Intrepid Storytelling

How do you keep leading others when your foundation is shaken by hidden family secrets and unimaginable loss?
 
Michael Fornerette is known for his intense competitive drive, elite leadership, and unwavering commitment to professional standards. But behind the structured exterior of this highly successful mortgage executive lies a profoundly human story of resilience. Growing up as a "forgotten" middle child to hardworking, blue-collar parents, Michael used sports and strict routines to forge his path in life.
 
In this episode, Michael opens up to his former employee and host, Deanna Powell, about the hardest chapters he has ever had to face. From losing his mother to cancer at just 21 to the sudden, tragic loss of his older brother, Michael shares the painful realities he had to navigate while trying to be the strong protector of his family. He discusses the profound shock of uncovering deep family traumas decades after the fact, his physical journey to reclaim his health through biohacking and intentional habits, and his ultimate realization that true strength means embracing vulnerability rather than hiding behind a tough exterior.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Reflections on Family and Personal Struggles
07:45 Leadership Lessons and Team Dynamics
08:14 Childhood Influences and Family Background
12:33 Sports and Competitiveness
18:12 Health Challenges and Lifestyle Changes
23:04 The Impact of Aging on Health and Fitness
28:28 Transformative Fitness Journey
31:10 The Importance of Stretching and Mindfulness
32:36 Healing Through Meditation and Breathwork
36:05 Uncovering Family Trauma
41:55 Navigating Grief and Loss
49:28 Empowering Others Through Leadership
 
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL:
WEBSITE: https://cfmtg.com/branch/the-fornerette-team/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/mfornerette
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theforneretteteam/
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories.
Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters.
If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #MichaelFornerette #OvercomingTrauma #MenAndMentalHealth #VulnerableLeadership #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast

How do you react when life hands you a terminal diagnosis? For Michel "Mitch" Pinard, the answer was simple: you keep going. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, Mitch decided that while his condition might be "incurable," his spirit certainly wasn't.
 
In this deeply moving yet surprisingly uplifting conversation, Mitch joins Deanna Powell to discuss the beauty of "living with cancer" rather than just suffering from it. This isn't a story about dying, it's a story about the incredible resilience of the human heart and the importance of community.
 
Mitch’s story is a beautiful reminder that a diagnosis doesn't define your life—your choices do. Whether he’s navigating the "CyberKnife" for his brain or planning his next trip home to Seattle, Mitch proves that every day is worth celebrating.
Watch until the end to see the incredible AI-generated summary of Mitch’s medical journey.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Facing the Diagnosis
02:48 The Role of AI in Understanding Cancer
06:09 Childhood and Early Life
08:57 Moving to Seattle and Building Connections
11:52 Navigating Life with Cancer
15:00 The Importance of Community and Support
18:10 Reflections on Life and Legacy
34:01 Fostering Comfort in Transition
35:25 Preparing for the Inevitable
37:15 Navigating End-of-Life Decisions
39:15 Understanding Cancer Diagnosis
41:12 The Journey Through Treatment
44:29 The Impact of Chemotherapy
46:18 Living with Cancer: Daily Realities
49:28 Coping with Distance and Change
51:46 Finding Joy Amidst Struggles
53:11 The Complexity of Cancer Treatment
56:19 The Role of Immunotherapy
58:41 Living Life with Cancer
01:01:45 Mental Strategies for Coping
01:07:12 The Legacy of Life Beyond Cancer
01:11:01 Finding Strength in Community and Support
01:16:57 Living Life to the Fullest
01:18:25 The Medical Paradox of Cancer Treatment
 
CONNECT WITH MITCH: 
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/socialmitchINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/socialmitch/
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories.
Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email: IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #MichelPinard #CancerWarrior #Inspiration #TrueStory #AInMedicine #SurvivorStory #LivingLifeToTheFullest #Hope #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast

"I didn't stop being afraid in life until other people became afraid of me." ⛓️
 
How does a six-year-old child, conditioned by solitary confinement and physical abuse at home, find his way back to humanity after decades behind bars? Jacob Ivan Schmitt isn't just a survivor of the carceral system; he is a man who had to reverse-engineer his own soul in a place designed to strip it away. In this raw, deep-dive conversation, Jacob moves past the "bank robber" headlines to expose the systemic brutality of the American legal system and the profound power of restorative healing.
 
Jacob’s life story is a masterclass in resilience and transformation. A childhood trauma survivor who spent more than thirty years in institutional settings, he eventually turned to self-education in law to strengthen his moral reasoning and cultivate a deep understanding of accountability. Today, as the founder and director of Just Us Solutions, LLC, Jacob translates that hard-earned vision into practical solutions for reentry, trauma care, and justice reform.
 
His leadership is defined by strategy, empathy, and an ability to improve access to legal support and services for veterans and system-impacted individuals. Jacob’s influence now extends from community partnerships to the Washington State Legislature, where he has testified on reentry collaboration and justice reform. In every setting, Jacob holds to a simple belief: when all hope is lost, belief itself becomes the foundation for change.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Anxiety and Depression00:49 The Power of Storytelling02:14 The Journey to Justice03:09 Experiences in Confinement04:03 The Impact of Trauma05:01 The Importance of Dignity05:56 The Role of Community Support06:53 The Need for Change in the Justice System07:47 Childhood Trauma and Its Effects09:14 Finding Hope and Healing10:12 The Importance of Connection11:11 Creating a Better Future42:23 Trauma and Isolation in Childhood48:44 The Impact of Institutionalization55:02 Navigating Adolescence and Early Criminality01:01:05 The Prison Experience and Social Dynamics01:08:11 Learning and Growth in Confinement01:14:46 Relationships and Emotional Healing01:20:30 Abolition and the Need for Systemic Change01:25:02 Healing Through Consequences01:30:17 Reforming Correctional Systems01:35:21 Processing Trauma in Confinement01:40:56 Building Dignity and Confidence01:45:08 Empowering Through Education01:51:27 The Power of Love Over Hate
 
CONNECT WITH JACOB:
WEBSITE: https://www.justus.solutions/about-us
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jacobivanschmitt
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-ivan-schmitt-376367298/
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories.
Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email: IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #JacobIvanSchmitt #TrueStory #SurvivorStory #PrisonReform #MentalHealthPodcast #RestorativeJustice #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

What happens when you realize that no one is coming to save you, and you must become your own greatest protector?
 
Erin Alexander, founder of the marketing agency Finally Social, didn’t have a simple path to the life and business she loves today. From navigating a difficult upbringing in Oregon to rubbing shoulders with Andy Warhol in the drug-fueled New York City club scene of the 1980s, Erin lived life on the edge. After hitting a breaking point and receiving two DWIs, she knew she had to make a drastic change or lose her life entirely.
 
Now approaching 34 years of sobriety, Erin sits down to share her raw, unconventional journey to getting clean, one that involved a women-only treatment center and skipped the traditional 12-step meetings. In this deeply honest conversation, Erin discusses connecting with her Chippewa and Sac and Fox Native American heritage, learning how to ruthlessly protect her peace using her "bullseye" friendship method, and the realization that your dark past shapes you, but never has to define you.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Journey of Transformation: From Struggles to Success
32:02 The Power of Relationships and Self-Worth
35:46 Navigating Sobriety: Personal Journeys
39:08 Finding Humor in Sobriety
42:40 The Importance of Personalization in Recovery
44:04 Authenticity in Marketing and Real Estate
48:15 Understanding the Real Estate Landscape
52:11 Building Trust Through Storytelling
56:04 The Power of Branding and Consistency
01:00:13 Engagement Over Numbers in Social Media
01:05:30 Utilizing Social Media Effectively
 
Connect with Erin:
WEBSITE
www.FinallySocial.com
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DhXc2JfBr/
INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/finallysocial?igsh=aTB3dXdrcnR5YWF5
LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erincalexander?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #ErinAlexander #SobrietyJourney #OvercomingAddiction #SettingBoundaries #SelfWorth #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

What happens when your "rock," your protector, and your only link to your biological past suddenly turns into your greatest threat?
 
At just 6 years old, Jay Barbanel was a survivor. Adopted from a high-stakes environment in Costa Rica alongside his older brother, Jay thought they had finally found safety in the U.S. and Europe. But while Jay adapted and thrived, his brother was harboring a dark, boiling resentment, one that ended in a terrifying attempt on Jay’s life and a permanent separation that would haunt him for three decades.
 
In this raw and profoundly moving episode, Jay shares his journey of unlearning survival tactics and the grueling work of reconnecting with an "inner child" he had long ago abandoned. From the cultural shock of moving between Boston, Belgium, and Barcelona, to the life-altering moment he found a dusty box labeled "Adoption Files" in his parents' basement, Jay’s story is a masterclass in resilience.
 
Jay discusses the trauma of survival in the Costa Rican orphanage system with broken bones and a guardian brother who was only 5 years old. He reflects on the devastating day his brother was sent back to Costa Rica after trying to kill him, and the 30-year silence that followed. Jay explains how a single geotag on Instagram and a community of strangers in Costa Rica helped him find the truth about his biological mother and 11 siblings, leading to the shocking revelation he faced when he finally reconnected with his brother as an adult. He also touches on how photography became his "proof of existence" and a tool for rebuilding his shattered identity.
Jay’s story isn't just about adoption, it's for anyone who has ever felt lost, anyone who has had to "compartmentalize" to survive, and anyone brave enough to face the things that scare them most.
 
Watch the full episode to discover the truth Jay found in Costa Rica and the message of hope he has for adoptees everywhere.
 
PURCHASE JAY'S BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/4e9qqfw
JAY'S WEBSITE: https://www.findingtico.com/
JAY'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thatkidjay1/
FINDING TICO INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/finding_tico/
JAY'S FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JayBarbanel
 
Chapters:
00:00 The Journey Begins: A Story of Adoption and Survival
03:02 Childhood Memories: The Orphanage and Early Life
06:13 The Bond of Brotherhood: Love and Protection
08:55 The Struggles of Adaptation: Moving to New Cultures
11:47 The Breaking Point: A Brother's Anger and Separation
15:04 Compartmentalization: Coping with Trauma
17:53 Finding Identity: The Search for Self
21:09 Reconnecting with the Past: Discovering Family History
23:59 Therapy and Healing: Understanding the Impact of Adoption
26:51 The Power of Photography: Capturing Identity
29:56 A New Chapter: Returning to Costa Rica
33:11 Reunion: Connecting with My Brother Again
34:39 Searching for Roots: A Journey of Discovery
39:20 Connecting with Family: The Emotional Rollercoaster
44:35 Reconnecting with Costa Rica: A Homecoming
52:23 Writing My Story: The Power of Expression
57:18 Life Lessons: Embracing Change and Seeking Help
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email: IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #JayBarbanel #AdoptionStory #SurvivorStory #InnerChildHealing #CostaRicaAdoption #FamilySeparation #TherapyJourney #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #FindingTico

What do you do when the life you built with your soulmate is suddenly shattered by the unimaginable?
 
Michelle Bruto da Costa achieved the American dream, rising from her roots as a first-generation American to become a top 1% mortgage loan originator nationwide. She built a beautiful life with Mark, her soulmate of 23 years, raising five children together. But everything changed overnight when Mark, perfectly healthy at 42, was unexpectedly diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 colon cancer. In this deeply moving episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Michelle shares her raw journey through devastating miscarriages, managing a demanding career from hospital waiting rooms, and the agonizing heartbreak of losing her best friend to a sudden infection.
 
Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, the brutal reality of profound grief, and choosing to carry the torch forward when fate tries to break you.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Intrepid Storytelling
00:28 Meet Michelle Bruta da Costa: A Journey in Mortgages
01:19 Building a Reputation: Word of Mouth Success
03:06 Overcoming Obstacles: Michelle's Personal Story
04:33 Lessons from Childhood: Values and Work Ethic
06:56 The Power of Self-Help and Personal Growth
10:50 Finding Love: A Serendipitous Meeting
16:26 Family Dynamics: Moving and Growing Together
21:30 Career Paths: From Medicine to Mortgages
27:06 Teamwork in Marriage: Mark's Supportive Role
31:11 Relationships and Learning from Others
35:44 Family Life: Raising Five Kids
37:35 Facing Challenges: The Impact of Loss
39:07 Navigating Grief: The Impact of Miscarriage
48:23 Facing Cancer: A Personal Journey
01:01:39 The Aftermath: Coping with Loss and Moving Forward
 
Connect with Michelle:
WEBSITE: https://www.cmghomeloans.com/mysite/michelle-bruto-da-cost
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.brutodacosta
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_bdc/
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #MichelleBrutoDaCosta #WidowhoodJourney #Resilience #CancerSpouse #GriefSupport #OvercomingAdversity #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #FacebookWatch

What happens when the only way to survive your childhood is to numb the pain, until the numbing becomes its own nightmare?
 
Sebrina grew up in a constant state of survival mode, facing repeated evictions, shut-off utilities, and an unpredictable environment shaped by her mother’s active drug use and an absent father. To cope with the overwhelming uncertainty, she turned to alcohol at a young age, eventually hitting a devastating rock bottom by age 29 where she found herself drinking a fifth of vodka daily just to function. Despite moving across the country to Las Vegas and trying multiple treatment facilities and medications, the cycle of relapse continued as she desperately tried to outrun her inner pain rather than face it.
 
