Joystarters with Rachel Baribeau: Nurturing Faith, Finding Purpose, and Pursuing Joyful Living

Poet, author, and teacher Joseph Fasano joins Rachel Joy Baribeau for a conversation about what it means to be human in a world that increasingly measures us by what we produce. A story about something his four-year-old son said opens the door to questions about empathy, the way we raise and educate children, and what artificial intelligence can never experience for us. Joseph shares the ideas beh...

Life is precious, life is short, and too many of us live as if we will always have more time to handle the things that matter. In this raw and personal episode, Rachel shares the heartbreaking experiences that helped inspire her new book and the wake-up call she cannot stop thinking about. She also talks about preparing for difficult possibilities, preserving the stories behind the things we treas...

What if the thing that feels like it’s falling apart is actually making room for something better? On the day Rachel turns in her new book, she shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to get there, including the plans that changed, the moments that tested her, and the unexpected turns that ultimately led to something better. This episode is about doing your best to plan ahead while accepti...

What do you do when it feels like one thing after another keeps going wrong? In this episode of Joy Starters, Rachel gets real about a season that has required what she calls “fingernail faith”: those moments when you’re hanging on, life feels heavy, and your nose is barely above water. She shares an update from the final days of writing her new book, the unexpected setbacks that threw her careful...

Rachel recently spoke to nearly 100 football players at Moravian University, creating a space for them to talk honestly about mental health, family struggles, trauma, loss and the pressure so many men feel to protect, provide and perform. In this episode, she reflects on why she no longer sees herself simply as a speaker, but as a sacred space holder. Her work is about helping people take off the...

Ten straight years of walking into the University of Minnesota football program and being trusted to have real conversations with young men about mental health, identity, purpose, forgiveness, family, and life beyond the game. In this episode, Rachel takes you behind the scenes of her tenth year speaking to Coach PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers. But this year, she had a surprise of her own. Rac...

In this Sunday Soul vault episode, Rachel’s sits down  with six-time Grammy-nominated musician Robert Randolph, they dig into the remarkable instrument behind his signature sound, the sacred steel guitar. This is Part Two of the conversation; be sure to catch Part One as well! Robert shares how he learned to play in church, the generations of family and faith that shaped his music, and how a young...

In this Sunday Soul vault episode, Rachel sits down with legendary guitarist Robert Randolph for a powerful conversation about music, purpose, faith, and the responsibility we all have to keep doing the work. Robert reflects on slowing down, appreciating the people in his life, and rethinking the things that once felt urgent. He also shares the deep roots of gospel and blues music, why music has a...

We are going back to the vault this summer of 2026. Rachel is headed to work with the Minnesota Gophers for the 10th year in a row this week, so we are sharing this episode from August of 2025 where she reflects before speaking to the team. This episode contains thoughts from NFL meeting notes to God-given middle-of-the-night inspiration, and she shares the importance of caring for yourself before...

While Rachel is finishing her next book, we’re reaching into the Joystarters archives to create a few special compilation episodes featuring meaningful messages, reflections, and moments you may have missed. In this episode, you’ll hear recordings from Rachel’s ministry work inside correctional facilities and recovery communities. The episode begins with a video she recorded before entering a men’...

Dr.. Kevin Elko has spent decades working alongside championship coaches, Fortune 500 leaders, and some of the world's highest performers, but the lessons he shares in this conversation aren't just for elite athletes. They're for anyone who wants to live with more purpose, courage, and joy. Rachel and Dr. Elko explore why the happiest people aren't chasing blessings but becoming one for someone el...

While Rachel is deep in book deadline, we're revisiting the vault. In this episode, Rachel sits down with entrepreneur, philanthropist, and visionary Britnie Turner for a conversation about purpose, wealth, mindset, and what it really means to become a force for good. Britnie shares her remarkable journey from living in her car to building multiple companies, creating opportunities around the worl...

Rachel is deep in the final stretch of writing her second book, with a deadline quickly approaching. While she's spending these weeks pouring her heart into those pages, we wanted to share a conversation you may have missed. This episode originally aired on the Founders War Room podcast, where Rachel sits down to share her journey from national sportscaster to speaker, author, and founder of I'm C...

Rachel is on book deadline, so we are going back into the vault to share this Sunday Soul episode in which Rachel takes us behind the scenes of one of the most meaningful projects of her career: the creation of the first-ever college football Mental Health Games. This is the story of what it took to bring mental health into one of the toughest environments in sports. You'll hear stories about work...

Rachel is on book deadline, so we are going back into the vault to share this Sunday Soul conversation with Minnesota head football coach PJ Fleck and his wife Heather. They have an honest discussion about what it really takes to build a strong marriage, lead well, and stay connected through life's challenges. From navigating the demands of coaching and family life to learning how to grow through...

After watching a beautiful piece of land near her home be cleared for development, Rachel found herself heartbroken, frustrated, and angry. Angry at the loss. Angry at what feels like unchecked greed. Angry that her prayers to save it seemed to go unanswered. For a brief moment, she found herself wrestling with God.  In this episode, