Seasoned Business Strategist Trinity Rose sits down with executive TV producer Danielle Stokdyk—creative partner to some of television’s most talented showrunners—for a candid conversation about the art of storytelling, producing hit television shows, and the spiritual practices that keep her grounded in an industry that never stops moving.

In this episode, Danielle shares her journey from childhood internships in Hollywood to becoming an executive producer running production companies and overseeing Emmy-nominated shows.

Learn why great writing and storytelling require deep vulnerability, how to give effective creative notes with kindness, and why comedy might be some of the most healing and important work one can do. Danielle opens up about being a self-described people pleaser, learning to set boundaries, taking safe risks, and how meditation and spiritual practices have transformed her approach to work-life balance.

We also discuss the cultural phenomenon of the Telepathy Tapes podcast, why it resonated with millions, and how stories that expand our faith into something greater are needed now more than ever.

TIME STAMPS

[00:01] Opening: The vulnerability required for great creative work

[01:18] Welcome to Season 2 and introducing new In Session episodes

[03:10] Meet Danielle Stokdike: Executive TV producer and creative doula

[04:22] Pronouncing Stokdike and discovering her IMDB

[05:13] What does an executive producer actually do?

[06:19] Little Danielle: Always had a big imagination and loved stories

[07:45] The hierarchy of TV writers and how television production works

[09:48] Partnering with showrunners and overseeing development

[12:47] From acting to producing: Finding her calling in high school theater

[14:11] Childhood game-changer: Visiting the set of Charlie’s Angels at age 9

[15:19] Why Danielle doesn’t crave the spotlight

[16:41] The satisfaction of checklists vs. the endless rewrites of writing

[17:51] The art of giving creative notes: Being honest and kind with vulnerable writers

[21:47] Learning you don’t always have to have the answer right away

[23:00] Being “unapologetically yourself” – what it really means

[26:28] Not wanting to go back to proving herself – enjoying where she is now

[27:00] How spirituality and meditation calm the Type-A go-go-go energy

[30:02] Taking risks: Courageous vs. truly scary risks that require trust

[32:31] Defining success: Loving both your personal life and your work

[35:57] Getting grumpy when overwhelmed and learning to set boundaries

[37:56] The hard truth about being a people pleaser

[40:07] ADHD and hyper-focus: Only on things you really love doing

[41:30] The Telepathy Tapes: Introduction to the phenomenon

[43:32] Why The Telepathy Tapes blew Danielle’s mind and restored her faith

[45:32] Non-speaking autistic children, telepathy, and the Hill

[46:54] Why we all need stories of connection and faith right now

[48:38] Making people laugh is noble work: Why c

SPONSORED BY:

This episode is sponsored by Lavender and Truffles, a modern ice cream brand redefining indulgence with wellness in mind. Enjoy 20% off their online shop with code SUCCESS20. https://www.lavenderandtruffles.com/

PRODUCED BY:

Executive Producer: Alicia Liu

CONNECT:

Subscribe to The Alchemy of Success wherever you listen to podcasts, and stay tuned for our new In Session episodes featuring live guidance with therapeutic astrologer Gabrielle Perez and intuitive hypnotherapist Shannon Kim.

Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that making people laugh—or simply creating from an authentic place—is truly noble work.