, yeah. I am so busy in my mind right now. I'm like, I have to do Christmas cards. Okay.

[Danny]

That makes so much sense.

[Dani]

Design a Christmas card. Figure out my spray tan situation. I need to get my nails done, which I don't really want to do my nails because it's going to take like two hours. Like, you know, it's a whole thing.

[Danny]

So does your. Do yalls brains work like that? Like the minute you wake up? Yeah, it's just filled with things I have to. Spaghetti.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

Wow, that's. That's so hard. I get stressed out. I. You know what I hate? I hate that I have to put my contacts in every day. It's the worst.

[Dani]

Oh, my.

[Danny]

I'm Always like, this is so much work.

[Dani]

You know what is so much? Washing your makeup off.

[Danny]

Yeah, I know. I can't believe y' all do that every day.

[Dani]

It's brutal. And you have to get all the mascara off, and then you put it all on again the next day.

[Danny]

That's crazy.

[Dani]

It's a lot of work.

[Danny]

There should be some innovation happening around here.

[Dani]

I was thinking about that, like, why I think we need robots that can just do our. Our nails and. And.

[Danny]

Or why can't you have makeup that just stays on?

[Dani]

They do that. It's called permanent makeup, and it's tattooing your face.

[Danny]

People do that, huh?

[Dani]

Yeah. They tattoo lip liner on eyeliner on Ashley. Ashley Nichols did a whole story because she got, like, eyeliner tattooed on when she was young, and then she ended up hating it and had to, like, go through this, like, whole removal process. But it's like the skin up there is, like, so sensitive. It was.

[Danny]

It was crazy science.

[Dani]

I know, I know. So, yeah. So I've been doing that, but I just have so much to do. You know, I. I'm sorry, but we all, like. I tried to get Jackie to help me. I tried to get everybody to help me put this ten foot Christmas tree, and really, you're the only one that can do it with Mr. Muscles. So we'll be doing that this evening. It'll be great. And then I'm already. I have every single person in our family already accounted for with a gift. And not only like a gift, like a person personalized, thoughtful gift from us.

[Danny]

From us.

[Dani]

See about that.

[Danny]

From us.

[Dani]

The only person I didn't get anything for is your father. And I, I. I got that one. That's your.

[Danny]

Yeah, I got job. I got it. I got it. I feel like we're at that stage in our marriage where it's like, they're from us. The gifts. No.

[Dani]

Okay.

[Danny]

That's fine, right?

[Dani]

I. Yeah, of course. Always.

[Danny]

Yeah. I think they're from us.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

I'm stressed about what I'm gonna get you.

[Dani]

You should be.

[Danny]

I know. Maybe another Labubu.

[Dani]

Don't give me a little boo. Booze. They're demonic. My mom sends me reels and tiktoks about how demonic they are every day. Okay. How is it already? The holiday season. I swear I blinked, and suddenly it's time to get the house ready for guests, figure out seating for Thanksgiving, and somehow make everything feel festive without totally losing my mind. And that's why Wayfair has your back this season. They have everything from decorations to furniture. I even bought Stella's mattress on Wayfair and we love it. Their Black Friday sale is happening right now, which means you can get up to 70% off everything you need to get your home ready for the holidays. This season is the perfect time to refresh your dining space with a few simple updates. Think elegant napkins, statement silverware and furniture pieces that look high end without the crazy price tag. Wayfair makes it easy to find everything you need to elevate your tablescape. And with their fast, reliable shipping, your holiday ready home comes together right on time. What I love about Wayfair is that their selection feels personal, like you won't see the same cookie cutter furniture everyone else has. Whether your style is classic, modern, cozy or somewhere in between, you can actually find pieces that feel like you. And with their new loyalty program, you can even earn 5% back on every purchase, get free shipping and unlock members only sales. It's the best way to save big while making your home look beautiful for the holidays. Don't miss out on the early Black Friday deals. Head to Wayfair.com now to shop Wayfair's Black Friday deals for up to 70% off. That's W A Y-F-A-I-R.com sale ends December 7th. You know that feeling when your skin just needs a little extra love, Especially when the weather starts to change. There's a reason Osea's Ondaria Algae body oil has become so such a favorite online and even won Allure's Best of Beauty award. It gives that healthy, hydrated glow without feeling greasy, and the texture is rich yet super lightweight. The scent is fresh and uplifting with notes of grapefruit, lime and mango, basically like bottled sunshine which we all definitely need this winter. What makes it really stand out is the Ondaria seaweed. It's sustainably harvested and clinically shown to improve skin elasticity and moisture, leaving your skin smoother and visibly firmer after just a few uses. It's skincare that actually feels luxurious while doing something good for the planet. And because OSEA is clean, vegan, cruelty free and climate label certified, you never have to compromise between great results and ingredients you can trust. It's one of those products that turns everyday care into a little self care moment. Get healthy, Glowing Skin for fall with clean Vegan Skin and body care from Osea. Get 10% off your first order sitewide with code [e-mail] you'll get free samples with every order and Free shipping on orders over $50. Head to o s e a malibu.com and use code dani for 10% off.

