Shivangi Sinha
Many individuals have come forward with allegations about the kind of treatment they experienced while at Teen Mania Ministries. In Prime Video’s ‘Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War,’ alumna Dani Rocca-Herbert reflects on her time there. Initially drawn to the program because of her passion for music, she felt she had found her community. However, as time went on, she began to realize that the reality of the place was very different from what it first appeared to be.
Dani Rocca-Herbert Was Dismissed From Honor Academy for Breaking the Rules
Dani Rocca-Herbert’s journey began when she was just 11 years old and attended her first Acquire the Fire event hosted by Teen Mania Ministries. She recalls the energy and atmosphere of the moment her love for music truly ignited. Surrounded by the electrifying presence of worship and performance, she felt an instant connection to the stage and to music as a form of expression. However, alongside that inspiration came an environment governed by strict rules and expectations. Dani often felt she was failing to meet the standards, no matter how hard she tried to comply. She later participated in international missions, but it was through performing and singing in front of large crowds that she truly found her calling. Her first performance was in front of 10,000 people. It was a moment she described as both natural and exhilarating, with crowds of teenagers flocking to the evangelical events.
Dani eventually enrolled in the Honor Academy, the group’s leadership training program. But with time, the rules became more rigid. She was ultimately dismissed for kissing a boy and it led to an abrupt and painful separation from the only community she had known. Friends were instructed to delete her number, and she found herself cut off from the network of support she had grown up within. The removal wasn’t just from the academy; it meant the sudden loss of friendships, her identity within the group, and the life she had built over the years. The experience left her feeling isolated and disoriented, but she eventually moved on and began seeing her time there for what it was. She claimed that she was sometimes told off for singing too well, and looking back at the time, it was one of the most taxing and stressful periods of her life.
Dani Rocca-Herbert is Running Her Own Coaching Business Today
Dani Rocca-Herbert has always had an adventurous spirit, and that same curiosity has guided her professional journey. After her time at Teen Mania Ministries, she explored different academic and career paths. In 2016, she enrolled at Lone Star College to study psychology, later transferring to Syracuse University, where she continued her education for two years. In August 2021, she began a Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Vanderbilt Peabody College, deepening her understanding of interpersonal dynamics and emotional intelligence.
After serving as Band Tour Manager for Acquire the Fire events from 2009 to 2011, she entered the corporate world as a Sales Representative at CarMax. Her experience in marketing, event coordination, and public performance laid the groundwork for her current coaching business, where she integrates her diverse background to support others. Today, Dani works as a Human Development Specialist and Consultant at The World in Lights. Her services span a wide spectrum, including culture training, emotional intelligence coaching, relationship skills development, songwriting, and community coordination. She brings both professional expertise and personal empathy to her roles, drawing from years of lived experience in high-intensity environments.
In addition to her consulting work, since January 2025, Dani has been serving as a substitute teacher and support staff for the Syracuse City School District. Her work in education aligns with her passion for growth, guidance, and nurturing potential in others. Whether she’s coaching clients, supporting students, or writing music, she remains deeply committed to helping individuals better understand themselves and their communities.
Dani and Her Husband are Raising Three Kids With Love and Care
Dani Rocca-Herbert’s current professional life runs parallel to her personal one. Together with her husband, Joel Michael Herbert, she co-runs their artistic and coaching venture, The World in Lights. The two first met in 2007 during a Bible study group, and their bond quickly evolved into both a romantic and professional partnership. Initially performing under the name The World in Lights, the duo began making music from their home in Syracuse, New York. Over time, their vision expanded beyond just producing their own songs and it grew into a holistic space designed to support and uplift other artists, helping them discover and express their voices authentically.
Dani has released several singles that have resonated with listeners, including emotionally charged tracks like “Woman,” “Grave Digger,” and “Past Midnight.” In addition to producing and writing music, Dani and Joel share their work and creative process on their joint YouTube channel and continue to perform live. One of their recent shows took place in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2025. In addition to her work with Joel, Dani briefly joined the band Avalon as their lead vocalist in August 2018. However, she stepped away from the group in January 2025 to focus more fully on her growing business and creative ventures. On the home front, Dani embraces motherhood wholeheartedly. She and Joel are parents to three children, and family life plays a central role in her day-to-day. She finds great fulfillment in this chapter of her life, where everything is overflowing with abundance and joy.
Read More: Carrie Saum Dickson: Where is the Teen Mania Survivor Now?
