De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan

Episode: Who Let Us Cook This Week??

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

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.

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.

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])

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]

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.

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.