#78: If you’ve ever felt stuck in the rinse-and-repeat cycle of life, this episode is your wake-up call.

Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once and founder of Four Thousand Mondays, joins me for a conversation that’s as deep as it is energizing. We talk about how grief, boredom, and near-death wake-up calls (literal or not) can be the ultimate invitation to actually live your damn life.

We cover:
 — What it means to live like you mean it
 — Why “someday” is a dangerous trap
 — How small joys and everyday novelty can change everything
 — Bucket lists, regrets, and why the Grim Reaper might actually be your BFF

This episode isn’t about fearing death; it’s about using it to spark something real. You only die once. But how many Mondays do you have left? (Seriously. Count them.)

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

Get your copy of You Only Die Once

Get Jodi in the room at your next event 

Listen to Jodi's TedX Talk

CONNECT WITH JODI:

On Instagram @fourthousandmondays

www.fourthousandmondays.com

CONNECT WITH THE TAYLOR:

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

Submit a guest or topic for the podcast here.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ironicallyseriouspod

Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

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Leave me a voicemail here.

#77: Helen Thacker has been in business longer than most of us have been using Instagram, and she’s got thoughts. After 22 years of entrepreneurship, two six-figure businesses, and raising two boys, Helen’s no stranger to reinvention, risk, and real-life challenges (hi, back injury and burnout).

In this episode, we talk about the messy parts of building a business while raising a family, how intuition and work ethic can coexist, and why so many women are playing small when they know they’re meant for more. Helen drops major wisdom on what it actually takes to get seen, get paid, and stand out without selling your soul. If you’ve ever felt like your genius is being overlooked—or you’re lowkey scared to sell—this one’s for you.

We also talk about:
 ✹ Finding your “thing” and owning it out loud
 ✹ Building confidence (even when you’re spiraling in your car pre-networking event)
 ✹ Her industry-first AI tool that helps you write better messaging in your voice
 ✹ Why your Canva addiction is not helping you get paid
 ✹ What to do when your business starts to feel heavy AF

Whether you’re in the thick of a hustle season or ready to claim your authority, this convo will hit home.

Listen in and then go sell something, without the sleaze. ;)

CONNECT WITH HELEN THACKER:

On Instagram @helenthacker

www.helenthackercoaching.com

Join Helen's free messaging vault

Get Iconessence AI

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

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Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

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#76: What do you actually know about your pelvic floor? Like… beyond “do your Kegels” and hope for the best?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sara Reardon (also known as The Vagina Whisperer) to talk all things pelvic floor health, pain with sex, birth recovery, body awareness, and her new book Floored. Whether you’re postpartum, perimenopausal, or just tired of being dismissed by your OB, this conversation is your permission slip to start asking better questions about your body.

We get into:
 – Why “just do Kegels” is not the whole story
 – The mental health side of pelvic floor dysfunction
 – How stress, trauma, and anxiety show up in the body
 – Sara’s journey writing Floored and claiming her voice
– Why self-assessment matters way more than you think
– How to know if your pelvic floor is too tight (yep, that’s a thing)
– Normalizing the conversation around sex, leakage, and body literacy

If no one ever taught you about your pelvic floor, this episode will.The Vagina Whisperer Speaks

BUY YOUR COPY OF FLOORED HERE

Take Dr. Reardon's Pelvic Floor Quiz Here

CONNECT WITH DR. SARA REARDON:

On Instagram @the.vagina.whisperer

www.thevagwhisperer.com

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

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Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

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#75: Look, I’m not saying I am pregnant… but I’m also not saying I’m not. 😅

In this solo episode, I’m catching you up on everything life’s been throwing at me lately, from the unexpected pregnancy scare that had me spiraling (with Google searches and ovulation math) to reflecting on marriage, parenting, and what the hell it means to try and do it all well. I’m getting real about what this next phase of life and business actually feels like: chaotic yet grounded and weirdly stable.

