De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan - Mom Hacks, The Royal Wedding, and Spicing Up Our Marriage

Episode Date: August 23, 2023

Hey y'all! Welcome back to your favorite podcast...DE-...Okay, you get it. In this week's episode, Dani and Jordan recap THE wedding of the year while getting personal along the way. Hope you enjoy. Stay tuned for some fun surprise guests in the near future!

Hello and welcome back to your favorite podcast. D-influenced. Wow. You're looking very pink today. Thank you. You know that's my favorite color. I know it's Stella's favorite color too. Yes, it's Stella's favorite color too.

Did you see their new backpacks this morning? Yes. So cute. Oh my gosh. So y'all, today was Stratton's first day of school, which she can't even walk. So I was like, is this okay? Is this allowed? Well, he's going to school the same time Stella did.

But Stella was just like walking, kind of talking. and Stratton's just, he's just chill. He's still like a villain, but yeah, he's going to the same school as Stella, but he's only going from like 9 to 12. Yeah. And we're probably just going to send him maybe two or three days a week to see how it goes because, you know, not every kid is like meant to go to school that early. Right.

But Stella loves it. When I try to pull Stella out of school, she gets pissed at me. Yeah. I want to be around her more. She's almost going to be three. And I want that time with her, but she's like, no, mom, I want to go to school. Leave me alone. I don't know. It's going to take, let's give it a week. Okay, but let me tell you, when we drop Strattonoff at Sunday school, we drop Stelloff, she's like, okay, bye, peace. Like, I love this, going to go learn veggies. We drop Strattonoff and he's like got a reputation in the nursery. They call him the VIP baby, the very important baby. Because not by us, but because he acts like that. Like he has to have someone holding him and he just likes to be.

And like when we drop him off, he doesn't cry that much. But when we drop him off, he screams bloody murder. It's so sad. And we have to like walk away. It's hard. It's really hard. But I think this will be good for him. He's got to spread his wings.

He's got to start socializing, making some friends. Yeah. Yeah. They're getting older. Yeah. Stella did so well in the wedding, you guys. So we went to Bridget's wedding, Bridget and Mike's wedding. Tea time.

Can I say something before we get into the guts of the wedding? Yeah. I took Stella to Barbie. I know. I mean, she's really grown up, huh? I took Stella to Barbie, and she just loves,

she loves going to the movie show. That's what she says. Yeah, she goes, Mama, I go to the movie show. And I was like, there's no way. I didn't really want to see it.

You know, I had heard it was like, okay. But she, I was like, she's not going to make it through the whole thing. She ate her popcorn.

She was drinking my Diet Coke. She had her candy. She made it through the whole thing. She loved it. I have a pro tip for every, any mom out there, if you want your kid to stay, basically just like keep their attention span. When I took Stella to go see the Little Mermaid, I brought different snacks. I mean, I snuck so many snacks.

And I think I shared this. And every 10 minutes, 15 minutes, you give a new snack to keep them, you know, preoccupied. And they end up lasting longer. Yeah. Listen, I know this is old news. And so I won't park on it too long. Yeah. I would say that I'm a decent feminist.

Would you say? Like, I would say I... Yes. You're not a feminist. you appreciate you want equal rights for both. Yeah, I'm like, rise up, girls, like break that glass. Sam was cried when he saw Rihanna perform the halftime show when she was pregnant. He was like, his jaw was to the floor. I just have never seen anything like that.

So I'm all about a strong female empowered woman, but I didn't understand the movie. And I feel like I need to park on this for a second. I think a lot of people feel that way. The movie was kind of all over the place. Yeah, it was like, I understand that they were trying to sneak some agendas in there and some like commentary in there but like it made no sense like I'm I'm not saying I don't agree with what they're saying I'm saying I could not follow the movie no I think a lot of people felt that way so the way I look at it is like you kind of just have to take it for what it is and it's

just like a cute little movie it's such a bummer though because you know if they would have made it like elf where it's like Barbie went into the real world and it's like doesn't know she's like Barbie that would have been such a killer movie like cute and she's like that kind of reminds me of um life size. Did you ever see that on Disney? No. With, who's the, the model that does? Oh, Tyra Banks. Did you ever see that? I never saw it, but I remember that being a movie. And she's just like a perfect model and she's just there to like dress up and look cute. But I think that the reason why it was tough for them is because they were, when you take that approach, it kind of like doesn't diminish women, but it kind of puts them back in the box of like, we're just dressing out to look pretty. We have no susten it. So they were. So they were. They were worried basically that it wasn't going to play in this climate. Mattel is making fun of themselves.

I mean, they've given us this, like, insane role model, Barbie, for all of us girls to look up to. And we grew up and we're like, well, dang, we don't look anything like Barbie. So they're trying to kind of play into that and make fun of themselves. But also it's like not about Barbie. It's about the female and what we can do anything. And so I think they just had a lot of agendas working for them, but also working against them. And it kind of just like distracted them.

I think it was confusing for everyone. It was confusing for everyone. The, if you look at it as like a marketing thing for Mattel, though. Yeah, genius. It's genius. We went and bought a Barbie for Stella. Stella has a Barbie now. You're right.

It's like they rebooted it for like a Gen Z audience. And so maybe they knew what they were doing the entire time. No, 100%. Um, speaking of Barbie, Sella told me this morning she wants a Ken. Wow. I don't know how I feel about that. Do you, but don't you realize like she probably learned. that from the movie you think she told me this morning that she wants just where's my ken

where's my ken i go well maybe we'll get you a ken for your birthday and i said why did you want a kin why do you want a kin where's my kin really oh you're right because we wouldn't talk about kin it had to been the movie because like you said who cares about kin it's all about barbie wow also ryan gosling was so cute in that movie i just love him do you realize how under the radar he is do you ever see him in paparazzi photos you ever see him out and about like he just seems like such a nice little man and he's married to eva mendez and like just worships the ground that she walks on was went to the barbie premiere wore an e like a Barbie you know uh lettering like that that type of like font in e on his neck to all it like he's obsessed with her they've been together forever i think they might live

in austin i might admit that up no i think he was filming a movie in austin and our friend grace potter was like the producer. That's how you know. Oh, yeah. And she would like walk his dog. Yes. Yeah. Anyway.

But yeah, I think he's like a really, like he's a good dad, I think. Yeah. Do they have kids? Yeah. He like talks about being a dad a lot. Oh. So sweet. Can you imagine if your dad is Ryan Gosling?

Yeah, it's got to be weird for this. You feel like Ryan Gosling a little bit. You do. You never said that. Oh my gosh. I never told you this because I don't want to like inflate your head. You always keep these things for me. I need it.

I'm a big affirmation. guy well this plays into the wedding but the third day of the wedding when we did that boat day your outfit like oh my gosh the amount of dms i got where like they were like Jordan is looking so fine he has really grown like i straight shot with them because i knew that one day which phone are they on let me see i'll show you later you know listen i don't need it from other females but i love when people tell you that because it's like it's like when other well this doesn't happen either but it's like when other females tell me how like beautiful you are like I'm so used to it now because it happens all the time and I'm just like man you know what like true like that one that one girl at the

wedding who was like there's no way you've had two babies and I like like smiled and she and all the guys were like yeah look at George smiling and it's like because I'm proud you know and so that's that's really cool I'll look at those photos later. How many did you save? I saved two because that was whenever I like. Oh, so they're only two? No, they were way more. Cool.

I did. They're only two. I did feel really good in that outfit. I'm not going to lie. I know, I know. I could tell you. You had this like demeanor to you. It's just confidence.

Yeah. Yeah. Suit supply. Go there for your hubs or boyfriends. Yeah, you love. I think all of your outfits this week and were from suit supply. Or suits play. Are they, you know, in the spectrum of like affordable to fancy, where are they?

I feel like there's only like one level up that you can go. I asked someone this before. Like, where do you get your suits? There used to be like men's warehouse and Jose Banks. And those are kind of like the old school. Wait, is it Jose Banks or Jose Banks? No, it's Jose Banks. Okay.

Okay, Mr. Ramirez. Yeah. So those are kind of like out. Okay. Those are like old school. They're not out. I think they're just... They're for an older demographic. No, I would say they're for younger demographic. Like you're in high school and you need to go to prom, right?

I don't think so. Babe, I went with you to a men's warehouse like a year ago. No, no, no. But yeah, that was before I knew. That was before I was enlightened. No, men's warehouse, like, it's not about price. It's not like it's cheaper. Okay. They're just not in style. They're just not in style.

So suit supply nailed it because they created like a new mince warehouse with trendy clothes, but you can get also traditional suits from there. They tailor in-house. So what's the price point? Like, is it similar to Men's Warehouse? I think it's similar or to like a Nordstrom. You're going to pay like five, depending on the suit,

$500 to $1,000 for a suit. Nordstrom, you can get up there, but it's not like you're getting like a $2,000 suit or something. No, no. Yeah, you wouldn't do that at Men's Health Warehouse. For the only level up, I think, from suit supply is like a custom suit or Ralph Lauren. Ralph Lauren.

How much are those suits? I mean, I think that those are going to be like $2,000. Probably more. Probably more. Oh, how crazy is that? And then what happens if you, like, gain weight? You're screwed. Yeah, the suit game is like a lot.

Yeah. Huh, interesting. Yeah, so suit supply was amazing. Again, before we get into the guts, which is what everyone wants to talk about, the wedding, you should tell them about our press dinner. Because I feel like we kind of rocked it. Yeah, so we went to New York and we actually went a day early.

We took our kids because that's where the wedding was, by the way. And Stella was a flower girl. Stratton was like a ring bear, like quote on quote, but he didn't even make it in one photo. Poor kid. So we decided, you know, if we're going to be taking the whole family up there, like, let's stay a little bit longer. So while we were there, the first day we got there, we actually had a press dinner, which Divie's never done anything like this before. all of the press we pretty much get, for the most part, is just like organic. Like it just happens.

And so we had this, what was the place that we ate at? Oh, I forgot. Mercierge. Mercier, I think. It was really cool. It was like in Soho. And we had all of these writers, reporters, come out, and we hosted a dinner for them. And I had to kind of get up and give a speech that I thought was only going to be a toast,

which would be maybe three or four minutes. I ended up talking for like 12 to 15 minutes. Did you know that? Yeah, it was, it was long. Was it too long? No, it was not too long. It was good. You just like, you told the backstory.

You were going places. We never really talked about this. So how did I do? I would say eight out of ten. Wow. Yeah. It was really good. I think for a completely new audience,

like it was important for them. they didn't know who you were. So it was like important for them to know the entire story. So why 8 out of 10 instead of 10 out of 10? I feel like it, I feel like it dragged a little bit. Just a little, two points out of 10. So what part dragged? It was just long.

Like it was like, I'm kind of shook right now. I thought you were going to say 10 out of 10. Oh, really? Yeah. No, it was 8 out of 10. Like meaning I have in the grand scheme of comparisons, like I have seen I've seen them better. So, but okay, so what part should I have cut out is my question?

I don't know. I don't know. It just wasn't concise. That's all I'm going to say. Wow, now I hear what you really thought. Yeah, it wasn't bad. Eight out of ten is great, babe. Everybody said I did really great at the end of the night.

Yeah, I'm saying eight out of ten. Was it the ingredients? Yes. That was, that should have been preserved for the conversation. But then they would have never known. Well, we were at the dinner with them. But yeah, you're right. They wouldn't have asked questions.

They wouldn't have asked questions. And one of them said, wow, I'm really happy that you told us about the D biotin and the biotin. Okay. Okay. Yeah, babe. Let's go nine out of ten. Should we bump at a point? I'm just like, now I'm not going to, I'm just going to replay it in my, in my head all day.

No, babe, but I will say this when we sat down and we conversed with everyone, 10 out of 10. Probably 11 out of 10. I learned a lot that night. We learned, oh my gosh. These reporters in New York knows so much. They know everything. They knew about the Britney Spears Sam drama before it even went live. They were getting texted updates, telling us what was going on.

They knew about all the celebrity drama. They have relationships with all these photographers and publicists and just like the inside scoop in a way that like you only really see in movies. Yeah. I mean, well, she worked for, we won't say her name, but she worked for, you know. I'm like, don't say it. Oh, no, okay. She worked for a big publication. Yeah, don't say it.

Yeah. And then I sat across from a reporter from people. Yes, people. And I feel like we really bonded. You know, like she probably came in and was like, this is going to be silly and stupid. And I feel like we, like, walked out friends. I don't know.

She was really cool. I liked her. We sat next to, we had refinery 29 there, people. What else? Good housekeeping. We had daily mail. we had, who else? A couple people from people.

Yeah. Yahoo. It was pretty cool. It was a good. It was a good group. They were all very kind. They're not the type of reporters that are there to watch you slip up so they can go, you know, write crap about you.

No, they were super kind. And can I tell the story that I told earlier? Yeah, which one? About the girl at the end of the table. Oh, yeah. Oh my gosh. This is such a good story. Can I tell you about this?

Yeah. Okay. Well, first, maybe you introduce what? was the sassy club? So the sassy club is something that I launched in probably 2017, 2017. And my goal with the sassy club was basically to connect women. So I had moved from Austin to Dallas and was dating Jordan, but I had a really hard time making new friends in Dallas. All my friends from college, none of them moved to Dallas after school. And so I started the sassy club with my audience and basically we would have like happy hours and events and connect or meetups in each city

so we had like a Nashville sassy club it was kind of like bumble in a sense um we had a Dallas sassy club we had Austin and I would actually travel from city to city and have these meetups and connect all these women and then I would leave go home and these women would become friends and they would they would meet weekly we had 50 chapters it was kind of a big deal um it was before it's time I would say 100% we had to use Facebook at first to manage the communities. And they grew so fast. It was so overwhelming. We did not have the infrastructure. We didn't have anyone to manage these groups. We were still figuring out what it was all about because at first it was like, you know, just like a social thing.

But then I also talked a lot about my faith on my platform. So if people were confused, is this like a faith thing? Like we never really knew what it was, but it just like grew really fast. So then we ended up launching an app that to be honest, was. a total flop. And then, so we went back to the Facebook groups. And then these Facebook groups that were the Sassy Club, these different chapters, essentially started eating themselves alive. And we had to shut down the Sassy Club because all these Facebook groups turned into my own personal hate forums. Yeah, it was weird. It was really weird. And we had, you know, all it takes is like five mean people in each group to just take the culture down. And it just got really mean and aggressive. But it started out

so beautifully, so wholesome. And so I, I've had a lot of people that have messaged me over the years, but, you know, I met my husband because I met this girl from the Sassie Club and then I fell in love with her brother, or I became, you know, a Christian from these groups or what, I mean, it really did such beautiful things. We just did not have the, we didn't have the resources at the time to me. No, I mean, we were like purging money and it was like me and you and like no one else. Like in it, then they were, yeah, it was just really hard. It was like a very, it was like being a moderator. in a giant Facebook group. And then when we would try and...

And Facebook is also like kind of an aggressive platform. At the time, this was when people were just like arguing a lot. And it was it during 2020? No, no, no. Oh, thank God. No, I think it was. No, no, no, no. It was before that.

I would have known. No way, it was during 2020. No way. I remember it was during 2020. We were living in that summit. Wow. It was. Yeah, that probably is what took it down.

The internet got really talked. Got really scary. And I started weighing the pros and cons and then just like my mental health. Like I was like, I can't do this anymore. So anyway, we ended up shutting it down. But now you can tell the story about this girl. So we don't talk about that anymore. Like it just never comes up.

And so this reporter, I think she was with Refinery 29, but I can't remember. No, she was with people, I believe. Oh, she's with people. Okay. So she's sitting at the end and she goes, you know, you were sitting next to me. So she goes, hey, did you know that I met my best friend through the sassy club? And my jaw like hit the table. And I was like, no way.

And she was like, yeah, you know, I joined the chapter right when I moved to New York. We're still best friends to this day. It was the New York Sassy Club. They were like some of the best. Yeah. And I was like, it just blew my mind. Like her friend and her met, they're still friends this day. Through the Sassy Club.

They're the Sassy Club. I was like, wow, that is like a- Seven years of friendship, she said. That is like a redeeming. quality of the sassy club. I mean, that's the coolest thing. Like, and honestly, it's with anything and everything is like that good things can come from really crazy situations. Looking back, I don't think that the situation was even that crazy. Like, I think with our thick skin now, we could have totally weathered that storm, but we were not prepared mentally for that. No. I mean, it was really tough on me.

Yeah. And now I know how to set up boundaries and I know like, and to be honest, I'm going to be straight up. Like, the reason I started the sassy club is because I felt like I knew. needed it myself. I didn't really have community. I didn't really have like friends that would you know have my back. If I launched something like that now, I would have people behind me that I could fall on if I was getting that type of hate. But I really didn't. I had Janine, but she was like jet-setting all over the country at the time. Just living her best life, just yellowing it up. And you and I were like newly engaged, I think. And so it was just like a hard time to launch something like that. But it is very cool. It's cool. It was very cool. But yeah.

Should we get into the wedding? Well, one more thing. Okay, okay, okay. Okay, so there was just like this really special day I want to say. And I don't know if people will care. They won't care. But so Stella is now at the age where she has like really strong opinions. Yeah.

And she, but she's also potty trained and she can walk around and like, she's like my little best friend now. Yeah. So we stayed at Park Lane Hotel and we went to Central Park. and I got her ice cream. Which, by the way, if you go to New York, Park Lane Hotel is right next to the plaza. So it is like the prime location. It's right next to Sarah Beths

across the street from Central Park. But it's more affordable than the plaza. You kind of feel like you're staying at the plaza. You can go to the plaza for lunch or for tea. But the rooms were like, I mean, we, I think we got ours because of the wedding block like $2.15 a night. Yeah, that's crazy. But the rooms, I think like normal costs are like $300.

tonight. Yeah, which is really good for you. I just wanted to tell you all, like, definitely try park lane, especially if you're going with kids, because you can just walk over to Central Park. Great spot for kids. Yeah, it was great. So we, I took her on a horse drawn carriage, which it's funny. I was like telling our team how we were going to talk about this.

