The Lost & Found Podcast with Amanda Powers

Amanda Powers
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Ever wake up and think, "How did I get here?" Same. I'm Amanda — a former intel analyst who left the only career I'd ever known and started over from scratch. No roadmap. No guru. Just me, figuring it out in real time. The Lost & Found Podcast is for anyone navigating identity loss, career pivots, burnout, or that nagging feeling that something's missing. We talk self-discovery, hard transitions, and what it actually means to rebuild. No perfect answers here — just honest conversations. Subscribe for weekly episodes and join a community of people figuring it out. Wanderers are always welcome!

  1. May 12

    Ep. 121: The Messy Middle — When Life Makes You Put Your Dream on Hold

    Episode 121: In this solo episode, Amanda gets honest about what’s been going on behind the scenes: the creative burnout, the depressive fog, the guilt spiral of falling behind on the podcast, and the overwhelming pressure of trying to build something meaningful while still holding everything else together in real life. This is the messy middle in real time — that phase of thejourney where you’ve already decided to walk down a new path, but the path has forests, mudslides, and days where the quicksand just keeps pulling you under. It’s not pretty. It’s not polished. And it’s 100% real. In this episode, Amanda talks about: What creative burnout actually feels like when your passion project becomes pressureThe comparison spiral of watching other creators and wondering what you’re doing wrongJuggling a full-time job, family caregiving, and a dream that doesn’t fit neatly into the margins of your dayWhy she’s been absent — and why she’s not going to pretend she has it all figured outA personal life update that’s bringing both terror and a whole lot of hope  If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at the very thing that’s supposed to save you — this one’s for you. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is show up exactly as you are. Chapters: 00:00 Navigating Overwhelm: A Personal Update 02:52 The Messy Middle: Embracing Life’s Challenges 05:07 The Struggle of Content Creation 07:31 Finding Balance: Work, Life, and Creativity 09:31 The Journey of Self-Discovery 11:25 Family Matters: Caring for Loved Ones 13:56 The Decision to Move: A New Chapter 16:01 Facing Change: Emotions and Expectations 17:57 The Importance of Authenticity 20:12 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly content about identity,healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Want to share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Email us at hello@podcastforthelost.com or fill out the Contact Form. Connect with Amanda: Website: www.podcastforthelost.com Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost & @amanda.k.powers TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost YouTube: @podcastforthelost Substack: podcastforthelost.substack.com Discounts & Affiliate Support Links: Momentum Shake → Free Variety Pack   IM8 Health → Code POWERS Twenty2 Nutrition → 5% Off PTULA → $10 Off Oner Active → $10 Off   MONDAY Swimwear → 20% Off   Beis Travel Luggage → $20 Off   U BEAUTY → $25 Off   Timeline → 20% Off (Code POWERS) Fusionary Formulas → 15% Off (Code LOST15) Factor Meals → Free First Box

    28 min
  2. Ep. 120: How to Break Free From Generational Trauma, Societal Expectations, and Your Mistakes | Tavarus Taylor

    Apr 20

    Ep. 120: How to Break Free From Generational Trauma, Societal Expectations, and Your Mistakes | Tavarus Taylor

    Episode 120: What does it mean to break a chain you were born into? In this deeply moving episode, Amanda Powers sits down with Tavarus Taylor — Nashville entrepreneur, community advocate, drag performer Vivica Steele, and radio host of The Queen's Table — for one of the most layered and honest conversations this show has ever had. Tavarus opens up about growing up carrying an identity hedidn't yet have the language to explain, surviving a criminal justice system that took away his right to vote over a $5.44 check, getting laid off from corporate America and turning that betrayal into a thriving business, and the moment he realized his drag persona, Vivica Steele, wasn't just a performance. She was saving his life.   This conversation is about what it really looks like to carrygenerational trauma without letting it become your whole story. It's about LGBTQ+ identity, systemic injustice, radical self-acceptance, and the quiet everyday courage it takes to build a life on your own terms — even when the world around you keeps trying to write a smaller story for you.   What you'll hear in this episode: How generational trauma shapes who you are before youeven understand itWhat it actually costs to lose your constitutional rights — and what it takes to reclaim themWhy Tavarus walked away from corporate America and started a his own businessHow drag became his pathway to self-love, purpose, and liberationWhat "breaking chains" really means when you're the first in your family to do itThe one thing Tavarus says every lost person needs to do first — before any book, podcast, or sermon If you've ever felt like the story someone told about youwasn't yours to keep — this episode is for you. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction to Tavarus Taylor 01:35 - Understanding Identity and Trauma 07:54 - Overcoming Adversity and Self-Discovery 13:24 - Navigating the Criminal Justice System 17:43 - Empowerment and Community Advocacy 22:15 - Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 25:07 - The Turning Point: From Employment to Entrepreneurship 27:43 - Embracing Identity: The Journey of Vivica Steele 30:15 - Navigating Life's Challenges: The Importance of Self-Love 35:21 - Creating Safe Spaces: The Queen's Table Initiative 42:37 - Building Meaningful Relationships: Love and Support 44:46 - Finding Your Path: The Power of Self-Reflection CONNECT WITH TAVARUS: Business Website: tntcommercialservices615.com Vivica Steele Website: vivicasteele.com Vivica's Instagram: ⁠@vivicasteele615⁠ The Queen's Table: acmeradiolive.com/the-queens-table The Queen's Table Instagram: @thequeenstable615 Personal Instagram: ⁠@ttaylor608⁠ CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don't forget to subscribe for more content about reclaiming your identity, finding your purpose, and steps for becoming your future self. Want to share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Send Amanda a message here: podcastforthelost.com/contact/   Email: hello@podcastforthelost.com Website: www.podcastforthelost.com Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost & @amanda.k.powers TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost YouTube: @podcastforthelost Substack: podcastforthelost.substack.com   AFFILIATE LINKS: Momentum Shake — Get a Free Variety Pack: momentumshake.com IM8 Health — Code POWERS: im8health.com Twenty2 Nutrition — 5% Off: twenty2nutrition.com PTULA — $10 Off: ptula.com Oner Active — $10 Off: oneractive.com MONDAY Swimwear — 20% Off: mondayswimwear.com Beis Travel Luggage — $20 Off: beistravel.com U BEAUTY — $25 Off: ubeauty.com Timeline — 20% Off (Code POWERS): timeline.com/POWERS Fusionary Formulas — 15% Off (Code LOST15): fusionaryformulas.com

    50 min
  3. Ep. 119: How to Stop Hating Your Body and Start Fighting For What You Want | Dani Dyer

    Apr 9

    Ep. 119: How to Stop Hating Your Body and Start Fighting For What You Want | Dani Dyer

    Episode 119: What happens when you spend years being told your body isn’t good enough — and you start to believe it? In this episode, Amanda Powers sits down with Dani Dyer —Nashville-based personal trainer, certified fitness coach, author, and host of the Love Your Body Podcast — for one of the most honest conversations about body image, identity, and self-worth you’ll hear this year. Dani has lived it all: body shaming in middle school, disordered eating patterns in college, becoming Nashville’s Strongest Woman, going viral on TikTok, suffering aserious spinal injury, developing an autoimmune disorder from years of extreme sport, and rebuilding her health from the ground up — again. And again.   What makes Dani’s story so powerful isn’t the accolades. It’s the fact that even at her leanest, her strongest, her most decorated— she still had to fight to love herself. And that’s exactly what she wants you to hear.   In this episode, you’ll hear: How Dani lost herself to other people’s opinions — and the moment she decided to stop listeningWhy even “perfect” bodies can hide the deepest self-hatredThe difference between body positivity and actually loving your body through movementHow negative self-talk rewires your brain — and the sticky note habit that helps reverse itWhat “Fight for What You Want” actually means when you don’t know what you want yetDani’s raw experience with timeline grief, letting go of due dates, and trusting the processPractical advice for anyone who looks in the mirror and doesn’t recognize themselves anymore Whether you’re struggling with your body image, your identity, or just feeling like you’ve lost your way — this episode is a reminder that the most powerful thing you can do is start right now. You don’t have to wait until you look different, weigh less, or have it all figured out. You just have to start fighting for yourself. Chapters 00:00 - Dani’s Origin Story 04:26 - College Fitness 07:20 - The Vermont Turning Point 15:23 - My Most Viral Moments 17:30 - My Identity Crisis 23:53 - Misinformation in Fitness 30:29 - Silencing the Inner Critic 36:00 - Establishing a New Mindset 41:57 - Timeline Grief and The Arrival Fallacy 52:07 - What it really means to “Fight for What You Want” 57:05 - What to say to yourself when you look in the mirror and don’t recognize yourself Connect with Dani Dyer: Website: www.danidfitness.com Book: How to Love Your Body Throughout Podcast: Love Your Body Podcast Instagram: @danidfitness1 YouTube: @danidfitness1 TikTok: @danidfitness1 Connect with Amanda: Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly content about identity,healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Want to share your story or question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Send Amanda a message here! Website: www.podcastforthelost.com Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost & @amanda.k.powers TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost YouTube: @podcastforthelost Substack: podcastforthelost.substack.com   Discounts & Affiliate Support Links: Momentum Shake — Get a Free Variety PackIM8 Health — 8% Off (Code POWERS)Twenty2 Nutrition — 5% OffPTULA Active — $10 OffOner Active — $10 OffMONDAY Swimwear — 20% OffBeis Travel Luggage — $20 OffU BEAUTY — $25 OffTimeline — 20% Off (Code POWERS)Fusionary Formulas — 15% Off (Code LOST15)

    59 min
  4. Ep. 118: You’re Not Sick—You’re Inflamed (And Here’s What to Do About It)

    Apr 2

    Ep. 118: You’re Not Sick—You’re Inflamed (And Here’s What to Do About It)

    Episode 118: If you’ve been feeling tired but wired, foggy, inflamed, or like your body is quietly waving a white flag—this episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself and start listening. This week, Amanda sits down with Dr. Shivani Gupta, Ayurvedicpractitioner, PhD researcher in turmeric and curcumin, and founder of Fusionary Formulas, for a conversation that bridges ancient Eastern wisdom with modern Western health struggles. Dr. Shivani has spent over 20 years helping people understand the root cause behind so much of what makes us feel lost in our own bodies: inflammation.   But this isn’t just a health episode—it’s a self-discoveryconversation. Because when your body is chronically inflamed, your ability to think clearly, trust your intuition, make aligned decisions, and feel like yourself is compromised. And for any 30-something who has “done everything right” and still feels empty? That mind-body disconnect is often the missing link.   What you’ll hear in this episode: What inflammation actually looks like in everyday life(spoiler: it’s not just joint pain)The Ayurvedic dosha system explained—and how to figureout your unique mind-body blueprintWhy brain fog, low energy, and burnout are signs of“inflamaging”—not aging Dr. Shivani’s concept of “mental inflammation” and howstress creates a physical feedback loopThe truth about turmeric and curcumin—hype vs.therapeutic realityThe simplest free tools to start reducing inflammationthis weekWhy getting healthy is the fastest path back to yourintuition and your purpose  If you’ve ever Googled “why do I feel so off” or “how do I getmy energy back,” this one is for you. You’re not broken. You might just be out of balance—and Dr. Shivani is here to show you the way back. Chapters: 00:00 - Why Aging Isn't The Only Culprit 02:39 - How Ayurveda Transformed My Life 06:28 - Signs of Chronic Inflammation 12:55 - What Your Everyday Symptoms Say About Your Level of Inflammation 15:42 - How to Identify Your Type in Ayurveda's Dosha System 20:38 - How to Manage a Mixed Constitution Household 23:20 - Managing Your Sleep, Gut, Diet and Rituals 27:59 - Mindful Habits to Support Longevity and Vibrancy 38:54 - The Truth About Tumeric and How to Maximize It 47:36 - What Is Mental Inflammation? 50:48 - Key Practices to Enhance Resilience 55:49 - Start Your Inflammation Reduction Journey 64:32 Advice on Finding Your Purpose & Improving Your Well-being Connect with Dr. Gupta: Website: www.shivanigupta.com   Instagram: @dr.shivaniguptaFacebook: @theshivaniguptaLinkedIn: @shivaniguptaflPodcast: The Inflammation Code PodcastFREE 7-Day Inflammation Detox ChallengeFREE Anti-Inflammatory E-CookbookFusionary Formulas Supplements (code LOST15 for 15% off) Connect with Amanda: Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly content about identity,healing, purpose, and becoming your future self.   Want to share your story or have question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom Episode? Send Amanda a message here. Email: hello@podcastforthelost.com Website: www.podcastforthelost.com Instagram: @podcast.for.the.lost |  @amanda.k.powers TikTok: @podcast.for.the.lost YouTube: @podcastforthelost Substack: podcastforthelost.substack.com Discounts & Affiliate Support Links: Fusionary Formulas — 15% Off (code LOST15) Momentum Shake — Free Welcome Kit & Travel Packs Twenty2 Nutrition — 5% Off MONDAY Swimwear — 20% Off PTULA Active — $10 Off Oner Active — $10 Off U BEAUTY — $25 Off time__line — 20% Off (code POWERS) IM8 Health — code POWERS

    1h 10m

  5. Feb 26

    Ep. 117: You’re Allowed to Change Your Mind (Here’s How to Pivot)

    Episode 117: If you’re in a season where your life doesn’t look how you thought it would… this episode is your permission slip to finally do something about it. In this episode of The Lost & Found Podcast, Amanda Powers discusses the challenges faced by millennials in today's job market, reflecting on her own experiences and the emotional turmoil of career transitions. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when a chosen path no longer serves one's happiness and the necessity of embracing change as a form of growth. Drawing inspiration from the philosophy of Alan Watts, Amanda encourages listeners to reclaim their autonomy and the power to make choices that align with their true selves, reminding them that it's okay to pivot and redefine their paths. KEY TAKEAWAY: We talk about the millennial career crisis, the fear of being seen as a failure, and how autonomy—your power to choose the next step—is how you get unstuck. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and New Beginnings 02:58 Navigating the Millennial Career Crisis 08:31 The Philosophy of Change and Growth 16:52 Embracing Autonomy and the Power of Choice 23:25 Struggling is Normal CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don’t forget to share this show with a friend and subscribe for weekly conversations on identity, healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Want to share your story or ask a question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom episode? Email us at ⁠⁠hello@podcastforthelost.com⁠⁠ or send an anonymous message to ⁠⁠ngl.link/akpowers__⁠⁠ Website: ⁠podcastforthelost.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@podcast.for.the.lost⁠ | ⁠@amanda.k.powers⁠ TikTok: ⁠@podcast.for.the.lost⁠ YouTube: ⁠@podcastforthelost⁠ Substack: ⁠podcastforthelost.substack.com ⁠ AFFILIATE LINKS: ⁠Try Momentum Shake! ⁠→ Spend $75 – get a free variety pack ⁠MONDAY Swimwear – 20% Off⁠ ⁠Twenty2 Nutrition – 5% Off⁠ ⁠PTULA – $10 Off⁠ ⁠Oner Active – $10 Off⁠ ⁠Beis Travel Luggage – $20 Off⁠ ⁠U BEAUTY – $25 Off⁠ ⁠time__line - 20% Off (code POWERS)

    29 min

  6. Feb 13

    Ep. 116: The Millennial Career Crisis (And What It’s Doing to Our Identity)

    Episode 116: If you feel behind, unmotivated, or like your “old dream” stopped fitting—this episode will help you reframe the identity panic and keep showing up without pretending you’re fine. Amanda Powers shares a raw solo update on the millennial career crisis, identity loss, and what happens when the life you built stops fitting. From feeling behind (tech issues, family stress, work overload) to the reframe that changed everything: "when the path you fought so hard for becomes more of a cage than a calling, it’s not failure—it’s growth ."  If you’re navigating a career pivot, burnout, or a “who am I now?” season, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to be perfect to keep going. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome Back and Personal Updates 04:41 Navigating Career Crises and Identity 09:47 The Reality of Disillusionment 14:28 Struggles with Authenticity and Connection CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don’t forget to share this show with a friend and subscribe for weekly conversations on identity, healing, purpose, andbecoming your future self. Want to share your story or ask a question for anupcoming Wanderer Wisdom episode? Email us at⁠hello@podcastforthelost.com⁠ or send an anonymous message to ⁠ngl.link/akpowers__⁠ Website: podcastforthelost.comInstagram: @podcast.for.the.lost | @amanda.k.powersTikTok: @podcast.for.the.lostYouTube: @podcastforthelostSubstack: podcastforthelost.substack.com  Try Momentum Shake! → Spend $75 – get a free variety pack MONDAY Swimwear – 20% Off Twenty2 Nutrition – 5% Off PTULA – $10 Off Oner Active – $10 Off Beis Travel Luggage – $20 Off U BEAUTY – $25 Off time__line - 20% Off (code POWERS)

    19 min
  7. Ep. 115: Bravery Isn’t Confidence — It’s a Skill (How to Break the Comfort Trap) | Jill Schulman

    Jan 23

    Ep. 115: Bravery Isn’t Confidence — It’s a Skill (How to Break the Comfort Trap) | Jill Schulman

    Episode 115: If you’ve been feeling stuck, afraid to start over, or trapped in a “comfortable” life that’s quietly costing you your purpose… this episode is your wake-up call. Today I’m joined by Jill Schulman — U.S. Marine Corps veteran, leadership development expert, and “happiness scientist” with a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology — to break down the real science of bravery and how to build it in everyday life. Jill shares her iconic “pink pumps to combat boots” origin story — including the moment someone told her on day one, “You’ll never make it,” and how she learned that bravery isn’t about heroic moments… it’s about showing up scared every day.  In this conversation, Jill explains why so many of us get trapped in the comfort zone (and why it actually makes us more fragile), then gives a practical blueprint to build courage through: Brave Mindset (your inner dialogue + belief that you can do hard things) Brave Actions (taking a step before you feel ready) Brave Relationships (curating a “brave tribe” that won’t let you tap out) You’ll also hear Jill’s best tool for decision-making when you feel lost. If you’re in a career pivot, identity shift, breakup, burnout, or “what now?” season — this episode will help you choose courage over comfort. CONNECT WITH JILL:Jill shares her free bravery assessment + bravery blueprint at jillschulman.com and her book The Bravery Effect is available everywhere books are sold. You can follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don’t forget to share this show with a friend and subscribe for weekly conversations on identity, healing, purpose, and becoming your future self. Want to submit a question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom episode? Email us at hello@podcastforthelost.com or send an anonymous message to ngl.link/akpowers__ Follow the journey: Website | @podcast.for.the.lost | @amanda.k.powers TikTok | YouTube | Substack AFFILIATE LINKS: Momentum Shake → Spend $75, Get a Free Variety Pack MONDAY Swimwear → 20% Off Twenty2 Nutrition → 5% Off PTULA → $10 Off Oner Active → $10 Off Beis Travel Luggage → $20 Off U BEAUTY → $25 Off time__line → 20% Off (code POWERS) CHAPTERS: 00:00 From Pink Pumps to Combat Boots 08:18 The Journey of Bravery 16:29 Bravery as a Trainable Skill 24:39 Choosing Your Hard 25:53 The Illusion of Success on Social Media 27:07 Breaking Free from the Comfort Trap 31:34 Steps to Build Bravery and Confidence 31:58 Personal Journey Out of the Comfort Zone 35:46 The Impact of Taking Brave Steps 39:34 The Bravery Effect: A Parable for Change 45:24 Blueprint for Overcoming Fear 47:31 Embracing Challenges for Growth

    51 min
  8. Ep. 114: Why Life After Treatment Feels So Hard (and What to Do About It) | Colin MacDonald

    Jan 16

    Ep. 114: Why Life After Treatment Feels So Hard (and What to Do About It) | Colin MacDonald

    Episode 114: If you—or someone you love—has gone through therapy, rehab, or wilderness treatment organizations and still feel completely lost, this episode is for you. Life after treatment can feel brutally confusing: you’re back home, at risk of falling into old patterns, and everyone expects you to be “better,” but inside you still feel stuck, ashamed, or behind. In this conversation, I sit down with Colin MacDonald, co-founder of NOT Therapy, to unpack why life after treatment is so hard and what you can actually do about it—whether you’re the young adult trying to rebuild or the parent trying to help without making things worse. As a teenager, Colin cycled through psych wards, wilderness therapy in the Utah desert, and a therapeutic boarding school he once ran away from on foot. Later, he built a successful career in sports and tech—then walked away to create the support he wishes he had as a young adult: real-world structure, daily mentorship, and a community of people who actually get it. We discuss how NOT Therapy helps 16–29-year-olds move from feeling stuck to in-motion—often staying out of higher levels of care, finding work or school paths that fit, and rebuilding trust at home. If you’re a parent terrified your kid is “wasting their potential,” a 20-something living at home and feeling behind, or someone who’s been through treatment and still feels lost, you’ll walk away with concrete next steps—not just inspiring quotes. In this episode, you’ll learn: The 3 biggest gaps in traditional treatment & therapy—and why so many young people crash when they come homeA simple 30-day post-treatment blueprint for coming home without going backwardsThe difference between being emotionally fluent (“I know what I feel”) and emotionally functional (“I know what to do with my feelings”)The mindset shifts and conversations that help parents move from the director  of their child's life to a guide CONNECT WITH COLIN: Instagram - @coach_colinmac Not Therapy - @not.therapy.coaching Website - https://www.nottherapy.me/ CONNECT WITH AMANDA: Don’t forget to share this show with a friend and subscribe for weekly conversations on identity, healing, purpose, andbecoming your future self. Want to share your story or ask a question for an upcoming Wanderer Wisdom episode? Email us at hello@podcastforthelost.com or send an anonymous message to ngl.link/akpowers__ Check out my website for more resources. Tag us on Instagram (@podcast.for.the.lost & @amanda.k.powers). Follow on ⁠TikTok⁠ for more podcast clips. Watch on YouTube for the full video interviews. Subscribe on Substack for behind the scenes content! AFFILIATE LINKS: Try Momentum Shake! → Spend $75 – get a free variety pack MONDAY Swimwear – 20% Off Twenty2 Nutrition – 5% Off PTULA – $10 Off Oner Active – $10 Off Beis Travel Luggage – $20 Off U BEAUTY – $25 Off time__line - 20% Off (code POWERS) CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introductions 01:54 Colin's Journey: A Life Rebuilt 05:04 The Impact of Wilderness Therapy 07:44 I Worked for the Mariners 10:23 Creating Not Therapy: A New Approach 13:27 The Importance of Mentorship 15:59 Emotional Fluency: Navigating Feelings 18:49 Real-Life Application: Beyond Therapy 24:05 Building Accountability and Community 33:53 Empowerment Through Choice 34:59 What Do Successful Clients Look Like? 36:41 How to Transition from Treatment Center to Home 43:10 Parenting in the Modern Age 54:10 Finding Your Purpose Again 01:02:33 Advice for Someone Who Feels Lost and Stuck

    1h 8m
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About

Ever wake up and think, "How did I get here?" Same. I'm Amanda — a former intel analyst who left the only career I'd ever known and started over from scratch. No roadmap. No guru. Just me, figuring it out in real time. The Lost & Found Podcast is for anyone navigating identity loss, career pivots, burnout, or that nagging feeling that something's missing. We talk self-discovery, hard transitions, and what it actually means to rebuild. No perfect answers here — just honest conversations. Subscribe for weekly episodes and join a community of people figuring it out. Wanderers are always welcome!

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