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The Cornell allegations, the men we love, and why silence isn't enough

What does it actually mean to be a “good man”?

In this solo episode of Hope Comes to Visit, I took a look at the allegations involving seven former Cornell fraternity members—not to determine guilt or innocence, but to ask a larger and deeply uncomfortable question:

What do we expect from men when a woman around them may not be safe?

For generations, women and girls have been taught how to protect themselves: watch your drink, don't walk alone, text when you get home, stay with your friends, be careful.

But where is the equally persistent conversation with our sons?

I wanted to talk about the why “he would never hurt a woman” cannot be the ceiling for what we expect from good men. What happens when a friend makes the degrading joke? When a woman is too intoxicated to protect herself? When something disturbing appears in a group chat? When speaking up might cost social standing?

And as the mother of a son, this conversation is personal.

It's important to me that my son isn't simply someone who would never harm a woman. He has been raised to be the man who notices, speaks up, intervenes when he can, refuses to participate—and becomes someone women know they can trust.

This isn't about thinking less of men.

It's about expecting more from them.

Because silence doesn't change culture.

People do. Conversations do. Courage does.

I’m so grateful you spent this time with us today.

If Hope Comes to Visit has become a bright spot in your week, I’d love for you to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

And if this conversation resonated with you, sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or simply telling someone about the show helps more than you know.

Until next time, take good care of yourself. And remember—your story matters.

New episodes drop every Monday, so you can begin your week with a little light and a lot of hope.

For more stories, reflections, and ways to connect, visit www.DanielleElliottSmith.com or follow along on Instagram @daniellesmithtv and @HopeComestoVisit

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Should. Just. I'm sorry.

Three tiny phrases we use all the time—often without noticing what they might be saying underneath.

In this solo episode of Hope Comes to Visit, I'm excited to explore the language we use with ourselves and how words like should, just, and I'm sorry can reveal comparison, self-minimizing, postponed happiness and our tendency to apologize simply for taking up space.

There are also two very different versions of “just.”

There's:

“I'm just checking in…”

And then there's:

“If I can just make it to the weekend…”

“If I can just lose ten pounds…”

“If I can just get the job…”

Then I'll be happy.

But what happens when the finish line keeps moving?

I also share why I do my best to replace unnecessary apologies with thank you, and the story behind a philosophy that changed the way I make decisions....an 'a-ha moment':

If it isn't a hell yeah, it's a no.

This isn't about policing your language or adding another rule to your life.

It's about noticing.

Because maybe these words are clues to where we're still asking for permission, making ourselves smaller, or forgetting to trust our own voice.

“I don't want to make today the price I pay to get to tomorrow.”

🎙️ Hope Comes to Visit with Danielle Elliott Smith

Chapter Markers:
[00:00] — Welcome to Hope Comes to Visit
[1:33] — SHOULD: When an Idea Becomes an Obligation
[4:15] — Comparison, Expectations & What YOU Actually Want
[6:31] — JUST: The Word That Makes Us Smaller
[7:56] — “If I Can Just…”: Stop Waiting for THEN
[10:40] — What If This Part Counts Too?
[11:38] — I’M SORRY: What Are We Actually Apologizing For?
[12:44] — Replace “I’m Sorry” With “Thank You”
[14:02] — The Story Behind “If It’s Not a Hell Yeah, It’s a No”
[16:11] — What Happened When I Started Saying No
[17:22] — Not Everything in Life Gets to Be a Hell Yeah
[19:35] — From External Permission to Internal Authority
[20:18] — The Powerful Thing Is: I Get to Decide
[21:19] — Maybe These Words Are Just Clues

I’m so grateful you spent this time with us today.

If Hope Comes to Visit has become a bright spot in your week, I’d love for you to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

And if this conversation resonated with you, sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or simply telling someone about the show helps more than you know.

Until next time, take good care of yourself. And remember—your story matters.

New episodes drop every Monday, so you can begin your week with a little light and a lot of hope.

For more stories, reflections, and ways to connect, visit www.DanielleElliottSmith.com or follow along on Instagram @daniellesmithtv and @HopeComestoVisit

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What if one of the best ways to find more purpose in our own lives is simply to show up for someone else?

Beth Ann Riechman has made showing up a way of life.

After retiring from a successful career in sales, Beth Ann turned decades of experience, energy, creativity and connection into something bigger: service. Today, she volunteers throughout the St. Louis community, supporting organizations focused on women, children, education, healthcare, literacy and opportunity.

And she doesn't just volunteer occasionally.

Beth Ann says, “I volunteer every day. I don't ever miss a day.”

In this joyful conversation, Beth Ann and I talk about what happens when service becomes part of your identity—and how the skills we've accumulated throughout our lives can become tools for making a difference in someone else's.

We explore Beth Ann's work with organizations including the Assistance League, Junior League of St. Louis, Connections to Success and Dress for Success Midwest; why helping someone feel confident can change far more than an outfit; and how Beth Ann somehow turned dressing as Barbie into another opportunity to serve.

Beth Ann also shares the story behind her Pink Ribbon Good fundraiser, her passion for connecting people with volunteer opportunities that fit who they are, and why she believes there truly is a nonprofit for everyone.

But beneath all of it is a much bigger conversation about purpose.

As Beth Ann puts it:

“All your accolades in life are never going to be on your tombstone… They're going to remember how you made them feel.”

Maybe making a difference doesn't require changing the entire world.

Maybe it begins with deciding to show up for one person, one organization, one community—or one moment that matters.

In this episode:
• Finding purpose through service
• Turning career skills into community impact
• Why volunteering doesn't have an age limit
• Helping women build confidence through clothing and connection
• Beth Ann's Barbie-inspired literacy work
• The mission of Pink Ribbon Good
• Finding the volunteer opportunity that fits you
• Why purpose matters in every chapter of life
• How Beth Ann defines hope

Because sometimes hope comes to visit through the people who simply choose to show up.

You can connect with Beth Ann at fashion1st@msn.com.

I’m so grateful you spent this time with us today.

If Hope Comes to Visit has become a bright spot in your week, I’d love for you to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

And if this conversation resonated with you, sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or simply telling someone about the show helps more than you know.

Until next time, take good care of yourself. And remember—your story matters.

New episodes drop every Monday, so you can begin your week with a little light and a lot of hope.

For more stories, reflections, and ways to connect, visit www.DanielleElliottSmith.com or follow along on Instagram @daniellesmithtv and @HopeComestoVisit

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What happens when someone with nearly sixteen years of sobriety relapses?

More importantly...

What happens next?

In this deeply honest episode of There Is Always a Way, Danielle sits down with writer Heather King for one of the most courageous conversations in the series.

Heather spent nearly sixteen years sober before a perfect storm of grief, caregiving, loss, chronic stress, and emotional exhaustion slowly led her back to alcohol. What followed wasn't just a relapse—it became a profound lesson in grace, healing, and discovering that recovery isn't about perfection.

Together, Danielle and Heather explore what relapse really looks like, why shame keeps so many people silent, how recovery can evolve over time, and why no amount of sobriety is ever wasted.

If you've ever believed you've gone too far...
If you've ever worried you've failed...
If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to begin again...

This conversation is for you.

Because relapse doesn't erase recovery.

And there is always a way.

Connect with Heather on her Substack.

And if this conversation resonates with you, I hope you’ll continue listening to the other extraordinary guests in this limited series – Adam, Laura and Erin. Every story is different. Every path is unique. Together, they remind us of one simple truth that has become the heartbeat of this series—and of my own life:

There isn’t one right way to redefine your relationship with alcohol… but there is always a way.

If any part of this conversation felt familiar... if you found yourself quietly thinking, "I've never said that out loud, but I've felt it," I want you to know something: I see you. You're not alone, and you don't have to figure this out by yourself. That's exactly why I created the ReDefining Sober™ app. It's the support I wish I'd had—a compassionate, personalized space filled with daily guidance, reflections, coaching, meditations, and practical tools to help you build a healthier relationship with alcohol and, more importantly, a life that feels like yours again. Learn more at ReDefiningSober.com or download the app at studio.com/danielle.

xo, Danielle

I’m so grateful you spent this time with us today.

If Hope Comes to Visit has become a bright spot in your week, I’d love for you to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

And if this conversation resonated with you, sharing it with a friend, leaving a review, or simply telling someone about the show helps more than you know.

Until next time, take good care of yourself. And remember—your story matters.

New episodes drop every Monday, so you can begin your week with a little light and a lot of hope.

For more stories, reflections, and ways to connect, visit www.DanielleElliottSmith.com or follow along on Instagram @daniellesmithtv and @HopeComestoVisit