Off The Cuff with Danny LoPriore

Latest Episodes:

Creating a Culture of Love with Ruben Rojas Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Love is a word commonly tossed about, but in reality, it’s one of the most misunderstood and misused terms in the dictionary. The truth is, the definition can vary depending upon who, what, and how it’s being used. The argument could be made that our world will be a better place when we stop seeing love as a corporate, one-size-fits-all expression … and begin personalizing the meaning.

“If we’re not loving ourselves, can we actually receive love?”

My guest today knows all about love and he’s actually fallen in love with the word! He’s Ruben Rojas … a first-generation American, successful businessman, and a highly sought-after artist! The co-founder of Beautify Earth, his work centers on that simple four-letter word, graces walls and buildings throughout the world, causing passersby to stare in awe and ponder the thought of what that word truly means to them.

“You can’t ask for forgiveness unless you first forgive yourself.”

Today, I’ll speak with Ruben about his journey to becoming an artist, his background, and how the word love has impacted his life … and the lives of others! The world could use a lot more love and we’re talking to the man who has seen firsthand the power of that simple four-letter word!

In This Episode

(1:26) – Ruben on the importance of success as a first-generation American and the lengths his parent went to.
(2:22) – Even though Ruben was a three-sport athlete, he knew in his heart he was always meant to be an artist.
(3:10) – Why ignoring your gifts can be mentally draining.
(5:01) – Why money is necessary and should be viewed as a byproduct, not the measuring stick.
(6:00) – How Ruben blew through his first big real estate check and the Douche Bag Phase.
(11:46) – Art isn’t competitive, because only the artist can do what he or she does … that’s their gift.
(12:30) – For Ruben, it’s not just art; it’s a mission.
(15:57) – How Ruben arrived at the decision to use the word ‘love’ as the centerpiece of his business.
(17:26) – Sometimes the hardest thing to do is show up.
(21:43) – Danny and Ruben discuss the origins of Live Through Love.
(22:17) – Ruben reveals that he is a big fan of manifestation.
(24:19) – Stopping to smell the roses and enjoy the fruits of his labor is something Ruben says he needs to do more often.
(27:18) – The correlation between his art and his mental health.
(28:38) – Danny and Ruben discuss the balancing act of monetizing your passion.
(30:55) – Ruben’s visits with inmates to discuss love and forgiveness.
(33:08)- Sitting in a room full of murderers.
(38:24) – It’s important to remember that personal accountability begins with baby steps.

Our Guest

Since 2013, Ruben Rojas has been on a mission to spread love throughout a world that had fallen too far in love with hate. His art, murals, and global speaking engagements all have one central message: Love. The co-founder of Beautify Earth, a creative agency partnering with brands and local artists to connect the world through murals, packaging, and digital storytelling.

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Ruben Rojas

Beyond The Wire: The Path to Greatness with Tristan Mack Wilds Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

The Wire is considered by many to be the greatest television series in history. For 5 seasons, it kept viewers from a broad cross-section locked in and watching every move the complex characters made … including Michael, a role played by my guest today, the one and only Tristan Mack Wilds!

He’s a native New Yorker and a man who wears many hats and each time he graces the screen, mic, or stage, your eyes can’t help but gravitate toward his supreme talents. In today’s episode, we go deep inside The Wire, to find out how the show pushed him to become a better entertainer and helped set the stage for the next phase of his career.

“I don’t think I’ve ever, or I haven’t yet been fully satisfied with where I am or what I’m doing.” - Tristan

He’s a husband and a father and a man who understands that none of us are perfect, but inside those imperfections … we only have one life to live … so get busy living it. He’s Tristan Mack Wilds, a man who wants it all … and he’s not afraid to go for it!

