Intrepid Storytelling

intrepidstorytelling
  • 5.0 (25)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

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. 1D AGO

    19|Surviving BPD, Alcoholism, and the Choice to Stay: Cierra Madill’s Story

    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

    1h 50m

  2. 4D AGO

    18|Losing My Son & Fighting for Survival: Cierra Madill’s Story (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

    1h 58m

  3. MAR 4

    17|Unlocking Success Through the Trenches: Kendall Patterson’s Story

    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

    1h 21m

  4. FEB 25

    16|Grief didn’t break him—it built him: This is a raw conversation about loss, ambition, legacy, and why sometimes the biggest ideas come from the hardest seasons.

    In this episode, a successful entrepreneur shares how losing his father fueled a journey from real estate and mortgage success to launching Off Leash’d, the pet-lover match app taking over phones everywhere. This is a raw conversation about loss, ambition, legacy, and why sometimes the biggest ideas come from the hardest seasons. Terry's success story is one of family, loss, and grit—and leads to real estate wealth, mortgage mastery, and founding the viral pet match app Off Leash’d. We break down entrepreneurship, startup mindset, tech innovation, and how turning personal pain into purpose can build a brand, a business, and a movement pet lovers can’t get enough of. CONTACT TERRY JAMES: OffLeash'd   Find us on: YouTube Facebook Instagram Email us at: IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

    28 min

  5. FEB 18

    15|Life Is A Gift & Love Is The Point: Ryan & Michelle Meeks' Story

    What is left of your life when the community you built and the faith you preached both disappear in an instant? In this deeply honest episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell sits down with former pastor Ryan Meeks and his wife, Michelle. Ryan shares the raw reality of what happened when his evangelical church, Eastlake Community Church, imploded after he announced they would fully affirm the LGBTQIA+ community. The fallout was immediate and devastating—a wave of backlash, the loss of his livelihood, and the painful unraveling of a faith system that no longer felt like home. Just as Ryan was beginning to navigate the debris of his deconstruction, life delivered another blow: a lymphoma cancer diagnosis. Facing his own mortality while still healing from spiritual trauma forced Ryan to look past religious doctrine and search for a deeper meaning. Together, Ryan and Michelle discuss the difficult journey of spiritual reconstruction, moving from the rigid certainty of the church to a more inclusive, fragile, and beautiful understanding of what it means to be alive. This conversation is a powerful exploration of church hurt, LGBTQIA+ affirmation, and the search for hope after a religious "death." Ryan’s journey proves that even when the buildings fall and the old beliefs fade, love can remain the steady foundation for a new life. Whether you are questioning your own faith or facing an unexpected life crisis, this story is a reminder that while certainty may disappear, love is the point. PURCHASE RYAN'S BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/40d50FT Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Early Doubts About Faith 01:22 - Formative Years: Faith, Youth Group, and Purity Culture 02:22 - The Growing 'Doubt Basket' and Questioning Core Beliefs 03:35 - Building East Lake Community Church: Growth and Radical Inclusion 05:22 - Personal Crisis: Cancer, Burnout, and Final Deconstruction 06:17 - Embracing Embodiment, Nature, and a Life Message of Love 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 #RyanMeeks #FaithDeconstruction #LGBTQIAAffirmation #ReligiousTrauma #InclusiveChristianity #CancerSurvivor #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

    1h 37m

  6. FEB 11

    14|Haunted in Bothell, Washington: A Couple’s Real-Life Paranormal Experience Inside Their Family Home

    They bought a house in Bothell, Washington… and something else came with it. In this true paranormal podcast episode, a couple reveals the unexplained events, ghostly encounters, and haunting experiences that turned everyday life into a constant state of unease. If you love real haunted house stories, Pacific Northwest paranormal activity, and true ghost encounters—this episode will stay with you long after the final word. PURCHASE KEITH'S BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/4rxmI2O   Find us on: YouTube Facebook Instagram Email us at: IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

    2h 3m

  7. FEB 4

    13|Breaking Free From Cults To Consciousness: Shelise Ann Sola’s Powerful Deconstruction from LDS Mormonism

    In this transformative episode, Shelise Ann Sola, host of the popular podcast and YouTube show Cults to Consciousness, opens up about her deeply personal faith transition and deconstruction from LDS Mormonism. Raised in a devout Mormon household and immersed in the cultural expectations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shelise spent years following rules, suppressing doubts, and striving to be the “perfect” member. But beneath the surface, questions were growing—questions about doctrine, identity, purity culture, patriarchy, and the pressure to conform within a high-demand religious system. Shelise shares what it was really like to confront her faith crisis, unlearn fear-based teachings, navigate relationships during deconstruction, and rediscover her authentic self outside the LDS church. This conversation dives into: Religious trauma and recovery Purity culture in Mormonism Undoing indoctrination and reclaiming identity Life after leaving high-control religion Healing, empowerment, and conscious living If you’re navigating your own faith transition, curious about the realities of Mormon deconstruction, or simply love powerful stories of courage and awakening, this episode is for you. Follow Cults To Consciousness on YouTube: PLEASE SUBSCRIBE! https://www.youtube.com/@CultstoConsciousness   YouTube Facebook Instagram IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

    1h 13m

  8. JAN 28

    12|From Rock Bottom to Real Estate Royalty: A Seattle Success Story of Addiction Recovery, Redemption, and Reinvention

    This is a real-life comeback story you won’t forget. Once trapped in addiction and felony convictions, she hit rock bottom and checked herself into the Salvation Army—then did the work to completely transform her life. In this episode, we explore addiction recovery, life after prison, and how she defied the odds to become one of the most successful real estate agents in Seattle. If you believe in second chances, personal growth, and unstoppable resilience, this episode is for you.   Find us on: YouTube Facebook Instagram Email us at: IntrepidStorytelling@gmail.com

    1h 8m
See All (21)

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

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
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Intrepid Storytelling