Intrepid Storytelling – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

Email us at:

Read moreCollapse

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

Episode 18

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • Duration 01:36:55

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

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

Episode 17

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • Duration 02:03:13

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:

Email us at:

Read moreCollapse

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

Episode 9

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 • Duration 01:13:02

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

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

Episode 16

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 • Duration 01:08:24

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:

Email us at:

Read moreCollapse

11|The Day Everything Changed: Alicia Brown’s Journey from Brain Aneurysm & Stroke to Brave Recovery

Episode 10

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • Duration 06:40

This is a shorter episode from the Intrepid Storytelling live event.

On February 6, 2023, Alicia Brown’s life was forever transformed when a ruptured brain aneurysm and stroke during surgery stole her ability to speak, write, spell, and function. In this powerful episode of Intrepid Storytelling, Alicia opens up about the month she spent in the hospital relearning the basics of life, from opening her left eye to taking her first steps toward independence again. Through pain, humility, and isolation, she discovered an unshakable resilience and a will to fight she never knew existed.

Join us as Alicia shares her inspirational recovery story—a testament to courage, hope, and the power of perseverance in the face of unimaginable loss.