Podcast Summary: “Why Can’t We Be Friends? ft. The Notes App Cameo”

De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan
Host: Dani Austin (solo episode)
Date: October 2, 2025
Network: Dear Media

Episode Overview

In this multifaceted solo episode, Dani Austin offers an unfiltered life update infused with thoughtful reflections on parenting, recent travel, influencer culture, and the importance of discernment and critical thinking—especially in matters of faith and pop culture. Dani delves into topics ranging from her family’s busy life and travel mishaps to the complex relationships people have with faith institutions, celebrities, and online “cancel culture.” The episode’s recurring theme is the need to resist divisive labels—instead, embracing nuance, self-reflection, and a commitment to personal and spiritual growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life Catch-Up: Parenting, Travel, and Everyday Chaos

Timestamps: 00:00–15:00

• Dani acknowledges her exhaustion and shares how sleep is vital, especially during pregnancy.
• Updates on her kids:
  • Summit is on the cusp of crawling (“it makes me feel sick about it... stop it, I like whenever you just lay there and you’re a little baby.” 03:00)
  • Stratton is deep into a dinosaur phase, making Dani a self-proclaimed “paleontologist” mom.
  • Dani enjoys being the "favorite parent" during this “momming era.”
• Family trip to Chicago for an Ulta market meeting—fun themed event, excitement about expanding Divi in Ulta stores, but disappointment in quest for an authentic deep-dish pizza (“it really just tasted like they put sauce on top of like, like a dried up cookie…not good.” 09:00)
• Humorous anecdote: daughter Stella’s surprise selfie upload to Dani’s Instagram via her assistant’s phone (“She’s four years old. I was shocked.” 12:00)

2. Reflections on Childhood Traditions

Timestamps: 13:45–16:00

• Recounts weekly library visits from childhood as inspiration to get her own kids library cards.
• Wonders if today’s kids even go to the library, referencing the shift toward digital information and tools like ChatGPT.

3. Chiefs Game Adventure & Small Plane Anxieties

Timestamps: 16:30–22:45

• Spontaneous trip to a Kansas City Chiefs game; frantic mall shopping for a “game day” outfit (“I was in the dressing rooms, like fighting for my life…kids screaming.” 17:50)
• Recalls Jordan’s (her husband) experience narrowly avoiding a tragic plane crash years earlier.
• Discusses their dynamic around risk: Dani is “fearless” (“If it’s my time to go, it’s my time to go”—20:20); Jordan is cautious, even pre-writing family letters (“He had written, like, every single family member...a note.” 20:30).
• Describes Jordan’s anxiety and Dani’s reassurance during the flight (“You’re not looking well…no, I’m fine, I’m fine.” 21:30).
• Praises the welcoming, friendly vibe at Arrowhead Stadium (“Zero bad encounters…everyone was so friendly.” 23:05).
• Wonders about athletes enduring the extreme heat during games.

4. Divi Brand Growth and Influencer Collaborations

Timestamps: 27:35–29:45

• Dani is mainly involved in product development for Divi, not day-to-day marketing/collabs.
• Surprised and proud that Divi collaborated with Brittany Mahomes, coincidentally on the same day Dani went to a Chiefs game (“Y’all got Brittany Mahomes! Like, what? That’s impressive.” 28:20)
• Other notable influencer partnerships mentioned: “Team Taylor” from "The Summer I Turned Pretty," actress Lola Tung (“Belly”).

5. Pop Culture & Media Consumed: Movies & Documentaries

Timestamps: 29:45–32:00

• Recent favorite: Leonardo DiCaprio’s film “One Battle After Another”—“It really makes you think, you know; it was one of those thinker movies.” (29:55)
• Begins segue into more serious reflection after referencing long, thought-provoking films.

6. Critical Thinking on Religion, Megachurches, and “Prosperity Gospel”

Timestamps: 32:00–41:45

• Discusses a YouTube investigation by Tommy G on televangelist Kenneth Copeland, and the Sean Ryan Show interview with Nathan Apfel.
• Explains “prosperity gospel” as “name it, claim it: ‘God wants to give you everything your heart ever desired’,” which Dani critiques—“That is kind of the opposite. I don’t believe in that at all, because, like, the Bible... contradicts that a lot.” (33:55)
• Outlines Copeland’s immense wealth, luxury estate, and questionable practices: “He owns a 19,000-square-foot parsonage—a genius little loophole, you know, if you really think about it.” (35:55)
• Raises concerns on institutional opacity and the distinction between “the church (the people)” and “the system/corporation.”
• Encourages listeners to be humble and practice critical thinking: “If you can say both sides of the argument...before you make a statement...it will come off really different.” (38:40)
• Stresses that church structures can overwhelm original intent, and urges direct engagement with scripture over relying solely on church authorities.
• “The church is different...the people are the church. What you go to is a building...the system.” (40:50)

7. Sin, Judgment, and the Challenges of Practicing Forgiveness Online

Timestamps: 41:45–45:45

• Discusses the dangers of conflating “love and acceptance” in faith with ignoring sin.
• Gives biblical examples where God’s judgment is severe (Noah’s Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, etc.), highlighting that faith is challenging and entails more than just “rainbows.”
• Shares her feelings about being targeted online by a mean-spirited influencer, her urge for retaliation (“It took everything in my soul not to…tell all my friends this girl got what she deserves.” 44:15), and the importance of remembering God’s justice: “That’s not my job…God is merciful, God is just…it will happen how it happens.” (45:10)
• Honest admission: “I haven’t prayed for her yet…maybe I should.”

8. Can You Like Taylor Swift and Charlie Kirk? On Nuance, Labels, and Division

Timestamps: 52:00–56:55

• Responds to criticism received for stating both respect for Charlie Kirk and appreciation for Taylor Swift:
  • “You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do. That’s the first thing I wanted to say.” (52:55)
• Challenges the black-and-white, divisive rhetoric that insists people can only support those 100% aligned to their beliefs—“That would be like, okay, because you’re a Christian, you can’t hang out with this person because you don’t believe every single thing that they believe…that’s so silly.” (53:20)
• Shares a Notes app passage reinforcing this, advocating for allowing each other to “love and appreciate parts of one another instead of attacking, dividing and assuming.” (54:45)
• Emphasizes she does not “worship” any celebrity: “The one thing I’ll never deny is my faith in Jesus, my belief that he’s the only one that will never disappoint us when humans disappoint us daily.” (55:55)

9. The Role of Parents, Discernment, and Influencer Power

Timestamps: 56:55–60:00

• Dani recounts her mother’s proactive teaching during childhood, providing context for learning contradictory worldviews (e.g., evolution vs. creation).
• Advocates that parents set the foundation by teaching discernment so kids are prepared to filter messages from all corners—media, school, music, celebrities.
• “If you’re really worried about how the world’s going to influence…focus on your family and focus on your kids first.” (58:45)
• Defends enjoying Taylor Swift’s music for the joy and connection it brings.

10. On Embracing Differences, Community, and Pop Culture Unifiers

Timestamps: 60:00–62:00

• Dani values broad community engagement: “I love how my community isn’t all Christians or believers. That’s exactly how I want it to be.” (60:25)
• Recalls the days before 2020 when differences in faith or politics didn’t always produce hostility online, and expresses hope that this spirit of mutual respect survives despite the noise.

11. Super Bowl Halftime and Swift/Bunny Speculation

Timestamps: 62:00–end

• Surprised that Taylor Swift declined the 2026 Super Bowl halftime, speculates she’s holding out for fair compensation (“That’s probably the one person that could actually bring a ton more traffic [to the NFL].”).
• Praises Bad Bunny as the 2026 performer, admits she knows little about him but is looking forward to the show.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sleep and parenting:
  • “I’m the type of person that, like, if I don’t sleep my eight hours, I feel physically ill. Like, my tummy hurts.” (01:10, Dani)
• On motherhood joys:
  • “I feel like I’m in this really good, like, momming era…I’m kind of like the favorite in the house right now. It feels good to be back on top, you know?” (04:10, Dani)
• On influencer-brand detachment:
  • “One of the reasons I wanted to separate myself so much from influencer marketing…is because I just don’t want to be involved in that side of the business.” (27:45, Dani)
• On prosperity gospel, Kenneth Copeland, and church/faith systems:
  • “What you go to is a building…part of the corporation…that’s not the church…the people are the church.” (40:50, Dani)
  • “A lot of times people are burnt by the system, they’re not actually burnt by…the church in the Bible [which] is the people.” (41:10, Dani)
• On divisive online discourse:
  • “You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do. That’s the first thing I wanted to say.” (52:55, Dani)
  • “Both of them [Charlie Kirk, Taylor Swift] are just human. Neither one of them are perfect. I don’t worship either. I worship a Jesus and a God that never lets me down and are perfect.” (54:55, Dani)
• On faith and forgiveness amid online negativity:
  • “It really took everything in my soul not to…send it to all my friends and be like, ‘this girl got what she deserves.’...But I have to remember…God is just…I need to stay in my own lane.” (44:45, Dani)
• On her “notes app manifesto”:
  • “I hope on this page we can let go of labels and contentious attitudes and try to love and appreciate parts of one another instead of attacking, dividing and assuming.” (55:00, Dani)

Episode Flow & Tone

Dani’s style is candid, conversational, and self-aware—with humor and vulnerability throughout. She navigates chaotic mom life, influencer drama, and deep topics on faith and society with openness about her uncertainties and values. Her tone is inviting and reflective—frequently pausing to analyze her own reactions and encouraging her listeners to question, learn, and hold space for nuance.

Recommended Timestamps for Key Segments

• Parenting & Life Updates (Sleep, Kids, Chicago): 00:00–15:00
• Chiefs Game/Plane Anxiety Story: 16:30–22:45
• Brand Update: Divi and Influencer Collabs: 27:35–29:45
• Megachurches, Prosperity Gospel, Kenneth Copeland: 32:00–41:45
• Faith, Sin, Justice, and Forgiveness: 41:45–45:45
• On Labels, Friendships, and Pop Culture (Swift/Kirk): 52:00–56:55
• Parenting, Discernment, & Influence: 56:55–60:00
• Super Bowl Halftime and Bad Bunny: 62:00–end

This summary omits any advertisement or sponsor-focused breaks and excludes non-content banter and closing outros.