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!
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 (https://trustedhousesitters.pxf.io/YRxZZe)
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Credits:
Editing by Midnight Sun Podcasting
Cover art by Kinsey H. Designs
Intro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
20 Aug 2025
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!
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[Free Download] Freedom Travel Guide: The Freedom Travel Handbook [Free Download] (https://notonormal.myflodesk.com/freedomguide)
Follow today’s guest on Instagram: Lauren🌾🍄 (@lauren_messner1) (https://www.instagram.com/lauren_messner1/)
Follow today’s guest on TikTok: Lo 🥾🌲🏔️ on TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@lo._bo)
Follow the pod on Instagram: Danielle | Unconventional Living Coach (@notonormalpod) (https://www.instagram.com/notonormalpod/)
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Credits:
Editing by Midnight Sun Podcasting
Cover art by Kinsey H. Designs
Intro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
6 Aug 2025
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 correct
How they were able to get business loans, oversee the construction process, and hire an amazing team without prior experience
How “fun” is a core principle of the business and how they ensure that comes through in everything they do
The reality of running a business like this and advice for anyone ready to make their random idea a reality too
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Have your own business ideas but feel stuck? Book a 1:1 call with Danielle:
Empower Hour — No To Normal (https://www.notonormal.co/empowerhour)
Learn more about Funk It Coffee and Thrift: Funk It Coffee and Thrift (https://www.funkitcoffeeandthrift.com/)
Follow the pod on Instagram: Danielle | Unconventional Living Coach (@notonormalpod) (https://www.instagram.com/notonormalpod/)
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Credits:
Editing by Midnight Sun Podcasting
Cover art by Kinsey H. Designs
Intro music by SergeiMaloy, Audio Jungle
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
64
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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