[Danny]

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[Dani]

Do you think something is demonic if you don't know it's demonic? I think that, like, if you went to a garage sale and bought a Ouija board, but you didn't know what that was and you just bought it because you thought it was, like, cute and it was like a board game and you bring it into your house, do you think that you're going to be haunt. Haunted by, like, the demonic nature of it?

[Danny]

No.

[Dani]

It's such a good question.

[Danny]

It's a great question because. Because can you. It's a great question because don't some demons pass down generationally? Like, who's the. There's a pastor. I think it was John Mark Comer and his wife had, like, this horrible sickness and this was on a podcast called the Exorcist Files, and his wife had this horrible sickness and she basically, like, went down her family tree and found out that, like. And I'm. I'm butchering the story, but, like, one of her relatives had had an affair and, like, the person he had an affair with had, like, a demonic spirit and it was like, passed down through generations and they did an exorcism on her and she was never sick again. So, like, that was like, she was the victim of a demonic attack. So, like, wouldn't a Ouija board act the same? Or does your spirit have to make an agreement in that decision?

[Dani]

Like, a desire to want to know something more correct.

[Danny]

Like, you're, you're basically making an agreement that I am summoning this. Maybe it's both.

[Dani]

I think that it's probably okay. So maybe it's not about the Ouija board, but it's maybe just like, your openness in life. Like. Yeah, because I feel like. Like, I don't feel. If I. If I accidentally brought a Ouija board into my house, I. I wouldn't feel scared because I feel like. I pray protection. I pray angels in my home. I pray that angels protect my kids. And I pray, like, I pray for all that stuff. Like. And so. Because I. I feel like it's like, everywhere. Like, that plant that I bought could have been made by somebody that is demonic. Like, I mean, like, literally everything, every brand, every product, Like, I mean, probably most of what we have is created by bad people. Sorry. It's just true.

[Danny]

Well, so. So here's a great example.

[Dani]

People that aren't, like, you know, that are not.

[Danny]

This is what. This is what I would say. Do you remember that game Bloody Mary, where you like.

[Dani]

Oh, I used to do that all the time.

[Danny]

You go into the bathroom as a kid.

[Dani]

I never saw her.

[Danny]

You go into the bathroom and you say Bloody Mary three times, and then you're supposed to be able to see her if you turn on the lights. Listen, as a kid, I don't think I was summoning a demonic spirit because I didn't know what that was. If I went into the bathroom and did that, right now, a demon would for sure show up. Because, like, I'm aware enough that, like, I know what I'm doing. Does that make sense?

[Dani]

Yeah, but I think even as a kid, you were kind of playing with fire.

[Danny]

Yeah, but I didn't know.

[Dani]

Yeah, but you kind of do.

[Danny]

No, I didn't know. I just thought some chick was supposed to show up, and it was scary for all of us, and we run a play.

[Dani]

You know, that. That's. Even as a child, you know, that's. That's supernatural.

[Danny]

I won't watch, really any horror movies anymore.

[Dani]

I watched Frankenstein last night. Loved it. It's really scary, but it's almost like it's actually not that scary, first of all, because I'm really tough. And, like, I think that a lot of you girls, though, if you watch it, would think it was scary. So don't watch it, because it probably is scary. But I don't think it's scary because I kind of, like, thought it was like. Like, it's really bloody and really gory, but it's almost like Tarantino, bloody and gory. Like, where I wasn't. For some reason, I wasn't grossed out about it. Like, when I watched. Oh, my God. What was that horrible show that I started watching? Oh, my God, I. That one.

[Danny]

I can't Talk about. Oh, the Ed Gaines. Oh, whatever.

[Dani]

Guys, do not watch that show. I, I, I downloaded on an airplane because I was like, I just want to see.

[Danny]

Like, I should clarify. You should clarify that you actually mean don't watch it? Like, don't.

[Dani]

Yeah, like, don't, like, actually don't watch it.

[Danny]

It's, like, evil.

[Dani]

Like, I. So I downloaded it for the airplane because I love shows about criminals, serial killers. I just, like, you know, it's girls. Like, we like that type of, like, stuff. Like, and we want to figure out the mystery. And it was about a true story or a real serial killer. And I typically. I love that type of show. I couldn't get into Dahmer because it was too much for me. Like, when they get really bloody and y'.

[Danny]

All.

[Dani]

This was. I watched, I think, the first episode. Was it the first episode?

[Danny]

No, two.

[Dani]

You watched the first two, and I looked at Jordan and I said, I think I just watched something that changed me for the rest of my life. Like, I think that what I just watched I'll never recover from. Like, it was so evil and disgusting and horrific. Like, it's stuff that your mind can't even, like, you know, when you think of, like, the worst thing somebody can do, your mind doesn't even go there. Like, your mind can't even go to where how disgusting and horrible these places are. Like, when you see what happens, it's like, wow, I didn't even know that was a thing. Like, it's just so such a horrible show, and it's all true. It's disgusting. And so, yeah, I had to stop watching it because, like, there's also a part of the. It's like, I want to know what happens next.

[Danny]

Well, that's. Everyone listening right now is like, no.

[Dani]

But, like, I'm telling y', all, like, it's not. It'll. It'll, like, give you nightmares.

[Danny]

We, like, do our ads, and we're like, this show is sponsored by the Endgame story.

[Dani]

No, it's so bad. But, like, Frankenstein to me was, like, so not, like, that was a 10, and Frankenstein's like, a 4. Yeah.

[Danny]

I only watched the end of the Frankenstein movie. It looks kind of cheesy. No, no, it's good. Okay.

[Dani]

I loved it. Because here's the thing. First of all, did you know his name's not Frankenstein?

[Danny]

What's his name?

[Dani]

I don't know, but it's Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is the mad scientist, not the creature, not the monster. The monster is just the monster.

[Danny]

Really?

[Dani]

Yeah. So everybody gets that confused.

[Danny]

Wait, so the bride of Frankenstein is the bride of the mad scientist?

[Dani]

I don't really know that one, but. But no, Frankenstein is the scientist for sure. Victor Frankenstein. And I thought.

[Danny]

Is it. Am I mixing these up? Jekyll and Hyde? I'm mixing them up, yes. Okay. Different.

[Dani]

And so I don't know what Jekyll and Hyde is, by the way, but so in this movie is. It's on Netflix. If you like scary movies, you can watch it. It's not. To me, it wasn't, like, that bad. Like, it did have, like, a evil angel in it. So, like, maybe just, you know, say your prayers.

[Danny]

Oh, we also watched the Smashing Machine.

[Dani]

Oh, wait, what were you gonna say?

[Danny]

I was just gonna say, for those that care, the bride of Frankenstein is a female monster created by Dr. Henry Frankenstein for. To be a mate for the actual monster.

[Dani]

So. So this. It's. This movie is actually really endearing because you. The first half of the movie is told from the creator's, like, point of view and why he created Frankenstein or why he created the monster. And, like, how, like, his horrific childhood basically, you know, formed him, and he wanted to, like, figure out how to outlive death or whatever. So then he created this monster, and then the sec. And then at the end, you know, Frankenstein or. Sorry, the monster kind of turns on him. And then the second half of the movie is told from the monster's point of view.

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

And you kind of fall in love with the monster. And you realize the craziest part about the movie is the monster isn't the monster. It's the scientist, the creator that was the monster the whole time. He was the villain. He's the bad guy.

[Danny]

Sorry, I'm just hung up on this. The monster's not Frankenstein, because don't people dress up?

[Dani]

Yeah. They get it wrong.

[Danny]

As Frankenstein on Halloween.

[Dani]

Yeah. This book was written in, like, the 1800s to Frankenstein. Yeah, it's a. I'm telling you, it's. Not only do I know that for a fact, I listen because you know how I have to go down these, like, rabbit holes after I watch a show? And so I watched all of these interviews with Jacob Elordi because he plays Frankenstein. Or. Sorry, he plays the monster. And I know it's just a habit.

[Danny]

Confusing.

[Dani]

It's a habit. But, yeah, they, like, confirm it that, like, yes, he's like, yeah, my name was not Frankenstein. That's the mad scientist.

[Danny]

I think there's a new movie coming out that you're going to, like, where Christian Bale Plays Frankenstein. Frankenstein.

[Dani]

Why? Why? Why?

[Danny]

All we're doing is. All we do now is we recirculate. Toy Story 5 is coming.

[Dani]

I do kind of feel bad that Frankenstein didn't hit the Halloween rush. Do you think that they were just, like, running behind?

[Danny]

Yeah, maybe they had to make this movie to up the sales of the. How the Frankenstein costumes again. Because he really was fading Frankenstein.

[Dani]

He totally was.

[Danny]

He was fading for a while.

[Dani]

Poor guy. I love him. He's such a nice monster. He's a sweet monster.

[Danny]

Yeah. I think he's, like, in cartoons, isn't he, like, portrayed as.

[Dani]

He's kind of, like, dumb? Because he's like. Yeah, yeah, because he's, like, learning everything. He's kind of like a caveman. Like, he doesn't really. That's how he. That's the character that Jacob Elordi plays, too.

[Danny]

But then by the end, he was smart because.

[Dani]

Yeah, so by the end, he was smart because he ended up living with a family that, like, taught him everything. But then once he learned, like, how to read and how to understand people's feelings, he became very cold because he realized that his creator, like, left him. So then he. And he realized that he was a monster. And his biggest, like. Like, resentment and anger is that he cannot die. So he. He feels everything that a human feels. He feels love, he feels pain, he feels loneliness. He wants. He. He really just wants Frankenstein to create a female mate for him because the girl he loved ended up dying. So he just wants a companion. He just wants a friend.

[Danny]

Don't we all? Are we all monsters?

[Dani]

Probably for that, anyway. Yeah. We watched Smashing Machine. That was a good one.

[Danny]

It was okay.

[Dani]

Yeah, it's okay.

[Danny]

70. Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes. Really? It doesn't lie. A 70 is just, like a solid okay movie.

[Dani]

So true.

[Danny]

80% is debatable. It's kind of acquired.

[Dani]

I think Frankenstein had 80% debate.

[Danny]

Oh. I thought it had, like, 90 plus audience score.

[Dani]

I believe it was like, 96.

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

Do you go off the tomato score? The audience score just depends on the movie.

[Dani]

I kind of blend it, too. And if, like, one's, like, way off, like, if they're pretty equal, I'm like, okay.

[Danny]

If it's a politicized movie, it's so funny because it's like, zero rotten tomatoes, like, 100%.

[Dani]

But then there's also a movie like, like, White Chicks, and it's like Rotten Tomatoes is like 15%. Audience is like, 100%.

[Danny]

Or my favorite movie Hook is panned by Rotten Tomatoes.

[Dani]

It's really not a great movie.

[Danny]

Babe, it is so good. It's the best.

[Dani]

Jordan, like, he. He traumatized our children because one night we just got back from Mexico, and one night he was like, we're doing movie night. I'm gonna show you daddy's favorite movie. And, like, he's like, it's. It's about Peter Pan. But, like, Hook and the kids are like, no. And Jordan's like, we're watching it.

[Danny]

Okay. It makes sense, though. 29 tomato meter. 76% audience score.

[Dani]

I know. I watched it again. I really didn't like it. I really didn't enjoy it.

[Danny]

Danny. It's such a unique take on Peter Pan, baby.

[Dani]

You didn't even like it. You didn't even watch the whole thing.

[Danny]

Well, no, I did. I was just like. I was. I loved it. I love the movie. What?

[Dani]

I really loved it. When you were a child.

[Danny]

No, I actually watched it when I was like, 20 something. I was like, this is such a creative take on Captain or Peter Pan.

[Dani]

I think you went through an era of your life where you were just trying to be, like, a contrarian and, like, you were just trying to be different. Yeah, it's kind of like your emo era. You're like, I love folk music. It's like, it's so. It's so sad. It's so deep. And I'm like, nobody likes this.

[Danny]

I still like that.

[Dani]

Yeah, no, nobody likes this. You're just trying to be, like, different.

[Danny]

No, that's probably true a little bit. There's. There's.

[Dani]

You're, like, aspects of visual, like, nobody gets it. But, like, I like the songs when, like, there's no drums. Like, I just like when it's just guitar and the voice, you know?

[Danny]

You know, it's so cool. Says nobody as you're saying that as an enneagram. 3 wing, 4. You want to talk about how you feel different all the time.

[Dani]

But here's the thing. I also can be basic. I'm like, I like to stuff in Starbucks. Yeah, sue me.

[Danny]

Totally. The other. The other movie we watched, which still slaps Homeward Bound.

[Dani]

That one was good.

[Danny]

Wow. I just have such an appreciation for how they filmed that.

[Dani]

And our kids loved that one because.

[Danny]

They just filmed a bunch of dogs running around with a cat. And they just did voiceover.

[Dani]

Like, we could make Homeward Bound Scene.

[Danny]

I cannot figure out. And this was like, what they're seeing. No, no. The only scene I cannot figure out is when chance gets porcupine things in his.

[Dani]

No, that's so sad.

[Danny]

I'm like, did they do. It's not cgi. Is it prosthetics or did they just. They were like, it's the early 90s.

[Dani]

We'll just, just like to make it.

[Danny]

We'll just give this dog a porcupine and see what happened. It looked real.

[Dani]

Can I say something special? Speaking of CGI and prosthetics, when I was watching all the interviews of Jacob Elordi. Sorry. Going back to Frankenstein movie, when he got into full costume, guess how long it took him to get completely ready with all the prosthetics and makeup?

[Danny]

Eight hours.

[Dani]

12 hours.

[Danny]

I was gonna say 12.

[Dani]

First thing, 12 hours. Every time he had to do, like, the full body shots.

[Danny]

So that was most days. Yeah.

[Dani]

No, because most of the time he had, like, those clothes on when he was filming. He had, like, a cloak on or. But it was just like the early scenes of Frankenstein when they first created him. And so I think he said that he had to do it four or five times.

[Danny]

That's wild.

[Dani]

And they would have to fit all the scenes in. And he would sit there for 12 hours and, like, get into character. Like, he would just sit there and try to get into character.

[Danny]

Even if you wake up at 6:12 hours, you're filming at 6pm I know.

[Dani]

So then you're pulling all nighters.

[Danny]

Oh, man.

[Dani]

I think that, like, actors don't get enough.

[Danny]

I don't think they get enough credit either.

[Dani]

I mean, because, like, I really don't. We podcast for an hour a day. I'm like, this is hard work. Well.

[Danny]

And they have all these different types of, like, methods that they can do.

[Dani]

There's like, how do they remember their lines?

[Danny]

I, I've never understood that.

[Dani]

I, I, I haven't either. It's crazy. It's crazy to me that, like, they, like. And then people think, oh, my gosh, like, they're just famous for. No, I'm like, they had to memorize all these lines and then not only the lines, but the facials to go with the lines. Like, when I do a TikTok, I have to do it, like, probably 24 times, and I still can't get the exact facial that I want.

[Danny]

And then if it's like a, an action movie, they have to, like, learn to ride horses.

[Dani]

Or they do, like, nail it on, like, the first or second shot. And, like, if you don't, then every, everybody on the set who's like 50 people on set are like, oh, this guy, like, he can't nail this one shot. Like, or he. He fell off the. The horse or whatever. I mean, the pressure that they feel on set.

[Danny]

Yeah, no, it's.

[Dani]

And then you have a director that's like. That's like, really demanding and just like a dictator and just is a total, like, douche the whole time. And then you don't even want to. Like, it would just be so hard. And what if you didn't like the people that you're working with?

