In this episode, I’m joined by writer, producer, and visionary creative Deborah Weed for a conversation that feels equal parts magical and deeply transformative. Deborah is the heart behind Paisley the Musical and founder of the Self-Worth Initiative, a movement rooted in helping people reclaim their voice, their value, and their power. From directing multi-million-dollar corporate projects to spending three years bedridden from a life-threatening misdiagnosis, Deborah shares the pivotal moments that reshaped her understanding of self-esteem versus self-worth. What began with a single copper penny became a mission: to help children (and the adults who love them) understand that their value isn’t determined by perfection, performance, or outside validation. Together, we explore the courage it takes to stop giving your power away “quill by quill” and what it means to step back into your authentic voice.
Among many other topics, we explore:
From Pavilion Projects to Purpose: How Deborah’s high-level corporate career masked a deeper longing to create meaningful impact.
The Three-Year Wake-Up Call: Deborah’s medical misdiagnosis, loss of credibility, and the emotional toll of not being believed.
The Million-Dollar Penny: How discovering the story of a rare 1943 copper penny sparked her first children’s book and musical about self-worth.
Self-Esteem vs. Self-Worth: Why one depends on achievement—and the other comes from within.
The Birth of the Self-Worth Initiative: Deborah’s promise to dedicate her life to helping others reclaim their value.
Meet Paisley: A porcupine fashion designer who gives away her power “quill by quill” until she must decide what to do with her last one.
Giving Away Our Power: Why Deborah believes we don’t get stuck because of fear—but because we slowly surrender our voice.
Magical Realism on a Broadway Scale: Deborah’s bold vision for Paisley the Musical and her unconventional path to bringing it to life.
The Power of Music to Rewire Belief: Why songs can reach places inside us that words alone cannot.
Join us for an imaginative, heartfelt conversation about resilience, creativity, and the radical act of reclaiming your worth, proof that even when you feel discarded, you may be the rarest coin of all.
If you’ve ever felt unheard, unseen, or unsure of your value, this episode is your reminder: every penny counts… and so do you.
Connect with Deborah!
Website: https://paisleysfashionforest.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.weed.1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah.weed/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-weed-67b91313/