Episode 134: Bittersweet Endings and New Beginnings! with Danielle Baldino

Aug 18

A beautiful new chapter starts with a bittersweet end.

Karolina sits down with her friend and longtime co-host Danielle Baldino to record their final episode together. Danielle and Karolina started this podcast together FOUR years ago (!!) and as their journeys have evolved and shifted, Karolina will continue as the host of Euphoric the Podcast, while Danielle ventures down her own path. Join in as they reminisce about the creation of the podcast, the gift of starting this project together, and hear what’s happening in Danielle’s life as she continues in her own inspiring endeavors. We’re so glad you’re here!

What’s next for Danielle Baldino?

Danielle and I have been best friends for years. In fact, I was just recently in her wedding, and as we have grown and evolved in our endeavors, we are now faced with a bittersweet end to one part of our relationship. After this episode, I will be the sole host of Euphoric The Podcast.

In case you don’t already know, Danielle is a master’s level nurse and a professor at the University of San Diego. She's also an incredible writer and investigative journalist, from publishing articles, keeping up with a blog, and taking part in writing as performance art where she speaks her stories on a stage.

Beyond these incredible things, Danielle owns a business called Sour Dees, where she makes delicious sourdough bagels and English muffins and ships them all over the world. She also co-hosts another podcast with a childhood friend called “Chillin’ at the Fountain”, in which they read old journals, reminisce about the early 2000’s, and then connect it back to the present day.

As if this weren’t enough, Danielle runs the largest, most engaged and interactive meetup of alcohol-free women in San Diego, California, and possibly the nation. She's been running the group as long as I've been doing Euphoric and has cultivated a culture of deep care, intentionality, and connection.

Danielle is an inspirational woman who doesn't allow lack of expertise or indecision hold her back. She jumps in and fuels and fulfills her passions for so many different things. I think it’s inspiring, and it’s been a gift to share this podcast together over the past four years.

The Creation of Euphoric The Podcast.

As we talked about starting Euphoric, Danielle remembers recording our very first episode. We were sitting in her bedroom because we decided it would be the quietest place between our two houses.

As she recalls, “we had to sit back to back. We couldn't even acknowledge that the other person was there because it felt so unnatural! And we had those cheap little lapel microphones from Amazon. So I think our first few episodes sound a little janky.”

Danielle also remembers how we sat around my kitchen table with our partners as we played different songs, asking for their opinion. Then when recording our intro, we told them they couldn’t look at us!

I can't believe it's been almost four years.

I recall finally discovering our theme song and thinking it was “ours”, and so unique to us. Then one day at a gas station, I heard the same music and it was for a Best Buy commercial or something.

Figuring out the ins and outs of a podcast is a LOT, especially if you’ve never done it before, and it was so beautiful to have the support and accountability of the other person as we figured it out. We each had someone we committed to showing up for.

Euphoric The Podcast stemmed from Danielle and I hanging out and talking with each other. Through our alcohol-free lifestyles and the incredible joy we found on the other side of drinking, and the growth we were experiencing, it just made sense to start a podcast. Of course there must be others out there thinking similar things to us, so what if we created a space for that?

So we did.

As Danielle put it, “there were times in life over the last three and a half years where [we] were really busy… And if it was my podcast on my own, I probably maybe would have stopped showing up, you know, but I had to show up for you. And you showed up for me. And it's beautiful.”

A Bittersweet End.

Growing into the woman I am today and the coach I am today has been a journey of becoming stronger in my passions, my message, and in my convictions. I’ve discovered a new confidence and the ability to listen to my intuition from deep down. My ability to share those realizations and messages about what it looks like to grow, pursue something new, or become confident in an alcohol-free lifestyle has evolved over time.

Without Danielle and the ease that she brought to Euphoric The Podcast, I don’t think I could have done so many of the things I have now. We could just come together as girlfriends and talk. We didn't have to rehearse or have endless preparation and notes. Talking with Danielle was just so comfortable and easy.

Four years ago, I could have NEVER done this by myself. Even two years ago I couldn't have done this by myself. I needed Danielle and the experience of doing this podcast together to help me evolve, grow in my confidence, and discover more about who I am in this world, and the impact I want to have.

And now we are growing up. We are evolving. And we are at a point where we can now do the things we want to do on our own, by ourselves.

It is so bittersweet because it's just been such an incredible experience. AND I also know that we each have so much coming to us down the line!

“We bounce that energy between each other. And there were times in life over the last three and a half years where you were really busy. I was really busy. And if it was my podcast on my own, I probably maybe would have stopped showing up, but I had to show up for you. And you showed up for me. And it's beautiful.” Danielle Baldino

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

If you're in the San Diego area, be sure to check out Danielle’s Alcohol-Free Women’s Meet-Up and follow them on Instagram!

You can also support her and yourself by ordering some bagels or English muffins from her Etsy shop Sour Dees!

Karolina’s book is available in hardcover, Kindle, and as an audiobook. Be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review.

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram

And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.