Danielle Ireland’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We recently had the chance to connect with Danielle Ireland and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
My two-year-old son and four-year-old daughter are constantly teaching me—mostly without even trying—that I still have a lot of room to grow in patience, flexibility, and being truly present. I didn’t realize just how much my peace of mind depended on things going my way, or on everything around me staying calm and predictable. Lately, it’s been a beautiful (and humbling) challenge to find that same presence and peace even when things feel like they’re falling apart.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the producer and host of Don’t Cut Your Own Bangs — a podcast that offers a remedy to comparison and the feeling that everyone else has life figured out but you. What began as a creative outlet during my transition from ballroom dance teacher to therapist has evolved into a modern mental health movement.

Through the lens of my work as a clinical therapist, I craft passionate, thought-provoking interviews with innovators, creatives, and business owners. Each episode explores the messy, often imperfect process of solving problems and building something new — highlighting the stumbles, breakthroughs, and lessons along the way. I also alternate interviews with solocasts, episodes where I pull directly from my therapy practice – offering clarity, context and tools listeners can apply to their lives.

Above all, the show is a reminder: you are never alone, no matter how hard life gets.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When I finished my graduate program, I went swimming with whale sharks—a dream I’d held onto for years. The experience reminded me of something I forget often: reality rarely looks the way we imagine it. Once I let go of how I thought it should be, it became bigger and better—because it was real.

Those four days out at sea also reminded me how small I am in the grand scheme of things. When I start putting too much pressure on myself or feel my anxiety rise, I think back to that trip. Remembering there’s a whole world beyond me and my worries helps me right-size the stress and breathe a little easier.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self that I love her—and that she’s lovable exactly as she is. Her worth isn’t measured by what she does, how she looks, or what anyone else thinks of her. Her value is innate. It isn’t something to find, because it was never lost.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
The truth, at its highest expression, is kind. If it’s delivered in a way that’s critical, judgmental, or defensive, then it’s something other than truth.

Many of the people I work with are healing from the wounds of an inner critical voice. Because that voice feels familiar, it’s easy to believe—even when it hurts. But believing something doesn’t make it true, and the truth doesn’t have to hurt to be real.

The truth can feel hard to act on, which is often why we run from it. But at the end of the day, truth is what sets us free. As Martha Beck says, “You can know that it’s the ocean because it will always taste of salt. Similarly, you can know that it’s the truth because it will always taste like freedom.”

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing? 
I know I would deeply regret not giving my podcast—Don’t Cut Your Own Bangs—my all. When I first launched it, it was simply a creative outlet, something I didn’t put much pressure on. In many ways, that helped; I could create freely without overthinking it.

But to my surprise, it started to become something real—not just a side project next to my therapy practice. Still, I hesitated to admit how much I cared about it. Because if I did, I’d also have to face the possibility that it could fail. That felt vulnerable.

The irony is, vulnerability is what I work with every day—and yet, when it’s my turn, I still doubt, still pause, still wonder if I can do it. But that’s what makes it exciting. My nerves stopped being a reason to stop and became a sign that I’m on the right track.

I won’t regret failing. But I would regret doing nothing.

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