[Danny]

And then sometimes. Sometimes on Twitter, I'll like, scroll. And it's like. It's like this line was actually written this way.

[Dani]

Oh, I love it. And then they love it.

[Danny]

Then they ad libbed it this way.

[Dani]

So I love those clips.

[Danny]

Yeah. And it's like they're. They're so in character that they're, like, actually living out different lines that are.

[Dani]

In the movie or when something happened, like somebody fell or. Oh, what's the one that I always think about? There's, like, famous scenes where, like, a slap happened or, like, something fell or whatever. And it's like, did you know? Like, like.

[Danny]

Well, there's trivia. Like one scene in Fight Club where he, like, Edward Norton punches Brad Pitt for the first time and he punches him in the ear. It's like a famous scene. And he actually punched him in the ear. And it's like his reaction was real. And so when things like that happen, you realize that they're not acting. It was like their real action, but they didn't break character.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

That's crazy.

[Dani]

Miles Taylor, he just did an interview with Theo Vaughan and he was like, that's like, my number one thing when I decide to do a movie is like, how collaborative is the director? Because, like, I want to be able to, like, put my spin on things and feel comfortable doing it instead of being like, like, just told no, because he was like, at the end of the day, the best movies that he's filmed or created is when everybody's collaborative. But then there's some writers and some directors that are like, no, we're doing it, like, my way, you know? But the actor's out there and he's like, this doesn't feel right.

[Danny]

Have you ever watched Entourage? You've watched it, right? I think it's so funny because the way that directors and producers and agents talk about actors in that show is they're always like actors, because they're like, necessary evils for the production to come together. But they're usually, like, the highest paid. They're divas. Like, you know, and it's just interesting. The culture that probably. I don't know if it exists today, but existed around Hollywood and how Hollywood feels about actors, but how respected they are, like on stage. Does that make sense?

[Dani]

Yeah. Yeah, I get what you're saying. Okay, I'll be honest. I am always that girl scrambling at the last minute to find something to wear to an event. It never fails. Also, have a dinner, a shoot, or some kind of party and suddenly I'm standing in my closet. Like, how do I have all these clothes and still nothing to wear? I'll tell you. It's because I've been pregnant four times in five years. And that's when Revolve always saves me. They just get it. And the best part is Revolve's shipping is insanely fast. Like I've ordered something on a Wednesday and had it in my door by Friday. It's the ultimate I have nothing to wear. Emergency fix. Revolve carries over 1200 brands, 100,000 styles, everything from Hilsa and Lovers and Friends to Free People, Agoldie, and all these emerging labels you see all over your feed. It's the place you go when you want options, but you also want everything to look effortlessly cool. And honestly, it's the easiest shopping experience I love. They have curated edits for every occasion. Weddings, vacations, date nights, you name it. Plus those recommended for you lists that somehow read my mind every single time. It's like they know my style better than I do. Right now, I'm really leaning into cozy fall knits, neutral tones, and maybe one or two sparkly pieces for the holiday season. Everything I've gotten from Revolve just fits perfectly and feels special, like something I'll actually keep wearing season after season. Whether it's a weekend away, a big night out, or just a little style refresh, your dream wardrobe is just one click away. Head to Revolve.com Dani Shop my edit and take 15% off your first order with code DANI. Fast two day shipping, easy returns. It's literally the only place you need to shop from. That's Revolve.com Dani to shop my favorites and get 15% off your first order with code Dani. Offer ends November 27th. So happy shopping.

[Danny]

You guys know how much I love talking about business and how much I've learned by building Divi. But if there's one thing that we've realized, it's that anyone can start something amazing when they have the right tools. When we first started, we had a dream and an idea, but we definitely didn't have a full team or a tech background. That's where Shopify came in. Shopify made it so simple to turn an idea into a business. Whether you're selling products, merch, or even just testing out an idea you've been sitting on, Shopify takes all the guesswork out. You can set up your online store, customize it to fit your brand and start selling it in no time.

[Dani]

And what I love is that you can do it all from one place. Manage your products, track sales, even sell right where your audience already hangs out, like on Instagram or TikTok. It's the same platform behind some of the biggest brands out there, but it's built to work for you no matter the size of your business. Plus, with Shopify Magic, their suite of AI tools, you basically have your own built in assistant helping you with content, ideas, reports and next steps. It's like having a business partner that never stops sleeps. So if you've been dreaming about launching something of your own, or even just turning that side hustle into something bigger, this is your sign. So if you're ready to build your own empire, whether it's merch, products or the next best idea, get on shopify.com dani and make it happen.

[Danny]

All right, so I'll be real with you. Before we started using Branch Basics, I never thought about what was actually in our cleaning products. I just figured if it smells clean, it must be clean, right? But once we had kids running around, I started paying attention to what we were spraying on the counters and floors they play on. That's why I love Branch Basics. It's the easiest switch we've ever made in our home. Their starter kit comes with one concentrate that literally does everything. Kitchen, bathroom, laundry, windows, even washing produce. You just mix it with water and it actually works. Like it cuts through grime and grease just as well as the heavy duty stuff, but without the harsh chemicals. And here's the part that surprised me. Each bottle comes out to about two bucks when you refill it. So not only does it make our home safer, it's actually cheaper long term. Plus it smells fresh and clean, not like a science experiment gone wrong. It's made from plant and mineral based ingredients, biodegradable and safe for kids and pets. Everyone in the house. We use it daily. And honestly, it's just nice. Knowing what we're using to clean isn't hurting the air we breathe. Get yourself and your loved ones the best gift of all. The gift of clean Clean with Branch Basics. For a limited time only, our listeners get 15% off and free shipping on their premium starter pack. When you use code [e-mail] forward/danny, that's 15% off your order. @branchbasics.com forward slash danny with promo code Danny, please support our show and tell them we sent you. Get branch basics this holiday season because cleanliness matters. It's probably very similar to, like.

