Ironically Serious

#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.

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#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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Stay connected with me @tay.hedden @chanelandlee

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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

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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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#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.

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#68: What do you get when a former teacher builds a national women’s community, plans a conference for hundreds, and somehow still manages school pickup? You get Amanda Smith.

In this episode, I sit down with the founder of Dallas Girl Gang to talk about what it really looks like to grow a brand, rally a community, and keep your sanity intact while doing it. We’re unpacking Amanda’s leap from classroom to CEO, how she created one of the most recognizable women’s networks in Texas, and the behind-the-scenes of hosting giant events (and getting brands to actually pay for them).

In this episode, we get into:
→ From teacher to founder—how Amanda made the pivot and why she never looked back
→ Building a community off of Instagram (because the algorithm isn’t your friend)
→ How to monetize your community without selling out
→ Real talk on motherhood, entrepreneurship, and not being everything to everyone
 → Planning a conference, landing partnerships, and keeping it all together (barely)

Whether you’re building a business, a brand, or just trying to get through today without losing it, Amanda’s story proves that connection, clarity, and a little chaos can go a long way.

Tune in now to hear how she’s doing it all—on her own terms.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

Yesware - The sales productivity software Amanda uses to automate her partnership/pitch follow-ups

FYPM - The largest database of influencer brand deals—by creators, for creators.

Kristen Bousq - Creator Monetization Coach, as mentioned by Amanda 

Grab Amanda's free email pitch template

CONNECT WITH AMANDA:

www.dallasgirlgang.com

On Instagram @amandasindallas @dallasgirlgang @bossvisioncon @theplaybookco

Get your tickets to Boss Vision Conference in Dallas, TX

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.

#67: I took a little break (not from podcasting, just from pretending I have my life together) to enjoy spring break with my kids, and now I’m back with thoughts. I’ve officially entered my last 6 months of my 20s, and naturally, I’m deep in reflection mode. In this solo episode, I’m taking a look back at the last decade—what I’ve learned, what I’ve let go of, and what I’m bringing into this next chapter (hint: fewer energy drinks).

In this episode, we get into:
 → A mini spring break recap—a chill trip to Margaritaville, quality time with my kids, and realizing how little time we actually get with them while they’re young.

→ The "Can moms have it all?" dilemma—balancing ambition with motherhood without losing yourself in the process

→ A totally necessary PSA about energy drinks and how they betrayed me in a way I did not see coming.

→ Big news: I’m speaking at the Wedding Pro CEO Summit (!!) and how I snagged this amazing opportunity.

→ And of course, a little pep talk on actually going after the life you want, because waiting around for the 'perfect time' is a scam.

If you’re navigating a season of change, feeling the weight of balancing life, business, and maybe a little existential dread, or just need a reminder to go for it—this one’s for you.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

Want to join me at the Wedding Pro CEO Summit? Learn about the conference and get your tickets here. 

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.

#66: Losing a parent is life-altering. Losing both parents while building a business and raising a family? That’s next-level. Kate Lenihan knows exactly what it’s like to navigate grief, entrepreneurship, and motherhood all at once—and she’s here to talk about the hard stuff. From the lessons loss has taught her to the realities of delegation and scaling a business without losing yourself in the process, this episode is a mix of raw, real, and ridiculously insightful.

Kate is a business consultant and the founder of Rise Hire Consulting, helping entrepreneurs scale without burning out. With a background in online marketing and team-building, she pairs business owners with their dream hires and helps them operate more efficiently.

In this episode, we get into:
→ What grief really teaches you about life, work, and priorities (and how losing her parents changed her approach to everything)
→ The biggest mistakes people make when hiring (and how to know if the problem is you or your team)
→ The hard truth about delegation—why letting go is the key to growth, but most people get it wrong
→ What it’s really like working behind the scenes with big-name entrepreneurs (spoiler: they’re just as human as the rest of us)
→ The personal growth hacks Kate swears by for juggling motherhood and business and not losing your identity in the process

If you’re balancing a business and real life, wondering when (or how) to hire, or just need a reminder that you can build success through any season, this episode is for you.

CONNECT WITH KATE:

Instagram @risehireconsulting

www.risehireconsulting.com

Get Kate's free guide, 3 Key Signs You’re Ready for Your First Virtual Hire 

CONNECT WITH TAYLOR & IRONICALLY SERIOUS:

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 Taylor @tay.hedden@chanelandlee

Submit your SOS here (you never know what advice you might get).

Want to leave me a voicemail? Words of affirmation are my love language (and you might just get a cameo on the pod).

#65: I’ve been on a kick lately (literally)—because somehow, I signed myself up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And let me tell you, nothing humbles you faster than getting choked out by a 13-year-old.

In this solo episode, I’m diving into:
→ Why I decided to start rolling around on gym mats with strangers and how it’s shifting my mindset (spoiler: it’s more than just learning how to choke someone out)
→ The real reason setting medium goals is keeping you stuck (yes, I said it)
→ How pushing through discomfort in one area of life makes everything else feel easier
→ That one time I accidentally became known as a cat killer (listen, I can explain)

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uninspired, or like you’re just going through the motions, this episode might be the push you need to do something that actually challenges you. Because growth happens when you’re willing to be bad at something first.

LINKS FROM THE EPISODE:

The Alpha BRAIN® Instant drink mix I'm drinking by Onnit

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.