The Stories That Sparkle

This episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast is the last one I recorded on the Discoball Tour and boy am I grateful that this, of all the episodes, is the one I recorded with Jenn. Curled up on the couch in her living room while a kid’s birthday party next door filled the air with sounds of joy, Jenn shares about her experience with postpartum depression, anxiety, and shame, and how, with the support of community, she moved into more of herself. It involved a desire to express more of themselves and explore more of their identity in all that word can include: parent, partner, child, adult, therapist, queer, creative, and Jewish. Jenn is an incredible example of someone willing to step out and say: “Here I am. I am here.”This is the eighteenth recording session of the Discoball Tour, the last one of the tour, and the only one I recorded in Cleveland. Jenn’s thoughtfulness and sweetness are a gift and I am beyond grateful that we reconnected through this and that of all the conversations I had over the four weeks I was on the road, this is the one that closed out the tour. Jenn touched on all the key themes of the tour (Be Ready, Get Ready & Rest. Joy, Delight & Pleasure. Unshame Your Wants & Desires. Risk Stepping Out as Who You Are. I am Home (in Myself). There will be more about all that in an upcoming episode. Now I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in. LINKSAll things Hella Rader:Have a story to share? Or a topic to discuss with me? Submit your idea using this form and I will be in touch.Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me.The Discoball Tour is a 30-day cross country drive I made to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Along with podcast episodes, I created a companion video blog, the Discoball Tour Docu-Series. New episodes release on Fridays (every other) so subscribe to my Substack or to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader for new releases.To help me record more women’s stories, amplify more women’s voices and celebrate different women’s choices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack, follow me on Instagram, and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

Part trip down memory lane, part real talk about being a woman in the music business (especially a female composer), and part artist-to-artist chit chat, this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast is a wide-ranging conversation between me and Shara Nova, the woman in front of and behind My Brightest Diamond. So grateful my Discoball Tour dates matched up with her schedule so that I could spent two night with her in Detroit, watch her perform as her magical self at The Wasserman Projects fundraising evening, and have this chat about her experience coming up in the music business (we knew each other way back when…I once even tour managed for her in 2006), what it’s like now and where she sees it going from here (in a post-COVID, social media and now also AI world). And for those who know, Hella No Chords makes a cameo appearance at the end of this episode…so thrilling.This is the seventeenth recording session of the Discoball Tour, the second to last one of the tour, and the only one I recorded in Detroit (where I also got to meet up with a new friend, Scott Stabile). At the very tail end of my 30-day driving tour, I was delighted to reconnect with Shara as though no time had passed (the last time we had that kind of time together was at least 16 years ago). Listening back to it now, I am reinspired by all that we chatted about…and really proud of myself for referring to myself as an artist. Ya’ll, that has been the journey of my lifetime and having it come full-circle with such a dear friend is extra magical for me. Thank you Shara Nova for clearing the way for so many and for your generosity of hospitality, creativity and thoughtfulness. I love you!Now I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in. LINKSLINKSAll things Shara Nova:Shara Nova Website: Shara-Nova.comMy Brightest Diamond on Instagram: @mybrightestdiamondAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here for writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me.The Discoball Tour is a 30-day cross country drive I made to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Along with podcast episodes, I created a companion video blog, the Discoball Tour Docu-Series. New episodes release on Fridays (every other) so subscribe to my Substack or to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader for new releases.To help me record more women’s stories, amplify more women’s voices and celebrate different women’s choices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack, follow me on Instagram, and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

When I asked Regina to record an episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast with me (as part of the Discoball Tour), she took a risk when she told me she wanted to share about her concept of spirituality. A retired holistic psychotherapist and award-winning author (Courageous Gilbert), Regina talks about how the spiritual connectedness of all beings, how that connection shows up in her daily life, and how she lives the woo-woo. As someone who is quantum physics adjacent when it comes to all things spirituality, I was beyond thrilled to have this conversation with her. This is the sixteenth recording session of the Discoball Tour, and the second one I recorded outside of Chicago. With less than a week to go of my 30-day driving tour, I felt pretty fried when I got to Regina’s house and I am so grateful to her and her husband George for not only their hospitality but also for a safe, peaceful space to rest my heart and mind. So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in. LINKSAll things Regina McCarthy:Regina’s award-winning book, Courageous Gilbert, is available for purchase here (signed copy!)Follow Regina on Instagram and hear about upcoming readings, new book releases and more: @courageous_gilbertAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here for writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me.The Discoball Tour is a 30-day cross country drive I made to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Along with podcast episodes, I created a companion video blog, the Discoball Tour Docu-Series. New episodes release on Fridays (every other) so subscribe to my Substack or to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader for new releases.To help me record more women’s stories, amplify more women’s voices and celebrate different women’s choices, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to my Substack, follow me on Instagram, and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

I am so excited to share my conversation with Anita Knotts (founder of the Lotus Women’s Institute, TedX Speaker, and Podcast Host) in this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast. I first met Anita in July 2024 right as my corporate job ended and I had a decision to make. She inspired me then and she re-inspired me again during this conversation. We talk about Money (with a capital M) including women’s shame around money, taking responsibility for our own financial health, and believing in ourselves as we go after our dreams. Anita is on a mission to help other women take a seat at the wealth management table, to grow their businesses within their communities, and to embrace the many allies of men and other women around them. Because if not now, when? and if not me, who? For many of us, Money can be an “M” word, but for Anita, Money is the new “F” Word: Freedom.This is the fifteenth recording session of the Discoball Tour, and the first one I did outside of Chicago. I met with Anita at her house at the start of my last week on the road, and I was exhausted. Thank you to Anita for bringing the pep back into my step, giving me the fuel I needed to finish strong, and reminding me that there is no shame whatsoever in getting paid to do what I do.So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.LINKSAll things Anita Knotts:Lotus Women’s Institute, the Anita Knotts hub for coaching, recruiting, speaking, educating, and empowering women to leadAnita Knotts on LinkedInListen to Anita’s podcast, Women, Wealth and Wisdom, wherever you get your podcasts. Link to Spotify and Apple.All things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here for 1:1 mentoring, writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me.The Discoball Tour is a 30-day cross country drive I made to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Along with podcast episodes, I created a companion video blog, the Discoball Tour Docu-Series. New episodes release on Fridays (every other).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, and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, my good friend Sue (whom I have known for almost twenty years but with whom I am rarely together with in person) shares her story of meeting Greg, the love of her life, only to lose him suddenly in late 2019. Even though it still hurts, Sue’s face lights up every time she says Greg’s name, thinks about him or talks about their time together. And she has the best suggestion for anyone going through grief: let yourself be messy and just keep moving.This is the fourteenth recording session of the Discoball Tour, the only I did in Des Moines, IA and the last thing I did right before I drove off to Chicago. Thanks to Sue and her inestimable tour guide prowess, I had a wonderful time roaming the streets of Des Moines, and felt right at home in the Midwest. This also marks the start of my last week on the road, and by now, I am pretty tired. So, check back in for the episodes I recorded outside of Chicago as I caught my second wind.So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.LINKSAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here for 1:1 mentoring, writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about me.The Discoball Tour is a 30-day cross country drive I made to record eighteen women’s stories in ten different cities. Along with podcast episodes, I created a companion video blog, the Discoball Tour Docu-Series. New docu-series episodes release on Fridays (every other) subscribe to my Substack or to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader for new releases. (pro tip: on Substack, podcast and docu-series episodes are in one playlist).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, and/or, if you prefer to keep it simple, buy me a cup of coffee.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Wednesday. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

Tara, Sheri’s niece, was so determined to tell her story, and through that, her daughter Naomi’s story, that she drove five hours across the full length of Nebraska to spend the night, record with me, and turn back around the morning to drive home. Tara’s journey as a medical parent and the lessons she learned from Naomi’s six-year fight against all the odds is a true inspiration. And despite still being in deep grief, Tara’s passion, strength and courage shine through as loudly as the voice she found while digging through the mountain. This episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast is for everyone, parent or not—anyone who needs some encouragement as they struggle through something that feels impossible to overcome. This is the thirteenth recording session of the Discoball Tour, the second in Nebraska—by a lake surrounded by cornfields—and the epitome of what this podcast is all about. Getting to share stories like this one is the whole reason I do any of this. I am beyond grateful to Tara, all of Naomi’s family, and Sheri in particular for arranging this meet up (and to Craig for hosting all of us).So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.LINKSAll things Tara:If you are a medical parent in search of support, Tara is willing to connect with you via Facebook: @Tara.SudbeckAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here for 1:1 mentoring, writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meThe 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. New episodes will resume shortly after a brief hiatus and will be available on my Substack so subscribe to that or to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader for new releases. (pro tip: you can catch up the current episodes here). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

This episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast is part story, part conversation and part homecoming. Sheri and I have known each other for a long time and even though we have never lived in the same place, we are very close and I count her as one of my nearest and dearest. So, it was a no-brainer to make her home in Lincoln a stop on the Discoball Tour. What I did not realize was that we would drive on to Plattsmouth, NE and spend two nights at her boyfriend Craig’s house…on a lake surrounded by cornfields. And because it was on my mind for many different reasons, after Sheri shared her story of growing up on a farm, we kept coming back around to the question of “what is home?” and the realization that “I am home.”This is the twelth recording session of the Discoball Tour, the first on my turn back east towards home, and the first of two I recorded in Nebraska—by a lake and Sheri’s two dogs—while I stayed with Sheri and Craig. I am beyond grateful for their hospitality and care (and Sheri’s contribution to the Discoball Tour Raffle—a bag of Baker’s Candies aka Nebraska’s world famous chocolate meltaways). To get a sense of how much fun we had together, how beautiful Nebraska is, and what the “Good Life” (Nebraska’s state motto) is all about, check out the Reel I made on Instagram. So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in.LINKSAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here for 1:1 mentoring, writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meThe 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. New episodes will resume shortly after a brief hiatus and will be available on my Substack so subscribe to that or to my channel on YouTube.com/@hellarader for new releases. (pro tip: you can catch up the current episodes here). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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.LINKSAll things Kristen aka Sofia Dragon:Website: Sofia DragonInstagram: @SofiaDragonArtsResources Mentioned in the Episode:SacredEros.com - Global Directory of Tantra and Sacred Sexuality ProfessionalsJohn Wineland (Embodiment, Sacred Intimacy, and Life Purpose) on Instagram: @john_winelandCarnival DNGN (in Colorado): EventsSomatic 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: @messworkpracticebuildingPhilip Meeker: An alternative to talk therapy—create the change you want.Becca Tillinghast: Connect with her via Instagram: @beccatillinghastClaire Cassidy: Somatic practitioner extraordinaire, especially if you are in a leadership role in your organization. By referral. Message me to get connected.Message Hella RaderKimi Inch (pro dominatrix recommended by a trusted source for me to include as a resource): Connect on Instagram: @kimiinchAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderContact me here for 1:1 mentoring, writing or speaking engagements: hellarader.com/contactFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meThe 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 is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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.LINKSTo 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/hellaraderFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meThe 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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. LINKSAll 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/hellaraderFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meThe 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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)LINKSAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meHere 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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.LINKSAll things Ramona Sakiestewa:Ramona’s Website: ramonasakiestewa.comRamona on Instagram: @ramonasakiestewaAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meHere 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) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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.LINKSDo 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-AnonAnd if you are struggling with alcoholism or gambling addiction yourself, there is help available for you. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA.org) and GamblersAnonymous.orgAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meAnd 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) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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 InstagramJill'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/hellaraderFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meHere 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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.LINKSAll things Mandi Dixon:Mandi’s VERY REAL Instagram - a MUST FOLLOW for anyone entering into/going through perimenopause/menopause and struggling with ADHDMandi’s AWESOME Guidebook for navigating ADHD, Perimenopause, Menopause, and so much more!Mandi Dixon LPC WebsiteAND - for additional resources, visit the Menopause SocietyAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderFollow me on Instagram or check out my Website for more about meHere 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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.LINKSAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderHere 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/hellaraderPlease 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

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: @areyouvedakiddingmeStephanie’s Links: Lintr.ee/areyouvedakiddingme and WebsiteAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderHere 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/hellaraderPlease 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Becca and I sit down in her sunroom in Nashville, TN and talk about turning 40, the different kinds (and meanings) of endurance, and what she would want the younger version of herself to know. What a perfect way to kick off the series of conversations I had and recorded with eighteen different women during my four-week driving Discoball Tour across the US in September 2025! Also: While Becca and I know each because we are both in the Core Energetics Somatic Practitioner Training Program (say that ten times fast!), she is one of my dearest friends. I am beyond grateful that we could share this conversation (plus the time we spent together before and after the mics were turned on/off)…Becca is true champion of others and herself—her gift of receiving others is just one way her bright light shines through. So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in. All things Becca:Becca on Instagram: @beccatillinghastBecca on Substack: 10 x 100All things Hella Rader:Discoball Tour DocuSeries on YouTube, a companion video blog to go with podcast episodes. Subscribe to my channel for all new releases: YouTube.com/@hellaraderYou can start with: Discoball Tour Day 0: Getting ReadyEvery link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderPlease 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

To close out Domestic Violence Awareness month, Zoie (their mom is Jenn, who shared her story in Episode 21: I Stand By Me) joins me via Zoom and shares their experience as a kid coming of age in a home impacted by domestic violence. Zoie is an inspiration to me about how to set boundaries, make choices around relationships, and reclaim the sparkle within. This story perfectly illustrates that no matter our age or circumstance, our stories have so much to offer to each other. Pro Tip: get yourself a “Mom Squad,” or as I like to call it, a “Variety Pack of Love,” aka a community of love and support. Because together, we can bring light into dark places, walk through anything and come out the other side with joy.So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in. Brief content warning: This episode includes discussion of domestic violence, martial rape, involuntary drugging, and gaslighting as told from the perspective of someone growing up in a home where all of the above are present. Please take care of yourself and, if needed, skip listening to this episode.LINKSFor reference:Tiny Kitchen Dances (Jenn) on Instagram: @tinykitchendancesTiny Movements (documentary film about Jenn’s story) on Instagram: @tinymovementsfilmDomestic Violence/Sexual Assault Resources:If you are in an (emotionally, physically, sexually, financially, spiritually) abusive situation, please know: you are not alone. For help, reach out to:National Domestic Violence Hotline. They are available 24/7 by phone, text or chat.RAINNAnd to learn ways to get in involved in ending domestic and sexual violence, reach out to NO MORE.All things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderPlease 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe

IIn this episode of the Stories That Sparkle Podcast, Holly and I get to know each as she tells me about how she and her business partner Bonnie started Winchester Brew Works ten years ago. At the time, it was the only women-owned brewery with a woman as the brewer in the state. Wow! Holly’s easy-going vibes and chilled out approach to even the scariest moments make her the perfect person to create a place for community to happen and to make space for everyone to belong. She really knows how to brew up the Third Place. (She had to explain that to last part to me). So, I invite you to get comfortable, sit back, and listen in. LINKSAll things Winchester Brew Works:Winchester Brew Works on Instagram: @winchesterbrewworksMore about the brewery, including upcoming events: Winchester Brew Works websiteAll things Hella Rader:Every link in one place: linktr.ee/hellaraderPlease 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hellarader.substack.com/subscribe