Intrepid Storytelling

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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.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    30|You're Not Broken, Sobriety Is Possible: Sebrina Shovan's Story

    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

    42 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    29|PART 4 - Leaving My Religion & Tackling Racism: Lacey Gallear's Story

    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

    1hr 28min

  3. 13 APR

    28|PART 3 - Escaping The Cult of Amway, & the Religious Abuse of Mars Hill: Lacey Gallear's Story

    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

    1hr 37min

  4. 8 APR

    27|PART 2 - The Church, The Cult, & The Celebrity: Lacey Gallear’s Story

    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

    1hr 37min

  5. 7 APR

    26|PART 1 - Parentified At A Young Age, Surviving Abuse & Alcoholic Parents: Lacey Gallear's Story

    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

    1hr 28min

  6. 1 APR

    25|From Dealing Dr**s & Overdose to Stand-Up Comedy: Jimmy Shin's Story

    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

    1hr 3min

  7. 30 MAR

    24|Helicopter Flight Nurse Burnout: Saving Lives While Losing Himself | First Responder Mental Health Story

    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

    1hr 11min

  8. 26 MAR

    23|It’s Okay to Be Lucky: Jose Moreno’s Story

    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

    47 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    intrepidstorytelling
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Intrepid Storytelling