If you watched Season 2 of the Netflix show “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders,” you saw the polished ending… but not the full story of why veteran DCC Kaydianna MacKenzie walked away.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Kaydianna on the Amy Plus Podcast, we pick up after the cameras stop rolling and dive into what was really happening behind the scenes.

Kaydianna opens up about:
- Stepping into a leadership role and the pressure that came with it
- The TikTok Lives that sparked questions, assumptions, and chaos online
- Being suspended, feeling pushed to “spill more,” and how it all impacted her mentally
- Wrestling with guilt, people-pleasing, and her faith through the whole experience
- How she now sees God’s hand in closing one chapter and opening another
- The mentoring program she’s creating to help young women find their identity and confidence

This episode is emotional, raw, and healing. It’s for anyone who’s ever walked away from something they loved, felt misunderstood online, or struggled to choose peace over staying in the spotlight.

💬 COMMENT
What part of Kaydianna’s story hit you the hardest?

🕊 DISCLAIMER
All references, discussion, and any brief clips from “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” are for commentary, criticism, and discussion only. All footage and trademarks related to the show are the property of Netflix and the Dallas Cowboys / Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organizations. This podcast and channel are not affiliated with or endorsed by Netflix, the Dallas Cowboys, or the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

🎧 LISTEN
Catch both Part 1 and Part 2 of this conversation on the Amy Plus Podcast on all platforms, or at AmyPlusJoe.com.

0:00 – Why did Kaydianna really leave at the end of Season 2?
0:40 – Taking on a leadership role inside DCC
5:15 – What happened when a veteran returned and dynamics shifted
8:25 – Mid-season tension and the emotional toll behind the scenes
11:45 – The TikTok Live with her mom and the questions that exploded
16:50 – Feeling pushed to “spill more” and navigating online chaos
18:20 – Suspension, consequences, and how it all actually went down
22:30 – Social media pressure and the fear of saying the “wrong” thing
25:10 – Owning mistakes, grace, and learning in public
27:55 – Processing everything through faith and asking, “Where was God in this?”
31:20 – Remembering the joy: little girls, game days, and what DCC still means to her
34:35 – Realizing four years on the most iconic squad is still a huge gift
36:40 – Introducing her new mentor program and who it’s for
40:00 – Helping young women find their identity beyond a uniform or title
43:10 – TikTok following, criticism, and not letting the audience define her
45:20 – Amy’s “mom” advice, faith reminder, and what’s next for Kaydianna
46:25 – Where to follow Kaydianna and closing blessings

In Part 1 of this powerful 2-part conversation, former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader KayDianna MacKenzie sits down with Amy on the **Amy Plus Podcast** to share what it’s really like to wear one of the most famous uniforms in the world.

KayDianna opens up about:
- The journey from college dance and TCU to making the DCC squad
- What game day actually feels like on the Dallas Cowboys field
- The beauty and body standards no one really talks about
- Stepping into leadership as a veteran and the pressure that comes with it
- The early moments when “something felt off” behind the scenes

This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where KayDianna dives into the drama surrounding the Bahamas trip, teammate dynamics, and why she ultimately walked away from her dream role to protect her peace.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind the gloss of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders brand, Part 1 breaks down the dream, the work, and the emotional cost of always being “on.”

💬 COMMENT:
What surprised you most about life as an NFL cheerleader from this episode?

🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss **Part 2** of KayDianna’s story.

0:00 – Welcome to Amy Plus Podcast & meet KayDianna MacKenzie
2:10 – Growing up in dance and dreaming of the big stage
4:05 – From college (TCU) to chasing the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders dream
6:30 – Making the team: auditions, cuts, and finally hearing “you’re in”
9:15 – First time on the Cowboys field: game day chills and Thunderstruck moment
12:40 – What fans don’t see: long practices, rehearsals, and performance standards
15:20 – DCC glam: hair, makeup, and keeping up with beauty expectations
18:45 – Body image, confidence, and learning to love yourself in a uniform
22:30 – Team roles: rookies, vets, and how the hierarchy really works
27:10 – Stepping into leadership: pressure of being a vet others look up to
32:30 – Cameras, social media, and feeling watched on and off the field
37:05 – When the vibes shift: sensing tension and unspoken drama
41:30 – Heading into the Bahamas trip: excitement, nerves, and what’s coming next (Part 2)

Dr. Zenovia “Dr. Z” Gabriel joins Amy Sexton on the Amy Plus Podcast for a real, no-fluff conversation on what actually matters in skincare, especially if you’re trying to age well, clear acne, or stop wasting money on random products.

