Welcome to the Find Your Voice, Change Your Life podcast. You will hear real-life stories from people who struggled to find their authentic voice.
I’m your host, Dr. Doreen Downing.
I interview people who share how they overcame their fears about stepping up and speaking out. They each offer tips and strategies that you can apply to your own journey to find your voice and change your life.
If you enjoy my podcast, be sure to subscribe and rate it on Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast platform.
#152 To Change Your Life, Listen to the Whispers of Truth
Today, I interview Dr. Kalpana Sundar, who overcame a life of restriction and stifled self-expression to discover her authentic voice. Growing up in a traditional Indian household in the United States, Kalpana experienced the tension of balancing cultural expectations and her own independent spirit. As the firstborn and a rebellious child, her attempts to express herself were often met with resistance, leading her to suppress her voice to conform. Her early years were shaped by her parents’ hopes and dreams, which she fulfilled by pursuing a career in medicine, becoming a successful ENT surgeon.
#151 Awakening Sacred Feminine Energy to Empower Women
Today I interview Natalia Price, who shares her journey of overcoming silence and fear to embrace her voice and power. Growing up in South America, Natalia experienced a childhood marked by bullying and cultural expectations that kept her quiet and compliant. Moving to the United States at age 10, she became aware of new possibilities for women’s empowerment but struggled to break free from old patterns.
#150 Navigating the Path to Authenticity: Voice, Identity, and Freedom
Today, I interview DevSuroop Kaur, who grew up as the youngest of three sisters in a family where she often felt muted and silenced. As a young adult, she searched for herself through diverse experiences, including working in Alaska, battling addiction, and struggling with a fear of speaking that kept her from fully expressing who she was.
#149 Curiosity, Courage, and Conscious Leadership
Today, I interview Meg Dennison, who grew up in a rural area where life was quiet, and opportunities to connect were limited. In her household, her father’s preference for peace and order meant that noise and self-expression were often discouraged. While the stillness of her environment shaped her early years, Meg’s lively and rebellious spirit found subtle ways to emerge.
#148 Catch the Thought and Shift the Mind for a New Reality
Today I interview Leisa Reid, who grew up with a strong sense of independence fostered by her parents’ unique approach to raising her. With her parents divorced and living in different states, Leisa’s early life involved traveling alone between homes, which encouraged self-reliance from a young age. Her father, a hypnotherapist, further nurtured her independence by introducing her to ideas about inner awareness and self-reflection, fostering a curiosity that helped her feel comfortable exploring her inner world.
#147 Discovering Power in What Makes You Different
Today, I interview Kathryn Regganie, who grew up feeling different because of her learning disabilities, especially dyslexia. Kathryn shares how she faced challenges in school and often felt disconnected from traditional learning systems. Despite these struggles, her parents, especially her father, were a strong source of encouragement, reminding her she had the choice and determination to succeed, even if others doubted her.
#146 Building the Inner Muscle of Self-Expression
Today, I interview Katherine Kennedy, who grew up feeling the need to appear like everything was perfect, avoiding hard conversations and hiding behind a mask. As the youngest in her family, she was often seen as the one who brought fun and laughter, but underneath, she struggled to express her true emotions. This sense of needing to present a perfect life, while holding in difficult feelings, left her disconnected from her authentic voice.
#145 From Setbacks to Strength: Leading with Vision and Confidence
Today, I interview Dana Weaver, whose story starts with a pivotal moment during her childhood when her great-grandmother, a woman she adored, moved into a nursing home. Seeing the poor conditions in the facility sparked a realization in Dana that things needed to change. This event, coupled with her father’s encouraging words, planted a seed in her heart that would later grow into her passion for leadership and advocacy in the field of aging.
#144 The Transformative Power of Being Heard
Today, I interview Randall Alifano who grew up in a loud, talkative Italian family where everyone spoke, but no one really listened. Like many of us, Randall often felt unheard and disconnected, surrounded by people but without real understanding. This early experience of being silenced planted the seed for his deep curiosity about human connection and the power of listening.
#143 Reclaiming Your Voice: From Struggle to Strength
Today, I interview Maria Semple who grew up in Venezuela as the youngest of five children in a time of political upheaval. Life was filled with challenges from an early age, and Maria often felt the need to shout to be heard in a household full of older siblings. Despite the joyful, community-focused culture of Venezuela, Maria also faced the trauma of losing her brother at a young age. This marked her deeply, instilling a sense of longing for belonging and significance that would follow her.
Podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, helps people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
