Danielle Engelman - Artist, Actress, and Podcast On The Vibe
Danielle Engelman
Danielle (aka Dani) Engelman is a performing artist, the creator and co-host of Podcast On The Vibe and a true light and inspiration. She infuses her passion and love into everything that she does, and through staying true to herself and her journey she’s created a platform that fuses her creativity with her spirituality. Podcast On The Vibe was born in 2018, and it’s taken Danielle on an incredible ride (and it’s only the beginning!) It’s a metaphysical wellness podcast that encourages listeners to find their vibe.
The opportunity to tap into our creativity and have it fuel who we are, and how we show up in the world, is truly a gift - and it’s one that Danielle shares every day through her work and her art. Her decision to share her healing journey, along with her passion for self-love, conscious living, and cultivating a community of like-minded people is inspiring. She’s using her voice and her gifts to aid others in their spiritual and healing journeys too, and it’s been incredible to witness.
I am truly inspired by Danielle’s journey and I learn something new from her, and what she shares, every single day. I’m so excited to introduce you to her light and her magic, and I can’t wait for you guys to learn more, follow along, and tune into Podcast On The Vibe!
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
Hey, Joy Seekers! I’m Danielle (or as the internet knows me, Dani) Engelman. I’m a performing artist, cat mom, and the creator/co-host of a new metaphysical wellness podcast.
I was born and raised in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area, got my college on at the University of Central Florida in Orlando where I received my BFA in Musical Theatre and Minor in Dance. The day after I graduated, my eldest kitty Duke and I embarked on a cross-country extravaganza with my man, Ian.
How did you get started?
I’ve been performing my entire life. My mom says I used to wake my dad and her up singing in my crib. My neighbors and I would make up dances, acts, and puppet shows - basically any excuse to dress up, create, and have an audience made us happy! My childhood was filled with dance classes of every genre, vocal lessons, drama club, school plays… of course I had to continue my training in college. While preparing to be on Broadway and move to NYC, I fell in love with the camera. I filled my spare time with modeling, student films and creating my own sketches for my YouTube channel (Dani Engelman if you wanna lurk my old, horrible videos!). After visiting Los Angeles to compete in a film festival, I knew California was my place. In retrospect, movie musicals were always my jam, so it really all makes perfect sense!
In terms of my spiritual journey, I’ve always been drawn toward metaphysical, wiccan, fantasy things. It was something I suppressed from almost everyone besides my dance friends who shared that passion with me. After breaking up with my highschool sweetheart shortly after turning 21 and redefining my identity, I dove into wellness and spirituality to bring light back into my life during its darkest time. Yoga became my therapy and becoming certified in reiki I and II aided deep rooted healing. When a college friend, Victoria Gluchoski, moved out to LA, we became inseparable and bonded over our shared passion for self-love, conscious living, and cultivating a community of like-minded beings. I’d been yearning to create a platform that would merge my creativity with my spirituality for a few years. In late 2017, I finally met Melody and Natalie of Change Is Ours after HIGH KEY stalking them and their mission for a few months. After we all fell in love at first site, they inspired me to get the wheel turning on that project; they wanted me to partner with them and be the host of one of their two podcasts! A couple of weeks later, Victoria randomly said, “you know, I think you and I would flow so well together as podcast hosts” - thus, @podcastonthevibe was born.
What inspired the work that you're doing?
With performing, I LOVE people. I love to watch them, engage with them, and am fascinated with learning what makes each of us different/how we all connect. Which ties me right into conscious living - we all are leaning toward trusting our intuition, making healthier choices for our mind/body/soul and (speaking for myself here!) so many of us need a gentle push or a safe space to allow and accept the healing journey towards our highest self. If I can assist my friends/peers/audience in their spiritual awakening, then that allows me to use my voice and gift to its highest purpose.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
My biggest passion is tapping into creativity, having deep conversations, being surrounded by like-minded individuals and being in the presence of them expressing themselves.
Moving to Los Angeles with whatever I could fit into my Prius was the scariest thing I’ve ever done. I cried my EYES out getting on the freeway out of Orlando. I called my mom hysterically thanking her for everything she’d done to get me to that point and fought every part of me that considered driving back down to Ft. Lauderdale to my safety net. LA is HARD. I’m constantly faced with rejection. I’ve had to let go of COUNTLESS friendships I’ve outgrown/were toxic/etc. I’ve cried myself to sleep feeling absolutely worthless because I haven’t “broken into the industry” to the degree I know I will one day. I’ve overdrafted my account more times than I can count on all of my fingers. Yet, there’s this deep-seeded knowing I have in my gut that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m doing exactly what I need to do. I’m creating things all the time. I’m auditioning in HOLLYWOOD (seeing that sign still gives me butterflies)! I have a wonderful boyfriend, tons of Florida pals who really make LA feel like home, and a never-ending source of opportunity. I even love my day job - I do sales and marketing for Ian’s family’s chocolate company, @sinlessraw. Veganism is important to me and I love providing people with a healthy alternatives! I’m living the freaking DREAM.
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
Joy is expression. Joy is connection - to self, others, and the Universe. Joy is nature and animals. Joy is taking care of myself. Joy is cooking a BOMB vegan meal with Ian. Joy is getting on stage and telling a story for an audience. Joy is singing along to my favorite artists. Joy is staring out towards a beautiful sunset over the ocean. Joy is laughing over a meal with my family.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
I have to keep my cup full. I do this by going to yoga whenever I can. I just started meditating regularly a few months ago and even 5 minutes dedicated to breathing and intending on my day going a specific way works wonders for me. I really wish I would’ve started doing that sooner!
Living intentionally, to me, means living authentically and not only listening to others (which is SUPER important… communication is key), but listening to myself. I truly want to do it ALL and find myself burning out - something so many of us can relate to - so taking the time to do all things with love is something I really have to work hard at. I’m actively choosing happiness this year - it’s sort of my resolution, if you will, but really a new found perspective I want to inherit. A mantra I’ve been using for about a year now comes from my favorite Trevor Hall song, “find your center.” Gosh, I love music and how it can instantly change your vibe.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
Oh sweet baby Danielle. You had such big dreams with no love for yourself. I’m still a work in progress, but I now know my worth (most days). I think my younger self would think my life is the coolest! Livin’ la vida Los Angeles, as I say?! Working on film/TV sets?! Training at a school of improv?! A degree in musical theatre and dance?!
It’s hard to see how much you accomplish/have going for you when you’re stuck in the thick of it, but I love this question because it requires you to take a step back and return to your inner child. As I said earlier, I’m choosing happiness from here on out. Life is so dang short and I want to appreciate every person and every opportunity I have!
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
The Greatest Thing You’ll Ever Learn Is Just To Love And Be Loved In Return.
What is your biggest dream?
My biggest dream is starring in movies and TV shows. Young Amanda Bynes was everything to me so being in the ensemble of a sketch show like SNL/All That would be the coolest! I trained my whole life to be on Broadway, so that’s definitely up there for me, too. I want to represent REAL, unfiltered, everyday people and inspire them to do what sets their souls on fire. I want to share my gifts, knowledge and myself with anyone who needs it. But, on a deep, personal level - I want to be able to look back at the end of my life without regrets, with love in my heart, and hope for the future of humanity.
To learn more about Dani you can connect with her on Instagram @daniengelman and you can find Podcast On The Vibe on Instagram @podcastonthevibe and on iTunes here
Joy Corner is a new interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here