Powerfully Broken

Barbara L Parker MA, LPCC-S, CEO
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  • MENTAL HEALTH

Because you don’t need to be perfect to live powerfully. You just need to be you—open, healing, and willing to grow.  Hosted by Barbara L Parker, MA, LPCC-S, CEO of BF Empowerment Center and advocate for healing, this podcast is a sanctuary for anyone navigating life after heartbreak, divorce, trauma, or major life transitions. Each episode dives deep into the real, raw, and often messy journey of healing—with honesty, compassion, and zero judgment. We explore powerful conversations around: Healing from intimate partner violence and toxic relationshipsAuthentic parenting and building stronger familiesMindset shifts that create emotional and financial freedomEntrepreneurship with purpose and resilienceWellness tools that support your mental, emotional, and spiritual health You’ll hear from survivors, experts, change-makers, and everyday warriors—people who turned their pain into purpose and found the power in their brokenness.

  1. 4D AGO

    Love Is A Choice, Not A Feeling

    What if love isn’t a feeling to chase but a responsibility you choose every day? We sit down with Apostle Andre Dotson—community leader, father, husband, and repeat guest—to explore how disciplined love outlasts mood swings, why honor dictates access, and how preparation turns heartbreak into wisdom. His candid reflections after divorce reveal a path many skip: the prep season where you assess patterns, rebuild standards, and develop the character to love well. We dig into the Five Ps—proper preparation prevents poor performance—and apply them to relationships, from dating with intention to marriage under pressure. Andre explains how boundaries protect safety and respect, and why he withholds access where there’s no honor. We also tackle a hard reality: women often go silent after asking for change multiple times; by the time comfort is disrupted, it’s usually too late. That insight reframes listening as an urgent skill, not a romantic bonus. The conversation shifts to service as the core of mature love. Andre challenges men to hear needs like prayers to answer, and he challenges women and men alike to stop playing parent-child dynamics in adult relationships. Instead, choose partners who build, not burden—because the wrong choice won’t just waste time; it can wreck your purpose, finances, and peace. We close with practical takeaways on prioritization, reciprocity, and daily habits that keep love steady when emotions wobble. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs a reset, subscribe for more grounded conversations on healthy relationships, and leave a review to tell us the habit you’re choosing to practice this week. Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    15 min

  2. JAN 30

    He Thought He’d Die By 25 And Chose To Live For Kids Instead

    The story opens on a fast street where violence felt normal and kids learned to run before they could read the signs. Melvin Cantrell takes us through Edgewood’s split reality—games and laughter on one side, stabbings and speeding cars on the other—and shows how a simple, stubborn no to drugs became the first brick in a new life. He talks about father wounds, the rush of being an athlete with a secret, and the moment friends’ funerals made people say, “We thought you were dead,” forcing a shift from surviving to choosing to live. We dig into the hard parts: learning to read and write after graduation with help from siblings, hiding cars and cash from a mother who knew more than she said, and serving time in a summer boot camp that taught discipline the painful way. Melvin shares how grief counseling and even being typecast as the bad guy in community theater gave him space to process loss, especially after his mom passed. That path, combined with a second-degree black belt, kickboxing, and Tai Chi, became the backbone for his work in behavioral health and the IMPACT program. Fitness isn’t just a career for him; it’s a mental health toolkit—breathing, movement, and structure that help kids pause before the street pulls them under. We also get practical. Melvin lays out the red flags parents miss—sudden upgrades, hidden spending, secretive routines—and makes a case that kids need presence more than privacy. He explains his approach to hands-on parenting, how he stays reachable, and why he’ll leave work if a child calls. If you’re a parent, educator, or mentor trying to keep kids safe, this conversation gives you concrete strategies and a real-world playbook from someone who’s lived both sides. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest red flag you’re watching for right now. Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    26 min

  3. JAN 23

    How A Former Teen Hustler Became A Community Apostle

    What does it really take to unlearn a street-made identity and rebuild a life that lifts others? We sit down with Andre Dotson—once a teen hustler in East Cleveland, now an apostle, youth mentor, CCW instructor, and mayoral candidate—to trace the choices, influences, and turning points that shaped his transformation. The story is raw and unvarnished: early drinking at 11, hustling at 12, juvenile life by 14, and the gravitational pull of fast money even after release. Andre credits grace for keeping him out of prison—but he also names the daily discipline and the adults who finally modeled a better way. We dig into the mechanics of influence: how so-called OGs can either funnel kids toward danger or shield them with real opportunity. Andre breaks down why kids crave structure, not chaos, and how consistent boundaries create safety where posturing and peer pressure once ruled. From late-night parties that spiral to violence, to small moments where a mentor shows a teen how to start an LLC instead of carrying a pack, the pattern is the same: environment teaches. We explore youth programs that carve out hours of safety, feed kids, and normalize accountability, and we share a practical framework for teaching consequences without shaming—so a flipped desk becomes a lesson in cause and effect, not a scarlet letter. Parents get a straight answer too: raise your child, don’t be their friend. Love includes the courage to say no, enforce limits, and build habits that outlast the moment. Andre’s idea of being “powerfully broken” reframes pain as a doorway—something has to end for something stronger to rise. If you’re a parent, educator, mentor, or community leader searching for tools to keep kids safe and growing, you’ll find a blueprint here: consistent boundaries, safe spaces, real-world skills, and adults who mean what they say. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—what boundary are you recommitting to today? Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    21 min

  4. JAN 23

    How A Former Teen Hustler Became A Community Apostle

    What does it take to turn a twelve-year-old drug dealer into a community father who keeps kids safe and seen? Andre Dotson joins us to unpack the hard choices, small mercies, and steady mentorship that carried him from East Cleveland’s street economy to a life spent building structure, courage, and opportunity for the next generation. No gloss, no shortcuts—just the real mechanics of prevention: boundaries that hold, programs that protect, and adults who keep their word. We open with Andre’s early exposure to alcohol, gangs, and fast money, and how juvenile time sharpened his focus without hardening his heart. He lays out a simple code for parents and mentors: say what you mean, mean what you say, and replace bad options with better ones. From teaching kids how to start an LLC to offering a safe room with food and accountability, Andre shows how “real OGs” redirect energy instead of exploiting it. Along the way, we talk about risky parties, late-night decisions, and how a consistent “no” can save a life when attention and affirmation are on the line. If you care about youth violence prevention, fatherhood, mental health, and building safer neighborhoods, this conversation is a blueprint. You’ll hear practical steps for creating safe spaces, setting consequences that stick, and having honest talks about sex, money, relationships, and anger—starting in elementary school. Andre shares where to connect with him and how his work through Civilians Against Violence helps kids be themselves without the mask. Subscribe, share with a parent or mentor, and leave a review with the one boundary that changed your life—your story might become someone else’s turning point. Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    21 min

  5. JAN 16

    20 Years In: The Real Truth About Marriage, Longevity, and Choosing Each Other

    In this powerful Season 2 episode of the Powerfully Broken Podcast, host Barbara L. Parker, MA, LPCC-S sits down with Ateira Ashley—mother, wife, cheer coach, and AKA—to unpack the real blueprint for long-term, healthy relationships. Together, they discuss: Why friendship first matters more than chemistryHow faith, family, and maturity sustain marriage through hard seasonsLetting go of unrealistic expectations and embracing growthWhy “80–90% love” beats chasing a mythical 100% partnerThe importance of dating your spouse, even with kids and busy schedulesKeeping outsiders—family, friends, even children—out of marital conflictHow to “divorce old mindsets” to become a better partnerThis episode is for anyone who wants lasting love, whether you’re married, divorced, dating, or healing. Marriage isn’t about never wanting to leave—it’s about choosing to stay with wisdom, grace, and intention. ✨ You were not broken to be hurt.  ✨ You were broken to unleash the power within. BF Empowerment CenterBF Empowerment Center offers counseling to decreasing violence in homes, schools, and communities. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    21 min
  6. When Comfort Is Killing You: Denia Christan on Quitting, Scaling, and Cutting Dead Weight

    12/05/2025

    When Comfort Is Killing You: Denia Christan on Quitting, Scaling, and Cutting Dead Weight

    When comfort starts costing you more than change, it’s time to move. We sit down with Denia, a mentor to founders and a master connector, to unpack the real signals that tell you to quit the job, bet on yourself, and build a business that can breathe. From the first manual that launched her company to turning bottlenecks into revenue, she lays out a grounded path: generate cash, hire the right people, and let systems carry the weight you shouldn’t. We trade hustle myths for practical mechanics. Denia explains how to fund a first hire without gambling the house, why follow-up quietly prints money, and how “get 100 nos” training rewires the fear that keeps owners stuck. We dig into boundaries with clients and friends, the three-strike rule for repeated complaints, and the difference between problem-solving and unpaid emotional labor. If you’ve felt like a therapist at the gym or the default fixer at work, this conversation offers language and lines that protect your time, money, and mind. Mental health takes center stage too. Movement isn’t a side note; it’s a system. Gym sessions and line dancing become bilateral resets that lower cortisol, sharpen choices, and keep the business from absorbing every emotion. That steadiness fuels clearer hiring, braver outreach, and better leadership. We close with a strong definition of being powerfully broken: aware of what hurt you, no longer ruled by it, and focused on outcomes that honor your future. If you’re overworked, underpaid, and ready to leap with intention, this one’s for you. Tap play, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review with the one bottleneck you’re fixing this week.   Work with Denia Christan  🖥️ Website: www.anr3consulting.com 📞 Business Line: 234-205-1902 📱 Social: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube — Denia Christan  Powerfully Broken Podcast  🎙️ Follow @powerfullybroken & @queenblparker  📘 Book: A Powerful Divorce 🌐 bfempowerment.com/pbp  Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    19 min

  7. 11/21/2025

    Building A Legacy Winery Without Hangovers

    What does it take to turn a life once steeped in chaos into a business that bottles peace for others to taste? We sit down with Kitten, founder and CEO of Nelijah One Winery in Akron, Ohio, to unpack how a love of wine, a tough health diagnosis, and a very blunt $300 receipt pushed her to create a low-sulfite, no-hangover wine brand that puts wellbeing first. It’s a story about resilience, flavor, and family—told with laughter, candor, and a few pairing tips you’ll want to save. Kitten walks us through the earliest experiments, from messy fruit batches and stubborn yeast to a smarter approach with quality grape juice that kept the taste high and the sulfites low. Lupus shaped the process and, in turn, improved the product for everyone who struggles with headaches, heartburn, or next-day fog. We explore ports, ABV awareness, and why dessert wines sing alongside chocolate and cheese. Along the way, seasonal favorites like Black Forest and Caramel Moscato show how scarcity and craft can build real community and demand. At the heart of it all is legacy. The wines are named after grandkids, and production is a family affair—hair nets, stirring paddles, day-14 transfers, and pride. When flares hit, the kids step in, learning process, patience, and ownership. That same spirit extends to a haircare line inspired by chemo recovery, creating space for the granddaughters to see themselves in the brand. We also talk openly about alcohol as coping: how a beloved bottle can become a quiet signal to check in on ourselves, our receipts, and our rituals. If you care about health-conscious wine, smarter sipping, and building a business that outlives the founder, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical steps. Taste the difference at thatwine.me or text 330-459-9090, then tell us your favorite flavor. If this story moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more people find their own path from chaos to calm. Support the show Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    21 min

  8. 11/21/2025

    Faith, Cheer, and Legacy: Obedience in the Storm

    What if the thing that tried to break you became the reason you lead with more courage, clarity, and care? We sit down with cheer coach and mentor Atira Ashley to trace the path from wrongful termination to a faith-fueled mission that’s raising confident girls and stronger communities—one routine, one voice, one choice at a time. Atira opens up about the weight of travel, finances, and uncertainty, and how obedience shifted everything. We explore how HBCU culture and the Stop and Shake style shaped her program’s heartbeat: teaching girls to own their voice, stand tall under pressure, and find belonging through movement and mentorship. The conversation goes deep on mental health—how to breathe through the whirlpool days, set honest goals, and build boundaries that protect joy. We unpack marriage as a true partnership, push back on social media perfection, and talk about the quiet heroism of showing up when no one is watching. You’ll hear how a single word of encouragement can change a life, why alignment beats hustle, and how legacy grows when we pour from a full cup. Atira also shares how to connect for one-on-ones, group trainings, and consulting as she scales her impact. If you’ve been overgiving, second-guessing, or scrolling for answers, this is your nudge to reset and choose what matters most: faith, intention, and community that speaks life. If this conversation moved you, subscribe and share it with a friend who needs encouragement today. Leave a review to help more listeners find these stories of resilience, leadership, and mental health grounded in purpose. Support the show Shop: www.bfempowerment.com/shop Follow: @powerfullybroken | @queenblparker | bfempowerment.com/pbp Book: A Powerful Divorce Therapy: BF Empowerment Center 526 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44311 Watch Powerfully Broken Podcast airing on Fridays at 9am.

    21 min
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About

Because you don’t need to be perfect to live powerfully. You just need to be you—open, healing, and willing to grow.  Hosted by Barbara L Parker, MA, LPCC-S, CEO of BF Empowerment Center and advocate for healing, this podcast is a sanctuary for anyone navigating life after heartbreak, divorce, trauma, or major life transitions. Each episode dives deep into the real, raw, and often messy journey of healing—with honesty, compassion, and zero judgment. We explore powerful conversations around: Healing from intimate partner violence and toxic relationshipsAuthentic parenting and building stronger familiesMindset shifts that create emotional and financial freedomEntrepreneurship with purpose and resilienceWellness tools that support your mental, emotional, and spiritual health You’ll hear from survivors, experts, change-makers, and everyday warriors—people who turned their pain into purpose and found the power in their brokenness.

Information

  • Creator
    Barbara L Parker MA, LPCC-S, CEO
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Powerfully Broken
  • Show Website
    Powerfully Broken