This episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast is more of a conversation. That’s because my first “encounter” with Kristen (aka Sofia Dragon) was a visit to her Instagram page after a friend of ours introduced us. And in her profile, I saw four letters that totally freaked me out: BDSM.

Boy am I glad that I took that as an opportunity to be curious. As soon as I stepped into Kristen’s apartment to record with her, it was clear that we were on the same page. Or wavelength. Or frequency. Whatever you want to call it, spending time with her, hearing her story of healing, and listening to her explain BDSM as a practice within a safe, consensual container, was a true joy, delight and pleasure. Kristen is both a pro dominatrix, an intimacy coach, and an astrologer. To me, she is now also a friend. I am so grateful to her for her willingness to share openly and honestly about her journey and her experience with all the things that many consider taboo. (Links to her and other resources are below).

This is the eleventh recording session of the Discoball Tour and the only one I did in Boulder, CO while I stayed with friends in Denver. It reminds of how important it is for me to lean into any discomfort, ask questions, to consider another way, and be open to learn something new.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

LINKS

All things Kristen aka Sofia Dragon:

Website: Sofia Dragon

Instagram: @SofiaDragonArts

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

SacredEros.com - Global Directory of Tantra and Sacred Sexuality Professionals

John Wineland (Embodiment, Sacred Intimacy, and Life Purpose) on Instagram: @john_wineland

Carnival DNGN (in Colorado): Events

Somatic Practitioners (all areas of focus) that I recommend:

If you want to begin somewhere, get into your body and heal old wounds, working with a somatic practitioner is a great place to start. Here is a list of practitioners that I know personally and can recommend to you.

Embody Your Revolution with Melissa Kaplan: Remember. Relearn. Reclaim.

Beth Jones: Somatic practitioner offering embodied individual and couples work focused on emotional truth, connection, and aliveness; click here for couples work.

Messwork with Cri Gabriele: Transforming wounding into authenticity for creatives and supporting alternative health practitioners in realizing sustainable, value-driven practices through embodiment, creativity—utilising mess as a catalyst for growth. Also visit on IG: @messwork and for practice building: @messworkpracticebuilding

Philip Meeker: An alternative to talk therapy—create the change you want.

Becca Tillinghast: Connect with her via Instagram: @beccatillinghast

Claire Cassidy: Somatic practitioner extraordinaire, especially if you are in a leadership role in your organization. By referral. Message me to get connected.

Message Hella Rader

Kimi Inch (pro dominatrix recommended by a trusted source for me to include as a resource): Connect on Instagram: @kimiinch

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Contact me here for 1:1 mentoring, writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contact

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

The Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube is a companion video blog for the podcast episodes I recorded during my 30-day cross country drive to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellarader (pro tip: you can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube as well…they will be next up in the channel following each docu-series episode).

This episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast reflects the essence of this whole project that I started in early 2025. Kate is a woman I met over fifteen years ago when I lived in Santa Fe. We worked together for a year and a half and became close friends. Separated by life, time, and distance, we have not seen each other in thirteen years. As part of my drive to record and amplify other women’s stories and voices, we reconnected and picked up where we left off like it was yesterday.

Kate shares a story (which she chose from a list we ran through) that she has only shared with family and close, intimate friends. She offers details that she has rarely, if ever, shared with anyone about her experience of loving her son Jax who was born premature, and who lived for 92 days. She decided to do this so she could share the lessons she learned and help that one person out there hear something that may give them hope, support and care. It was a honor to be with Kate the day we recorded this and it is a privilege to share her story with all of you today.

This is the tenth recording session of the Discoball Tour and the fourth (and last) one I did in Santa Fe, NM. It exemplifies the epitome of the power we all carry within us—our stories, and the contribution we make to our shared humanity when we share them.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

LINKS

To support a family going through a medical crisis, please consider contributing to the work of the Ronald McDonald House. There are many different ways you can give.

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

The Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube is a companion video blog for the podcast episodes I recorded during my 30-day cross country drive to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellarader (pro tip: you can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube as well…they will be next up in the channel following each docu-series episode).

To help me record more women’s stories and amplify more women’s voices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack…follow me on Instagram, or, if you prefer, you can buy me a cup of coffee.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Debra and I chat about grief, a topic that has come up in many different ways in many of my conversations. Since Debra is a trained grief tender, I knew she could help put grief into a new light and show us the beauty, joy and even hope that sits within it. My hope is that this conversation helps us all find the help we need to tackle any grief that may be standing in our way.

Debra is also a book coach aka book midwife, and she helped me write the first draft of my memoir. I count her as one of my nearest and dearest.

This is the ninth recording session of the Discoball Tour and the third one I did in Santa Fe, NM. (ok, true confessions, we recorded the original conversation in person in Santa Fe). Listen to the episode to hear the details of why we re-recorded via Zoom on New Year’s Day and how Debra’s willingness to care for herself gave me permission to care for myself. It is just one of the many reasons I love her so much.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

LINKS

All things Debra Rosenman:

Writing a non-fiction memoir? Struggling with a loss, especially of your animal companion? Debra can help you get underneath the underneath.

Visit DebraRosenman.com to get the full scope of her work and reach out to Debra using this form to dig in with her.

Sign up for her upcoming Grief Circle on January 18, 2026 (it’s on Zoom so you can be anywhere!). There will be poetry, writing and ritual to help you uncover and release.

To learn more about Debra’s award-winning anthology, The Chimpanzee Chronicles, and buy it direct (and support independent writers/booksellers), go to: The Chimpanzee Chronicles.

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

The Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube is a companion video blog for the podcast episodes I recorded during my 30-day cross country drive to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellarader (pro tip: you can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube as well…they will be next up in the channel following each docu-series episode).

To help me record more women’s stories and amplify more women’s voices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack…follow me on Instagram, or, if you prefer, you can buy me a cup of coffee.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, I am reunited with Libby, a woman who was a real rock to me during the four years I lived in Santa Fe, NM, and listen to her share about what led her to go to school in her 70s, what it means to live intergenerationally, and how she struggles through imposter syndrome. It is the kind of chit chat we used to have sitting on the couch in her living room, only this time, we sat outside on a park bench in downtown Santa Fe. No matter where or when, spending time with Libby is always a hoot—a time filled with wisdom, laughter, and truth. I just love her.

This is the eighth recording session of the Discoball Tour and the second one I did in Santa Fe, NM. Extra grateful today for this incredible experience.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

some Libby wisdom nuggets (the one on the far left I got from her in 2011; the other one in 2025)

LINKS

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

Here is the latest episode of the Discoball Tour Docuseries—Day 12-16: Mash Up, which features moments from week in Santa Fe, NM.

The Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube is a companion video blog for the podcast episodes I recorded during my 30-day cross country drive to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellarader (pro tip: you can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube as well…they will be next up in the channel following each docu-series episode).

Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack…or you can buy me a cup of coffee. Here is a coupon for 30% off of a paid subscription (valid through 12/31/25)

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, I have the honor of sitting down with Ramona Sakiestewa, renowned Hopi artist, weaver, printmaker and designer (she was on the team that designed the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC) for a conversation about art, creative process, and perseverance. I cannot say enough about how much Ramona means to me personally, how much I have learned from her professionally, and how much she and her husband Andy helped me recognize the creative within me.

This is the seventh recording session of the Discoball Tour and the first one I did in Santa Fe, NM. Such a treat to not only record with Ramona but also to spend the week with her and Andy (for whom I used to work). These two are like parents to me, and we always have a ton of fun together.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

LINKS

All things Ramona Sakiestewa:

Ramona’s Website: ramonasakiestewa.com

Ramona on Instagram: @ramonasakiestewa

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

Here is the latest episode of the Discoball Tour Docuseries—Day 10 & 11: At the Heart of It, which features moments from my drive to Santa Fe, NM (from Amarillo) and my first day enjoying the comfort of being at home and learning something new.

The Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube is a companion video blog for the podcast episodes I recorded during my 30-day cross country drive to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellarader (pro tip: you can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube as well…they will be next up in the channel following each docu-series episode).

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

The Stories That Sparkle is a reader-supported publication snd listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Here is a coupon for 30% off of a paid subscription (valid through 12/31/25)

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Vannoy shares her experience, strength and hope in going from a Zero to a 12 plus. She felt like she was shame. Today, she lives a life of paying back all that she has been given of the past fifty-six years. She has an beautiful message of hope, love and service to share with all of us.

This is the sixth recording session of the Discoball Tour. And for this one, I got the added benefit of spending a few hours with Vannoy at her house on my way to Amarillo. It was a long, wonderful day that reminded me how grateful I am for the wisdom of so many others in my life. And the reminder: it’s only [fill in the day of the week you’re in].

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

LINKS

Do you worry about how much someone drinks? Do you tell lies to cover up someone else’s drinking or what’s happening in your home? Have you been hurt or embarrassed by drinker’s behavior? Are you affected by someone else’s gambling? There is help available for you.

If you are affected by someone else’s alcoholism, you can visit: Al-Anon & Alateen and/or ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families)

If you affected by someone else’s gambling, you can visit: Gam-Anon

And if you are struggling with alcoholism or gambling addiction yourself, there is help available for you. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA.org) and GamblersAnonymous.org

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

And in the latest episode of the Discoball Tour Docuseries—Day 9: Big Texan, I take along for my 16-hour day that started in Dallas, included my stop to record with Vannoy, and ended in Amarillo.

The Stories That Sparkle is a reader-supported publication snd listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Here is a coupon for 30% off of a paid subscription (valid through 12/31/25)

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Jill and I hang out on her couch next to her grand piano and talk about her life through the lens of being a concert pianist, high-level tennis player, music teacher, and one-time single mom. Jill is an all-around gorgeous woman of exuberance, who, from music and sports, learned to keep the eye on the prize and keep moving forward.

This is the fifth recording session of the Discoball Tour and my second one in Dallas. And for this one, I got the added benefit of spending the night with Jill and her husband Richard…two of the most generous, open-hearted individuals who, together, make for a magical couple. Being with them was the re-charge I needed before heading to Amarillo (after Jill and I finished recording) on my way to Santa Fe.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

All things Jill Montgomery:

Jill on Instagram

Jill's Website: montgomerypiano.com - all the info about Jill, how to sign up for music classes, piano or guitar lessons, and of course, hire her to play at an upcoming event…trust me, she’s the real deal and an awesome sauce teacher and performer.

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

Here is the latest episode of the Discoball Tour Docuseries—Day 8: Puppy Love, which shows where I was at (emotionally) BEFORE I got to Jill and Richard’s house…stay tuned for the bounce back on Day 9 AFTER I spent the night with them, cuddled with their pups, enjoyed several meals and engaged in inspiring conversation with them.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

The Stories That Sparkle is a reader-supported publication snd listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Mandi shares, in her very real and beautiful way, her journey to find the care she needed as she entered perimenopause, discover the compounding impact her ADHD (a diagnosis she resisted), and use her creative voice to share, for free, the resources she discovered along the way. She is one of the most generous, genuine, and funnest women I have ever, EVER met.

This is the fourth recording session of the Discoball Tour and my first one in Dallas…and true to Texan form, this conversation is beautifully outsized in all the best ways.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

LINKS

All things Mandi Dixon:

Mandi’s VERY REAL Instagram - a MUST FOLLOW for anyone entering into/going through perimenopause/menopause and struggling with ADHD

Mandi’s AWESOME Guidebook for navigating ADHD, Perimenopause, Menopause, and so much more!

Mandi Dixon LPC Website

AND - for additional resources, visit the Menopause Society

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Follow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me

Here is the latest episode of the Discoball Tour Docuseries about my drive from Memphis to Dallas and right up to me walking into Mandi’s office building.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

The Stories That Sparkle is a reader-supported publication snd listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Gale (G-A-L-E) makes me laugh, reminds me to relax, and makes the world’s best case for having fun. Like me, Gale likes to hit the road, make new friends, and take notes—on her legal pad. She is such a hoot and reminds me so much of Barbara (my mentor and spiritual mom who passed away last year). It was a real pleasure to spend the afternoon with Gale and a total honor to be with her right before she went on a date. Oh, did I mention that Gale is definitely younger than me? Well, she is.

This conversation is a total blast and I cannot wait to see Gale again…and have her take me on a tour of her version of Memphis, or Key West or, or, or—who knows where the two of us might end up.

This is the third recording of the Discoball Tour and my only one in Nashville (I drove to Dallas the day after I recorded this episode).

Also: I did not know Gale until I was introduced to her, by text, the night before we recorded this conversation by a woman I had met ten days before that. It is the epitome of everything I want and hope for The Stories That Sparkle to be and do.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

LINKS

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Here is the latest episode of the Discoball Tour Docuseries about some of my time in Memphis before I met up with Gale.

The Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube is a companion video blog for the podcast episodes I recorded during my 30-day cross country drive to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellarader (pro tip: you can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube as well…they will be next up in the channel following each docu-series episode).

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack…or you can buy me a cup of coffee.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

The Stories That Sparkle is a reader-supported publication snd listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

IIn this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Stephanie and I have an incredible conversation in her tree house (I call it a sunroom) about her two-year long battle with insomnia, the rest she found in her Yoga Nidra practice, and the key of forgiveness. I cry at least twice. It’s powerful.

This is the second recording of the Discoball Tour and my final one in Nashville (I drove to Memphis not long ago we finished recording).

Also: three weeks later, I got a text from both Stephanie and Becca (with whom I recorded an episode the day before) after they met at a studio in Nashville (they did not know each other before) and instantly recognized each other as two women who had just recorded a conversation with me for the podcast. It is a dream come true for me—others making connections and building community, on (and more importantly) offline.

So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.

All things Stephanie:

Stephanie on Instagram: @areyouvedakiddingme

Stephanie’s Links: Lintr.ee/areyouvedakiddingme and Website

All things Hella Rader:

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Here is the latest episode of the Discoball Tour Docuseries with scenes from BEFORE I met up with Stephanie (and had coffee).

Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube, a companion video blog to go with podcast episodes. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellarader (pro tip: you can listen to podcast episodes on YouTube as well…they will be next up in the channel following each docu-series episode).

Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellarader

Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack…or you can buy me a cup of coffee.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

The Stories That Sparkle is a reader-supported publication snd listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.