[Dani]

Like, a rock band or influencers.

[Danny]

No, think about it, like, you know, some brands are probably like, not Danny, but, like, you know, like, oh, I gotta, like, work with this influencer. Like, they're, like, so dramatic. Or they come onto these influencer trips and, you know, like, there's some influencers.

[Dani]

That are, like, they think that they're the hottest.

[Danny]

They think that they, like.

[Dani]

They think they're Brad.

[Danny]

They think that the Internet is just for them.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

And brands and agents are probably like, I'm sorry. Like. Like, we just got to do it. She's got an audience.

[Dani]

You got to just kind of. Yeah. You just go with it. Yeah. It's true. But. But, like, I don't know. I just feel like actors have.

[Danny]

They're smarter than we give them credit.

[Dani]

Yeah. They just have this. Like, they have something that the normal person. It's almost like having a good voice. Like, you either were born with it or you don't have it. And actors, like, they just have it. I always thought I had it.

[Danny]

Did you try?

[Dani]

Yeah. So I auditioned for. Oh, God. What's the show? I was a senior. Oh, my gosh.

[Danny]

In high school.

[Dani]

Yes. And I didn't make it. Oh, it really hurt. It. It kind of haunts me to this day because I really thought that's.

[Danny]

That's late.

[Dani]

Oh, my gosh. Wait. I know, because you know why? Because my boyfriend had gone to college. My boyfriend had gone to college, and, like, I had, like, nothing to do. I was, like, bored. And I was like, I don't really like these sports anymore. Like, I think I want to be an actor.

[Danny]

Wow. I never even knew this story was new to me.

[Dani]

Well, and I auditioned for. What's the movie or the book where the girl's name is not Spot?

[Danny]

Matilda.

[Dani]

No, it starts with an S. Oh, my God. We all read this book back in the day.

[Danny]

Cam Jansen.

[Dani]

No. Oh, my gosh. Jordan Hurt.

[Danny]

It's like Susie Q.

[Dani]

No.

[Danny]

Annie.

[Dani]

No. To Kill a Mockingbird. So I auditioned for Scout in our. My senior year. It was, like, a small production. It was a play, but you had to sing a little bit.

[Danny]

Okay, wait, I'm so sorry. Are you saying you auditioned at Your high school?

[Dani]

Yes.

[Danny]

Oh, okay, that. I thought you meant you went to a movie audition.

[Dani]

Oh, I did that too. For Disney.

[Danny]

That's what I thought.

[Dani]

Yeah.

[Danny]

That's why I was shook because I was like. Oh, you never told me.

[Dani]

I auditioned for a Disney commercial.

[Danny]

Okay.

[Dani]

It was like a movie theater and like, you'd like pay five bucks to do it.

[Danny]

It was just. Yeah, okay. I was.

[Dani]

It was a Radio Disney commercial.

[Danny]

I thought you were having like a quarter life crisis because you're boyfriend went to college and you like, auditioned for a movie.

[Dani]

No, I auditioned for the school play.

[Danny]

Okay, got it.

[Dani]

It wasn't even a. It was like a small production. It was like the spring, you know, play. Yeah, but like, there were probably like seven or eight people that like. It was a small production.

[Danny]

Before you tell me what happened, what in your mind did you think was going to happen?

[Dani]

I thought it was going to be.

[Danny]

Like your big break.

[Dani]

My. No, I thought it was going to be like High School Musical and like, I was the Zac Efron that everybody was always needing.

[Danny]

Really?

[Dani]

Yeah. Because I really thought I maybe had it. Like, I thought, you know, I still this day would like to know what.

[Danny]

Maybe it's political.

[Dani]

My. Well, okay, so let me tell you what happened. Okay. No, this is what's so crazy. Okay, I wasn't gonna bring it up, but like, now I'm gonna tell you really the true story. So, like, I think I would have been a great scout. Okay. Like, I think my audition went well. The only thing was, here's what's so funny is the theater teacher was my boyfriend's mom at the time. But you're not gonna believe this. You're not gonna believe this. The story gets crazy. So, like, not many people, like, wanted to audition.

[Danny]

Sorry, question. Did your boyfriend break up with you when he went to college?

[Dani]

I think we were, like, broken up, but, like, we didn't want to be. But it was like, where. Let's go our separate ways because, like, you need to live life, you know, but we, like, still like, wanted to be together, but we weren't.

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

So we were like on good terms, but not like, together.

[Danny]

Got it.

[Dani]

And so. And I was like, sad and lonely and I had nothing. So I was like, I'm gonna become a movie star and his mom's gonna tell him. Yeah. So. Yeah. So. But here's what's so crazy. So I auditioned for scout and I think the audition went really well. But the art theater teachers son was my. My ex. Boyfriend.

[Danny]

Sure.

[Dani]

But she had two boys the other boy became the assistant theater teacher. But he also was, like, a really good actor. Like, he was really into. Like, they were very, like, theatrical, this family. Okay, so this was crazy. A girl on my dance team started dating him while he was the teacher at the school.

[Danny]

Oof.

[Dani]

But they were, like, dating. Like, it was like, they were. They're married now with, like, kids. So, like, they, like, actually were in love. Like, it wasn't, like, inappropriate or anything, but they were dating before he even got the job. So then she tries out for a scout, and she gets it. So the mom had to choose between two of the boys girlfriends, essentially. And here's the thing about the girl that got it. She was, like, actually really talented, you know?

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

She was, like a dancer. Like, like, you know, and she. She was just, like, in theater. She was like a theater kid, you know?

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

Anyway, so long story short, the theater teacher had to choose between her two sons girlfriends, and she chose the more talented one.

[Danny]

That probably.

[Dani]

And then they ended up getting married, and I never got married to him. So it's like, it. She was probably a good decision on her.

[Danny]

So two losses.

[Dani]

No, not two losses. I'm just saying, like. I'm just saying that she probably did the right thing. But I would love to know, like, was I. Was I even considered, like, you know, like, what. Like, how did I rank? Rank? Like, you know, was it just, like a shoe in, like, shoot? Or, like, did you have to go back and really think about it?

[Danny]

Well, how many other. How many others auditioned for scout?

[Dani]

I think it was just us, too.

[Danny]

Well, you were in the top running.

[Dani]

Yeah, I think we were the only ones that showed up.

[Danny]

Was there? Yeah, I was gonna say, was there, like, a preliminary tryout and y', all, like, made it to the top two or you just.

[Dani]

I think everybody was so shocked that I was gonna try out because I, like, don't sing, and, like, I don't sing, and it probably was bad. It was probably bad when I was singing.

[Danny]

You know, what's shocking to me is that when you auditioned, who was in the room? Just her.

[Dani]

Her. And, like, the teachers. Like, there were, like, other teachers in there.

[Danny]

Could you sing the song right now?

[Dani]

I don't remember it. Honestly, it. Here's the thing about me is I am a really bad singer, you know? But I really tried.

[Danny]

I believe you.

[Dani]

That's.

[Danny]

I'm. I'm having trouble imagining how this all went down.

[Dani]

I know I gave it my all. You know what I mean? But, like, I. This is what I want to Know was like. Was I at least, like, a little good at the acting part? I know the singing, like, fine.

[Danny]

I'm sure you're good at the acting, but. Yeah. I've just never, never heard you sing.

[Dani]

Yeah, no, you have. And it's not pretty. And there's. Yeah. So, but like, there. That's the thing about our school is, like, it was all about musicals. So if, like, you couldn't sing, you were kind of just.

[Danny]

Yeah. Was it, like the talk of the school that you were trying out?

[Dani]

No, no, no. I kept it pretty. Like, it was like my true. Like, Zac Efron. Like, I was, like, under the radar.

[Danny]

Yeah, you were like, hey, it's me.

[Dani]

Yeah, I was like, don't tell anybody. Like, I just snuck in. I was like, they're like, what is she doing here?

[Danny]

Wow.

[Dani]

I was like, I got basketball practice later.

[Danny]

I'm not even supposed to be here.

[Dani]

I was supposed to be here. My friends would just kill me. That was good.

[Danny]

That was really good. Oh, man.

[Dani]

Yeah. So anyway, that. That really hurt because, you know, I also did. I also did improv camp.

[Danny]

I could see that one.

[Dani]

And, you know, I thought I was pretty good at improv. Funny enough.

[Danny]

Really.

[Dani]

But here's the thing. Now I look back and I think about all these kids camps, and I think about all these counselors and teachers that were running them, and they just make every kid feel good, you know?

[Danny]

But look what it did to your self esteem.

[Dani]

I know. I. I always thought I was funny. I always thought I could do it, bro.

[Danny]

But then, really, I think you believe you can do anything, which is.

[Dani]

I really do believe I can do anything.

[Danny]

Yeah. For sure.

[Dani]

Anything I put my mind to, I can do it.

[Danny]

That's. And that's really good self esteem, so. Thank God for those kids camps.

[Dani]

Computer camp, typewriting camp, Spanish camp, News broadcasting camp. Did I mention Spanish camp? Yeah, that's where I learned how to say mariposa.

[Danny]

Okay, what else? What other camps?

[Dani]

I had a friend there that. I don't know why she was there, but she, like, only spoke sign language. Sorry.

[Danny]

That'S actually so.

[Dani]

I'm serious. She only spoke spirit because she. This is not funny, but I think, like, her parents were deaf or her brother or was deaf or something. So when we spoke, we spoke sign language and she taught me sign language. And to this day, I can Spanish camp. To this day, I can do the Alphabet. That's amazing.

[Danny]

So just out of curiosity, like, how did she teach you sign language?

[Dani]

I don't know. When she spoke in Spanish. She would speak in sign language at the same time. I know. I was like, why are you here? I was just happy to have a friend, though. Why are you here?

[Danny]

Are you sure this wasn't a dream?

