Intrepid Storytelling

What happens when the people meant to protect you are the ones you have to survive?
 
In this gripping episode of Intrepid Storytåelling, host Deanna Powell sits down with her cousin, Lacey Gallear, to uncover a childhood defined by high-stakes family drama and rigid religious structures. Lacey shares the shocking reality of her earliest years, a "double kidnapping" between parents that landed her on a family commune in Placerville. There, Lacey led a "Cinderella" existence, parentified at age eight to perform grueling housework and childcare under the shadow of a volatile stepmother who used creative, often mental, punishments to keep her in line.
 
From "walking on eggshells" to survive physical discipline to being told her own intuition was "of the flesh," Lacey’s journey is one of profound resilience. She speaks candidly about the moment her world fractured at age 15, when she was given an ultimatum to leave her father’s house forever. Moving to Seattle brought a new set of challenges: navigating her biological mother’s escalating alcoholism and seeking refuge in a Pentecostal youth group that offered hope but carried heavy new expectations.
 
The episode reaches a powerful cliffhanger as Lacey describes the beginning of her spiritual deconstruction. From questioning global suffering to witnessing a pastor’s heartbreaking rejection of a gay friend, Lacey explores the fractures that eventually led her away from fundamentalism. This is a raw look at the courage it takes to finally listen to your gut after a lifetime of being told to ignore it.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Trusting Intuition: A Journey of Self-Discovery
01:55 Childhood Memories: Family Dynamics and Early Life
09:53 Navigating Relationships: Stepmother and Sibling Responsibilities
20:11 Struggles with Identity: Religion and Self-Esteem
30:06 Adolescence: Challenges and Personal Growth
44:22 Navigating Family Dynamics and Responsibilities
51:36 Confrontation and Rebellion
58:30 Decisions and Consequences
01:02:54 Moving to a New Environment
01:09:20 Struggles with Parental Relationships
01:18:20 Finding Independence and Purpose
01:25:06 A Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
 
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 #TrueStory #SurvivorStory #Deconstruction #ReligiousTrauma #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast

Can the most destructive moments of your life actually become the foundation for your greatest success?
 
Jimmy Shin grew up in a turbulent home, navigating life as the child of immigrants while dealing with his father's alcoholism and physical abuse. Desperate to fit in and escape the intense pressure of his father's demand that he become a lawyer, Jimmy started stealing and selling alcohol in junior high, a path that soon escalated into a dangerous double life. By the time he reached law school, he was funding his lavish lifestyle by trafficking large quantities of drugs and working in real estate, believing he was untouchable until the 2008 financial crash stripped away his illusions of stability.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Survival Skills from a Toxic Environment
02:49 The Power of Storytelling in Recovery
06:04 Lessons from Rock Bottom
08:57 The Illusion of Stability and Success
11:46 Growing Up Immigrant: Struggles and Aspirations
15:02 The Allure of the Fast Life
17:47 The Impact of Addiction on Relationships
21:01 The Journey to Sobriety and Self-Discovery
23:48 Rewriting Your Story
27:12 Courage in Surrendering Control
30:02 Finding Comedy in Adversity
31:27 The Courage to Perform
34:16 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Passion
36:37 The Struggles of Addiction and Recovery
42:10 Forgiveness and Family Dynamics
49:18 Transformative Power of Storytelling
54:32 Manifesting a New Life
01:01:11 Empowerment Through Self-Talk and Affirmations
 
Follow Jimmy Shin on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimmyshinster
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamjimmyshin?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
FB: https://www.facebook.com/jimmyshin
IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamjimmyshin/
Website: https://jimmyshindig.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 #JimmyShin #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #TrueStory #OvercomingTrauma #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast #thecomedystore #laughfactory #hollywoodimprov #tacomacomedyclub

How do you save everyone else when you’re quietly drowning yourself?
 
Sergio Cardenas grew up navigating the challenges of a strict upbringing, childhood poverty, and moving across borders to escape the 1992 LA riots. Despite early academic struggles and a denied dream of becoming a doctor, he eventually found his true calling in emergency medicine. For years, Sergio served as a dedicated firefighter and flight nurse, even becoming the medical hero who helped save co-host Denise Powell's life in the back of a helicopter after her near-fatal car crash.Journey.
 