“Those uncomfortable positions are where actual growth happens and you can’t grow unless you’re comfortable in those uncomfortable situations.” - Tristan

In This Episode

(2:32)- Tristan opens up and discusses how he stays motivated following his role on “The Wire.”
(4:15) – Tristan introduces us to the perfectionist that lives within
(5:40) - The Wire: A crossover masterpiece as people from all walks loved, and still love the show.
(10:50) – How Tristan managed Michaels’ trauma on “The Wire”.
(16:40) – “The Wire” was art imitating life.
(20:00) – The writing, timing, and authenticity of the writing on “The Wire” was pure genius. .
(28:00) – There were no special effects in “The Wire” …it was just hood!
(29:28) – Danny and Tristan ponder that the show's most feared character was gay.
(31:02) – Tristan tells how he loves writing that respects the intelligence of the audience.
(34:29) – You’ve only got one life … do it all!
(35:26) – Danny touches on the value of Exposure Therapy.
(37:38) – Tristan wants to protect his daughter from any of his hidden pain.
(39:17) – A man’s world changes when he has a daughter.
(47:42) – Therapy: A life-changing decision for Tristan.
(48:44) – The importance of saying nice things to yourself.

Our Guest

Tristan Mack Wilds is a man of many talents. He’s a record producer, songwriter, singer, and actor. He received critical acclaim for his role as Michael in the groundbreaking HBO series, “The Wire”. Over the years, his career has been a steady ascent into high-profile challenges roles, each proving to be rewarding, helping to shape and mold one of the industry’s premier talents.

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Tristan Mack Wilds

Embracing Authenticity: Overcoming Challenges in the LGBTQ+ Community with Mandoh Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

You can only be who you are in this world; at some point, you must face that reality. Sounds simple enough, but when you’re a gay man and son of immigrants who see living in this country as evidence of sacrifice, being who you are can be challenging, to say the least.

“When I go there and everybody was shopping and doing all these other things, I was like I had no idea because that was never a part of my world.” – Mandoh

My guest today is celebrity stylist Mandoh Melendez. His style is unmistakable, but his road, the one he travels daily being an openly gay Hispanic male is filled with challenges. Today, we’ll discuss growing up in poverty, overcoming drug addictions, the uniqueness of his style, and the daily battles he faces with acceptance.

“I showed up to a space and realized, I had never experienced something like this.” – Mandoh

His story is one of inspiration and persistence that will resonate with you regardless of your sexual orientation. The willingness to be transparent while never missing an opportunity to grow are admirable qualities. They’re also qualities that Mandoh truly embodies while graciously allowing them to shape his life.

“I came out at 21, but I knew I was gay at age 3.” – Mandoh

In This Episode

(1:24) – The infamous face regimen is reviewed.
(4:58) – The mall experience taught Mandoh about poverty.
(7:08) – Exploring the different types of gay in America.
(8:55) – Fear of homosexuality and immigrant parents.
(11:54) – Family rejection leads to drug use.
(12:09)- Mandoh reveals being molested by a family member.
(12:30) – His mind becomes his escape from the cruelties he faces.
(14:00) – Depression enters his life.
(16:28) – Mandoh hits rock bottom.
(17:40) – Losing control and accepting his broken life.
(19:00) – When everybody loves you, but you hate you.
(20:05) – Being impoverished taught him how to style.
(31:45) – The importance of stopping to smell the roses.
(33:51) – The exhausting existence of living gay.
(39:00) – The ingenuity of low-income fashion.
(45:14) – A sense of humor is required.

Our Guest

Mandoh is a trailblazer, in fashion and life. As an openly gay man of color, he bravely traverses the world making connections, stylishly influencing lives, and spreading his personal message of owning your space and being unapologetic in the process. He’s a highly sought-after stylist whose undeniable imprint is fast becoming one of the most unmistakable looks on the fashion scene today.

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Mandoh

Psychopaths, Brain Trauma and Therapy with Dr. Judy Ho Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

Few people have as much hands-on experience with the many sides of mental health work as today’s guest, Dr. Judy Ho.

As a triple-board certified clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, Dr. Ho has evaluated maximum security prison inmates, served as an expert witness in criminal trials, works as a tenured associate professor at Pepperdine University – and goes to therapy herself.

In this episode, Dr. Ho shares about emigrating from Taiwan as a child, the differences between men’s and women’s love styles, why people settle in relationships, and the challenges of working in the criminal justice system as a woman.

“My supervisors [were] like, ‘Why do you wanna be an expert witness in criminal cases?’ I'm like, ‘Well, I think it's interesting. And I think I can help.’ And one of my supervisors who is a woman was like, ‘Take it from somebody who worked there for five years in the beginning of my career – it is not a walk in the park.’ But it's never a comfortable environment. Sometimes it's a maximum security prison and it's really tough. You have to be escorted everywhere, including to the bathroom. All of your liberties are taken away, at least temporarily. And I'm not saying that that's anywhere near the liberties that [the inmates] lose, but it's like even just that tiny taste of it is [difficult].” – Dr. Ho (20:42)

Dr. Ho also talks about the benefits of therapy for everybody, and why she receives counseling herself as a mental health practitioner.

“Some of my clients say, ‘Well, I don't feel like I need therapy. I don't know why I'm here.’ You know what? Everybody needs therapy, probably. It might not be everybody's cup of tea, but I hope that it's not because you feel like there has to be something majorly wrong with you to go to therapy, you know?” – Dr. Ho (37:29)

In This Episode

(02:05) The education required in order to be triple-board certified
(05:07) Humor as a healing tool
(11:22) Dr. Ho’s experience as an expert witness in the judicial system
(17:09) The ups and downs of evaluating maximum security prison inmates
(21:24) How the Big Sister Little Sister program shaped Dr. Ho’s passion for psychology
(23:57) The link between brain trauma, aging and psychology
(27:43) Emigrating from Taiwan and adapting to the American school system
(37:29) Why Dr. Ho goes to therapy as a mental health professional
(41:49) Why people settle in relationships
(43:45) The differences between men’s and women’s love styles
(49:14) Dr. Ho’s experience working with multicultural, same-sex and gender-diverse couples

Our Guest

Dr. Judy Ho is a licensed and triple board-certified clinical and forensic neuropsychologist. She is also a tenured associate professor at Pepperdine University and the author of “Stop Self-Sabotage: Six Steps to Unlock Your True Motivation, Harness Your Willpower and Get Out of Your Own Way.”

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Dr. Judy Ho

The Ripple Effect of Suicide with Kevin Hines May 31, 2023

Show notes

Every year, millions of people attempt suicide – and thousands take their own lives. This week’s guest, Kevin Hines, understands better than most.

“Twenty-four hours before I went to leap off the Golden Gate Bridge … I was in such a devastating place of complete despair. It was worse than depression. It was a darkness and it was a place where I came to believe that all of my family, all of my friends hated me and wanted me gone. Of course, none of that was true, but I believed it. My brain told me that.”

In 2000, then 19-year-old Kevin attempted suicide by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Miraculously, he lived, making him one of only 36 people ever to survive the 746-foot drop.

In this episode, Kevin shares his lifelong struggle with mental health and discusses how suicide creates a ripple effect of grief and pain that affects not just parents and friends, but every single person in our lives.

“When you love someone unconditionally and they pass away, that grief is with you forever. In America, we love to sit there and go, “Oh, snap out of it, get over it. Move on.” … When someone dies by suicide that we love, it is a kind of pain that you can never shake off.”

Kevin also explores the “instantaneous regret” he felt after jumping, the life-saving act of asking “Are you okay?” and the 85-year battle to raise a net rail around the Golden Gate Bridge, which will be completed in 2023.

“I'm asking you to have faith in yourself, faith in the human condition, faith in your ability to fight, to be well and to survive any pain that comes your way. You can do one of two things with pain. You can let it defeat you or you can let it build you break by break from the ground up until you're stronger than ever. That's a choice.”

In This Episode

(05:40) – The 24 hours leading up to Kevin’s jump
(08:29) – Why the current conversation on mental health is “the wrong conversation”
(11:32) – Grief and the unforgettable pain of losing a loved one to suicide
(12:27) – The importance of “speaking your pain” by talking openly and honestly about suicide
(15:27) – Kevin’s first experience losing a loved one to suicide, and how it contributed to his own attempt
(22:44) – Suicide rates among adopted, LGBTQIA+ and minority children
(35:20) – “All I wanted to do was live, as soon as I let go of that rail.”
(42:15) – Kevin’s efforts to help prevent future Golden Gate suicides
(49:42) – Faith and mental health
(51:56) – The role diet and exercise play in mental wellness

Our Guest

Kevin Hines’ Golden Gate Bridge suicide attempt at age 19 left him with shattered vertebrae and nearly severed his spinal cord. It also set him on a journey to find hope and healing – which he now travels the world to spread to others as a mental health advocate and motivational speaker.

Kevin is also a best-selling author and award-winning documentarian whose feature-length documentary, “Suicide: The Ripple Effect,” tells Kevin’s story and illustrates the ripple effect suicide has on those left behind.

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Kevin Hines

More On Mental Health

The Best of Off The Cuff Part 3 May 24, 2023

Show notes

Inspired, challenged, empowered … these are a few of the terms that come to mind when thinking about Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore. The arch of this show has featured some incredible guests with each helping our listeners start their journey toward a more fulfilled life.

As we dive into another of our ‘best of’ episodes, we’ll share clips from Zack Ament on the evolution of parent-child relationships, substance abuse, and sobriety while Sara Harvey touches on autism and eating disorders. Snippets from Scott Ste Marie on managing anxiety, the brilliant Dr. Kojo Sarfo shares his journey with ADHD and his quest to make mental health consumable. Dr. Jamie Zuckerman discusses the importance of accurately identifying personality disorders, Jesse Katches speaks on anxiety and triggers with Dr. Jennifer Mullan offering insights on managing trauma.

These areas are just the beginning and once you start listening, you’re sure to find even more value with each passing moment. If you’re a new Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore listener, be sure to visit Apple Podcasts or Spotify to hear more. If you’ve been here for a while, you know the routine. Get comfortable and get ready to grow.

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Off The Cuff

Everybody Has Something; Finding and Dealing with Yours with Dr. Kristen Casey May 17, 2023

Show notes

Let’s face it; this world we call ours is crazy and getting crazier each year. We’re all, every last one of us, dealing with something, and many times, our unwillingness to admit this truth limits the life we could be living.

“Take a look at the world we’re living in and be honest … who wouldn’t be depressed by what we see?” - Kristen

Today, I’ll spend time with Dr. Kristen Casey; a woman who is adept at building solutions that tap into the best of all of us. We’ll cover the entire gamut from sleep hygiene and the role sleep plays in our mental health to meals and when we eat to how past and current experiences with loved ones shape our lives. No matter what it is you’re facing, chances are she has seen it a time or two.

“Your brain will still respond to things while you’re sleeping. If you fall asleep with the television on your brain is responding to stimuli in the environment.” – Kristen

Her journey has been an interesting one and one you won’t soon forget. She’s an author, a content creator, and entrepreneur who is keenly focused on delivering services that help others get the most out of their lives.

“Sleep plays a role in your health and research shows that people who have poor quality sleep habits tend to have higher mortality rates. “

In This Episode

(1:24) – Kristen gives the definition of a Clinical Psychologist to the listeners.
(2:50) – Kristen discusses the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis.
(4:05) – Everyone goes through a bout of depression at some point.
(4:42) – Allowing a person to be sad is important.
(14:30) – Therapy can be considered life-continuing education.
(17:34) – Kristen discusses the importance of sleep and the role it plays in mental health.
(24:46) – Finding a state of relaxation before bed should be a priority.
(25:30) – Kristen advises that at certain points in the day, you just have to allow your brain to exist.
(26:52) – The correlation between poor sleep and higher mortality rates.
(30:05) – Natural light is the best morning alarm.
(38:00) – Kristen begins discussing the concept of toxic positivity.
(49:07) – Kristen speaks about where she would like to see psychology go next.
(51:00) – Tattoos and perception; professional and personal.
(54:29) – Part of the rationale behind having the word, “die” in the title of her book was to make people think about their mortality.

Our Guest

Dr. Kristen Casey is a true champion of mental health. The founder and owner of Evolve Psychological Services, she holds a doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD) from Midwestern University. Her relaxed, down-to-earth approach comforts patients and helps her get to the root cause of their challenges. She makes patient interactions conversational, thus removing any inhibitors that may block the healing process.

Dr. Casey uses a combination of modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). A noted content creator, she’s also the author of,” Life Lessons to Master Before You Die: Practical Ways to Achieve an Authentic Living Experience.” Her ongoing mission is to help others know that they’re heard, encourage them to grow, while challenging them to live life to the fullest.

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Off The Cuff

Dr. Kristen Casey

Shining a Light on What Happens Behind the Scenes with Sarah Ann Masse May 10, 2023

Show notes

Hollywood isn’t always about the glitz and glamour -- sometimes, it’s about standing up for what’s right. Sarah Ann Masse learned this earlier than most.

After facing off against a man who was notorious for making and breaking acting careers, she became an advocate for fairness, leveraging lessons learned from childhood. Her parents instilled in her a belief in herself and a steadfast commitment to stand up for what’s right. All of these ideals played out well and have become the foundation for the flourishing career of Sarah Ann Masse.

In today’s episode, Sarah talks about her passion for doing what’s right and how she’s using it to open doors for others through her foundation, Hire Survivors Hollywood. She also opens up about her mental struggles while finding her way back from a harrowing experience and her quest to help actors and non-actors do the same.

“I watched my career get destroyed before my eyes because I am who I am, but I had nothing to lose at that point and that’s when I knew it was happening to others and I had to do something.”

Hollywood isn’t the only place that consistently gets it wrong, other places in our society are just as guilty. Sarah speaks to how it is incumbent upon us all to redirect responsibility for unfair behaviors and expect more from those at fault. She talks candidly about her unfortunate encounter with Harvey Weinstein, a man whose crude treatment of women in Hollywood helped spark the groundbreaking #MeToo Movement.

“The goal is for every survivor to have an easier time now. Not to get things handed to them but just to be given the opportunity and not have the door closed in their face because they were harmed by a bad person.”

“I don’t think it’s wrong that we are people who constantly growing, or people who make mistakes or unintentionally cause harm but it’s wrong to stay there.”

In This Episode

(4:09) – Sarah feels a responsibility for developing honest, impactful content for our culture.
(6:47) – She knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life and went for it.
(9:00) – Early in life, Sarah found her moral compass and the courage to stand up for whatever was right.
(11:09) – Changing her learning environment allowed her to come into her own.
(16:48) – Her Harvey Weinstein Experience begins.
(20:58) – Understanding the responsibility of social order and the danger of victim blaming.
(23:58) – Sometimes it truly is up to you.
(28:48) – Don’t allow others to trivialize your pain.
(32:33) – Your voice can become a tool that empowers others.
(34:11) – It’s not just Hollywood … it’s society.
(36:46) – The criminal justice system is broken.
(39:58) – Looking at yourself ten years from now.
(41:03) – Creativity became therapy.

Our Guest

Actor, writer, filmmaker, producer, singer, dancer, comedian, and woman of the people. Those are but a few of the terms that are most commonly identified with the talented Sarah Ann Masse.

Hers is a story of triumph, courage, and grace and through her foundation, Hire Survivors Hollywood, she is helping others find their inner strength while purposely pursuing their passion for performing.

Resources & Links

Off The Cuff

Sarah Ann Masse

Beyond the Exit Plan: Healing Relationships with Mac Stanley Cazeau May 03, 2023

Show notes

This week on Off The Cuff with Danny LoPriore, I speak with Mac Stanley Cazeau, LMHC, owner and operator of Therapy Is For Everyone Counseling.

Many people either walk out of their relationships or stay in them, but very few manage to work on them – but Mac’s advice might change the way you think about relationships.

“If I'm going to talk about relationships, I had to fix my relationship first, me and my partner, we haven't had a conflict in over eight years, we have disagreements, right? Because we're two different people from two different worlds. So we're going to have two different perspectives on a number of things. But a conflict is a lack of skill sets. We have those skills, right, we continuously implement them. So we're not gonna have a conflict, but we're going to have a disagreement.”

After truly understanding the difference between having a conflict and disagreement, Mac chose to help other people struggling with their relationships.

In today’s episode, Mac talks about the various solutions to solving everyday disagreements with your partner, approaching them positively and acknowledging their efforts.

“Every time you depart and reunite with your partner, you are to engage in a six-second kiss. So every time you leave the house and every time you return to the home, you get a kiss for six seconds. So that's called the potential kiss that has the potential to lead to a million things right?”

Mac also shares his take on narcissism and how it can leave a devastating mark on the partners in a relationship.

“What's interesting is that a narcissist hunts match well with a codependent right so those that if you're continuously dating a narcissist at some point, you got to ask yourself, what is it about me or which parts of myself have not healed enough to the point that I'm susceptible to a narcissist.”

In This Episode

(03:15) The craziest things about American culture
(08:25) Voodoo versus spirituality
(10:08) Mac steps into mental health
(12:49) The good things about cognitive-behavioral therapy
(15:31) The fine line between a conflict and disagreement
(19:19) The cheat code to life
(23:24) Why Mac thinks he’s a dope therapist
(24:48) Why it’s important not to have a tunnel vision
(26:40) Couples therapists aren’t referees
(28:25) Understanding Narcissism
(34:50) Planning the exits
(37:11) Why narcissism has become a circus
(39:23) Do narcissists change?
(44:10) The artistry of therapy
(47:20) Creating emotional bank accounts
(48:12) Relationships should be about servitude
(52:50) The Destress cheat code

Our Guest

Mac Stanley Cazeau, LMHC is the owner and operator of Therapy Is For Everyone Counseling. With his focus on a holistic approach, he specializes in relationship counseling, conflict management, healing from trauma and affairs, depression, anxiety, and anger management.

Resources and Links

Off The Cuff with Danny LoPriore

Mac Stanley Cazeau

The Mental Tug of War of Reality TV with Danielle Ruhl Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

This week on Off The Cuff with Danny LoPriore, I had an amazing conversation with mental health advocate and one of the stars of season two of Love Is Blind Danielle Ruhl.

Danielle opens up about her prior issues with an eating disorder and the struggles she had and still has with her mental health. At one point, her eating disorder was so bad she regularly sprayed windex on her food in an attempt to stop from eating.

“I would eat chicken breast and I would keep windex by my desk in my sorority so that if I ever brought up anything from the kitchen that wasn’t, I would spray it, so I wouldn’t eat it.” Danielle (4:09)

While filming, Danielle explains that she pleaded with producers to let her and her partner at the time Nick go home, because she knew she was not mentally fit to be there.

“One of the first nights in Mexico we were like, we can’t do this. I was very transparent with telling them I wasn’t mentally fit to move forward, but unfortunately, my input was not taken very seriously.” Danielle (3:17)

Aside from Love Is Blind not having an on set mental health professional and ignoring Danielle’s pleas to leave, Danielle also told us that there are no STD screenings. The method in which the show chose to keep their cast members sexually safe is shocking.

“We had a sex training course and they had us look at a bunch of pictures of STD’s before filming the pods. But we didn’t get tested. But they heavily encouraged us to look at the other person’s genitals before having sex.” Danielle (38:44)

Tune in to hear more about Danielle’s mental health journey and some of the unfortunate mental tolls of being on reality TV.

In This Episode

(02:08) The vetting process for Love is Blind
(03:08) First night in Mexico
(04:21) What it’s like to struggle with an eating disorder
(05:40) American Culture and social media
(10:48) A new diagnosis
(12:36) How sensory stuff can set you off
(13:43) BInge eating on the set
(15:55) Something bad’s gonna happen
(17:51) How group sessions can be powerful
(20:09) What it’s like to have a panic attack on television
(21:06) The fear of being used
(23:59) Honeymoon vacation with a divorce
(26:37) Rushing a sorority
(28:16) Small town, big talks
(31:42) Dead giveaway
(36:15) The idea of a good body
(38:43) Getting tested for STDs
(40:09) The miracle of life
(48:54) Shooting the shit

Our Guest

Danielle Ruhl is a mental health advocate and one of the stars of the second season of the hit Netflix reality show Love Is Blind. Danielle uses her platform to spread awareness about mental health and body image issues.

Resources & Links

Off The Cuff

Danielle Ruhl

https://www.danielleruhl.com/

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