[Dani]

I went to.

[Danny]

Babe, can I ask you this?

[Dani]

I went to News New News Broadcasting camp at Green Hill.

[Danny]

Okay, I believe you. I believe you, but can I. She spoke to you in Spanish, but she was signing as she spoke?

[Dani]

Yes. So I spoke. I think I learned sign language that week. I just remember. I remember I was like, I. Fluent. It's like, three languages.

[Danny]

But, Danny, she's something. She's deaf.

[Dani]

I don't speak. I don't think that she was deaf. I think her family was. So she, like, learned how to speak but also sign at the same time.

[Danny]

Oh, she was not deaf. Yeah. Okay. You realize you just took us on a journey of this story that a deaf girl spoke to you in Spanish and signed to you and you.

[Dani]

I know. I'm sorry. That's not what I meant. But it still is kind of crazy. Like, what was she doing there?

[Danny]

Because her family was deaf, but are they bilingual?

[Dani]

It's not funny, but it is. They're like, Marty, box.

[Danny]

Oh, my gosh.

[Dani]

Man. It's all these summer camps. My mom then. Then I learned as I got older, she was just trying to get rid of me. Track camp, volleyball camp, basketball camp at Baylor. I went to a basketball camp at Baylor, and it was, like five. Five days long. I've never been so sore in my life. It was horrible. Like, it was so painful. I, like, still have scars from the blisters. It was a crazy camp. Hard.

[Danny]

Did they let you call your mom?

[Dani]

Yeah, but you're so busy. I mean, you just wake up and play basketball all day. It was horrible. And it was sleep away, so you'd sleep in the dorms. And the. The basketball team at Baylor were like, our coaches, and it was really rough.

[Danny]

Did you have a hard time making new friends at all these camps?

[Dani]

No, I always just found someone.

[Danny]

Like, one person.

[Dani]

Yeah. Like my deaf friend that spoke Spanish. She was kind of like my buddy. Like, I always would find, like, one person.

[Danny]

She's not deaf, babe. You keep saying my deaf friend.

[Dani]

Sorry.

[Danny]

And you literally just gave us the perspective that a deaf person taught you Spanish and sign language.

[Dani]

Okay. You know what I mean? But, yeah, I would always. At these summer camps, I would just find, like, one person to just latch on to.

[Danny]

Right. Were they typically extroverted, bubbly people? Minus deaf girl. Not to say she's not extroverted. She probably was pretty quiet.

[Dani]

Were they? I would say not always. Sometimes I just looked for, like, the easiest kill, you know?

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

Like, I was like, for only going to be here for four days. Like, can we just. Like, I just need somebody, you know? Like, we have to be friends for life or anything.

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

I just need somebody to, like, make me not feel alone.

[Danny]

Were you ever, like, the popular girl at any of your summer camps?

[Dani]

No.

[Danny]

Did you ever want to be, or did you kind of give that up.

[Dani]

Babe, I still want it. I still want. Still hurts. Yeah, I was probably the. The only type of camps that I was probably ever, like, popular at were, like, volleyball camps because I was, like, decent.

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

So I usually made, like, the best team, and people, like, I was a setter, so people really want, like, a good setter on the team because that's how they hit the ball. So, like, I was, like, cool because people wanted me.

[Danny]

Yeah.

[Dani]

But besides that. No, not really.

[Danny]

Wow, your childhood was so interesting.

[Dani]

I know. Track camp was, like, another crazy one.

[Danny]

Oh, I bet that was a crazy one.

[Dani]

I think my mom didn't even sign me up. I remember just walking. She just, like, took my hand, was like, go join them. And I was like, mom, I don't know what I'm doing here. Like, And I was, like, the only white person at this. Yeah, I can. Which is fine. Like, I. Hispanic. Okay, whatever. But I was like, okay. Like, you know, I do think I can hang, like, but like, I missed registration or something, or. I think she thought it, like, started a day early. And so my mom, like, just wouldn't care. Like, she would just walk and be like, hey, like, where do I drop her off? Like, she's, you know, 15, 14. Like, where do we go? And then, like, it's all these, like, high school kids running into camp, you know, and so they're like, put over there. And so then I would just be.

[Danny]

Over there, like, run.

[Dani]

And then every time I would get there, they'd be like, what's your name? And they would never find me on the list. And I would just be there, like, you know, so many camps like that, like, where I just didn't belong. But, you know what's funny is I did the same thing to Stella when she went to camp at that school.

[Danny]

Yeah, Yeah, I remember that.

[Dani]

Like, she wasn't on the list. I was like. I was like, just go to this. This classroom, Stella. I was like, they'll never know. I did the same.

[Danny]

That's, like, when you and your mom fight. I'm like, y' all are the same person. I was like, you guys gotta stop fighting. Y' all are the same. You're like, oh, my mom always did that.

[Dani]

And Stella's, like, at a camp where they're like. They're like, stella. They're like that. Like, leave her off the list. She was like, no, teacher. I'm like, they'll take. They'll take care of you somehow. Like, they'll put you somewhere.

[Danny]

Oh, my God. Gosh, it's too good. Well, it was fun talking today. We had a great time.

[Dani]

Okay, well, thanks for listening to our podcast. We'll talk to you later. Bye. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.