Inside the episode:
 – A maybe pregnancy scare
 – The beauty + baggage of parenting in a blended family
 – Thoughts on marriage, second chances, and fighting better this time around
 – Chanel & Lee updates: new hires, growth, and learning how to let go
 – Behind-the-scenes of speaking on the main stage (!!!)
 – Why being busy still doesn’t make me feel “enough," and what I’m doing about it

Let’s just say this one has everything: condoms, commitment, control issues.

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

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Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

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#74: This episode might as well come with a co-pay.

I’m joined by the incredible Ally Hoffman—licensed therapist, founder of Safe Space Healing Collective, and the type of human who lives and breathes what she teaches. With a background that spans music industry chaos, PR, and a full-circle moment into the therapy chair (as both client and practitioner), Ally brings a no-BS approach to healing that’s grounded, real, and refreshingly relatable.

We go deep on what it actually means to do “the work”—from childhood wounds and boundary-setting to that weird guilt of needing help when life looks “fine.” Ally shares her tools, her story, and her very honest takes on everything from emotional regulation to wedding planning.

Inside the episode:
 – What therapy should feel like (and what it definitely shouldn’t)
– The difference between coping and grounding
– Getting over the “I’m fine” mindset and learning to ask for support
– How to communicate needs without sounding like a TED Talk
– Parenting, presence, and holding space for your inner child
– Why helping professionals need better boundaries (and a life offline)

And yes—this one feels a little like free therapy... but way more fun.

CONNECT WITH ALLY:

On IG @safespacehealingcollective

www.safespacehealingcollective.com

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

Submit a guest or topic for the podcast here.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ironicallyseriouspod

Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

Submit your SOS to be featured on an episode here.

Leave me a voicemail here.

#73: We all know small talk is exhausting—so what if we just… stopped settling for it?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Terentieva, founder of Off The Record—a connection card game built to help you skip the surface and get straight to the good stuff. We talk about everything from growing up as the go-to “deep chat” friend to building a product that’s helping people have conversations that actually matter.

We cover:
 → The real reason we struggle with adult friendships (hint: it’s not just time)
 → Why asking good questions is more powerful than having the right answers
 → How cultural identity, language, and being a first-gen American shaped how Kate connects
 → What she learned about human behavior from working with brands like WhatsApp & Four Seasons
 → And how Off The Record went from a side project to a movement for deeper connection

This episode is for you if you’ve ever sat at a networking event dreading the “what do you do?” convo, felt lonely in a room full of people, or just want to be better at making people feel seen (and also heard because that’s different).

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

Get your hands on Off The Record and use code SERIOUSLY10 for 10% off your order here.

CONNECT WITH KATE & OTR:

On IG @playofftherecord @katarinaterentieva

www.katemob.com

www.playofftherecord.com

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

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Follow the podcast on Instagram @ironicallyseriouspod

Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

Submit your SOS to be featured on an episode here.

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#72: This week, I’m sitting down with Christiana Garza—mom, mentor, co-founder of Her Society, and the kind of woman who’s built a business and a life with both backbone and soul. We’re talking about what it really means to show up for yourself in motherhood, in business, and in the messy middle. From losing her dad at 24 and becoming his caretaker, to moving across the world and facing identity shifts head-on, Christiana brings the kind of honesty that doesn’t just hit—it heals.

Inside the episode, we unpack:
 → What it looks like to stop playing small (and how it shows up in your business)
 → The mindset blocks keeping women stuck (even when things “look successful”)
 → Building a SaaS platform for VAs with heart + strategy
 → Why inner work has to come before the scaling phase
→ Being a mother and a CEO and letting both identities breathe

If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you are and who you’re becoming, this one’s for you.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTIANA:

Her Society Agency

Her Society Solutions Software

On IG @theofficialchristiana @hersocietysolutions

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

Submit a guest or topic for the podcast here.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ironicallyseriouspod

Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

Submit your SOS to be featured on an episode here.

Leave me a voicemail here.