Chapters:
00:00 The Journey of Healing and Caregiving
03:03 The Impact of Personal Stories
05:54 The Role of a Flight Nurse
08:46 Childhood Influences and Aspirations
12:05 Navigating Nursing School
15:00 The Emotional Toll of Emergency Care
17:53 Lessons from Family and Hardship
20:48 The Importance of Mental Health in Healthcare
24:12 Finding Purpose in Adversity
35:11 The Journey of a Flight Nurse
38:31 Facing Job Loss and Identity Crisis
41:28 Seeking Help and the Power of Breathwork
46:52 Transformative Experiences and Self-Discovery
52:08 Healing Through Compassionate Inquiry
56:55 Embracing Emotions and Personal Growth
01:02:05 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
01:07:16 A Message of Hope and Kindness
 
Follow Sergio's social media accounts!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flylifts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergio.cardenas.1884
 
Connect with Sergio: https://www.mictlanjourneysomatics.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 #SergioCardenas #FirstResponderMentalHealth #SomaticBreathwork #OvercomingTrauma #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #FacebookWatch #firstresponder #mentalhealth

Is success a result of the "bootstrap" mentality, or is it simply the grace of being lucky?
 
In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell sits down with Jose Moreno, a high-level Public Relations executive who has navigated the high-stakes worlds of sports and politics. Jose pulls back the curtain on his "all-American" childhood in Anaheim, California, marked by the resilience of a single mother who left a respected but toxic father to give her children a better chance. Jose shares the raw reality of growing up in a multicultural melting pot where he learned early on to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves, a trait that led to multiple school suspensions but eventually paved the way for his career as a protector and advocate.
 
Chapters:
00:00 The Importance of Sharing Stories
02:51 Childhood Experiences and Their Impact
06:11 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth
09:04 Professional Life and the Value of Giving Back
15:05 Dealing with Mortality and Grief
24:11 The Role of Therapy in Mental Health
29:52 The Power of Vulnerability and Community Support
36:10 Legacy and the Impact of Luck
39:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
 
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 #JoseMoreno #TrueStory #Philanthropy #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #SportsPR #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast
 

What if the brick wall you just hit isn't an end, but a beginning?
 
In this deeply insightful episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell reconnects with her longtime friend and colleague, Michelle Valley. Michelle pulls back the curtain on a life defined by "Superwoman" tendencies—the habit of taking care of everyone else at the expense of herself. She shares the fascinating details of a childhood spent moving between Washington’s "Christmas Town USA" and England, a journey that forced her to "raise her father as much as he raised her." Michelle reflects on the collapse of a 17-year marriage that left her as a "zombie," and how she navigated the 2008 market crash while fighting a four-year custody battle with zero income.
 
Connect with Michelle Valley:
Website: https://www.freedomcollaboration.com/about
Facebook: Michelle Valley - Freedom Collaboration
Facebook Group: Next Level Women's Circle
Chapters:
00:00 Navigating Financial Challenges
01:05 The Birth of Freedom Collaboration
05:10 Childhood Influences and Family Dynamics
09:55 Lessons from Relationships and Parenting
15:07 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Strength
19:54 The Journey to Financial Independence
25:00 The Impact of Toxic Relationships
30:05 Shifting from Victim to Empowered
35:11 Personal Growth and Spiritual Awakening
37:03 Transformative Experiences and Personal Growth
39:04 Taking Responsibility and Ownership
41:31 Energy Healing and Inner Reflection
44:16 Life-Altering Events and Career Changes
51:50 Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change
56:52 Investing in Yourself and Finding Your Path
01:01:10 Gratitude in Adversity and Personal Insights
01:07:18 Understanding Abundance Beyond Finances
01:10:09 Empowering Others Through Collaboration
 
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 #MichelleValley #TraumaticBrainInjury #TrueStory #OvercomingAdversity #FreedomCollaboration #EntrepreneurMindset #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast

What if your greatest pain became your greatest purpose?In this powerful episode of Intrepid Storytelling, host Deanna Powell sits down with TEDx speaker, public speaking coach, and storytelling expert Erin Loman Jeck to share her deeply moving true story of resilience, grief, and transformation. From growing up in a small town in Idaho to training dolphins, Erin’s life took a heartbreaking turn after losing her father at age 10. Just years later, she faced another devastating challenge when her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer—forcing Erin into an adult role far too soon. This raw and emotional conversation explores childhood trauma, loss of a parent, navigating grief, and the strength it takes to rise through adversity. Erin shares how she turned pain into purpose—becoming a world-renowned communication coach, helping others find their voice, and stepping onto the TEDx stage to inspire thousands.If you’re searching for inspirational stories, grief recovery, overcoming adversity, personal growth, mental health, or a real life story podcast about resilience and transformation—this episode will move you.✨ Topics include: grief and loss, childhood trauma, resilience, personal growth, divorce, parenting, public speaking, storytelling, and finding your voice.👉 SUBSCRIBE to Intrepid Storytelling, and hit the notification BELL for powerful true stories, healing, and real conversations that remind you what’s possible. Connect with Erin Loman Jeck:Website: www.erinlomanjeck.comFacebook: Erin Loman Jeck Speaker CoachLinkedIn: Erin Loman JeckInstagram: @erinlomanjeckChapters:00:00 The Impact of Early Responsibility09:07 The Journey of Storytelling and Communication19:27 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Strength23:45 Pursuing Dreams Against All Odds33:13 Negotiation Skills in Parenting35:08 Personal Growth Through Relationships39:31 Lessons from Marriage and Divorce41:21 Navigating Grief and Loss in Relationships49:42 Emotional Expression and Parenting51:06 Transitioning from Social Work to Public Speaking59:33 Living Fully Expressed and Sharing Your StoryYour 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 MusicYour story matters. If you’d like to share it with us, email IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com#IntrepidStorytelling #ErinLomanJeck #TEDxSpeaker #OvercomingGrief #SurvivorStory #PublicSpeakingCoach #TrueStory #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #tedtalk #tedtalks

What do you do when the rug is pulled out from under you and you lose everything you’ve ever worked for, including your freedom and your name? In this powerhouse episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell sits down with Dr. Angelo Reynolds, a man whose life journey reads like a masterclass in resilience. Dr. Reynolds shares the harrowing details of how his thriving mental health practice was decimated overnight due to a fraudulent partnership he unknowingly entered. Faced with 42 counts of fraud and the threat of decades in prison, he describes the gut-wrenching decision to take a plea deal for a crime he didn’t commit just to stay with his wife and newborn son. This choice left him as a convicted felon, unemployable for seven years, and forced to sell books out of the trunk of his car to survive.
Chapters: 00:00 The Unforeseen Downfall
10:12 The Plea Deal Dilemma
20:12 Resilience Through Adversity
29:58 The Journey to Redemption
34:13 Embracing Life's Lessons
37:08 The Impact of Family Dynamics
38:30 Transforming Lives in the Penal System
41:16 The Journey of Writing and Sharing Stories
46:06 Building a Business from Experience
50:01 Lessons Learned from Business Challenges
52:27 Mentoring and Supporting Reentry
56:14 The Ripple Effect of Helping Others
01:01:01 The Power of Hard Work and Resilience
01:03:21 Protecting Your Peace and Managing Trauma
Connect with Dr. Angelo Reynolds:
Website: https://angeloreynolds-7l3j.vercel.app/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transformersacademy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mypo2003
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformers_academy/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mypo2003
PURCHASE: A Transforming You on Amazon here https://amzn.to/4bNGHUL
PURCHASE: The Act of Change on Amazon here https://amzn.to/3P6Ps4t
PURCHASE: Overcoming Obstacles, Beating the Odds on Amazon here https://amzn.to/4seK4uK
 
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 #DrAngeloReynolds #FromFelonToPhD #Resilience #TrueStory #MentalHealthAdvocate #HopeDealer #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #SuccessMindset

(Part 2) What do you do when you’ve lost almost everything, and the only person left to save you is yourself?
 
In this visceral and deeply moving episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell sits down with Cierra Madill to pull back the curtain on a journey defined by both profound loss and radical self-honesty. Cierra opens up about the "messy" middle of recovery, the part of the story that isn't always linear. She speaks candidly about the spiral that followed a devastating custody battle, leading to twelve days on a bathroom floor lost to alcoholism, and the jarring culture shock of leaving mental health rehab only to find herself at "dry bone raw zero" with no car, no job, and no home.
 
Connect with Cierra Madill:
Website: https://littlethingsphotographyutah.mypixieset.com/
Instagram: @littlethingsphotoandvideo
Facebook: Cierra Madill
 
Follow her YouTube Channel "Tell No One But The Internet"!
https://youtube.com/@tellnoonebuttheinternet?si=nuHhdK4xKjfHfIXz
 
✨ PURCHASE FIND THE GOOD MERCH: https://findthegoodbrand.com/?ref=intrepidstorytelling
 
Chapters:
 
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 #CierraMadill #MentalHealthAwareness #BPDRecovery #SuicidePrevention #SurvivorStory #RadicalAuthenticity #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #TrueStory

(Part 1) What happens when the people who are supposed to love you the most leave you behind, and the justice system strips away the one thing keeping you alive?
 