And one person on our team, which I would have never expected, she is like very much passionate about horses, about horse drawn carriages in particular. particular she's like well in particular in New York because apparently which I don't know anything about this they don't treat them right I didn't know anything I some Irish guy was like you want a horse ride Stella was like yeah and I was like looks like a well fed horse it was eating oats so it was like not an abused animal to me and we wrote it for 20 minutes so anyone who's going to come after us like I'm sorry I didn't mean to yeah support the market but Stella loved it and I just like all I want to say is that Stella is now in the state where she flew well on the plane. I can take her to Central Park.

She runs around. She talks to me. She asks me questions. It's just like the best age. It's the best. She's about to be three. So if any parents are going through it right now or, you know, the hardest stage for me is when they're under one. They're just little blobs. And I'm like, I'm like, I'm like, I need some personality here. I need something to interact with. And once they become like, I don't know, 15, 16 months, it's just so fun. I agree with you. I think for me it's two. Like I used to say, oh, once they cross the, one, but I think that Stella was just so advanced after one. Yeah.

Because Stratton's still pretty hard. Yeah, he's still, you know, just because he can't walk. That's the only thing. And he's getting really frustrated that he can't walk. And so he just, like, cries because he's frustrated. You can't really help him. And he said mama for the first time to me yesterday. Oh my gosh.

I tell you that. He's a sweetheart, though. He's sick. Mama, mom, mom, mom, ma. Oh my gosh. It did melt my heart. Okay. Sorry.

Wedding. Yeah. So we went to Bridget and Dr. Mike's wedding. And, you know, I wasn't. bridesmaid, but I was like basically did all the bridesmaid festivities because the kids were in the wedding. And it was so beautiful. I mean, definitely top wedding I've ever been to.

Yeah, 100%. I mean, the most beautiful, gorgeous experience. We didn't take any pictures of Bridget or of the state. Just to like let her have that moment. I don't know. Which is why this podcast is going to be juicy. Well, there's really not anything juicy. No, because people don't know what each festivity was. I think they know what the festivities were. They just haven't seen pictures, and the pictures are what are so insane from this wedding. I mean, it was just like out of a magazine, just beautiful.

There were a lot of paparazzi at each event. Did you notice that? Paparazzi, like that work for the wedding or paparazzi in real life? They were real life paparazzi. Really? Yeah, at the rehearsal dinner. and then did you see them at the ceremony? No.

They were across the way shooting from another building with like telescopic zoom lenses down to the wedding. You didn't see this? No. Yeah, those were a paparazzi. That's insane. I don't know, we should Google it. I don't know if any articles came out, but yeah, they were all over.

Wait, that's so cool. It was great. It was cool. Yeah, good for her. Yeah. Yeah, so there was like, it was basically like a three-day event where we had the rehearsal dinner. which they shut down a street in Soho for, which is unheard of.

That was crazy. They had to get a permit for, I mean, it was out of a dream. They cut off the street and the table was set in the middle of Soho. And then they had a band and they had dinner served there. And it was so glamorous and classy. And the people were so kind. I mean, like, it was just a perfect night. I would say that might be one or two.

of the most classy events I've ever been to. It really was. We sat next to a lot of Dr. Mike's high school friends, which was so fun to hear about this, or was it college friends? College friends, yeah. I didn't know that Dr. Mike played football in college. Yeah, me neither.

But all of those guys played football with him, and it was so fun to hear all these stories about, you know, growing up together and their lives back home. They're a wild bunch. They were fun. They're a fun bunch. They just are like, and it's so fun, like when they get together, you can tell like they're like, these are my homies and they go all out.

Did you hear that they all had matching friendship tattoos? I did hear that. So Dr. Mike has a friendship tattoo and I asked him. I was like, dude, you never told me you had a friendship tattoo and he was like, yeah, it was just a crazy night in Vegas. Yeah. And they all literally got tattoos to represent their friend group. And you know something else I learned that night that I didn't know is that Bridget was on a reality

TV show. Yeah, I did not know that. I had no idea. So there's this lady named Lizzie Sivetsky love her. She used to live in Dallas. Her husband is a plastic surgeon who worked with Dr. Mike or went to school with Dr. Mike and introduced the two. And in her speech at the rehearsal dinner, she was saying how she knew of Bridget from this reality TV show called the Fashionista Diaries, I guess. What year was it on? I have no idea. I mean, I think it might have been before 2010. Like I think that I was like 14, 13 years. old whenever it came out. Dang. And apparently, like, Bridget was this, like, really sassy character in the show. Because I know Bridget used to be in PR, so it might have been about, I don't know.

I need to, like, actually do, first of all, I want to call her and be like, I didn't ever tell me you're on reality TV. Like, I had no idea. I think it was just so long ago. It was so long ago. But so I learned that, too. But, yeah, like, it was really sweet that that's, that Lizzie's the one that introduced them and their husbands, like, still work together.

Yeah, she had a great. speech. Lizzie is a great speaker. Great speaker. Yeah, I didn't know that about her, but I told her, I was like, that was top three speeches I've ever heard. Yeah, I was like, maybe top one, except for, I know top one, you probably think yours was the best at Hunter's wedding. Oh, oh, man. I forgot about that. You had the room, like, rolling. I've never done that since then, though. Like, it was just so weird because I didn't have anything planned and I got up and it just, oh, man. Because you had so many funny stories of growing up there. So many funny stories. Yeah. That was a Jordan's best friend growing up. Yeah. So we did that. And then, um, let's see, we, the next day, we, there was a lot of time getting

ready on my end. A lot of time. I mean, I'm talking three, four hours a day. Well, the thing is, when you get your hair and makeup done in Dallas, like everybody just kind of schedules an hour out. Like, do your hair an hour. Makeup an hour. In New York, there. In New York, there's, They scheduled two hours out. Like they, it's a lot. And I just feel like New York, they just go above and beyond. It's also way more expensive for everything. It was way harder to find people.

So I was not expecting that, but yeah, it was a lot. Except for the day of the wedding, I did my own makeup. Thank you very much. So I will say the craziest thing about this wedding was we didn't know the color schemes for each event until like pretty last minute. it. True. So there were, there's kind of like a dress coat, but not really, but just like inspired looks and inspired color palettes. So for the first time, we were supposed to wear like dark, dark olive, navy. The second day was obviously the wedding, which there was like, it was like rose golds and olives and like there was, I don't know, there was just a color palette. And then the

third day was like neon pink, yellow, green, like bright colors. Well, I had my third. I had my three dresses already picked out for all of the events. And then I got all of the color schemes. And I was like, oh, my gosh, we have to start from scratch. So I had basically all my dresses except for even the one that Bridget, the bar designed for me, all sent to the hotel room. And I had to hire a tailor to come to the room. That's wild.

To fit me for all the dresses. So like literally for the dresses that I all, like I didn't even get to try them on like the final version until I literally put it on for the event. But it all worked out. As a guy who thinks very little about color palettes, when you walked in, you were like, hey, babe, the theme for this boat is sailboat chic. I was like, WTF is sailboat chic and what am I even going to do? Yeah. But the other funny thing about this is when Bridget sent a tailor for Stratton and Stella, it was it was, what they, what they,

What she dressed them in was amazing, but it was just so funny. It was literally couture. What does couture mean? High end custom made. Got it. So in this designer, it's called Dolores Petunia. Yeah, Dolores Petunia. That's who came in.

She custom made all of these in. It's like silk and it had Bridget and Mike's initials on each button. It had Stella's name sewn inside. It's like memorabilia. It's crazy. Just our children having a tailor was just funny to me. Yeah, it was so cute. It was cute, but it was funny.

I was like Stella don't get used to this. It was funny. It was so, oh my gosh, they looked adorable. So we were really nervous the entire week if Stella was going to walk or not. And I can tell you more about the ceremony. But, you know, we haven't posted any pictures yet, but Stella did walk, did indeed walk. Yes. She didn't smile or anything while she walked, but she walked.

We had to bribe her with, you know, skittles and candy and all the things. And what happened was right before. because Bridget told me, because that rehearsal, like Stella was not walking. She was like not interested. So we were like, okay, this is not going to happen. But Bridget told me, hey, if Stella doesn't walk, then you can walk down with her. I was like, okay.

So before the ceremony starts, all the bridesmaids are in the back. I'm with all the bridesmaids. I'm with the kids. And Stella is just, you know, being in her Stella mood. She is not here for it. She wants to, you know, she's not crying, but she's just sitting in the corner, you know, chewing on her nails. And, um, They put this flower crown on her, doesn't like it, tears it off, refuses to wear it.

And like, classic Stella, you know. So then the ring bear, Ollie, comes out and he starts playing in the curtains. Stella starts dying, a lot of cackling. She is just like the funniest thing she's ever seen in her life. She goes from zero to ten. She is in the best mood. Probably I've seen her in in a while. I mean, she does not care where I am.

I sprint back to my seat because I'm like, you know what? I'm going to just because you know if she sees me. Yeah, it was risky. It was a 50-50 shot, but I was like, if she sees me, you know she's not going to walk down. Right. But right now she's so attached to Ollie that she'll do whatever Ollie does. So I just ran, you saw me run down the aisle right before it started and I had the skittles and the candy. And it worked.

That's correct. Yeah, it did. I manipulated my child like nobody could believe. You out manipulated the manipulator. I know. I was really proud of myself. But the ceremony, I will say, was. was the most beautiful ceremony I've ever been to.

Oh my gosh, they had this gospel choir. Did you cry? I think you were crying. I mean, how could you not? I wasn't crying, but I had chills sent down my spine. I mean, I think what's so cool about a wedding like that is you have all these people from all over the country with all these different beliefs. And we all know Bridget. The one thing that some people might not know about Bridgett is she's very,

talented. Like she has like this vision. She's talented, sorry, in like a creative, artistic way. Like she has, she has it. I don't have it. Like I'm really good. I would say more like storytelling or when I go to an event like I can I can like help tell the story of the event. But the actual like aesthetics of it and the vibe Bridget is so good at. And so anything that she ever throws is going to be like just exceptional. It's going to be an experience. Yeah. And, you know, her wedding was the same. Her ceremony was like that, too. Everything was just perfect and beautiful and unique and creative.

But, you know, I wasn't really sure what direction she was going to take the ceremony. And what I thought was so cool about her hiring that choir and her hiring the pastor, Pastor Ron, who she came to know Jesus through this pastor name Ron Carpenter. And she hired him, flew him out to New York to marry them. I thought what was cool about her doing that and taking those steps was like I yes I want like a beautiful wedding and yes I care so much about the aesthetic and the vibe and everything but ultimately this is what I really care about by her her doing that and like by her it was just like she was clearly communicating to her people like this is what we want our marriage to be all about yeah you know and I thought that was really special and a lot of people got to hear the gospel that I had never maybe never heard it before because, you know, if you're not going to do it there at your wedding, then are you going to do it in the other place? Right. You know? And so I thought that that was really cool,

that it kind of showed where their priorities were. That's a really unique perspective. What do you mean? I didn't hear you say that before. I think that that's really cool that you saw that. Yeah, I mean, and I do think that, you know me, I'm also not one to be like, the Holy Spirit showed up if it didn't really show up. And I do.

We're working on it. And I do feel like a lot of times, the Holy Spirit will show up to weddings, like, or to ceremonies like that when you, when you, like, not least expected, but like, I think that that God knows that marriage is hard and that we need the Holy Spirit to show up and that we need the only way that marriages are going to last

is if they are found and, like, grounded in those principles. And so I feel like Bridget's heart was, pure in that she really wanted God to be present in her ceremony. Like, I really do think that. I think that there were a lot of other things that she wanted for her wedding, like it not to rain and for her makeup to look good and obviously all these things that are so fun for a wedding. But I think ultimately in her heart, that's what she genuinely wanted the most because

I think that she knew that was what was most important. And I feel like it did. I think that the Holy Spirit did show up. Yeah. Wow. I mean, I could tell you were in your fields. Like, I could see it. But wow, that's a really, that's a really cool perspective.

Yeah. Who were you most at, not to switch it to totally superficial. Who were you, who were you most star-strug by at the wedding? Paige Lorenz. Same. Same. She's just such a beauty. Listen, I mean this in like the most like non-romantic way, but like that person, it's probably how you feel about like.

She's a star. She's a star She carries this presence that like I didn't really get to talk to her I met No I didn't talk to her Too scared I met Daniel Bernstein

She was really nice Oh did you talk to me? Yeah briefly Okay We both were like man we even needed me Like this like let's just check this off Is she nice? So nice Stradden some from school

I wonder how it went I met Daniel Bernstein I met The Parcell sisters So nice. Love them. I was pretty star-struck by them too. Really?

Yeah, because they're like, they're like, they're like internet royalty. Yeah, there's just such OGs and they're just the coolest girls. Like, I love them. Like, I kind of miss them a little bit. Do you know who I was most excited to talk to at the wedding? It's very unconventional. No.

Okay, there was, what's your friend's name? Jasmine, who was a bridesmaid. Her husband is like. like a pastor, but deep, like, theology guy. And I told all my friends, like, Brandon, Connor, I was like, hey, guys, like, if I see, I think his name is Nathan. If I see Nathan, I'm sorry, I'm piecing out. Like, he's my mark for this wedding.

I was like, I've got so many questions for this guy. Because we really, we, we, we talked before at the rehearsal dinner and we just like got cut off. And so I was like, he's my mark at the wedding. And he left early. I know. I was so disappointed. I think he was like speaking or something.

He had something to do Sunday morning, early Sunday morning. But you didn't even say bye. I mean, I was like, goodness gracious. He might be one of those guys that becomes best friends with everyone and then you just think that you're his best friend. That's what happened with Hair by Charlie. Let me tell you this story, guys. There's a hairstylist in Dallas.

This happens to both of us a lot. No, I think it happens to me way more. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But there's this hairstylist in Dallas. His name's Charlie, Hair by Charlie. And he's like, This is the coolest. Listen,

I can't even describe to you like how cool this guy is. And he's got like this personality that like makes everyone feel welcome. So charismatic. So outgoing. I mean, he truly is like just the best. Yeah. It's so cool.

So Danny's getting her hair done one day and I'm picking her up. And so I like go inside because she's not done. And Charlie and I meet and he's like, he makes me feel like he cares so much. And he does. He does. But he's like asking me all these questions. And I'm like,

I'm walking away. I'm like, whoa, like, I just became best friends with this guy. And so a week later, I start going to get my hair cut there. And I walk in my very first time. And I was like, I own this place. And it's like so embarrassing, man. Because like, I walk in and I asked the, I asked the hairstyles. I'm like, hey, it's Charlie here?

And she was like, yeah, he's in the back. What do you need? And I was like, oh, just tell him Jordan's here. I just want to say hi. Tell him Jordan Ramirez is here. And I stand there and he like clearly. comes out of the back after working. And he was nice, but, like, it was just so, like, he was like, he's like, who are you?

Oh, yeah, Jordan. Like, and I was like, oh, man, I just fell for a moment. I felt for a moment. And I, I, there's very few things that I haven't just, like, totally buried to where I don't have to cringe about them anymore, but, like, I'm having trouble burying that one, because I just cannot get it out of my head. Is that why you get your haircut here at the house now? Yeah, I'm not going.

I never went back. I was like, I feel so. I went back one time, and honestly, I went back one time, and they all, they, there was another stylist that was cutting my hair. And she was super interested in, in like, she was like asking me all these questions. She was like, how's your wife? And it turns out they didn't know. They thought I was, uh, what's-married to Alex. Defined Dishes husband.

They were confused. And they asked me a question. They were like, like, how's the music or something like that? And I was like, wait. Who do you think I am? And this was after like 10 minutes of talking. And I just felt so embarrassed. that. So yeah, I'm not cool for that place.

No, you have to think about how many people they sit and talk to. How many people do you sit and talk to, like on your day? Like, you just talk to your team. You have to give them some grace. I mean, they are meeting a lot of people. People that show up come once, come twice, come monthly. Like, and the amount of information they're like consuming from these people. Yeah, I'm not blaming them.

I'm just saying like I was really, I think that's the difference between a hairstylist and me. Hold on. Let me say it's the difference between a hairstylist and me. is like you have to admit like I don't small talk with everyone I can I think you do but I don't typically but like if I'm going to go in and go deep like yeah I'm going to do it intentionally and I'm going to remember you forever yeah because you don't let you don't open yourself up to that many people that's why I'm saying it's not fair because I think that they're opening themselves up to a lot of people on a daily basis true I'm not mad at them I just I felt very embarrassed oh and you know

funny story about this is the last part of the this story. I see Charlie in Austin. He's staying at the same hotel, the Austin proper, and he's at breakfast. And there are not many people in there. I walk by and I go, I'm not falling for this again. I didn't even say hi. I did it. You're becoming a little cynical. No, no, I'm not cynical. I just said I'm, I was so trauma. It was so trauma to me that I just couldn't. I know. It's because you and I both fall for people, like we love people with more outgoing, charismatic personalities. Love it. And we think that, Maybe it's just for us, but it's not.

It's like, oh, that's why you're that way, because like you can do this to anyone. You have so much energy to give. Right. And I see, I'm very selective. I have a finite amount of energy. And if I pour it, it's like I'm doing this intentionally. That's because you're introverted. I don't think I'm introverted.

You're one million zillion percent introverted. You're outgoing when you're around people like you said, but you need to be by yourself. You have to be by yourself to energize it. Yeah, and then you go back out. I can turn it on or turn off. I get it, babe. No, you don't. You turn, you're on every day.

I don't understand. Well, you don't get it. Do you feel like you're introverted even in the slightest? When I'm depressed, yeah. I know. But you're out of that season, and I can, I was so funny. I can feel the tides turning of like your season. Yeah.

Do you feel it? Yeah, I go to everything. I'm back in a baby. You're going to everything. I will say the only downside for me is you're a lot less cuddly. Because you're going, you're on the move. You're going, going, going, going. And, you know, I'm so happy for you.

I think you're doing great. But, like, I just, you know, even this morning, I was kind of like encouraging you, like, hey, like, we've got to remember. Give me some snuggles, you know, give me some love. Because you can just go 100 million miles an hour. I'm on a mission. baby you're but you're 24-7 you wake up with the mission it's true and you go to sleep with the mission i do so where's my time where's my time where you're docile i know i'm not docile

no you're not dicyle i but gosh it's so hard because we had such a you know more or less two-year journey of docileness that it's okay it's a new season i'm back you're back baby um You're happy, though. Yeah. I can tell you're really happy. Yeah. And that makes me happy. I was thinking this other day, actually, when we were walking to the airport,

and I was just thinking about my life on Instagram and in my community. Because, you know, I genuinely do, like, care about my people. And, like, I think about them all the time. And I think about ways to serve them. Or I think about the way that I'm living my life. And I'm like, oh, I need to be a good example or, you know, not make it all about me, but also like am I putting out the message that I want to send to people and you know just these common everyday thoughts that really we're all probably having whether it's as parents or friends or a

co-worker is just yeah so I was having those thoughts and I thought to myself you know if I died tomorrow I'd be a happy girl you like left it all in the field I feel like I feel so blessed You know, like I just feel so full and I don't really want anything. I want to be with my kids and I want like to be happy, obviously. But I feel like I've just, it's not that I left it on the table. It's not about me. I just feel like God has given me so much. And I'm just happy.

I'm just content and I'm thankful. Man, you really aren't depressed anymore. I mean, that was beautiful. That was beautiful. I truly. think about it. I'm like if I, because you know, there's just, there's so much going on in the world and I just think about it all. And I'm like, man, there's just God, like there's really nothing more I could ask for. I feel so blessed. Wow. I love that. And that, and I think whenever you have a

perspective where you're not depressed and you can realize that because it's not like God is doing more for me now than he was back then. It's not like I'm still, I still have crappy days. I still have crappy things happen to me. I still get upset. I still get in fights. I still. I still. feel certain ways. Sometimes I'm overly competitive. Sometimes I'm jealous. Sometimes I'm this, I'm that. But I think that whenever you are not depressed,

you can put things into perspective and see all of the blessings. The blessings on blessings. What's that song? I don't know. But yeah, like even going to this wedding, I feel like the one thing that, like, my magic power is when everybody else is complaining about something. I can turn it.

and be like, guys, but like, look at how good this is. And when everybody else is frustrated about, you know, maybe something not showing up or the timing or whatever, I feel like I can look at it and be like, guys, we're in New York City. We are all alive and healthy and we're here with our friends. And, like, just it's, yeah, it's like a superpower that I feel like God has given me that just helps me, like, appreciate everything.

And so I don't feel like anything is missing from my life. What do you think has switched the perspective? Depression. Yeah, I know, but like, was there, was there, was it just like seasonal? Like, was there something specific that, like, brought you out of the season? Maybe. Maybe we'll talk about it later, though. Okay.

I was just throwing it out if you wanted to talk about it now. It's okay. We'll save it. Cool. Cool, cool, cool. Yeah, so anyway, finishing up the, did you have any good conversations, interesting conversations? Because, you know, we did the ceremony, we did the reception, we did the after party that night, which was cool. That was cool, yeah.

I loved it. It was like a rooftop after party. They had, like, dancers and... The reason Nathan was so interesting to me was, is it okay? I don't know. Was because he worked underneath Carl Lentz at Hillsong. And he said nothing bad, but it was so, you know, obviously. we've watched the documentary, we talked about the documentary, and he left long before

Hill, like Carl Lentz, you know, went through all of his stuff, but, um, we just talked about the redemptive nature of the documentary, you know, he was able to kind of like round out a lot of perspectives that I had on Hillsong. We talked, um, you talked with Jasmine about like, you know, Christian fame and like how like that's been a struggle to us, but they're in a more like New York based crowd where like Christian fame is a little bit more different and more prevalent than I would say like in Texas. Yeah. Y'all had a really cool conversation about that.

And then the other person I really enjoyed talking to the most was David Nelson. Oh, yeah. And I'll save it because I think they're coming on the podcast. But he was kind of a dark horse for me because he's fun. He's fun. Yeah. And that's what I mean. They're both really fun.

It's not that I didn't think he was fun before, but like I feel like he really kind of like let his guard down, had fun. opened up, you know, he was like a really big deal in college. Really? Yeah, like he was like part of the Tim Tebow, Florida Gators. And he has a documentary coming out. He said about that team like on August 22nd, like an untold like a Johnny Mansell. Yeah. But he's so humble about it that I'm like, wait, like that's crazy.

Wait, it's just about like that team that he played on. And so he just like has had the spotlight in his life. And for doing that, he's very humble and down to earth. He seems like a really good dad. Yeah, they both are really cool. Yeah, so I enjoy talking to him quite a bit. What about you? I like hanging out with Maddie and Courtney a lot.

They were so fun. Maddie Courtney and Laura. Yeah. Like, we had a blast. They're fun. They're fun. They're like, we're like, mom's not going out. Mom's night, you know.

I know. We were like ready to wind down and Maddie was like, we're going out tonight. And I was like, what? I was like not expecting that. I was like, I did not expect that from you. Courtney, yeah. But you know. No, honestly, Courtney is actually more tame than you think.

Yeah. Courtney's very, like, chill. She's always been a very, like, chill vibe. But she's just down. She's easygoing. Yeah, she was easygoing. So, no, I mean, it was a really great experience. We brought Brenda with us, so she helped us with the kids whenever we were out doing the wedding festivities.

She had fun. That was her first time to New York. First time to New York. She loved it. She was like, man, you guys got to give me out more. Yeah. And we came home, and, I mean, I conked out for two. Hidnapped forever and yeah what do you have what do you looking forward to for this week

What I'm not allowed to say yet oh is it what I think it is yeah starting huh this week uh just finalizing everything yeah we have some really cool news it's like I it's revolutionary news it's like like like it's like big league like it I will say it's probably in my entire career the thing I will be most proud of. We did it together too. Yeah, we did. I'm saying like, but like for, you know, for me, it's like up there. Like we do everything together. But like it's my my crowning achievement.

No, I'm so, so excited about that. That's the like most annoying, frustrating teas for them. But yeah, I'm looking forward to that. We hired like a new art director for Divi. Oh, cool. so they're going to like come in. Yeah. Do we have any travels coming out?

You're going to that Bachelorette party? I'm going to Janine's Bachelorette party in San Diego. Oh, I'll tell you. Okay, so when Danny is on the Bachelorette party, if anyone has seen Tiger King. Oh gosh. And I know this is going to be mildly controversial. It's okay.

If anyone's seen Tiger King, there is on Instagram this place called Myrtle Beach Animal Safari. And you'll see all the characters. There's this guy named Cody something and he's like always swimming with tigers and like swimming with elephants and like playing with chimpanzees and they all are part of this Myrtle Beach animal safari. And for years I've been wanting to go there. But like you're not, it's not your vibe.

I mean, I would go. But Myrtle Beach is not your vibe. Myrtle Beach, I don't think is a lot of people survive. What's Myrtle Beach? I don't even know anything about it. It's in South Carolina. I think people call it dirty Myrtle. I didn't really watch the...

No, they don't talk about Myrtle Beach. But anyway, I was always going to be like, oh, Danny, we should go to Myrtle Beach so that we can go to this place. But I don't think a lot of people like... I thought Myrtle Beach was really pretty. I thought so too, but it's not. Like, I don't think people really like it. And if I'm wrong, tell me.

But people are like, yeah, it's like not a good place to go visit. So anyway, Danny's going to go on this bachelorette party, and I'm thinking that I'm going to take Stella to Myrtle Beach Animal Safari and have her go. Are they, is she old enough? I got a call. But it says on the website all ages, but. I don't know if I like this. Why?

Because it's like lions and tigers and stuff. Well, they, we're not going to like touch. We only touch the baby tigers. Yeah, but still seems dangerous. Well, I'm going to call. They're animals. They're animals. And that's what like, always tell people, even dogs.

at the end of the day. Yes, they are like our family, but like, it's animals. They have animal instinct. I know. Be careful. But I feel like, you know, it's a safe place, no?

They're animals, babe. Wild animals. Baby chimps. They're so cute. Anyway, it's an animal suffraud, refuge, sanctuary. They're big into conservation, just trying to, like,

yeah, protect myself. Yeah. So I'm really excited about that. That'll be awesome. If they allow two-year-olds, or three-year-olds. What's a way that you are going to spice up our marriage this week? Really?

Are you bored? Are you bored? No, I just am curious if you've been thinking about it. I honestly have been thinking about it quite a bit. But it's funny because like I feel like the way that I want to spice. I roll. I feel like the way that I want to spice up the marriage is like, I don't know if you're like fully on board with it right now.

What are you talking about? What's your idea? I mean, it's just like more, um, like, do you need physical spice or emotional spice? What was your idea? Well, I don't, I mean, I'm not going to say it, but I was just like, just thinking, you know? Why it could help a lot of marriages? No. I'm just not that guy.

Probably both for me. Really? Emotionally, you're feeling a little drained? A little bit. But is that from our marriage, or is that from, like, just the craze of this weekend? Yeah, just the circumstances, but isn't that life, you know?

Yeah, yeah. So you need more emotional attention this week? You know what I really need? Just more fun. Uh-huh. Like, that wasn't? Yeah. I had fun with my girlfriends and stuff, but like, for example, we took all the pedicabs after the wedding.

Wow, this was really traumatizing to you. So we never talked about this, but after the reception to go to the after party, there was a motorcycle gang of pedicabs that were like jamming, loud music, decorated with all these LED lights. Like, probably the coolest experience, we were just like a motorcycle gang of pedicabs all, you know, making our ways to the after. We took over New York. We owned the streets. It was so fun. And I'm sitting there like trying to dance and sing. And Jordan, I've never sat.

You were wooden. You were wooden Indian that night. I don't think I was though. But you weren't like letting loose, like just living in the moment, letting the night take over. I mean, in my mind I was though. No. You were just sitting there.

And I was like, babe, like, are you having fun? You're like, yeah. You looked miserable. I wasn't at all. Okay. Okay, so you need more fun. I get it. Yeah.

Yeah. It just, like, that's, you know my love language. It's not acts of service. It's not words of affirmation. It's not, like, anything, like, really deep. Honestly, I just need someone I can hang and laugh with. That's literally it. that's all I care about.

Yeah, totally. I get it. I'm a funny guy. I know, but sometimes you save it for everyone else except for me. That's a mic drop right there. That could be true. That could be true.

You put it on and you make everybody else laugh, but then you come back to me and you're just sitting there. I know. Maybe you're too much of my refuge. I don't mind being your refuge, But like, I need something too, you know. Mm-hmm. I just, my love language is quality time.

I'm just here to hang. Yeah. That's really it. Okay. I don't even care if it's at, like, Walmart, you know? Yeah, we just need to hang. I agree, though. Like, I agree.

With no agenda. Right. Okay. I love it. Let's, let's end this thing. You want to go hang? Let's go hang out. Okay.

Well, well. You can end it? Okay. We gotta go hang. Yeah, we're gonna go hang. Thank you guys for listening. We will be back next week. We actually have some surprise episodes for y'all.

We know, we know we're gonna spice this whole D-influenced series up. So you guys will not even believe who's on the podcast for the next couple of weeks. We're gonna get, we're gonna get deep. We're get to know some people. we're going to like go past the layers. We're going to have fun. We're going to have fun. We love you guys and we'll talk to you later.

Bye. Bye.