#71: We’re back with an episode that’s part love story, part therapy session, and part "why would anyone do that to themselves?"—and it’s all happening from a hotel room in Amarillo, Texas (cue the romance). In this episode, I sat down with my husband, Josh Hedden, to talk about his completely casual plan to run 100 miles through the mountains. Yes, on purpose.

We get into the gritty stuff—how he went from “running is dumb” to training for an ultramarathon, what it’s really like prepping your body (and brain) for 50+ mile races, and how confronting old mindsets (including struggles with eating disorders and self-worth) shaped his relationship with running, growth, and life.

You’ll hear: 

→ The unfiltered truth about ultramarathon prep (spoiler: it's not just running more)
 → Josh’s take on failure, family, and why chasing something hard might actually heal you
 → Our collective first encounter with a near-death experience (and no, I'm not exaggerating)
 → Why it's never too late to start something wild—like 100-mile trail races, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or talking into a mic with your wife

Whether you’re an aspiring runner, in your self-reinvention era, or just nosy about what our marriage sounds like IRL, this episode is proof that it’s not about being fearless—it’s about saying “f*ck it” and doing it anyway.

CONNECT WITH JOSH:

On Instagram @josh__hedden

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

Submit a guest or topic for the podcast here.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ironicallyseriouspod

Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

Submit your SOS to be featured on an episode here.

Leave me a voicemail here.

#70: Mikayla Chaparro didn’t just pivot—she rebuilt. The last time Mikayla came on the podcast, she was walking through the raw, immediate aftermath of losing her son, Valor. It was tender, heavy, and still too fresh to fully unpack.

In this episode, Mikayla returns—still grieving, still growing, and now stepping into a completely new season of life. We talk about what has shifted in the last few years since, not just in her business and motherhood journey, but in who she is as a woman.

This is not a highlight reel. This is a story about loss, rebuilding, and choosing to keep moving—when it would’ve been easier to stay stuck.

We talk about:
 → Living with grief that doesn’t go away, but changes shape
 → Writing as a tool for healing, honesty, and not sugarcoating your story
 → The evolution of Dawn Photo Co. and what growth actually looks like behind the scenes
 → Selling a house, uprooting your family, and letting go of the version of life you once built
 → Embracing maturity, contentment, and identity beyond your job title

If you’re in a season of transition—grief, growth, or just wondering who the hell you are now—this episode will meet you right where you are.

Listen to Mikayla's episode from 2022 here.

CONNECT WITH MIKAYLA:

www.mikayladawnchaparro.substack.com

www.dawnphotoco.com

www.mikayladawn.com

On IG @mikayladawnchaparro

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

Submit a guest or topic for the podcast here.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ironicallyseriouspod

Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

Submit your SOS to be featured on an episode here.

Leave me a voicemail here.

#69: In this solo episode of Ironically Serious, I show up with a black eye, a pile of business hot takes, and absolutely zero apologies. (If you’re watching the video version—yes, I really did record this with a full-on face bruise.)

I’m diving into how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has totally shifted my mindset—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and how it’s made me show up differently in my business (and life). Spoiler: discovering your inner grit is cheaper than another branding course.

Then we’re getting into it with some spicy business myths I think need to die:
→ You need a website to launch? False.
→ Brand photos are mandatory? Meh.
→ You should always be scaling? Let’s talk about it.
→ Wait until you’re profitable to invest? Bye.
→ Hire a coach before you even know what you want? Hard pass.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re playing business dress-up just to be taken seriously—this one’s for you. Tune in, take notes, and maybe question everything you’ve been told.

LET'S STAY CONNECTED:

Is video more your thing? Watch this episode on YouTube.

Join 1k others in my weekly unhinged newsletter where I get honest about entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Ironically Serious podcast at www.ironicallyserious.com

Submit a guest or topic for the podcast here.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @ironicallyseriouspod

Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

Submit your SOS to be featured on an episode here.

Leave me a voicemail here.