Empowered Conversations

Precious Dee

Welcome to Empowered Conversations, a podcast where we dive into real, unfiltered conversations about life, health and career. I'm Precious Dee. This show is for people who are building lives on their own terms while managing real constraints – career pivots, health challenges, family expectations. People who refuse to wait for permission to live with purpose. We're talking honest chats, inspiring stories and motivation. Join us as we explore what it means to be empowered, and how we can support each other, one conversation at a time.

  1. 1 day ago

    Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping: Living Well with Bipolar Disorder – Susan Johnson

    What if a diagnosis didn't mean the end of your dreams—but the beginning of a different, deeper journey toward them? Susan Johnson graduated from Drake University with a B.A. in Sociology. Since her diagnosis of Bipolar 1 in 1995, Susan's true passion in life has been to help break the stigma of living with a mental illness and bring hope to those living with one. She's the author of Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping: A Memoir of My Bipolar Journey. She gave a TEDx talk called "Having A Mental Illness Is Not A Death Sentence." She received the award for Best Blogger for Healthline.com in 2017 and appeared in the 2018 "This Is Me" article in BP Hope Magazine. Susan currently works with special education students as an Instructional Assistant for a school district in Nevada. She makes her home in Las Vegas with her husband, Gary, and Siberian cat, Angel-Ann. Her message is rooted in a powerful truth: having a mental illness is not a death sentence—and your dreams are still worth keeping. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · Understanding bipolar disorder and breaking the stigma · Why Susan wrote her memoir · Living successfully with a mental illness · The TEDx talk that changed everything · Faith, work, and daily life with bipolar disorder · Words of wisdom for anyone struggling · One truth for anyone living with a mental illness If you or someone you love is living with a mental illness, or you've ever wondered if hope is possible—this conversation is for you. Having a mental illness is not a death sentence—and your dreams are still worth keeping. Connect with Susan Johnson 🌐 Website: sjohnsonauthor.com 📖 Book: Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping: A Memoir of My Bipolar Journey 🎥 TEDx Talk: "Having A Mental Illness Is Not A Death Sentence" 📱 Social: @sjohnsonbooks (Facebook, Instagram) 📚 Available on Amazon

  2. 1 day ago

    From Scribbles to 38 Books: A Teen Author's Journey – Shanti Hershenson

    What were you doing when you were twelve years old? For most of us, it was homework, maybe sports, maybe figuring out who we were. For today's guest, it was publishing her first novellas. Shanti Hershenson's first two novellas were published when she was in the sixth grade—although her writing journey started long before then. Ever since she could hold a pencil, marker, or crayon, she was creating stories. They started from pictures, mere scribbles, and eventually turned into captivating tales. Today, at eighteen years old, Shanti is the author of 38 books—with 22 published. She writes in a variety of genres, including Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Contemporary. She's an anti-bullying advocate who volunteers and performs powerful poetry at open mic nights. She has over 50,000 followers on TikTok, where she uses the platform to sell books and connect with readers. She's a senior in high school, planning to study Creative Writing at Bryn Mawr College. Her message is rooted in a powerful truth: you're never too young to start—and you're never too young to make an impact. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · How Shanti started writing before she could really write · Publishing her first novellas in sixth grade · How she's written 38 books—and how she balances school and writing · Writing across genres, including a novel-in-poetry about bullying · Anti-bullying advocacy and advice for teens who've been bullied · Using TikTok to sell books and build a platform · One truth for anyone who dreams of writing If you've ever dreamed of writing a book, or you're a young person wondering if your voice matters—this conversation is for you. You're never too young to start—and you're never too young to make an impact. Connect with Shanti Hershenson 🌐 Website: shantihershenson.com 📚 Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/Shanti-Hershenson 📱 TikTok: @shantihershenson (50,000+ followers) 📱 Social: @shantihershenson (Instagram, Pinterest, X) 📖 Books: 38 written, 22 published, including You Won't Know Her Name, Biome Lock, The Accidental Insurgent, and The Chronicles of Ziel DeLaine

  3. 2 days ago

    Transforming Conflict Into Intimacy – Valerie Greene

    Have you ever found yourself in the same fight with your partner—over and over again? Or maybe you keep attracting the same unavailable person, just in a different body? Or you're successful in every area of your life except love? Valerie Greene is a master relationship mentor known for her powerful ability to help couples stop fighting and fall in love again, empower women to inspire deeper intimacy, and guide singles in attracting their ideal partner with her heart-centered, results-driven approach. Since 2005, Valerie has been helping women and couples attract, reignite, and sustain lasting love. She offers an effective alternative to traditional relationship therapy by fostering secure emotional connections. Her journey began with her own struggles in love. She often found herself suppressing emotions, sweeping conflicts under the rug, and ultimately feeling disconnected from her partners. That led her on a transformative path of self-discovery, emotional healing, and intensive study with leading relationship experts like John Gottman and Sue Johnson. Her message is rooted in a powerful truth: conflict isn't the enemy of love—it's the doorway to deeper intimacy. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · Why successful women fail at love · Breaking the cycle of attracting unavailable partners · Healing anxious attachment and feeling secure in love · Transforming conflict into intimacy · Communicating feelings in a way that draws him closer · Inspiring commitment without games or manipulation · One truth for anyone who wants lasting love If you've ever struggled in relationships—whether you're single, dating, or married—this conversation is for you. Conflict isn't the enemy of love—it's the doorway to deeper intimacy. Connect with Valerie Greene 🌐 Website: coachvaleriegreene.com 📞 Free Session: coachvaleriegreene.com/free-strategy-session 🎙️ Podcast: Soul-Shaking Love 📱 Social: @coachvaleriegreene (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube)

