Empowered Conversations

She's been to over 130 countries and all 50 states. She's never married and has no kids—and she's found deep joy around her. She's had a handful of failed businesses, but now she's living financially free. Kerry Damiano—Ms. World Traveler—is a pageant coach, fashion and jewelry designer, creator of a Scripture memorization ministry, and host of her own web series about travel,...

She spent 17 years in an abusive marriage. She was isolated from family and friends. She had little access to money. And she had two teenage daughters depending on her. But she found a way out. Amanda J Scott is the author of Finding My Way Back to Me—a raw, honest account of her journey from domestic, emotional, and financial abuse to freedom and healing. In this episode of Empowered Conversation...

He investigated the Kansas City Mafia. He worked on serial killer cases. He went undercover in bars while battling his own struggles with alcohol. Then, at age 70, he started a podcast, wrote three books, and produced four documentary films. Gary Jenkins is a retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, former attorney, author, filmmaker, recovering alcoholic, and host of the Gangland W...

We are a collective creator species of nature. We each have a unique life perspective. And yet, we've been trained to prioritize systems over our own humanity. Michaell Magrutsche is an Austrian-Californian multimedia artist, creativity-awareness educator, author of five books, podcaster, speaker, and former Newport Beach Arts Commissioner. His life experience—including being forced into an &q...

Her world came crashing down in June 2017 when her son announced he was transgender. The Christian values she'd instilled in him seemed to fade away. But in the pain, Debra McNinch made a promise: she would share her story, build a community, and never stop believing in miracles. Debra McNinch is the founder of the BATTLECRY Prayer Movement—a global community of over 1,200 warrior moms believi...

For years, she lived a double life. Professionally, she was building one of Canada's Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies. Personally, she was coming out of a failed marriage and wondering: Why is connection so much easier in boardrooms than in my own relationships? Sandy Gerber is a Communication Coach, Emotional Intelligence Trainer, and Best-Selling Author of Emotional Magnetism—a book that ha...

You don't have to be rich to travel the world—you just have to be smart about it. Linda King is The Smart Travelista. She's an author, travel writer, travel blogger, and travel coach with a background in banking and an MBA. Her mission is simple: help people travel the world for less. In this episode of Empowered Conversations, we talk about: · How to save money before and while traveling...

She spent years battling her weight, her confidence, and even an eating disorder. She felt stuck, defeated, and like her best years were behind her. Then she made a decision—a decision that changed everything. Carolyn Hatton is a life coach, author, and speaker who helps women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond break free from the belief that aging defines their future. Through mindset shifts, lifelong...

She discovered homeopathy when her 9-month-old's repeated ear infections were cleared with one natural remedy. Now she's a certified classical homeopath who helps people toward better health with chronic conditions. Abby Beale is the creator of Homeopathy Primer: Getting Started With Homeopathy, a 384-page study guide and reference tool created with contributions from over 35 homeopaths. S...

Her words have literally flown to the moon as part of the Lunar Legacy project via SpaceX Falcon 9. She's been featured in Forbes, seen on CNN, Fox, ABC, and NBC. Joe Vitale calls her "an enlightened soul, a pure channel, and a savvy entrepreneur all in one." Dr. Victoria Rader is a globally recognized transformational speaker and pioneer of Quantum Personal Development. She's th...

She grew up as a government kid, living all around the world. Without realizing it, being in different countries was slowly activating massive soul-remembering that guided her into her path as a shamanic medicine woman. Martha Wright is a shamanic medicine woman whose work weaves together Celtic spirituality, shamanic energy healing, psychology, somatic awareness, executive coaching, and grief ten...

She's been in financial services since 1991. She holds a Master of Financial Planning. She's the course writer of the Financial Abuse Specialist accreditation, globally distributed by Standards International UK . Amanda Cassar is a financial adviser, author, podcast host, and passionate advocate for financial abuse awareness. She helps advisers recognize the signs of financial abuse, suppo...

He's a licensed psychotherapist and Christian counselor with 19 years of practice. He's a board-certified hypnotherapist who has hypnotized more than 1,000 people. And he believes that the God of our conscious life is also the God of our unconscious life. Ara Trembly is the author of The Right Hand of God and the newly published Dreaming God's Way, which explores the importance of drea...

She's an "ordinary girl" who found purpose in the everyday. She's built a career helping people convey their stories with clarity, authenticity, and light. And she's written a book about one of the most taboo topics in the church: money. Heather Day is the author of Money and Spirit: Surrendering Our Finances to the Work of the Holy Spirit and the founder of Daylight Creative...

He ran his first marathon—the Boston Marathon—at age 70. He published his first book at age 72. He's spent a lifetime leading, learning, and developing others. Edward Doherty is the author of Observations at the Speed of Life, a collection of short stories from throughout his life documenting struggles, triumphs, and life lessons learned along the way. His career spans decades as an executive,...

He was told he was a monster and a mistake. He was bullied, misunderstood, and left behind by a system that wouldn't work with him. But he found a home in stories—and those stories became the bridge that carried him to purpose. Thomas Wilson is a writer, business owner, advocate, and Sensory Friendly Events Specialist. His work within the neurodivergent and mental health communities has brough...

She's carried pain that most people never see—losing her brother as a child, walking through stillbirth, grieving her mother, and navigating painful family dynamics. She spent years trying to find her voice in spaces where she often felt unseen. Dara V. Rose is an author, speaker, Bible study teacher, and the founder of 12 Cups of Grace. Her upcoming memoir, Born for This Name, shares her jour...

She spent more than eight years in the medical field before answering a deeper call—to help people heal through shadow work, self-discovery, and authentic transformation. Sayen Gates is a Shadow Work Coach, Author, Speaker, and host of the Shadow Corner podcast. She brings a refreshing perspective on healing, self-discovery, and personal growth, blending wisdom, storytelling, and practical insight...

She spent over a decade as a monastic nun. She holds a master's in theology. She's a TEDx speaker and former meditation faculty at the renowned Omega Institute. And she built a $9 million monastery with no experience and very little money. Kimberly Braun is the author of Miracles in the Naked Light and two other books. Her work is about helping people connect to, and live from, Divine Love...

On September 17, 2024, Katie Rizzo lost her firstborn son to addiction. In the wake of that loss, she found that grief mirrored pregnancy. She began writing poetry—something she had never done before—as a way to speak to him across the veil. Katie is the author of The Trimesters of Grief and the poetry collection None of Them Are You. She's a mother, an accidental poet, and an advocate for tho...

He traveled to China to save his wife's life—and she walked out. Then he was diagnosed with fatal cancer twice, and received a stem cell transplant from a stranger who gave him a second chance. Dean Weitenhagen is the author of a book about his remarkable journey of love, loss, resilience, and the search for life's true purpose. His story is a testament to the power of gratitude, the kindn...

He's a Navy Chaplain with 16 years of military service and 25 years of experience as a local minister before that. He's a board-certified chaplain and a combat veteran. And he's spent his career helping people find their way back from the darkest places. Dr. Larry Brant specializes in PTSD, moral injury, and the intersection of trauma and faith. He believes that brokenness is not the e...

He's made over 1,000 hours of television about the ancient world. He's traveled to 70 countries, filmed crumbling Egyptian tombs, lost Mayan cities, and mysterious shipwrecks. And he's learned that ancient history was a lot more accepting—and a lot gayer—than the history books will tell you. Neil Laird is a multiple Emmy-nominated director and producer who has worked with Discovery, BB...

She was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis—and told she would need medication for life. She chose a different path. Jen Germain is a certified functional medicine health coach and the founder of Compass Health Coaching. After reversing her own autoimmune disease without lifelong medication, she has helped over 200 clients heal chronic illness, lose weight sustainably, and re...

In March 2025, Matthew Jenkins reached the lowest point of his life. After battling cancer, chronic health issues, repeated job loss, a failing marriage, and overwhelming emotional pain, he put a gun to his head and seriously considered ending his life. He didn't pull the trigger. That moment became the beginning of a journey that transformed his faith and his life. Matthew is the author of Be...