Today, Sebrina is four years sober, but her healing wasn't found in traditional AA meetings, which caused her severe social anxiety. Instead, she discovered profound growth through inner-child work, daily yoga, cutting out sugar, and learning to regulate a nervous system trapped in trauma—trauma that eventually manifested physically as painful autoimmune diseases. Fresh out of a four-year relationship that ended in betrayal, Sebrina shares her raw, unfiltered story of taking her power back and leveling up, proving that no matter how deep your trauma goes, you are not broken.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Journey of Healing and Empowerment
12:21 Facing Rock Bottom and Seeking Help
20:43 Navigating Relationships and Sobriety
28:06 Practices for Sustaining Sobriety
40:12 Life Lessons and Messages of Hope
 
Follow Sebrina on
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bre.shovan
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sebrina_shovan/
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@sebrinashovan
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories.
Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters.
If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #SebrinaShovan #SobrietyJourney #ChildhoodTrauma #AlcoholismRecovery #InnerChildHealing #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

What is the cost of leaving everything you've ever known? When the rug is pulled out from under you, losing your community, your faith, and your financial stability all at once, how do you rebuild?
 
In Part 4 of her powerful journey, Lacey Gallear sits down with Deanna Powell to discuss the painful aftermath of leaving the Mars Hill church and realizing she had been in the "cult of Amway". Suddenly a single mom drowning in debt and completely isolated, Lacey had to start her life over from scratch. She opens up about the deep depression that followed, the startling realizations that forced her to deconstruct her evangelical faith, and confronting the "sunk cost fallacy" of giving her life to organizations that cost her everything.
 
Lacey shares the difficult truths she had to unlearn, from facing covert racism as an HR assistant in corporate America to untangling herself from the teachings of Christian nationalism and the New Apostolic Reformation. From enduring heartbreaking miscarriages to navigating life with a child on the autism spectrum, Lacey’s story is a raw, honest look at what happens when you finally stop ignoring your intuition, set boundaries with toxic family dynamics, and step into the painful—yet freeing—unknown of discovering your own worldview.
 
Chapters:
00:00 The Journey of Deconstruction
10:01 Finding Support and Friendship
19:56 Navigating Parenthood and Relationships
30:03 Realizations of Cult Dynamics
40:00 The Process of Belief Transformation
45:05 The Struggle with Faith and Authenticity
48:26 Exploring Universalism and New Perspectives
50:36 The Impact of Politics on Faith
54:38 Navigating Personal and Societal Changes
57:18 The Journey of Deconstructing Beliefs
01:01:23 Listening to Intuition and Embracing Self
01:05:11 The Intersection of Personal Loss and Social Justice
01:08:16 Rethinking Love and Acceptance
01:12:03 Confronting Workplace Racism and Bias
01:15:23 The Importance of Education and Awareness
01:19:51 Finding Grounding in Reality and Humanity
 
Follow Lacey on:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1KcubHXdVm/
https://laceygallear.substack.com/
 
LACEY'S EPISODE ON "LIFE AFTER MLM PODCAST":
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-228-lacey-gallear/id1650491175?i=1000715438398
 
THE RISE AND FALL OF MARS HILL:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/id1569401963
 
LEAH REMINI - SCIENTOLOGY & THE AFTERMATH:
https://youtu.be/Ow9PI-Aj0AU?si=dyrLVYrWar7W_FTw
 
MYTHVISION PODCAST:
https://www.youtube.com/@MythVisionPodcast
 
PREACHER BOYS PODCAST:
https://www.youtube.com/@PreacherBoys
 
TIM WHITAKER SPEAKS:
https://www.youtube.com/@timwhitakerspeaks
 
THE NEW EVANGELICALS:
https://www.youtube.com/@thenewevangelicalspodcast
 
PROCESS THEOLOGY - TRIP FULLER:
https://youtu.be/tjF5YQuCnMc?si=oVInyoef9R3Jozaj
 
WHITE WOMAN WHISPERER:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheWhiteWomanWhisperer
 
THE KNITTING CULT LADY:
https://www.youtube.com/@KnittingCultLady
 
CULT EXPERT STEVEN HASSAN:
https://www.youtube.com/@drstevenhassan
 
RYAN & MICHELLE MEEKS - INTREPID STORYTELLING EPISODE:
https://youtu.be/7cA4GuFKd88?si=UAJsC7ELFurbD4g7
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #LaceyGallear #DeconstructionJourney #CultSurvivor #ReligiousTrauma #LifeAfterMLM #StorytellingPodcast #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch

What do you do when the institutions that promise to protect you demand the complete erasure of your identity instead?
 