Cierra Madill grew up believing she didn't belong anywhere, battling a profound sense of isolation as she was shuttled back and forth between divorced parents. After being abandoned by her mother due to a severe drug addiction, she spent her formative years navigating instability and searching for a safe home. Forced to be resilient long before she should have had to be, Cierra fought through a maze of mental health crises, including a five-week stay in a psych ward, just to survive a chaotic world.
 
Seeking the love and connection she was denied early on, Cierra often found herself navigating dangerous situations, eventually falling into a deeply abusive and controlling polyamorous relationship. Despite enduring severe physical and emotional violence at the hands of a narcissistic partner, she fought fiercely to escape in order to protect herself and her children. She successfully rebuilt her life, gaining financial stability and full custody of her son, but her most difficult and heart-wrenching battle was still waiting for her.
 
In a devastating turn of events, the court system stripped Cierra of her custody rights to her young son, penalizing her for having an OnlyFans account while turning a blind eye to her ex-partner's documented history of domestic violence. In this unflinchingly raw episode, Cierra opens up about the crushing, agonizing grief of losing her boy, her subsequent spiral into deep depression and alcoholism, and the brutal reality of hitting rock bottom. This is not a neatly packaged story with a perfect ending—it is a gritty, courageous look at survival, accountability, and the painful process of putting one foot in front of the other when your heart is shattered.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Journey of Belonging and Self-Discovery
02:59 The Impact of Childhood Experiences
05:49 Navigating Family Dynamics and Relationships
09:11 The Struggles of Adolescence and Identity
12:02 The Role of Resilience in Overcoming Trauma
14:52 The Transition to Young Adulthood
17:56 Confronting Addiction and Family Challenges
20:53 The Search for Independence and Self-Expression
23:48 The Complexity of Relationships and Personal Growth
27:06 Finding Strength in Vulnerability
39:38 Navigating Early Adulthood and Relationships
48:41 The Impact of Parental Guidance
51:35 Dreams, Goals, and Unexpected Turns
01:01:22 Overcoming Toxic Relationships and Personal Growth
01:18:17 Recognizing Red Flags in Relationships
01:21:28 The Impact of Narcissistic Relationships
01:24:53 Lessons Learned from Heartbreak
01:27:42 Navigating Life as a Single Parent
01:30:31 The Struggles of Custody and Control
01:34:12 The Emotional Toll of Losing a Child
01:39:50 Financial Struggles and Consequences
01:45:33 Finding Strength Amidst Adversity
01:56:13 Taking Responsibility for Our Actions
 
FOLLOW CIERRA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlethingsphotoandvideo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cierra.madill
website: https://littlethingsphotographyutah.mypixieset.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 #CierraMadill #TrueStory #SurvivorStory #NarcissisticAbuse #CustodyBattle #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

What if the hardest seasons of your life were actually the blueprints for your greatest success?
 
In this deep-dive episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell welcomes Kendall Patterson, a holistic success mentor and "multi-passionate entrepreneur" who has navigated a life defined by radical shifts and remarkable survival. Kendall opens up about a childhood she describes as "colorful," which included being raised by a single father after being removed from her mother's care due to physical abuse. She shares the harrowing details of a mother she lost twice: first to the cycles of addiction and trauma, and later to a seven-month coma caused by a brutal assault that left her mother physically alive but mentally a stranger.
 
Today, Kendall has transmuted her pain into a mission to help others. By integrating tools like human design, astrology, and radical self-acknowledgment, she mentors women on how to break generational cycles and find their "holistic success." This conversation isn't just a recount of obstacles; it is a profound exploration of the belief that life happens for us, not to us. Kendall reminds us that while we cannot change our beginnings, we are fully capable of rewiring our future and becoming the person our "younger self" always needed.
 
Chapters here:
00:00 Navigating Childhood Trauma
05:45 The Journey of a Multi-Passionate Entrepreneur
12:00 The Impact of Maternal Relationships
18:02 Adolescence and Shifting Family Dynamics
24:14 Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships
30:05 Lessons Learned from Heartbreak and Healing
40:32 Understanding Boundaries and Solitude
46:17 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth
51:43 The Impact of Trauma and Healing
01:00:41 Lessons Learned and Life Messages
 
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 #KendallPatterson #TraumaHealing #HumanDesign #SuccessMentor #GenerationalWealth #StorytellingPodcast #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch