Welcome to the podcast that gives you permission to say no. No to boring. No to putting off your dreams. No to a job you hate. No to old habits that no longer serve you. No to imposter syndrome. No to normal. I’m your host, Danielle Renee, and I’ve spent the past 10 years trying new jobs, starting my own businesses, and moving across the country all in an attempt to build a life that doesn’t give the Sunday Scaries (if you know, you know). With this show, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite ventures, like when I converted a school bus into a mobile gift shop, and when I discovered the wonderful world of seasonal work by googling “jobs that pay your rent.” I’ll also have weekly interviews with creatives, industry-disruptors, and adventurous souls who said “no” to the normal 9-5 life, and are defining happiness and success on their own terms. Basically, I started a podcast so I’d have an excuse to chat with some of the coolest humans I’ve ever met, and I’m excited to invite you along for the ride!
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60 recent
September 3, 202524 min
67 - AMA: Pet Sitting - Travel Edition!
It’s an “Ask Me Anything” episode and all the questions I got were about TrustedHousesitters and what it’s like to be a traveling pet sitter! From booking your first stay to dealing with potential trip cancellations in a foreign country, I’m sharing my advice as a full-time traveling pet sitter.Ready to start your own travel pet sitting adventure??Use my referral link to get 25% off any TrustedHousesitters annual plan: https://trustedhousesitters.pxf.io/YRxZZe—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
August 20, 202531 min
66 - No Plan, No Problem: How This Couple Made the Leap from Corporate Jobs to Full-Time Travel
”Yeah, I’d love to travel buuut I can’t afford that. I’m in a relationship. I can’t leave my pets behind…” Stop right there! Those are excuses and they’re holding you back from living your dream life.Today’s guest, Lauren Messner, is proof that not only can you get paid to live and work in some of the most beautiful places in the world, but you don’t have to do it alone!Since leaving her corporate job without a backup plan over 3 years ago, Lauren has been traveling full-time with the love of her life and their cat, Leche. From caretaking on an island to working in the High Sierras, Lauren and her partner have been able to experience the joy of seasonal work and the nomadic lifestyle most people just dream about.If you want to make the leap but feel too scared, Lauren’s story and advice will be the push you need!—[Free Download] Freedom Travel Guide: The Freedom Travel Handbook [Free Download]Follow today’s guest on Instagram: Lauren🌾🍄 (@lauren_messner1)Follow today’s guest on TikTok: Lo 🥾🌲🏔️ on TikTokFollow the pod on Instagram: Danielle | Unconventional Living Coach (@notonormalpod)—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
August 6, 202531 min
65 - From 'What If' to 'All In': The Story of Funk It Coffee and Thrift
We all have that idea that would be fun “someday.” We throw it out as a joke over a glass of wine with friends or on a road trip. We laugh and say, “wouldn’t it be fun to launch that *insert random business idea here*?”Well, Funk It Coffee and Thrift is one of those ideas that actually went from dream to reality! Markie Russell is on the show today to chat about how she and her best friend actually took the leap and launched Funk It Coffee and Thrift.In this episode:Why the “don’t work with friends” rule isn’t always correctHow they were able to get business loans, oversee the construction process, and hire an amazing team without prior experienceHow “fun” is a core principle of the business and how they ensure that comes through in everything they doThe reality of running a business like this and advice for anyone ready to make their random idea a reality too—Have your own business ideas but feel stuck? Book a 1:1 call with Danielle:Empower Hour — No To NormalLearn more about Funk It Coffee and Thrift: Funk It Coffee and ThriftFollow the pod on Instagram: Danielle | Unconventional Living Coach (@notonormalpod)—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
July 23, 202532 min
64 - Life after Layoff: How to Thrive When the Universe Pushes You into the Unknown
Taking the leap to quit your job and try something new is always scary and it’s easy to keep putting it off, but sometimes the universe steps in and makes the decision for you.That’s what happened in the case of today’s guest, Josephine Wong. When she was laid off from her graphic design job a couple of years ago, she took it as a sign to finally go after some of her bucket list dreams. She took a solo trip, she leaned into content creation, she tried new hobbies, and today she’s on the show to talk about what’s she learned during that time.If you’ve been feeling stuck and like you aren’t making the most of your free will lately, or you’re terrified at the idea of starting over, this episode is for you!—JOIN CANNONBALL: http://notonormal.co/cannonballFollow today’s guest on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josephinellwong/Follow the pod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notonormalpod/—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
July 9, 202519 min
63 - Beyond Weddings & Babies: Celebrating Life Outside the Checklist
Our society loves celebrating a big life milestone. Engagements, weddings, babies; these are the things that prompt parties (and gifts).But what if that’s not the path you’re on? When is it your chance to feel celebrated?Any. Time. You. Want.In this episode, we’re digging deep into:Why certain milestones get celebrated over others (and why that needs to change)How to identify moments in your own life that deserve recognitionCommon mindset blocks that stop us from celebrating ourselvesAnd how to invite others into your joy, even when it feels a little vulnerableIf you’re constantly downplaying your accomplishments or rushing towards the next goal without pausing, this episode is for you.—Join Cannonball: http://notonormal.co/cannonballShare your little wins with me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/heydaniellerenee/—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
June 25, 202538 min
62 - From Surviving on Credit Cards to Founding a Multi-6 Figure Business
Just because your first plan didn’t work out doesn’t mean you’re not meant for something incredible. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the thing that really clicks. And that’s a story that today’s guest, Jamie Kowalik, knows all too well.Jamie is the founder of Glo Creative Design Studio (and the designer behind the No to Normal website!) Before scaling her studio to a multi-6 figure business, she was struggling to make ends meet, she was putting bills on credit cards, and navigating motherhood and burnout, in the middle of a global pandemic…In today’s episode, Jamie is sharing:How she pivoted from a failed business and dove headfirst into a brand new career she had no experience withWhat happened when she finally allowed herself to dream biggerHow she balances her schedule to enjoy life to the fullest while still running a thriving businessAnd more!If you’ve been feeling stuck or discouraged lately, or you’ve been wondering if it’s too late to go after the life you actually want, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.—Check out Glo Creative Design Studio: High-Converting Squarespace Website Templates & Web DesignJoin Cannonball, my masterclass on taking messy action: Cannonball by @heydaniellerenee | Stan[Free] Download the Freedom Travel Guide: No To NormalLove today’s episode? Share on IG and tag me @heydaniellerenee—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
May 28, 202549 min
61 - Your Permission Slip to Follow Your Own Path (Even If No One Else Understands)
Normally I’m the one asking the questions, but today I’m answering them! I was recently a guest on the Travel Creator Podcast and I loved our conversation there so much that I wanted to share it here too. In this episode:How I knew it was finally time to quit my 9-5 even though I was scaredWhat my “North Star” is and how I use it to keep moving forward and build a life I genuinely loveWhat it really looks like to live an unconventional life that other people don’t understand…and so many fun side tangents like my desire to monetize everything, how I converted a mini school bus pre-covid, and what it’s like to travel the country as a pet sitterThis conversation was like sitting down with a bestie over a couple of drinks and I hope you’ll walk away feeling like, “If Danielle can do it, so can I!”If you loved today’s interview, you can find The Travel Creator Podcast hosted by Laura Haley wherever you listen to podcasts!—Book an Empower Hour Call with Danielle: Empower Hour — No To NormalHave questions? Shoot me a DM: Instagram (@heydaniellerenee)—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
May 14, 202535 min
60 - The Travel Creator's Guide to Posting Less & Earning More
Burnt out from trying to keep up with the algorithm? Editing new videos every day, engaging in the DMs, showing up on stories… It’s A LOT.But what if I told you that there’s an easier (and more profitable!) way to connect with your audience?In today’s episode, I’m joined by Laura Haley (@travelcontentwriting) to chat about the one strategy that most travel creators overlook: newsletters!We cover how email can help you build a successful and sustainable travel brand, the easiest way to write emails people actually want to open (even if you’re not a “writer”), and how to grow an email list from scratch.If you're ready to post less, explore more, and stop fighting the algorithm—this one's for you.—Follow the me on Instagram: Instagram (@heydaniellerenee)Follow today’s guest on Instagram: Instagram (@travelcontentwriting)[FREE DOWNLOAD] Get my Freedom Travel Handbook here: The Freedom Travel Handbook [Free Download]—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
Surprise!I’m popping into your feed on a Thursday with a quick bonus episode to announce that Cannonball, my brand-new course, is officially OPEN! 🎉In this short and sweet episode, I’m breaking down what’s inside the course, who it was made for, and why now’s the perfect time to join as a founding member.If you’ve been stuck in overthinking mode and dreaming of a life that feels more you — this is your sign.Founding Member Perks:$100 off for founding membersFull refund in exchange for sharing course feedbackLifetime access + future updatesReady to make the leap??Join here: Join the Cannonball Waitlist (http://notonormal.co/cannonball)
April 30, 202539 min
58 - How to Create a Personal Brand That Actually Feels Like You
You already have a personal brand - even if you’ve never thought about it that way.It’s not about being an influencer or having a perfectly curated aesthetic. Your personal brand is how you show up in the world, how you’re perceived, and how you connect with others.Today, I'm joined by Krista Marie - personal branding strategist, photographer, and podcast host - to break down what it really means to create a personal brand that feels like you, and not just some performance.In this episode, we’re covering:What a personal brand actually is (and what it isn’t)How to build your brand around your values, not just your visualsThe difference between your niche and your personal brandHow to show up authentically - even if you don’t feel “ready” yetIf you’re ready to create a personal brand you’re actually proud of without all of the overwhelm and generic advice, this episode is for you!—Follow today’s guest on IG: Instagram (@heykristamarie)Listen to the Amplify Your Brand & Business Podcast: Podcast—Cannonball opens tomorrow!Join Cannonball: notonormal.co/cannonballHave questions? Shoot me a DM: Instagram (@heydaniellerenee)—Credits:Editing by Midnight Sun PodcastingCover art by Kinsey H. DesignsIntro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
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