In Part 3 of her harrowing journey, Lacey Gallear pulls back the curtain on the crushing reality of religious and organizational abuse. After enduring the mind-altering culture of Amway and a devastating first marriage, Lacey hoped her second marriage to a charismatic Christian man would finally bring peace. Instead, she found herself trapped in a nightmare of coercive control, betrayal, and deep isolation.
 
Drawn into the infamous Mars Hill Church led by Mark Driscoll, Lacey was conditioned to submit, endure, and take the blame for her husband's destructive behavior and hidden addictions. From facing traumatic "church discipline" interrogations by male church leaders to experiencing her darkest, most terrifying moments of hopelessness on the side of a highway, Lacey’s story is a raw and unsettling look at the psychological toll of forced submission, and the incredible, gut-wrenching resilience it takes to finally walk away.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Intrepid Storytelling
01:02 Relatable Struggles and Life Experiences
02:55 Marriage Dynamics and Relationship Challenges
06:11 Exploring Religious Backgrounds and Experiences
09:03 Navigating Love and Relationships
11:53 The Impact of Church Experiences
15:12 Understanding Emotional Manipulation in Relationships
18:00 The Consequences of Rapid Relationships
20:51 The Role of Church in Personal Struggles
24:00 Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church Dynamics
27:10 The Effects of Preaching on Personal Relationships
30:00 Reflections on Compliance and Emotional Detachment
32:50 The Sermon That Shook the Audience
37:00 Struggles of Motherhood and Identity
41:51 Breaking Free from Amway
49:14 Navigating Life After Amway
01:00:17 Trust Issues and New Beginnings
01:05:07 Manipulation and Guilt in Counseling
01:11:41 The Burden of Tithing on Children
01:19:51 Church Discipline and Its Impact
01:25:52 Trauma and the Aftermath of Counseling
01:34:30 The Journey of Deconstruction and Healing
 
Follow Lacey on...
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1KcubHXdVm/
SUBSTACK:
https://laceygallear.substack.com/
 
For more reference ⬇️
"The Rise And Fall Of Mars Hill" on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5rJtwcRM7WNYs0LNTrlP5N?si=f523772c029543d5
Preacher Boys Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@preacherboys
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #LaceyGallear #ReligiousTrauma #CultSurvivor #SpiritualAbuse #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

What happens when the "righteous" community you trust becomes the source of your deepest rejection?
 
In this intense and revealing Part 2, Deanna Powell continues the deep dive into her cousin Lacey Gallear’s life, a journey that moves from the rigid confines of a small-town California church to the high-stakes world of international "business" cults in Seattle. Lacey shares the heartbreaking moment her "naive" faith was shattered after she invited a gay friend to her church, only to witness his devastating rejection by a pastor she trusted. This pivotal red flag set the stage for a lifetime of questioning authority, even as Lacey found herself pulled into the "bright and shiny" allure of Pentecostal youth groups and high-pressure mission trips.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Unexpected Visitors and Preparation
01:06 The Journey of Storytelling
01:58 Faith, Acceptance, and Rejection
03:49 Personal Stories of Rejection
07:05 The Impact of Suffering
09:47 Mission Trips and Expectations
13:07 Disappointment in Service
15:55 Cultural Observations and Realities
18:46 Reflections on Guilt and Responsibility
22:09 Navigating Church Dynamics
24:59 Personal Growth and Independence
27:53 Family Dynamics and Recovery
32:34 Navigating Recovery: Personal Perspectives on Support Groups
36:26 Gardening Journey: Learning and Growth Through Nature
38:48 Unexpected Encounters: Meeting Martha Stewart
45:21 Influential Relationships: Mentorship and Personal Growth
50:18 The Allure of Amway: A Journey into Multi-Level Marketing
01:02:03 Cults and Control: The Dark Side of Amway
01:05:06 Personal Connections and Amway's Influence
01:11:21 The Fallout of Betrayal
01:15:31 Navigating Life After Divorce
01:22:31 The Struggles of Balancing Work and Amway
01:29:04 Exploring New Spiritual Paths
01:36:39 The Mars Hill Experience and Its Impact
 
Follow Lacey on....
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1KcubHXdVm/
SUBSTACK:
https://laceygallear.substack.com/
 
Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling
 
🎧 Watch and listen on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Facebook | PodBean | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio | Amazon Music
 
Your story matters.
If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com
 
#IntrepidStorytelling #LaceyGallear #Deconstruction #TrueStory #SurvivorStory #AmwayCult #ReligiousTrauma #MarsHill #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast