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. Sep 30

    Somatic Healing and Nervous System Regulation – Leslie Draffin

    Do you look capable on the outside—but feel anxious, reactive, and disconnected on the inside? Have you tried therapy, meditation, and mindset work—but still can't stop the spirals, feel safe in your body, or access your intuition? Leslie Draffin is a trauma-informed somatic practitioner and psychedelic microdosing guide for successful, spiritual women whose modern life is hijacking their mental health. Her work lives at the intersection of somatic science and modern ritual, blending nervous system regulation, feminine embodiment, womb healing, and integrative microdosing support to help women move out of survival mode and back into clarity, presence, and self-trust. A former TV news anchor turned somatic guide, Leslie teaches body-based nervous system healing for women who've tried therapy, meditation, and mindset work—but still can't stop the spirals, feel safe in their bodies, or access their intuition. She's the creator of the SHIFT Method—a 9-minute nervous system reset—and the Cyclical Microdosing Method, the only magical mushroom protocol built around the female menstrual cycle. Her message is rooted in a powerful truth: you are not broken. You are simply remembering how to come home to your body again. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · Leslie's journey from TV news anchor to somatic guide · Why successful, spiritual women stay stuck in survival mode · Why most nervous system "tools" make things worse · Somatic healing, womb wisdom, and nervous system safety · The Cyclical Microdosing Method · Somatic witchcraft and sacred ritual · One truth for any woman stuck in survival mode If you've ever felt stuck in survival mode despite doing all the "right" things—this conversation is for you. You are not broken—you are coming home to your body. Connect with Leslie Draffin 🌐 Website: lesliedraffin.com 🎁 Free SHIFT Ritual: lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/shift 🎙️ Podcast: The Light Within 📱 Social: @lesliedraffin (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) 💫 Programs: Sacred Reset, The Inner Circle, Sacred Expansion

  2. Sep 30

    Untangling Your Story: Why Your Past Still Matters – Michélle Konson

    Have you ever looked at your life and wondered, "Why do I keep doing this? Why do I keep repeating the same patterns—the same fights, the same fears, the same feelings of not being enough?" Michélle Konson is a speaker, writer, Story Work guide, and the creator of the Untangling Your Story journal. Originally from South Africa, she now lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and family. Before stepping away from a career as a corporate attorney to raise her four children, Michélle practiced corporate law. Today, she helps people understand how their stories shape the way they live, love, lead, and parent. Drawing from trauma-informed principles, interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, and her Christian faith, she equips audiences with practical tools to move beyond survival by approaching their stories with curiosity, compassion, and hope. Michélle believes behavior is downstream from story. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with me?" she invites people to ask, "What happened to me?" Her work helps people make sense of the survival strategies that once protected them so they can experience greater freedom, healthier relationships, and greater wholeness. Her message is rooted in a powerful truth: behavior is downstream from story—and healing begins when we approach our stories with curiosity and compassion. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · What it means to "untangle your story" · Why our childhood experiences still shape us · Why we repeat patterns we want to change · Why successful people still feel stuck · The responsibility we have for our healing · How parents can break cycles without passing on wounds · Where to begin if you're curious about your story · One truth for anyone seeking wholeness If you've ever felt stuck, anxious, or disconnected—despite your success—this conversation is for you. Behavior is downstream from story—and healing begins with curiosity and compassion. Connect with Michélle Konson 🌐 Website: michellekonson.com 📓 Journal: Untangling Your Story 📱 Social: @michellekonson (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) 🎤 Speaking: Conferences, retreats, leadership events, ministry teams

  3. Sep 30

    Transformed by Grief, Not Defined by It: A Father's Story of Loss and Gratitude – Mark Stackpole

    Today's conversation is a tender one. It's about loss—the kind of loss that changes you forever. It's about a father who lost his 22-year-old daughter to leukemia. And it's about what happens after—how a family navigates a new life, looking for joy and gratitude amidst heartbreak. Mark Stackpole lost his daughter Corinne to leukemia. He and his family are now navigating a new life, looking for joy and gratitude amidst heartbreak. He thinks of his life as having definitely been transformed by grief—but he refuses to live a life defined by it. The real story is how they have faced this loss not with anger or bitterness, but with gratitude. They are not asking, "Why her?" or saying, "It's not fair." They have refused to let her legacy be rooted in how they lost her—they are instead focused on how lucky they were to have had her in their lives for as long as they did. Mark said, "I wanted her life to be a saga, a story too long for me to finish in my lifetime. Instead, we got a brilliant short story, without a wasted word or moment." His message is rooted in a powerful truth: grief can transform you without defining you—and gratitude can coexist with heartbreak. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · Who Corinne was—and what made her special · The 11-month fight against leukemia · Finding gratitude amidst grief · The impact on marriage and family · Corinne's legacy and how to keep her memory alive · Stem cell donation and how you can help · What to say (and not say) to someone who's grieving · One truth for anyone walking through loss If you've ever lost someone you love, or you're walking with someone who has—this conversation is for you. Transformed by grief, but not defined by it. Connect with Mark Stackpole 📧 Connect via PodMatch 🌐 Stem Cell Registry: nmdp.org 📱 Social: @markstackpole (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads) 💉 Join the Registry: nmdp.org – Ages 18-35

  4. Sep 29

    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

  5. Sep 29

    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

  6. Sep 27

    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)

  7. Sep 27

    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

  8. Sep 27

    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

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5
out of 5
39 Ratings

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
    469
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Precious Dee
  • Show Website
    Empowered Conversations

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