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.
#155 Fear Shapes Us and Presence Frees Us
Today, I interview Linda Graf, who lost her confidence in speaking after a sudden family financial crisis during her teenage years shattered her sense of stability and support. Once a child who thrived in speech contests and artistic pursuits, Linda found herself unable to speak in front of even a small group, carrying this fear well into adulthood.
#154 Listening to the Quiet Voice Within: A Path to Healing
Today, I interview Sarah Dawkins, who struggled with losing her voice after being constantly told to be quiet as a child. Her curiosity was often met with dismissal, and a negative experience in school left her feeling silenced and small. Later in life, despite her passion for teaching and helping others, the fear of public speaking deepened her internal struggle with self-expression.
#153 A Motorcycle, a Manuscript, and a Story of Freedom
Today, I interview Carla King, an author and publishing expert who overcame the struggle of being an introvert terrified of speaking publicly—even after her writing was published. Carla grew up in a unique environment shaped by her introverted, artistic mother and extroverted, mechanical father. Living in rural North Carolina, she spent much of her time reading and working on mechanical projects with her dad, finding comfort in solitude and observation.
#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.
Podcast host, Dr. Doreen Downing, helps people find their voice so they can overcome anxiety, be confident, and speak without fear.