They break down the difference between subtle, natural-looking Botox vs the dreaded “stone face,” what a lip flip really is, and how to think about chemical peels and active ingredients in a way that’s safe and effective. Dr. Z also shares practical guidance on acne + acne scarring, prevention, and the most overlooked aging areas (hello, neck + décolletage).

If you’ve been overwhelmed by skincare advice online, this episode will help you simplify your routine and focus on what gets results.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized recommendations.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome + meet Dr. Zenovia “Dr. Z” Gabriel
03:30 Style, confidence, and “doctor off-duty” vibes
07:42 Botox: refreshed vs “stone face.”
11:01 Lip flip + subtle enhancements
15:40 Family story + the Berkeley chapter
21:46 Work ethic, pressure, and pushing through
26:47 Why dermatology is pure science
31:04 The education path: choosing programs + training
39:54 Mentors, momentum, and finding her lane
44:04 Acne + scarring: what to focus on first
52:23 Prevention + skin-health mindset
56:45 Chemical peels + actives
1:03:29 Neck + décolletage: the area people forget
1:14:36 Building a simple routine (moisturizer + consistency)
1:28:20 Dr. Z’s skincare line + where to find her + wrap-up

FOLLOW / CONNECT
Amy Sexton: ig @amyplusjoe @amypluspodcast
Dr. Zenovia Gabriel
Website: www.amyplusjoe.com


👇 QUESTION FOR YOU:
What’s the one skincare topic you want a dermatologist to answer next Botox, acne, hyperpigmentation, or routine building?

Emmy-winning journalist and Dallas creator Niyah Gonzalez sits down with Amy Sexton to talk about breaking into sideline reporting, covering the World Series, fashion and fit checks, and what it really takes to build a modern media career. Tap the chapters below to jump around.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts:
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Emmy-winning anchor Laura Harris joins Amy for a candid conversation about career, confidence, and timing. She shares how she left a secure evening anchor job in Tampa for a weekend role in Dallas because she believed in herself, why cutting her hair at 40 felt scarier than it should have, and how being “an introvert masquerading as an extrovert” plays out on social media and TV. From small-town Georgia and a soccer scholarship to one coach’s hard truth about effort, Laura shows how hard work, faith in your own path, and patience can change everything.

00:00 – Intro: three-time Emmy winning anchor Laura Harris

00:18 – Finally in the same room again and how far she drove to get there

00:51 – How we actually met: Marco, Highland Park Village, and a personal shopper match

02:11 – First lunch, instant connection, and “different levels of busy”

03:00 – Chaos, weekends of doing nothing, and being an introvert masquerading as an extrovert

04:30 – Social media vs real life: why it looks like she is doing everything

05:21 – Quick career snapshot: Georgia, Charleston, Tampa, then Dallas

06:33 – Leaving a secure evening anchor job for a weekend slot and believing in herself

07:58 – Seventeen years in TV and remembering to celebrate your wins

09:22 – “What’s your fit?” Versace, Alice + Olivia, Dolce, and favorite on air pieces

11:10 – Cutting her hair at almost 40 and being terrified to walk into the station

13:20 – Comments, pressure, aging on camera, and why character matters more than clothes

16:20 – What really sticks: how people make you feel

18:11 – Doing her own hair and makeup in ten minutes and outfit stress as a woman on TV

20:34 – Amy on why her 40s were amazing and Laura getting excited for that chapter

22:50 – Marriage in her late 30s and why waiting made it sweeter

27:50 – Soccer scholarship, not starting in college, and learning to respond to setbacks

31:40 – The coach who called out lazy effort and why “the cream rises to the top”

Professional pilot Stephanie (five jet type ratings) flew herself to the show—then unpacked a life that spans global business jets, network newsrooms, and front-row fashion. From Citation V and RV-4 aerobatics to L-39 military trainer G-loads, she explains the tech—and the mindset—behind high-performance flying. We also hit Paris/NY Fashion Week invites (McQueen & Givenchy), women in aviation, and what Top Gun: Maverick got right.

00:00 – Welcome + “imagine flying a Global 6000 for a living”
00:06 – Celebs, world leaders, 45,000 ft: a pilot’s day job
00:22 – Bio: five type ratings, anchor to aviator
00:44 – Paris Fashion Week invites (McQueen, front row)
01:12 – “I flew myself in for the podcast” (solo-pilot capable)
02:00 – The jet today: Citation V (560 series) basics
02:33 – Specs: FL450, ~375 KTAS, ~1,900 nm (Vegas to Florida nonstop)
03:06 – RV-4 homebuilt: the “baby rocket ship” (formation + aerobatics)
03:42 – L-39 Albatros: military trainer thrills, +8/−4 G, Top Gun vibes
04:50 – Women in the cockpit: “the airplane only cares if you can fly”
06:12 – Fashion & flight: McQueen jacket (Sarah Burton era), Givenchy shorts
07:30 – Shoes: Stuart Weitzman staples vs. Louboutin/McQueen heels
08:40 – Top Gun: Maverick—what real pilots thought (and why)
09:20 – Meeting “Phoenix” (Monica Barbaro) & female pilot rep on screen
10:10 – Fashion week memories: packed runways, drums, lights, the vibe

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-amy-plus-podcast/id1811885921

https://www.shopltk.com/explore/@amyplusjoe

🧡 Weekly blog:
https://www.amyplusjoe.com/blog/

🛍 Shop my looks:
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Designer Julie Miles shares the story of her brand, from Bali markets to New York showrooms, plus the resilience behind it: surviving stage IV cancer and returning to create non-traditional, statement-making pearls that empower women. We talk celeb clients, the Cynthia Rowley trunk show, leather-strung and silk-strung techniques, baroque pendants, quartz from India, and a travel-meet-cute that became a friendship

00:00 – Intro to Julie Miles: pearls with an edge, bold resort wear.
00:28 – Stage IV cancer → 24 weeks of chemo → cancer-free (2011).
01:08 – “Hello, darling” finally in the studio after a year of travel.
01:42 – Europe work trips, cruise ships and boutiques; living in Palm Beach.
02:22 – Watching the pod with champagne on the road (and staying connected).
03:30 – Cheers! What we’re wearing (Cynthia Rowley love).
03:56 – Texas trunk show with Cynthia Rowley, the “big cuff” moment.
05:20 – Pearls, pearls, pearls: how Julie layers and strings her “babies.”
06:10 – Long silk-strung pearls + rough-cut diamond clasp + baroque pendant.
06:33 – Leather-strung pearls; quartz slabs sourced in India, set in silver.
08:18 – “The Ring”: rhodium-plated silver, 52 CZs, comfortable and show-stopping.
10:00 – How we met: the tiny island shuttle, Tumi bags, instant friends.
10:56 – That “hard to get to” Indonesia hotel, top of the world.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-amy-plus-podcast/id1811885921

🧡 Weekly blog:
https://www.amyplusjoe.com/blog/

🛍 Shop my looks:
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📸 Instagram:
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Joe picks up the story right before leaving Mercury: HP buys the company, a hardware exec freezes on stage during a Dallas roadshow, and an “urgent” call in the lobby ends with Joe being terminated then asserting his rights under a double-trigger clause. What came next set up the McAfee chapter that boardrooms still talk about.

00:00 – Who Joe is now: board seats and cyber leadership01:02 – Nantucket trip, golf cigar…and getting sick anyway

08:46 – Setting the stage: Mercury firing story begins

09:10 – HP acquires Mercury; exec “packages”; Joe’s role 09:40 – What “double trigger” really means

10:56 – Dallas roadshow: the HP leader freezes on stage

12:07 – The interrupting call during Joe’s talk 12:26 – Lobby phone call: “you’re terminated” (without cause)

12:45 – “No package”? Knowing your clause and pushing back 13:01 – Lawyers, leverage, and next steps

25:52 – The slot-machine hacker moment onstage 26:09 – “Join our team—we’re here to change this thing”

26:18 – George Kurtz gets name-checked; CrowdStrike tie-in