Ep. 19 - Healing From Loss, An Immigrant Story & Building a Business with Erika Bañuelos

Ep. 19 - Healing From Loss, An Immigrant Story & Building a Business with Erika Bañuelos

Danielle sits down with the incredible Erika Bañuelos for a deeply moving conversation about family, resilience, and the pursuit of independence. Accompanied by translator Valentina, Erika shares stories of her vibrant childhood in Mexico and the profound impact of a father who taught her what a good man looks like. She opens up about the devastating loss of her first child, which became the catalyst for her to immigrate to the US at eighteen in search of better healthcare. After years of dedicating herself to raising her two sons, Erika discusses her inspiring transition into entrepreneurship, turning a housekeeping job into a thriving business with a mission to lift up and empower other women to find their own financial and personal independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 18 - Running With The Bulls, Air Force Survival & Processing Grief with Macey Marshall

The conversation continues as Macey dives into the reality of her military deployment in Germany and her global travel adventures. She pulls back the curtain on the intense mental and physical resilience it took to navigate being one of the only women in her unit, opening up about the terrifying reality of her service and what it took to survive. They balance the gravity of those experiences with wild travel stories, from drinking wine out of watering cans with monks to running with the bulls. Finally, Macey gets vulnerable about her father's sudden passing, navigating heavy grief without closure, and choosing to never let fear dictate her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 17 - From Latchkey Kid to Rewriting Trauma: The Power of Positivity & Rescuing Squirrels with Macey Marshall

Danielle sits down with her lifelong best friend, Macey Marshall, to explore the childhood journeys that shape us. Macey opens up about growing up as a latchkey kid and navigating her parents' divorce at ten. She shares a fascinating look into her own survival instincts, breaking down how her mind naturally rewired childhood trauma—like being locked in a room during a domestic fight—into beautiful, happy memories. From her choice to protect her peace through relentless positivity to the hilarious logistics of raising a rescued wild squirrel, this episode highlights the radical independence of a young girl determined to build a joyful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 16 - A Pandemic Pivot, Daniel Radcliffe & The True Meaning of Fan Conventions with Dream It Conventions

The phenomenal forces behind Dream It Conventions, Maria and Aurelia, return to lay bare the high-stakes reality of pivoting a live event company during a global lockdown. They break down the resilience it took to survive the ultimate business crisis, balanced by the emotional milestone of Maria officially being declared cancer free. This episode gets to the heart of the true reason fan conventions exist, exploring how television provides a vital escape so we all feel a little less lonely, the power of finding a community that understands you, the surreal experience of hosting icons like Emilia Clarke, and their ultimate vision of manifesting their dream guest, Daniel Radcliffe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 15 - Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to Lucy Hale: Building a Convention Empire with Dream It Conventions

The incredible powerhouses behind Dream It Conventions, Maria and Aurelia, dive straight into the personal journeys that shaped their empire. From Maria navigating a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis at 16 and learning to live life constantly saying yes, to Aurelia leaving Paris for Ohio as an exchange student to fully immerse herself in American culture, this conversation explores how a shared love for television brought this yin and yang duo together. They break down the early struggle of building a business when no one believed in them, and the groundbreaking moment they risked it all to secure Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars, kicking off a massive story that absolutely warranted a part two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]