Intrepid Storytelling

6|Rising Strong: Denise’s Journey from Classroom to Comeback After a Near-Fatal Crash

This is a shorter episode from the Intrepid Storytelling live event.
In this inspiring episode of Intrepid Storytelling, we meet Denise, a former elementary and middle school educator who transformed her life and career after surviving a near-fatal automobile accident in 2009. Her path from teaching to thriving in the mortgage industry is a powerful story of resilience, determination, and personal growth.
After enduring both physical and emotional challenges, Denise refused to let tragedy define her. With the help of unexpected allies, unwavering faith, and an unbreakable spirit, she rebuilt her life stronger than ever. Her story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is hope, healing, and purpose on the other side of adversity.
Tune in to hear how courage, community, and perseverance can turn unimaginable hardship into a story of triumph—and why Denise now believes that sometimes, life’s biggest detours lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.
Find Denise: Denise's Facebook
Find us on:
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
Contact:
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

5|Rising Through the Storm — A Cancer Survivor’s Journey of Resilience, Hope, and Purpose

In this inspiring episode of Intrepid Storytelling, I sit down with Sherilynn Hemphill, a true warrior who has faced and overcome unimaginable challenges. From battling cancer to enduring more than ten surgeries and living through two ileostomies, Sher’s journey is one of courage, faith, and unshakable resilience. Today, as a cancer survivor and proud ileostomy warrior, she shares her story with nearly 30,000 TikTok followers, inspiring others to embrace hope and strength through life’s hardest battles. Tune in as Sher reveals how she turned her pain into purpose, proving that even in the darkest times, the human spirit can rise, heal, and shine.
Follow Sher's TikTok
Find us on:
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
Contact:
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

4|From Neglect to Empowerment: Breaking Free from Narcissistic Abuse and Reclaiming Self-Worth

In this powerful episode of Intrepid Storytelling, we follow the inspiring journey of Joanie Elisabeth who transformed deep childhood neglect into unshakable strength. Drawn for years to men with narcissistic traits, she found herself trapped in cycles of emotional manipulation, gaslighting, and self-doubt. But through courage, therapy, and radical self-awareness, she learned to recognize the red flags, break free from toxic relationships, and rebuild her identity from the inside out.
Now a thriving mental health and empowerment coach, she dedicates her life to helping other women heal from narcissistic abuse, reclaim their confidence, and step into their authentic power. This is a story of resilience, awakening, and freedom—a reminder that no matter where you come from, you can rewrite your story and rise resolutely fearless.
Contact Joanie: Wellness With Joanie
 
Find us on:
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
 
Contact:
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

BONUS|Deanna's Story on Interrupted Podcast: What Happened In Her Life That Changed Her Trajectory, and Why She Started Intrepid Storytelling

In this powerful episode on Interrupted: Act 2 (reinventing your life) Podcast with Laurie Hardie, Deanna Powell opens up about her courageous journey from surviving abusive relationships and battling alcoholism to rebuilding her life with unwavering determination. After choosing sobriety and taking small, steady steps forward, Deanna turned to community resources like 211, Hopelink, and Catholic Community Services, slowly piecing together a foundation of stability, hope, and healing. Her story highlights the transformative power of recovery, self-worth, and resilience as she worked tirelessly to reclaim her future.
Despite believing motherhood was beyond her reach, Deanna’s intrepid spirit, persistence, and faith in her own growth helped her achieve the most meaningful dream she ever held—to become a mom. Today, she is living the life she once thought was impossible, proving that with courage, support, and a refusal to give up, anyone can rise from rock bottom and rewrite their story. Which is also why she started her OWN podcast, Intrepid Storytelling. This episode is a testament to survivorship, sobriety, empowerment, and the unstoppable strength of hope.
 
