Today’s episode is all about the art of drag! Did you know that doing drag can be a form of healing? I know right...I had not connected these dots at first either. Our guest, Ryan Thomas, is sharing about his life as a drag queen and giving us all the juicy details of what this art form means to him.

Drag Queen Kadee Christian Starr is the

👑 2nd Alternate to MGAA 2019

👑 1st Alternate to MGMA 2019

👑 Viscountess to Reign 19.

This episode had me laughing my butt off as Ryan shared about his experiences stepping into this hobby and art form 13 years ago!

What we’re talking about...

LINKS MENTIONED

Ad: One World Empowered 28 Day Energetic Reset ->click here<-

Ryan’s Social Media:

Facebook: @RyanThomas 

IG: @Ryan_thomas_1 (upcoming shows are often posted in IG stories) http://www.instagram.com/ryan_thomas_1

Ways to Reach Dena T:

[email protected]

www.empower2heal.com

IG: @empower2heal

FB: @empower2heal

Episode 31: I’m Gay...and What? Featuring Joel Rivera

Today’s episode dives into the common real life struggle of those who identify as LGBTQIA+ feeling like coming out is an everyday experience.. Our guest, Joel Rivera, joined us to share his thoughts on the subject and what he has begun to understand about his role in this experience.

Joel is sharing his self-reflection as he has been diving deep into understanding his emotional and visceral experiences of navigating life as a man who also identifies as gay. It is truly an honor to witness the vulnerability Joel shows in navigating his own psyche; breaking down the state of being he lives in every day. He is sharing about his ownership in the fear narrative and trauma responses he experiences on a regular basis navigating life as a gay man. He is speaking to the fact that your gender identity or sexual orientation are not your entire identity.

What we’re talking about...

LINKS MENTIONED

Ad: One World Empowered 28 Day Energetic Reset ->click here<-

Joel Rivera on IG: @JoelRiveraJR 

Joel Rivera on FB: @JoelRivera

Ways to Reach Dena T:

[email protected]

www.empower2heal.com

Ig: @empower2heal

FB:@empower2heal

Episode 30: A Child’s Experience With Domestic Violence and Parental Separation featuring Cerynia

**Trigger warning:**

This episode contains details that may be triggering for some as we are discussing emotional, psychological, and physical abuse as well as self-harm and suicide attempts.

Today’s episode honors the experiences of a child finding her voice and power while she found herself caught in the middle of a toxic relationship between her parents, an abusive father, and her parent’s divorce. Our guests, Cerynia and her mother Rebecca, join us today to create space and honor Cerynia’s experiences during this season of her life.

What we’re talking about...

LINKS MENTIONED:

www.mytunein.org

Ad: One World Empowered 28 Day Energetic Reset ->click here<-

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

800.799.SAFE (7233)

TTY1-800-787-3224

https://www.thehotline.org

Links to find local Domestic Violence Resources: https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/local-resources/ 

Resources on how to support someone you know who may be experiencing domestic violence:

https://www.thehotline.org/support-others/ways-to-support/

Ways to reach Dena T.:

[email protected]

www.empower2heal.com

www.instagram.com/empower2heal

www.facebook.com/empower2heal

Episode 29: The Power of Family: A Journey In Healing From Domestic Violence

**Trigger warning:**

This episode contains details that may be triggering for some as we are discussing emotional, psychological, physical, and sexual abuse as well as self-harm and suicide attempts.

---

Today’s episode is all about healing from domestic violence when you have children. We are talking about leaving a toxic marriage and the difficulties of doing so when you have children. We’re going into details around trying to figure out if you should leave, how to leave, what that means for your children, and how to protect your children in this process while trying to honor their wishes...there is nothing easy about having to make a decision like this.

Our guest Rebecca P. joined us today to share her journey of navigating and ending a toxic and abusive marriage, all while trying to emotionally and physically protect her children. Rebecca is a mother of four who is pushing to be her best for her children and herself! Rebecca shares with us how she navigated doing what was best for her children and eventually learned how to do what's best for herself in the process. 

Having children in a toxic marriage can be confusing! Being stuck between a rock and a hard place of wanting to preserve a healthy relationship for your children with their other parent and also trying to keep yourself whole can feel like an impossible juggling act. Our guest, Rebecca, was able to figure out this balance as she navigated divorce, healing from a toxic marriage, and supporting her children who experienced their own forms of trauma throughout this transition as well.

What we’re talking about...

Links Mentioned:

Ad- One World Empowered 28 Day Energetic Reset ->Click Here<-

Resources:

*National Domestic Violence Hotline:*

800.799.SAFE (7233)

TTY1-800-787-3224

https://www.thehotline.org

*Links to find local Domestic Violence Resources:* 

https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/local-resources/

*Resources on how to support someone you know who may be experiencing domestic violence:*

https://www.thehotline.org/support-others/ways-to-support/

Ways to Reach Dena T:

[email protected]

www.empower2heal.com

IG: @empower2heal

Facebook: @empower2heal

Twitter: @empower2heal

Episode 28: Living Your Truest Life with Psychic Chelsea MacLeod Schultz

Today’s episode is all about living your truest life. Our guest, the world renowned psychic Chelsea MacLeod Schultz, joined us to spread light on life as a psychic. After hearing Chelsea’s story on another podcast, I couldn’t help but connect her experiences to that of the many young people I have worked with in the mental health field. Her story led me to realize that we can choose to see our lives through a pathological diagnostic lens or through a lens of curiosity and compassion, choosing to be our true authentic selves. The experiences that the westernized world would have diagnosed and medicated are the same experiences that Chelsea and her family learned to lean into, understand, and trust...and it makes so much sense!

If you have ever pondered about your purpose in this life, felt like you don’t belong, or have wondered how to move through friction...this episode is for you! Every human should have the opportunity to meet Chelsea, her wisdom is beyond her years and she truly guides you to look at our world through a more beautiful lens.

What we’re talking about...

LINKS MENTIONED

Chelsea's website: https://www.chelseamacleodschultz.com

Chelsea's IG handle @Chelseamschultz

HOW YOU CAN REACH DENA T:

[email protected]

www.empower2heal.com

IG: @empower2heal

FB: @empower2heal

Episode 27: Dissociative Identity Disorder with Channing Valentine Today’s episode is all about Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.) and dispelling stigma. Our guest, Channing Valentine, is living with Dissociative Identity Disorder and navigates daily life with alter personalities and personas. Today she shares what this experience is like, how it came to be, and how she is coping through this experience daily. Channing provides powerful perspectives to shift the worlds understanding and interpretation of D.I.D. Channing Valentine is a writer for WhatCulture.com and has experience with professional screenwriting. Since her teens, she has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights; as a bisexual woman herself who has been a survivor of conversion therapy. In her adult life, she has been diagnosed with PTSD, Bipolar Disorder and most recently, Dissociative Identity Disorder. Her mission is to dispel stigmas surrounding mental illness and address their negative portrayal in popular media. In her upcoming YouTube series “MissValentineDID”, she will discuss D.I.D., how she copes with daily life, and its evolution as more and more is discovered about this curious illness. What we’re talking about... Dissociative Identity Disorder Sexual abuse and trauma LGBTQ populations The effects of Conversion Therapy Mental Health and Mental Illness Coping strategies Strengthening your mindset Focusing on what you can control Reframing thought processes The impact of healthy positive support systems LINKS MENTIONED Channing Valentine's IG: @misschanningvalentine Channing Valentines TikTok: @missvalentinedid CONNECT WITH EMPOWER 2 HEAL: website: www.empower2heal.com Email: [email protected] FB: facebook.com/empower2heal IG: instagram.com/empower2heal

Welcome to Dena’s Diary…a sacred space where I am sharing it all (said as I take a deep breath and tap into a crap load of courage 😳).  This is a subset of podcast episodes that I will be posting as I journal my experiences in my own healing journey. This is an unedited, unfiltered, and authentic look into who I am, how I think, and what I am processing as I learn to truly be with myself.  If you are on a journey of understanding yourself, navigating this big world, making sense of what you feel and why you feel it, and constantly feel like its groundhogs day…then join me and my diary.  This is for you, so you know you are not alone, that what you feel is normal, that being human is messy and emotions are okay. So, no judgement here, take what resonates with you and leave what doesn’t. And please, be kind. Is this vulnerable leap into sharing my diary making an impact?...fingers crossed 🤞🏻, holding my breath 😳, saying a prayer🙏🏻.  Please rate and leave a review below and let me know how these diary episodes are resonating! Links to reach me: empower2heal.com [email protected] IG: @empower2heal FB: @empower2heal

Link Mentioned:

One World Empowered 28 Day Energetic Reset ->ClickHere<-

Episode 25: From Caregiver to Care-Partner; Releasing Frustration and Harnessing Joy

Today’s episode is all about caring for a loved one who has a medical or mental health diagnosis. Our guest Patti LaFleur shares her journey with being a care-partner / caregiver to her mother who has Dementia.

Patti shares about her journey in being a care-partner and how she engages and supports her mother through a lens of partnership, compassion, and meeting her where she is in her cognitive state. Patti teaches us her powerful wisdom in regulating her own emotions and having a strong support system that allows her to show up and partner with her mother in ways she is proud of!

What an inspiration!

What we’re talking about...

LINKS MENTIONED

www.empower2heal.com

[email protected]

One World Empowered 28 Day Energetic Reset ->ClickHere<-

IG: @MissPattiCake

Support Group for caregivers:

-FB Group Young caregivers for loved ones with dementia

Reach out to the Alzheimer's Association, National Council on Aging,  and the Department of Aging for your state.

Episode 24: Beautifully Bipolar: An Inspiring Look Into Mental Illness with Author Erin Callinan 

Today’s episode is all about de-stigmatizing mental health diagnoses and creating hope and experiences that are healing for you.

Our guest, Erin Callinan, a nationally recognized public speaker and the Author of Beautifully Bipolar: An inspiring Look Into Mental Illness, is joining us today to shed light on her journey from diagnosis to hope.

Erin shares about her diagnosis of Bipolar 1 Disorder, her first manic episode, and her and her family's journey to adjust and recalibrate the days of their lives as they took steps towards healing.

Erin shares first hand experiences with the hardships of mental illness and provides detailed experiences as well as necessary components of her healing journey.

This episode is an inspiring and hope filled message to anyone with mental illness, your support systems, and for those who work in the mental health field.

What we’re talking about...

LINKS MENTIONED

www.empower2heal.com

Email: [email protected]

Erin Callinan’s website Peace Of My Mind

Erin Callinan's Book: Beautifully Bipolar: An Inspiring Look Into Mental Illness

Beautifully Bipolar Facebook Page

Episode 23: Jerrie Ueberle Creating a Life You Want

Today’s episode is all about changing the world by changing yourself. Our guest, Jerrie Ueberle, the Founder and CEO of World Academy For The Future Of Women and the  non-profit organization Global Interactions,  joins us today to share how she is making an impact on social justice, equality, and humanity as a whole.

What we’re talking about...

LINKS MENTIONED

Jerrie Ueberle:

Linkedin: @JerrieUeberle 

Facebook: @GlobalInteractions

Global Interactions: https://globalinteractions.org/

World Academy for Women: https://wafw.org/

Dena T:

www.empwoer2heal.com

IG: @empower2heal

FB: @empower2heal 

[email protected]