  4. 2 days ago

    Creativity, Recovery, and a Life of Adventure – Dave Letterfly Knoderer

    What happens when the thing that threatens to take everything from you becomes the doorway to your greatest purpose? Dave "Letterfly" Knoderer has spent more than fifty years as a creative—as an author, an artist, an award-winning entertainer, and an entrepreneur. His mission is to enhance the lives of others with written words, successful entrepreneurship, and art. His journey began during his teenage years on the circus, where he learned the art of Haute Ecole—horsemanship schooled to the highest level. He spent three decades understudying the best of the best upper-level horse trainers. He became an award-winning performer on his dancing horses. But a silent adversary threatened to take it all away. Thanks to the process of recovery from alcoholism, he adopted a completely different design for living his life—one that included the mission to become a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. During the climb out of addiction, he also became the most prolific of all the motorhome airbrush mural artists in the RV industry. Today, Dave enjoys a creative, wandering lifestyle as he applies the skills of a pinstriper along his annual seven-month route of Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships east of the Mississippi. His message is rooted in a powerful truth: there is always a way out—and challenges are opportunities for personal growth. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · Dave's journey from the circus to a fifty-year creative career · Learning Haute Ecole and performing on dancing horses · The silent adversary of addiction and the climb out · Building success on the road as a traveling entrepreneur · Fail fast—the surprising benefits of embracing failure · The crucial ingredient beyond humanity and honesty · One truth for anyone who feels stuck, anxious, or afraid If you've ever felt stuck, anxious, or unsure of your next step—this conversation is for you. There is always a way out—and challenges are opportunities for growth. Connect with Dave Letterfly Knoderer 🌐 Website: DaveLetterfly.com 📖 Free Book: Hit the Road and Thrive: Seven Secrets for Living the Dream (free download) 📚 Books: Five published titles 📱 Social: @daveletterfly (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, X) 🎨 Services: Pinstriping at Harley-Davidson dealerships east of the Mississippi

  5. 2 days ago

    The Prime Performance Process: How to Look Good, Feel Good, and Do Great Things – Rob Tracz

    Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right—working hard, hustling, pushing—and still feeling stuck? Like the momentum you once had has disappeared, and no matter how hard you try, you can't get it back? Rob Tracz is a high-performance coach, speaker, and creator of the Prime Performance Process—a system that helps driven entrepreneurs and leaders break through stagnation and build sustainable momentum in both life and business. As the founder of Prime Performance Coaching, Rob teaches individuals and teams how to look good, feel good, and do great things by mastering six core principles: Resilience, Intentionality, Clarity, Optimization, Social Influence, and Opportunity Creation. His work blends storytelling, psychology, and actionable strategy to help people turn awareness into performance and pressure into progress. His approach is practical, human, and built for the modern leader who wants to perform at a high level—without burning out. His message is rooted in a powerful truth: success isn't about working harder—it's about aligning energy, clarity, and systems. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · The moment Rob lost his momentum—and how it led to Prime Performance · The six principles of sustainable success · Intentional Consumption and why it matters · How to create your own luck · Deeper connections vs. bigger networks · Burnout prevention and regaining control · One truth for anyone feeling stuck or exhausted If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or on the verge of burnout—this conversation is for you. Look good, feel good, do great things—without burning out. Connect with Rob Tracz 🌐 Website: SurvivingtheSideHustle.com 📞 Free Strategy Session: SurvivingtheSideHustle.com/freecall 📄 Free PDF: "5 Keys to Clarity & Momentum" at SurvivingTheSideHustle.com/5keys 🎙️ Podcast: Surviving the Side Hustle 📱 Social: @robtracz (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) 💼 Brand Work: Equinox, Hammer & Nails Grooming Lounge, AS Monaco FC

  6. 3 days ago

    Why You're Finding Out About Food Recalls 3 Days Too Late (And How to Fix It) – Jordan Robinson

    When was the last time you found out about a food recall? Was it from a headline you scrolled past three days too late—after you'd already fed it to your kids? Most people find out about food recalls from a headline they scroll past too late. That gap between a recall being issued and a family actually finding out shouldn't exist anymore. Jordan Robinson is the founder of Anxin—the only platform that scans your grocery receipts, tracks what's in your fridge, and alerts you the moment something you already bought gets recalled by the FDA. It also pulls real-time restaurant health inspection scores, checks ingredient safety, monitors medication interactions, and builds a household risk profile for your entire family. One app replaces the guesswork across food recalls, restaurant safety, and home inventory—so you know before you eat, not after the headlines. His message is rooted in a powerful truth: you shouldn't have to find out about a recall from a headline three days too late. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · The gap between a recall and your kitchen table · What Anxin is and how it works · Receipt scanning, home inventory, and automatic alerts · Real-time restaurant health inspection scores · Medication interactions and household risk profiles · The misinformation problem—old recalls going viral as new · One truth for anyone who wants to know before they eat If you've ever wondered if the food in your fridge is safe, or you want to know before you eat—this conversation is for you. Know before you eat—not after the headlines. Connect with Jordan Robinson 🌐 Free Recall Database: pieceofmind.fyi/recalls 📱 App: Anxin – Free download with free trial 📱 Social: @jordanrobinson (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, Pinterest, X) 🍽️ Features: Receipt scanning, FDA recall alerts, restaurant inspections, medication tracking, household risk profile

  7. 3 days ago

    A Place of Love & Light: Reconnecting with Your Inner Wisdom – Ellen Edmondson

    Today, we're exploring something that touches every single one of us—the quiet pull inside that says there's more to life than what we're living. But how do we actually hear that voice? And more importantly, how do we learn to trust it? Ellen Edmondson is a multi-award-winning author, intuition mentor, and spiritual guide whose book, A Place of Love & Light, helps people reconnect with their inner wisdom, live from the heart, and walk their path with clarity and purpose. She believes that compassion and authenticity aren't just nice ideas—they're the foundation for real transformation. After a profound spiritual awakening in 2013, she left behind a career as a senior government executive to help others navigate their own inner journeys. She's also the founder of Highly Intuitive Kids, supporting parents raising intuitive children. Her message is simple but powerful: you already have the wisdom you need. It's about learning to listen. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · Reconnecting with your soul's wisdom · Learning to trust your intuition again · Ellen's spiritual awakening and leaving government · The story behind A Place of Love & Light · Raising highly intuitive children · Living from the heart in a world of hustle · One truth for anyone who feels disconnected from their inner voice f you've ever felt disconnected from that inner voice—or wondered if there's more to life than what you're living—this conversation is for you. You already have the wisdom you need—it's about learning to listen. Connect with Ellen Edmondson 🌐 Website: ellenedmondson.com 📖 Book: A Place of Love & Light 👧 Organization: Highly Intuitive Kids 📱 Social: @ellenedmondson

  8. 3 days ago

    Religion Unburdened by Belief: Mapping Mysticism, Psychedelics, and Mental Health – Joshua Pritikin, PhD

    What if the less you believe, the closer you get to genuine religious experience? Joshua Pritikin, PhD, is an Internal Family Systems Certified Practitioner and author of Religion Unburdened by Belief. He counsels individuals and couples in Oregon. Before that, he spent years on Wall Street building financial software, then earned his PhD in Quantitative Psychology from the University of Virginia. His work maps the terrain between mysticism, psychedelics, and mental health. He offers a structured way to think about which practices belong at which stage of someone's exploration—and why sequencing matters as much as substance. For audiences following the AI conversation, he brings a therapist's lens—using Internal Family Systems to explain why so many people intuitively grant AI the status of a "someone," and why that impulse deserves examination. His message is rooted in a powerful truth: the less you cling to belief, the closer you may get to genuine experience. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · Joshua's journey from Wall Street to psychology · Religion unburdened by belief—what's left when you subtract belief · Internal Family Systems and the search for Self · Trauma, dissociation, and healing in religious and psychedelic experience · Psychedelic readiness: a progression, not a leap · Santo Daime ceremonies and structured exploration · AI, human worth, and religious duty toward large language models · One truth for anyone questioning their beliefs If you've ever questioned your beliefs, explored psychedelics or meditation, or wondered about the intersection of psychology and spirituality—this conversation is for you. The less you believe, the closer you may get to genuine experience. Connect with Joshua Pritikin, PhD 🌐 Website: unburdened.biz 📖 Book: Religion Unburdened by Belief 🎥 YouTube: Joshua Pritikin 📱 Social: @joshuapritikin 💼 Practice: IFS counseling for individuals and couples in Oregon

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About

Welcome to Empowered Conversations, a podcast where we dive into real, unfiltered conversations about life, health and career. I'm Precious Dee. This show is for people who are building lives on their own terms while managing real constraints – career pivots, health challenges, family expectations. People who refuse to wait for permission to live with purpose. We're talking honest chats, inspiring stories and motivation. Join us as we explore what it means to be empowered, and how we can support each other, one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Precious Dee
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    466
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Precious Dee
  • Show Website
    Empowered Conversations