Intrepid Storytelling

intrepidstorytelling
  • 5.0 (25)
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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. 4D AGO

    37|Breaking Generational Cycles: Angelina Mojica’s Story

    How do you find your voice when you were taught your entire childhood to stay silent?   Angelina Mojica grew up in a traditional household where she learned early on to keep quiet and meet impossibly high expectations. Seeking an escape, she married at just 19 years old, only to find herself trapped in a pattern of toxic relationships, betrayal, and profound hardship. After facing her darkest moments and realizing generational cycles were beginning to threaten her own daughter, Angelina knew she had to take ownership of her healing. In this raw and honest episode, she shares her powerful journey of surviving deep childhood wounds, discovering her faith, and ultimately breaking the patterns that held her back. Today, she is the founder of Empower Her Steps, a nonprofit dedicated to helping other women heal, elevate, and rebuild their lives.   Chapters: 00:00 Awakening to Trauma 02:55 The Journey of Healing and Purpose 06:10 Childhood Experiences and Family Dynamics 08:49 Silence and Suffering 11:58 Navigating Relationships and Expectations 14:51 Rebellion and Self-Discovery 18:14 The Impact of Parenthood 21:08 Struggles with Identity and Self-Worth 23:59 Marriage and Its Challenges 27:06 Coping with Loss and Change 29:52 Finding Strength in Adversity 35:11 Navigating Family Dynamics and Relationships 36:10 Finding Faith Amidst Turmoil 37:30 Overcoming Shame and Guilt 38:50 Coping with Loss and Responsibility 39:49 Breaking the Cycle of Abuse 42:43 The Challenges of Stepparenting 43:38 Survival Mode and Seeking Help 45:54 The Journey of Self-Discovery 49:46 Education and Personal Growth 51:38 Facing New Challenges as a Parent 54:53 Co-Parenting and Support Systems 57:48 Understanding Relationship Patterns 01:00:31 Empowerment and Healing 01:02:49 Embracing Singlehood and Self-Discovery 01:04:10 Launching a Nonprofit for Empowerment 01:10:44 Leaving a Legacy of Hope   CONNECT WITH ANGELINA WEBSITE: https://www.angelinamojica.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/angelina.mojica LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelina-mojica-cfle/   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 #AngelinaMojica #GenerationalHealing #OvercomingTrauma #TrueStory #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast

    1h 12m

  2. 6D AGO

    36|Uncovering Hidden Secrets & Finding Vulnerability: Michael Fornerette’s Story

    How do you keep leading others when your foundation is shaken by hidden family secrets and unimaginable loss?   Michael Fornerette is known for his intense competitive drive, elite leadership, and unwavering commitment to professional standards. But behind the structured exterior of this highly successful mortgage executive lies a profoundly human story of resilience. Growing up as a "forgotten" middle child to hardworking, blue-collar parents, Michael used sports and strict routines to forge his path in life.   In this episode, Michael opens up to his former employee and host, Deanna Powell, about the hardest chapters he has ever had to face. From losing his mother to cancer at just 21 to the sudden, tragic loss of his older brother, Michael shares the painful realities he had to navigate while trying to be the strong protector of his family. He discusses the profound shock of uncovering deep family traumas decades after the fact, his physical journey to reclaim his health through biohacking and intentional habits, and his ultimate realization that true strength means embracing vulnerability rather than hiding behind a tough exterior.   Chapters: 00:00 Reflections on Family and Personal Struggles 07:45 Leadership Lessons and Team Dynamics 08:14 Childhood Influences and Family Background 12:33 Sports and Competitiveness 18:12 Health Challenges and Lifestyle Changes 23:04 The Impact of Aging on Health and Fitness 28:28 Transformative Fitness Journey 31:10 The Importance of Stretching and Mindfulness 32:36 Healing Through Meditation and Breathwork 36:05 Uncovering Family Trauma 41:55 Navigating Grief and Loss 49:28 Empowering Others Through Leadership   CONNECT WITH MICHAEL: WEBSITE: https://cfmtg.com/branch/the-fornerette-team/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/mfornerette LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theforneretteteam/   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 #MichaelFornerette #OvercomingTrauma #MenAndMentalHealth #VulnerableLeadership #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast

    56 min

  3. MAY 6

    35|"Before I Die": Michel Pinard’s Honest Story About Living with Terminal Cancer

    How do you react when life hands you a terminal diagnosis? For Michel "Mitch" Pinard, the answer was simple: you keep going. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, Mitch decided that while his condition might be "incurable," his spirit certainly wasn't.   In this deeply moving yet surprisingly uplifting conversation, Mitch joins Deanna Powell to discuss the beauty of "living with cancer" rather than just suffering from it. This isn't a story about dying, it's a story about the incredible resilience of the human heart and the importance of community.   Mitch’s story is a beautiful reminder that a diagnosis doesn't define your life—your choices do. Whether he’s navigating the "CyberKnife" for his brain or planning his next trip home to Seattle, Mitch proves that every day is worth celebrating. Watch until the end to see the incredible AI-generated summary of Mitch’s medical journey.   Chapters: 00:00 Facing the Diagnosis 02:48 The Role of AI in Understanding Cancer 06:09 Childhood and Early Life 08:57 Moving to Seattle and Building Connections 11:52 Navigating Life with Cancer 15:00 The Importance of Community and Support 18:10 Reflections on Life and Legacy 34:01 Fostering Comfort in Transition 35:25 Preparing for the Inevitable 37:15 Navigating End-of-Life Decisions 39:15 Understanding Cancer Diagnosis 41:12 The Journey Through Treatment 44:29 The Impact of Chemotherapy 46:18 Living with Cancer: Daily Realities 49:28 Coping with Distance and Change 51:46 Finding Joy Amidst Struggles 53:11 The Complexity of Cancer Treatment 56:19 The Role of Immunotherapy 58:41 Living Life with Cancer 01:01:45 Mental Strategies for Coping 01:07:12 The Legacy of Life Beyond Cancer 01:11:01 Finding Strength in Community and Support 01:16:57 Living Life to the Fullest 01:18:25 The Medical Paradox of Cancer Treatment   CONNECT WITH MITCH:  FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/socialmitch INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/socialmitch/ 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 #MichelPinard #CancerWarrior #Inspiration #TrueStory #AInMedicine #SurvivorStory #LivingLifeToTheFullest #Hope #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast

    1h 41m

  4. MAY 4

    34|From Bank Robberies to Prison Reform: Jacob Ivan Schmitt's Story

    "I didn't stop being afraid in life until other people became afraid of me." ⛓️   How does a six-year-old child, conditioned by solitary confinement and physical abuse at home, find his way back to humanity after decades behind bars? Jacob Ivan Schmitt isn't just a survivor of the carceral system; he is a man who had to reverse-engineer his own soul in a place designed to strip it away. In this raw, deep-dive conversation, Jacob moves past the "bank robber" headlines to expose the systemic brutality of the American legal system and the profound power of restorative healing.   Jacob’s life story is a masterclass in resilience and transformation. A childhood trauma survivor who spent more than thirty years in institutional settings, he eventually turned to self-education in law to strengthen his moral reasoning and cultivate a deep understanding of accountability. Today, as the founder and director of Just Us Solutions, LLC, Jacob translates that hard-earned vision into practical solutions for reentry, trauma care, and justice reform.   His leadership is defined by strategy, empathy, and an ability to improve access to legal support and services for veterans and system-impacted individuals. Jacob’s influence now extends from community partnerships to the Washington State Legislature, where he has testified on reentry collaboration and justice reform. In every setting, Jacob holds to a simple belief: when all hope is lost, belief itself becomes the foundation for change.   Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Anxiety and Depression 00:49 The Power of Storytelling 02:14 The Journey to Justice 03:09 Experiences in Confinement 04:03 The Impact of Trauma 05:01 The Importance of Dignity 05:56 The Role of Community Support 06:53 The Need for Change in the Justice System 07:47 Childhood Trauma and Its Effects 09:14 Finding Hope and Healing 10:12 The Importance of Connection 11:11 Creating a Better Future 42:23 Trauma and Isolation in Childhood 48:44 The Impact of Institutionalization 55:02 Navigating Adolescence and Early Criminality 01:01:05 The Prison Experience and Social Dynamics 01:08:11 Learning and Growth in Confinement 01:14:46 Relationships and Emotional Healing 01:20:30 Abolition and the Need for Systemic Change 01:25:02 Healing Through Consequences 01:30:17 Reforming Correctional Systems 01:35:21 Processing Trauma in Confinement 01:40:56 Building Dignity and Confidence 01:45:08 Empowering Through Education 01:51:27 The Power of Love Over Hate   CONNECT WITH JACOB: WEBSITE: https://www.justus.solutions/about-us FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jacobivanschmitt LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-ivan-schmitt-376367298/   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 #JacobIvanSchmitt #TrueStory #SurvivorStory #PrisonReform #MentalHealthPodcast #RestorativeJustice #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

    2h 7m

  5. MAY 4

    33|34 Years Sober & Building Boundaries: Erin Alexander’s Story

    What happens when you realize that no one is coming to save you, and you must become your own greatest protector?   Erin Alexander, founder of the marketing agency Finally Social, didn’t have a simple path to the life and business she loves today. From navigating a difficult upbringing in Oregon to rubbing shoulders with Andy Warhol in the drug-fueled New York City club scene of the 1980s, Erin lived life on the edge. After hitting a breaking point and receiving two DWIs, she knew she had to make a drastic change or lose her life entirely.   Now approaching 34 years of sobriety, Erin sits down to share her raw, unconventional journey to getting clean, one that involved a women-only treatment center and skipped the traditional 12-step meetings. In this deeply honest conversation, Erin discusses connecting with her Chippewa and Sac and Fox Native American heritage, learning how to ruthlessly protect her peace using her "bullseye" friendship method, and the realization that your dark past shapes you, but never has to define you.   Chapters: 00:00 Journey of Transformation: From Struggles to Success 32:02 The Power of Relationships and Self-Worth 35:46 Navigating Sobriety: Personal Journeys 39:08 Finding Humor in Sobriety 42:40 The Importance of Personalization in Recovery 44:04 Authenticity in Marketing and Real Estate 48:15 Understanding the Real Estate Landscape 52:11 Building Trust Through Storytelling 56:04 The Power of Branding and Consistency 01:00:13 Engagement Over Numbers in Social Media 01:05:30 Utilizing Social Media Effectively   Connect with Erin: WEBSITE www.FinallySocial.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/share/1DhXc2JfBr/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/finallysocial?igsh=aTB3dXdrcnR5YWF5 LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/erincalexander?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app   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 #ErinAlexander #SobrietyJourney #OvercomingAddiction #SettingBoundaries #SelfWorth #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

    1h 11m

  6. APR 27

    32|Finding Tico: Jay Barbanel's Story of Adoption From Costa Rica & Reuniting With Biological Family

    What happens when your "rock," your protector, and your only link to your biological past suddenly turns into your greatest threat?   At just 6 years old, Jay Barbanel was a survivor. Adopted from a high-stakes environment in Costa Rica alongside his older brother, Jay thought they had finally found safety in the U.S. and Europe. But while Jay adapted and thrived, his brother was harboring a dark, boiling resentment, one that ended in a terrifying attempt on Jay’s life and a permanent separation that would haunt him for three decades.   In this raw and profoundly moving episode, Jay shares his journey of unlearning survival tactics and the grueling work of reconnecting with an "inner child" he had long ago abandoned. From the cultural shock of moving between Boston, Belgium, and Barcelona, to the life-altering moment he found a dusty box labeled "Adoption Files" in his parents' basement, Jay’s story is a masterclass in resilience.   Jay discusses the trauma of survival in the Costa Rican orphanage system with broken bones and a guardian brother who was only 5 years old. He reflects on the devastating day his brother was sent back to Costa Rica after trying to kill him, and the 30-year silence that followed. Jay explains how a single geotag on Instagram and a community of strangers in Costa Rica helped him find the truth about his biological mother and 11 siblings, leading to the shocking revelation he faced when he finally reconnected with his brother as an adult. He also touches on how photography became his "proof of existence" and a tool for rebuilding his shattered identity. Jay’s story isn't just about adoption, it's for anyone who has ever felt lost, anyone who has had to "compartmentalize" to survive, and anyone brave enough to face the things that scare them most.   Watch the full episode to discover the truth Jay found in Costa Rica and the message of hope he has for adoptees everywhere.   PURCHASE JAY'S BOOK HERE: https://amzn.to/4e9qqfw JAY'S WEBSITE: https://www.findingtico.com/ JAY'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thatkidjay1/ FINDING TICO INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/finding_tico/ JAY'S FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/JayBarbanel   Chapters: 00:00 The Journey Begins: A Story of Adoption and Survival 03:02 Childhood Memories: The Orphanage and Early Life 06:13 The Bond of Brotherhood: Love and Protection 08:55 The Struggles of Adaptation: Moving to New Cultures 11:47 The Breaking Point: A Brother's Anger and Separation 15:04 Compartmentalization: Coping with Trauma 17:53 Finding Identity: The Search for Self 21:09 Reconnecting with the Past: Discovering Family History 23:59 Therapy and Healing: Understanding the Impact of Adoption 26:51 The Power of Photography: Capturing Identity 29:56 A New Chapter: Returning to Costa Rica 33:11 Reunion: Connecting with My Brother Again 34:39 Searching for Roots: A Journey of Discovery 39:20 Connecting with Family: The Emotional Rollercoaster 44:35 Reconnecting with Costa Rica: A Homecoming 52:23 Writing My Story: The Power of Expression 57:18 Life Lessons: Embracing Change and Seeking Help   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 #JayBarbanel #AdoptionStory #SurvivorStory #InnerChildHealing #CostaRicaAdoption #FamilySeparation #TherapyJourney #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #FindingTico

    1h 9m

  7. APR 22

    31|"I Am The Storm": Michelle Bruto da Costa’s Story

    What do you do when the life you built with your soulmate is suddenly shattered by the unimaginable?   Michelle Bruto da Costa achieved the American dream, rising from her roots as a first-generation American to become a top 1% mortgage loan originator nationwide. She built a beautiful life with Mark, her soulmate of 23 years, raising five children together. But everything changed overnight when Mark, perfectly healthy at 42, was unexpectedly diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 colon cancer. In this deeply moving episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Michelle shares her raw journey through devastating miscarriages, managing a demanding career from hospital waiting rooms, and the agonizing heartbreak of losing her best friend to a sudden infection.   Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, the brutal reality of profound grief, and choosing to carry the torch forward when fate tries to break you.   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Intrepid Storytelling 00:28 Meet Michelle Bruta da Costa: A Journey in Mortgages 01:19 Building a Reputation: Word of Mouth Success 03:06 Overcoming Obstacles: Michelle's Personal Story 04:33 Lessons from Childhood: Values and Work Ethic 06:56 The Power of Self-Help and Personal Growth 10:50 Finding Love: A Serendipitous Meeting 16:26 Family Dynamics: Moving and Growing Together 21:30 Career Paths: From Medicine to Mortgages 27:06 Teamwork in Marriage: Mark's Supportive Role 31:11 Relationships and Learning from Others 35:44 Family Life: Raising Five Kids 37:35 Facing Challenges: The Impact of Loss 39:07 Navigating Grief: The Impact of Miscarriage 48:23 Facing Cancer: A Personal Journey 01:01:39 The Aftermath: Coping with Loss and Moving Forward   Connect with Michelle: WEBSITE: https://www.cmghomeloans.com/mysite/michelle-bruto-da-cost FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.brutodacosta INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_bdc/   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 #MichelleBrutoDaCosta #WidowhoodJourney #Resilience #CancerSpouse #GriefSupport #OvercomingAdversity #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #FacebookWatch

    1h 14m

  8. APR 20

    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
See All (39)

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
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Intrepid Storytelling

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