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Intrepid Storytelling

Intrepid Storytelling

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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.

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 41|Surviving Heroin, Hell, and Holy Trauma: Derek Lambert’s Story

    41|Surviving Heroin, Hell, and Holy Trauma: Derek Lambert’s Story
    May 27 2026
    What happens when the religion meant to save you becomes a prison, and the drugs you use to escape become a death sentence?

    Derek Lambert, host of the MythVision podcast, spent his early life terrified of hell and desperate for divine approval. Trapped in a cycle of religious guilt, shame, and a desperate need to be a "good boy," Derek turned to substances to numb the overwhelming noise in his head. What started with early alcohol abuse and weed soon spiraled into a devastating dependency on painkillers and, eventually, heroin. He was blacking out, destroying his relationships, and drowning in a life he couldn't control.

    But hitting absolute rock bottom forced Derek to do the unthinkable: confront his severe addiction and dismantle the foundational beliefs of his entire life. In this raw and deeply honest episode, Derek opens up about the grueling reality of opiate withdrawals, the terror of leaving his faith behind, and how walking away from the church ultimately helped him find true sobriety, peace, and his authentic self.

    Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Intrepid Storytelling 02:10 The Power of Storytelling 04:44 Childhood Memories and Family Dynamics 10:21 Religious Upbringing and Early Beliefs 14:20 Struggles with Faith and Connection 20:28 Aha Moments and Transformative Experiences 27:07 Navigating Doubts and Beliefs 34:10 Struggles with Faith and Self-Perception 39:48 The Burden of Sin and Shame 44:37 The Psychological Impact of Religious Narratives 51:11 The Descent into Addiction 57:32 The Journey of Deconversion and Self-Discovery 01:09:09 The Catalyst of Change: Richard Rohr and Universalism 01:12:54 The Love of God: Universalism vs. Traditional Beliefs 01:16:09 Progressive Christianity: A Church for Everyone 01:19:02 The Problem of Evil: Questioning God's Love 01:22:52 Predestination and the Nature of God's Love 01:26:17 Deconstructing Hell: Myths and Realities 01:30:05 Imagining Hell: Nightmares and Cultural Influences 01:37:49 Mythology and the Bible: Interconnections and Inspirations 01:44:29 The Miraculous Transformation: Water to Wine 01:48:20 Mythological Parallels: Dionysus, Attis, and Jesus 01:52:10 The Influence of Greek Myths on Christianity 01:53:06 Personal Journeys: Sobriety and Recovery 02:05:27 Finding Authenticity: The Path to Self-Discovery

    FOLLOW DEREK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MythVisionPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derek.lambert3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dereklambert_7/ Website: https://mythvisionpodcast.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 #DerekLambert #AddictionRecovery #ReligiousDeconstruction #HeroinSurvivor #ReligiousTrauma #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast
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    2 hrs and 18 mins
  • 40|Groomed, Abandoned, and Broken: How Forrest Lang Survived Abuse, Found Brotherhood, and Rebuilt His Life

    40|Groomed, Abandoned, and Broken: How Forrest Lang Survived Abuse, Found Brotherhood, and Rebuilt His Life
    May 25 2026
    What happens when the people meant to protect you become the ones who cause the deepest wounds?

    In this raw and deeply moving episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Forrest Lang shares his story of surviving childhood sexual abuse, grooming, and abandonment while in foster care. At just 12 years old, Forrest was placed in a situation no child should ever endure, left unprotected and unheard by the very adults responsible for his safety.

    This conversation sheds light on the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma, the failures within the foster care system, and what it means to carry pain that was never yours to begin with.

    But this is not just a story of trauma; it’s a story of resilience.

    Forrest opens up about how joining the United States Marine Corps gave him something he had never experienced before: brotherhood, structure, and a sense of belonging. Through that experience, he began to rediscover his worth, rebuild his identity, and reclaim control over his life.

    Today, Forrest has written a book, Angel Blue: A Song Of Redemption, and he's carved out a new path as a tattoo artist in La Jolla, California, transforming pain into art and helping others tell their stories through ink.

    This episode is for anyone navigating trauma, healing from abuse, or searching for purpose after being broken by life. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Intrepid Storytelling 03:00 The Importance of Sharing Personal Stories 05:52 Childhood Trauma and Its Long-Term Effects 08:48 The Journey of Healing and Redemption 11:56 Navigating Relationships After Trauma 14:46 The Impact of Abuse on Identity and Self-Perception 18:06 The Role of Advocacy and Awareness 20:55 The Complexity of Forgiveness and Justice 24:11 Life After Trauma: Finding Purpose 26:50 The Power of Resilience and Community Support 34:27 Facing Trauma and Legal Battles 40:02 The Aftermath of Acquittal and Homelessness 41:55 Seeking Redemption Through Military Service 49:53 Rebuilding Life After War 51:50 The Power of Initiation and Healing 56:03 Rediscovering Self-Worth and Purpose 01:00:17 Navigating the Publishing World 01:03:06 A Mission to Help Others Through Storytelling FOLLOW FORREST Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JJdag9jh1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrestlangofficial?igsh=MTZwOXcyNjB5dHlzMA== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forrestlang?_r=1&_t=ZP-95C8fslNWBy BUY THE BOOK - ANGEL BLUE: A SONG OF REDEMPTION: https://angelbluebook.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 #ForrestLang #ChildhoodAbuseSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #TrueStory #SurvivorStory #StorytellingPodcast #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 39|Arrested for Rescuing Beagles from Ridglan Farms Testing Lab: Amanda Olejarz’s Story

    39|Arrested for Rescuing Beagles from Ridglan Farms Testing Lab: Amanda Olejarz’s Story
    May 20 2026
    What if you were treated like a terrorist simply for saving a tortured puppy from a testing lab?

    Growing up, Amanda Olejarz was relentlessly bullied for her deep empathy and refusal to eat animals. Inspired by her grandmother, who reasoned with a soldier to save her grandfather from Auschwitz, Amanda learned early on that direct action works. That realization eventually transformed her from a quiet, bullied child into a courageous animal rights activist willing to put everything on the line. In this raw and impactful episode, Amanda takes us inside the harrowing reality of the Ridglan Farms testing lab, where thousands of beagles are born into wire cages and bred for vivisection. She details thea intense reality of participating in an open rescue, facing tear gas, risking prison, and the life-changing moment she pulled a terrified beagle named "Darling" to safety. This is an unsettling yet profoundly inspiring look at the dark side of animal testing and the incredible lengths one everyday person will go to in order to fight for the voiceless.

    Chapters: 00:00 The Power of Animal Rescue and Activism 08:12 Growing Up Different: A Journey of Compassion 16:11 Finding My Voice: The Path to Activism 23:46 The Ridgeland Farms Rescue: A Day of Action 32:04 Building a Community: The Importance of Support 39:59 The Future of Animal Rights: Raising Awareness and Activism 42:50 The Reality of Animal Testing 48:11 The Rescue Mission and Arrests 01:01:23 Taking Action for Animal Rights

    SUPPORT THE CAUSE: savethedogs.io savethedogs.uk

    FOLLOW AMANDA: FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589023194957 IG: https://www.instagram.com/greenpillpack TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greenpillpack

    CONTACT AMANDA FOR COACHING: https://www.skool.com/self-care-savages-6694/about amandalacoaching@gmail.com

    READY TO GO VEGAN? https://challenge22.com/ https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CNQa2naPC/

    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 #AmandaOlejarz #AnimalRescueStory #AnimalRights #TrueStory #PodcastYouTube #StorytellingPodcast #FacebookWatch #RidglanFarms #Wayne Hsiung #The Simple Heart
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    1 hr and 14 mins
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