Help more stories get to more ears --> Donate to Intrepid Storytelling
Subscribe on: YouTube
Find us on:
Facebook
Instagram
 
Contact:
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

3|From Silence to Strength: Deanna's Story of Breaking Free from Abuse and Rewriting Her Story

This is a short episode from the Intrepid Storytelling live event.
Born into a sheltered, fundamentalist Christian upbringing, Deanna Powell was taught that women and children were to be seen, not heard—and that a woman’s purpose was to serve men, marry, and have children. Naïve to the world and lacking boundaries, she became a target for predators, enduring sexually abusive relationships and three failed marriages. Struggling with addiction, her life took a dramatic turn on June 20th, 2012, when she got sober and began reclaiming her voice and self-worth. Choosing to embrace life on her terms, she became a single mom at 41 through IVF, then a foster mom, ultimately adopting two siblings. Her story is a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the power of rewriting your own narrative. This episode is for anyone seeking hope, courage, and the reminder that giving up is never an option.
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

2|Surviving the Unthinkable: A Mother's True Story of Betrayal, Abuse, Fentanyl Loss, Courage to Heal and Take Action - Part 2

This is PART 2, and if you haven't listened to PART 1 yet, you'll want to do that first.
In this deeply moving episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna sits down with Leila Culberson, a courageous mother whose life was shattered by unthinkable betrayal and loss — discovering her husband had been sexually abusing their children, and later facing the heartbreaking death of her teenage daughter to fentanyl poisoning. Out of unimaginable pain, she chose a path of healing, advocacy, and empowerment. Today, she leads a nonprofit that helps survivors reclaim their voices and turn their pain into power.
This episode is a raw, emotional, and inspiring testament to resilience, bravery, and the unbreakable strength of a mother’s love. If you’ve ever wondered how light can emerge from the darkest places, this story will remind you of the power of purpose, hope, and courage to rise again.
DONATE TO LEILA'S FOUNDATION
Help more stories get to more ears --> Donate to Intrepid Storytelling
Subscribe on: YouTube
Find us on:
Facebook
Instagram
 
Contact:
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

1|Surviving the Unthinkable: A Mother's True Story of Betrayal, Abuse, Fentanyl Loss, Courage to Heal and Take Action - Part 1

This is PART 1 of a 2 part series. In this deeply moving episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna sits down with Leila Culberson, a courageous mother whose life was shattered by unthinkable betrayal and loss — discovering her husband had been sexually abusing their children, and later facing the heartbreaking death of her teenage daughter to fentanyl poisoning. Out of unimaginable pain, she chose a path of healing, advocacy, and empowerment. Today, she leads a nonprofit that helps survivors reclaim their voices and turn their pain into power.
This is a raw, emotional, and inspiring testament to resilience, bravery, and the unbreakable strength of a mother’s love. If you’ve ever wondered how light can emerge from the darkest places, this story will remind you of the power of purpose, hope, and courage to rise again.
DONATE TO LEILA'S FOUNDATION
Help more stories get to more ears --> Donate to Intrepid Storytelling
Subscribe on: YouTube
Find us on:
Facebook
Instagram
 
Contact:
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

0|Intrepid Storytelling Trailer

Intrepid Storytelling Podcast with Deanna Powell — Real Stories. Raw Truth. Unbreakable Spirit.The Intrepid Storytelling Podcast is a powerful, truth-driven space where host Deanna Powell dives deep into the human experience through real, unfiltered, and transformational stories. Each episode features courageous individuals who have faced adversity, trauma, resilience, healing, reinvention, and personal breakthroughs.
From survival and recovery to empowerment and purpose, this podcast uncovers the lessons, wisdom, and inspiration hidden within life’s most challenging chapters. Whether it’s overcoming abuse, battling illness, rebuilding after loss, or finding your voice after silence, these stories remind us of the strength we all carry.
Perfect for listeners who crave authentic storytelling, personal growth, healing journeys, resilience narratives, and inspiring conversations that spark hope and change. Join Deanna each week as she amplifies voices that deserve to be heard and celebrates the bold, brave, and intrepid spirit within us all.
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com