DANGEROUSLY GOOD STORIES

⚠️ Note: This episode is from the Intentional Documentary® era. I've kept it in the public archive because it embodies the heart of story work: memory, presence, and the emotional texture of everyday life.

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This short story is about a fleeting routine, a toddler's trust, and the photograph that helped me remember it all. What began as a daily lift down the stairs turned into a tender ritual we called "Monkey Up."

This is what it means to document from memory, not just to remember.

Topics:

• A quiet daily ritual between mother and child
• Documenting from memory vs. documenting to remember
• Why some photos hold more than what meets the eye
• Trust, presence, and parenting in early childhood
• A reflection challenge to notice the stories still unfolding in your life

Access all active archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-podcast-archive

⚠️ Note: This is a legacy episode from the Intentional Documentary® era. I've kept it here because it explores journaling as a tool for healing, clarity, and memory, particularly interesting for those reimagining how and why they document their lives.

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When Jayne Swallow became a mother, she realized how quickly memories faded and how powerful journaling could be in holding onto them. What began as a personal design project turned into Promptly Journals, a brand that helps people document their lives through beautiful, practical tools, both in print and in app form.

In this episode, Jayne shares how journaling has supported her through memory-keeping, burnout, and emotional overwhelm. We talk about writing as a form of healing, how to make journaling doable in busy seasons, and why perfectionism often gets in the way of meaningful documentation.

Topics covered:

• Why journaling matters, even if you're not "a writer"
• Jayne's evolution from graphic designer to journal-maker
• How journaling shifted from memory-keeping to emotional processing
• The difference between prompted and unstructured journaling
• How the Promptly app helps families record and print their stories
• New journal formats for grief, miscarriage, and mental health
• Letting go of the guilt when starting "late"
• Tips for weaving journaling into real-life rhythms
• Why writing doesn't need to be beautiful to be meaningful

Connect with Jayne + access the archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive

⚠️ Note: This episode is from the Intentional Documentary® era. I've kept it in the archive because it explores writing as a form of noticing, self-awareness, and story work, especially for those craving clarity, calm, or deeper connection.

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Writing has always helped me clear the fog and feel lighter. In this episode, I share 11 different ways I've used journaling over the years—from diary-style reflections to emotional letters, prompts, and story work exercises.

Some are quick. Some go deep. All of them are invitations to meet yourself on the page.

Topics:

• Why writing can be a tool for clarity, presence, and emotional release
• 11 distinct journaling approaches, including morning pages, emotional letters, and buddy journals
• How writing helps uncover beliefs, patterns, and personal truths
• Using your stories as creative prompts or healing practices

Access all active archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-podcast-archive

⚠️ Note: This episode is from the Intentional Documentary® era, but it remains a gentle, grounding reflection on creativity, motherhood, and the beauty of slowing down. I've kept it in the public archive for its resonance with story work, place, and legacy.

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What makes life feel exotic? Photographer and author Chloe Lodge invites us to look again at our ordinary.

In this thoughtful conversation, she reflects on home, belonging, and how her creative vision evolved through motherhood, travel, and letting go of perfection. We also talk about the making of her book For the Love of the Photograph and how returning to presence changed the way she sees.

Topics:

• Chloe's global journey: England → Paris → Dubai → Bali → New Zealand
• Childhood influence and early photography inspiration
• Why she left client work and leaned into everyday documentary
• The making of her book For the Love of the Photograph
• Emotional honesty and creative hunger in personal projects
• How light, play, and presence shape her 365 project
• Reflections on parenting, legacy, and what it means to see
• The phrase "exotic everyday" and what it reveals about perception

Where is Chloe now?

Living in the Waitaki Valley on New Zealand's South Island, she continues to create, mentor, and write with deep attention to light and presence. She's proudly supported by Nikon NZ as one of their official Creators, recognized for her distinctive storytelling and creative experimentation. Chloe also shares ongoing reflections in her Substack publication A Love Affair with Light.

Connect with Chloe + access the archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive

⚠️ Note: This is a legacy episode from the Intentional Documentary® era. I've kept it here because it explores story, presence, and meaning through deeply human moments, especially relevant for those reflecting on family, loss, and memory.

⚠️ Content warning: This episode includes a brief mention of the sudden loss of a parent during childhood. The story is shared thoughtfully and without graphic detail. Please take care while listening, or feel free to skip this episode if needed.

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What if your most meaningful photos weren't just about what's visible, but about what's at risk of being missed?

In this conversation, Linsey Davis shares how the loss of her father shaped her longing for togetherness, how homeschooling five kids has deepened her awareness, and why photography made her more present, not less.

We talk about documenting as personal legacy, the power of prompts, and how a single table came to hold decades of memory and meaning.

Topics covered:

• How Linsey's documenting practice grew from personal grief and a desire for togetherness
• Using photography as a tool to become more present, not less
• The myth of "seeing everything" as a documentarian
• Why prompts are essential for uncovering blind spots in your documenting
• Letting go of professional labels and reclaiming artistry without pressure
• The story of "the table" — a powerful, multi-generational anchor of memory
• A reflection on documenting changing family dynamics as kids grow up
• Linsey's journaling habits and her dream of incorporating more video
• A final challenge for listeners: What story would you regret not recording if you could never pick up your camera again?

Connect with Linsey + access the archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive

⚠️ Note: This episode was recorded during the transition from Fearless and Framed to Dangerously Good Stories. I've kept it in the public archive because it introduces the core ideas that shaped the DGS story work framework.

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This episode invites you to do more than simply remember or document your stories. It's about responding to them. Inside, I share five ways your personal stories can become tools for self-awareness, creative direction, stronger relationships, and clarity in noisy seasons.

This isn't about storytelling for content. It's about story work as life work. You'll hear real-life examples, gentle prompts, and the deeper reason behind choosing the name Dangerously Good Stories.

Topics:

• What a "dangerously good story" actually is
• The backstory behind choosing the name Dangerously Good Stories
• Why noticing your stories isn't enough without a response
• Five practical ways to use your stories in real life
• How personal stories can guide clarity, connection, healing, and creative direction
• How documenting from memory creates new ways of seeing

Access all active archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-podcast-archive

⚠️ Note: This is a legacy episode from the Intentional Documentary® era. I've kept it here because it offers a heartfelt seasonal reflection and real-life listener Q&A, especially relevant if you're navigating family, work, or presence in your current season.

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This episode is part seasonal reflection, part Q&A. I walk you through our summer rhythms, from visitors and vacations to quiet, meaningful moments I might have missed if I hadn't paused to notice them.

Then, I answer three questions from listeners, each opening the door to deeper themes around identity, feeling understood, navigating priorities, and being present in the tension between work and family.

Topics covered:

• A personal look at what our summer actually looked like (travel, camp, daily rhythms)
• A small, everyday moment where I felt like a "good mom"
• Q: "Do you always feel understood?"
• Q: "What do you prioritize — family, work, or something else?"
• Q: "What helped you live more presently in both work and family this season?"
• How seasonal reflection supports deeper presence and meaning-making

Access all active archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-podcast-archive

⚠️ Note: This is a legacy episode from my Intentional Documentary® days. I've kept it in the archive because it holds enduring wisdom on visibility, creativity, and family-first entrepreneurship, especially relevant for story-led business owners navigating depth and direction.

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What does it mean to grow a values-led business without burning out, and still show up as a present parent and creative human?

In this conversation, Pat Flynn shares how his family-first approach shaped his work, why storytelling builds better brands, and what he hopes to see change in education. This is a generous, honest conversation about entrepreneurship, boundaries, and building something worth sustaining.

Topics:

• How Pat's podcast with his son became a memory-keeping practice
• The origin story of Switchpod and product-based entrepreneurship
• Why entrepreneurship should be part of early education
• Business as a vehicle for service, problem-solving, and relationship-building
• Superfans and creating lasting customer connections
• Time, energy, and physical boundaries in entrepreneurial life
• Why small wins can matter more than big launches
• The joy of missing out (JOMO) and choosing slow growth

Connect with Pat + access the archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive

⚠️ Note: This episode is from the Intentional Documentary® era. I've kept it in the archive because it captures a raw and unfiltered turning point in my journey. It reflects a season of grieving an identity, listening inward, and realigning with what matters most.

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes honest reflections on creative burnout, identity loss, and grief in business. Listen gently if you're in a vulnerable season, or skip this one for now.

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In this episode, I share the moment I realized I was no longer connected to my business and the slow grief that followed.

This isn't about failure. It's about facing truth, letting go, and reimagining your work in a way that feels like you again.

If you're carrying heaviness around your creative path, identity, or business, this story might help you name what you're holding — and remind you that you're not alone.

Topics included:

• Why launching The Preservation Project™ left me emotionally exhausted
• Feeling forgotten in the photography industry
• Letting go of my identity as "the strategy person"
• Closing The Goodbye Posing Guide Facebook group (8.5k members, 6 years strong)
• The hidden grief in business pivots and creative exits
• Reframing audience expectations and internalized pressure
• How story work became the bridge back to myself
• A gentle reflection prompt for anyone in a season of loss or shift

Access the archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-podcast-archive

⚠️ Note: This legacy episode was created for documentary family photographers, but its insights into voice, vulnerability, and authentic marketing still resonate. Especially relevant for creatives and parents navigating expression, identity, and work that feels true.

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What does it mean to write with your real voice when the internet tells you to follow best business practices?

In this conversation, copywriter and photographer Rachel Greiman shares practical checkpoints for strengthening your website and inquiry process — while staying rooted in who you are. We also explore the deeper emotional terrain of motherhood, identity, and the power of documenting your life as a form of self-trust.

Topics:

• Rachel's story of blending photography and writing from the start
• Common copy mistakes creatives make on their websites
• Three powerful checkpoints for stronger messaging (homepage, Instagram bio, inquiry emails)
• How to write in your own voice without mimicking others
• Why vulnerability in marketing must be grounded, not performative
• The emotional labor of showing up online when you're also caregiving
• Documenting as a form of self-witnessing during hard seasons

Where is Rachel now?

Since this conversation, Rachel Greiman has grown Green Chair Stories into a full copywriting collective for photographers. What began as a solo business is now a people-first agency where every project benefits from multiple thoughtful voices. It's the strongest, most collaborative version of her work yet.

Explore her agency at greenchairstories.com

Connect with Rachel + access the archived episode resources here: → dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive