Don't Cut Your Own Bangs

If you're a capable, driven woman who's doing everything "right" — and still feeling exhausted, stuck, or quietly blaming your body — this episode is for you. In this deeply meaningful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Erica Bove, double board certified physician, fertility specialist, and founder of Love & Science Fertility, to talk about what happens when high-achieving women bring the same hustle-and-push mindset into their bodies… and why fertility, healing, and clarity ask for something different. We explore how self-compassion, nervous system regulation, and trust aren't "soft skills" — they're foundational tools for healing, decision-making, and moving forward with more ease and confidence. This episode blends science, lived experience, and real talk — with humor, honesty, and a few moments that might make you pause and say, oh… that's me. In this episode, we cover: Why trying harder often backfires in fertility and healing How hypervigilance and chronic stress impact the body What it actually means to trust your body again The difference between the inner critic and the inner coach Why creativity can calm anxiety faster than "trying to relax" Dr. Erica's powerful Don't Cut Your Own Bangs moment Key takeaways: Healing responds to safety, not pressure Your thoughts and feelings are data, not flaws Self-compassion improves clarity and follow-through You're not broken — your body is communicating with you Quotes from the episode: "Trying harder doesn't work in fertility — safety does." "Your thoughts and feelings are data." "The inner coach is so much better than the inner critic." Resources mentioned: The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Dr. Kristin Neff Stand With Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com Links & Resources Connect with Dr. Erica Bove https://www.loveandsciencefertility.com/ https://www.loveandsciencefertility.com/thepodcast https://www.loveandsciencefertility.com/starting-to-thrive-course https://www.instagram.com/loveandsciencefertility Connect with Danielle Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/0VFZulonTvaa2HIPyJa4Tq Podcast (Apple): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-cut-your-own-bangs/id1427579922 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DontCutYourOwnBangs Website: https://danielleireland.com/ Children's Book: https://danielleireland.com/wrestling-a-walrus The Treasured Journal: https://danielleireland.com/journal Substack: https://danielleireland.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dontcutyourownbangs/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielleireland.LCSW TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontcutyourownbangspod