Intrepid Storytelling

52|Surviving Childhood Trauma and Breaking the Generational Cycle: Janus Valeo’s Story

How do you break a generational cycle of severe trauma when you were raised in the darkest of environments?   Janus Vallejo grew up enduring severe trauma and profound boundary violations at the hands of the very people who were supposed to protect him. After surviving unimaginable horrors in his childhood and later during his military service, his unhealed wounds and profound dissociation manifested in devastating ways. Janus’s unresolved trauma led him down a destructive path where he caused harm to another and faced severe legal consequences. After losing everything, experiencing homelessness, and reaching a point where he nearly ended his own life, a moment of profound honesty in mandatory counseling sparked a turning point.   Today, Janus takes full accountability for his past and dedicates his life to the prevention of child abuse. He works directly with men in the prison system and the community to help them break the pattern of harm before it claims another victim. This is a raw, unsettling, and ultimately critical conversation about accountability, the deep roots of intergenerational trauma, and the relentless mission to save just "one less child".   Chapters: 00:00 Understanding the Cycle of Abuse 02:48 Janus Vallejo's Journey and Advocacy 05:46 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact 08:55 The Role of Family in Abuse Dynamics 11:47 Military Experiences and Trauma 14:53 The Path to Healing and Prevention 17:58 The Complexity of Offending and Recovery 20:51 Statistics and Misconceptions in Abuse 23:57 The Importance of Open Conversations 26:45 Breaking the Cycle of Abuse 35:10 The Role of Parental Dynamics in Childhood Trauma 38:02 Confronting the Past: Seeking Accountability 40:46 Understanding Abuse: The Impact of Early Experiences 42:41 Breaking Patterns: Parenting Styles and Their Effects 49:04 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing 55:11 The Power of Service: Transforming Pain into Purpose 01:00:50 Building a Community: The Importance of Connection 01:07:52 Understanding Offenders: The Complexity of Pedophilia 01:10:33 Understanding Pedophilia and Its Complexities 01:15:32 The Role of Society and Labels 01:20:22 Parenting and Its Impact on Children 01:25:37 Rehabilitation vs. Punishment in the Justice System 01:30:08 The Cycle of Abuse and Accountability 01:35:14 Teaching Children About Boundaries and Safety 01:40:10 The Importance of Open Dialogue in Parenting 01:43:24 Healing Through Sharing and Community Support   CONNECT WITH JANUS Buy the book: https://amzn.to/4eAdNdc [https://amzn.to/4eAdNdc] Website: http://www.breakthepatternnow.org [http://www.breakthepatternnow.org] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Janusvaleo [https://www.youtube.com/@Janusvaleo]   Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling [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@gmail.com]   #IntrepidStorytelling #JanusVallejo #TrueStory #SurvivorStory #BreakingTheCycle #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

51|Fighting for Motherhood: Nicole Orr’s Story

What happens when your timeline for finding "the one" runs out, but your dream of becoming a mother is stronger than ever?   Nicole Orr knew she wanted to be a mom since she was a little girl, mapping out a plan to have a husband and four children by her early twenties. But when a difficult childhood, past trauma, and a grueling dating scene left her without a partner by age 30, she took her family planning into her own hands. In this raw and deeply empowering episode, Nicole shares her journey to becoming a Single Mother by Choice (SMBC). From the bizarre process of selecting a sperm donor based on a "carefree smile," to the grueling emotional rollercoaster of IUI treatments during the pandemic, Nicole never gave up her dream. She also opens up about her harrowing birth story, which started with plans for an unmedicated water birth and ended in an emergency C-section with a shocking 12.6-pound baby. Nicole’s fight for motherhood is an inspiring look at the resilience and determination it takes to build a family on your own terms.   Chapters: 00:00 Dreams of Motherhood: A Journey Begins 03:13 The Power of Storytelling 06:05 Navigating Childhood and Acceptance 09:00 The Quest for Love and Family 12:11 Choosing to Be a Single Mom by Choice 15:03 Building a Support System 17:49 Researching Parenthood Decisions 21:01 Connecting with Donor Siblings 24:05 The Donor Selection Process 29:46 Intentional Family Planning 33:33 The Journey to Parenthood: IUI vs IVF 39:36 Navigating the Two-Week Wait: Emotions and Expectations 46:59 Dreams of a Larger Family: Challenges and Aspirations 52:37 Birth Stories: The Unpredictable Journey of Motherhood 01:04:50 Normalizing Single Parenthood: Dreams and Realities   CONNECT WITH NICOLE EMAIL: nicolekatrineorr@gmail.com [nicolekatrineorr@gmail.com] FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleKatrine [https://www.facebook.com/NicoleKatrine]   Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling [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@gmail.com]   #IntrepidStorytelling #NicoleOrr #SingleMomByChoice #MotherhoodJourney #SoloParenting #DonorConceived #IUIJourney #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast

50|My Dad Escaped The Nazis: Jason Prokowiew's Story

What happens when you sit down with your abuser to ask them about their own horrific childhood trauma?   In this raw and powerful episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell sits down with retired disability attorney and author Jason Prokowiew. Jason shares the harrowing history behind his memoir, War Boys, tracing his father’s journey from a ten-year-old orphan in Nazi-occupied Belarus to a deeply wounded man whose unresolved trauma manifested as severe alcoholism and abuse in his own home. Seeking answers, a 21-year-old Jason made the terrifying decision to interview his father about his wartime past, recording 50 hours of tapes to understand the roots of their generational pain. From finding his voice in an Al-Anon meeting to the agonizing reality of confronting a father who dismissed his abuse as "not that bad," Jason's journey is an unflinching look at breaking destructive family cycles. This episode dives deep into the complexities of healing, surviving, and finding the courage to realize your story matters, without forcing a traditional narrative of neatly packaged forgiveness.   Chapters: 00:00 The Impact of War and Family Trauma 12:07 Breaking the Cycle of Abuse 23:48 The Journey of Storytelling and Healing 28:45 A Moment of Vulnerability 33:15 The Importance of Storytelling 35:33 Navigating Difficult Conversations 44:16 The Impact of Shared Trauma 51:05 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward   BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/43SGUlT [https://amzn.to/43SGUlT] CONNECT WITH JASON: https://www.jasonwprokowiew.com/ [https://www.jasonwprokowiew.com/] www.warboysbook.com [http://www.warboysbook.com/] https://www.instagram.com/jasonprokowiew/ [https://www.instagram.com/jasonprokowiew/] https://bsky.app/profile/jasonprokowiew.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/jasonprokowiew.bsky.social] https://www.amazon.com/War-Boys-Father-Son-Memoir/dp/1949487709 [https://www.amazon.com/War-Boys-Father-Son-Memoir/dp/1949487709]   Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling [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@gmail.com]   #IntrepidStorytelling #JasonProkowiew #GenerationalTrauma #ChildhoodAbuseSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch

49|From Prison Cell Journals to Published Author: David Boggs’s Story

Can someone truly change after spending 23 years deeply embedded in the criminal underworld?   David Boggs spent over two decades living a high-stakes life, navigating international borders, and utilizing his fluency in seven languages to build an illicit enterprise. But after receiving a five-year prison sentence, he found himself isolated and reflecting on the widespread damage of his choices. To cope with the loss of his relationship and the harsh reality of a broken correctional system, David began writing daily letters from his cell. When his loved one stopped writing back, he kept journaling to maintain his sanity, a practice that eventually birthed his self-published book, No Simple Explanation.   In this raw and honest episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Deanna Powell sits down with David to discuss the illusion of prison rehabilitation and the crushing weight of trying to rebuild a life when society repeatedly revokes second chances. Despite facing over 20 rescinded job offers due to his background, David shares his unwavering resilience, his three core life philosophies, and his mother’s simple but profound advice: "just keep going".   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Intrepid Storytelling 02:31 David Boggs: A Journey of Redemption 05:53 The Birth of 'No Simple Explanation' 10:06 Reflections on Prison and Rehabilitation 12:20 Facing Challenges and Overcoming Stigmas 17:27 Life Lessons and Philosophies 39:00 The Power of Storytelling and Community   BUY THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/4vrGHCo [https://amzn.to/4vrGHCo]   CONNECT WITH DAVID: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578915953091 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578915953091]   Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling [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@gmail.com]   #IntrepidStorytelling #DavidBoggs #TrueStory #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAdversity #StorytellingPodcast #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch

48|Surviving the Streets, Trafficking, and Addiction: Madyson Elisabeth’s Story

How do you find your way back to life when you're sleeping in a freezing tent in a trap house backyard, and the drugs make you forget you are even a mother?   Madyson's life began to spiral after her parents separated when she was twelve years old. What started as running away and adolescent rebellion led to a harrowing eight-year fight for survival on the streets. Unable to care for her children, she made the agonizing choice to leave them with someone safe while she faced homelessness. Madyson endured brutal domestic violence, crystal meth addiction, and sex trafficking just to secure a warm place to sleep. She hit rock bottom surviving in a tent, believing her life was over. However, a brutally honest intervention from an arresting officer and the organization "The More We Love" provided her with a life-saving scholarship to rehab.   In this raw and unfiltered episode of Intrepid Storytelling with Deanna Powell, Madyson shares her grueling journey. She details the darkest corners of her abuse, her powerful surrender to recovery, and how she rebuilt her self-worth from the ground up. Today, Madyson is a peer advocate helping other women escape the streets, fighting to reunify with her own children, and proving that no matter how far down you go, a second chance is always possible.   Chapters: 00:00 Journey Through Darkness: A Life of Struggle 06:31 The Impact of Childhood: Family Dynamics and Early Choices 14:13 The Descent: Addiction and Domestic Violence 19:29 Hitting Rock Bottom: A Turning Point 24:42 Finding Hope: The Path to Recovery 30:40 Rebuilding Life: A Year of Transformation 39:47 The Power of Connection and Support 42:43 Embracing Gratitude and Personal Growth 46:04 The Ripple Effect of Recovery 51:25 Facing Fears and Building Resilience 56:55 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing 01:01:45 The Importance of Community and Advocacy 01:07:05 Finding Strength in Vulnerability 01:12:30 Dreaming Big and Achieving the Unimaginable   CONNECT WITH MADYSON: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madyson.elisabeth [https://www.facebook.com/madyson.elisabeth] Website: https://www.themorewelove.org/ [https://www.themorewelove.org/]   Your support helps us keep telling meaningful stories. Donate here: https://buymeacoffee.com/intrepidstorytelling [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@gmail.com]   #IntrepidStorytelling #Madyson #AddictionRecovery #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #TrueStory #MentalHealthPodcast #PodcastYouTube #FacebookWatch #StorytellingPodcast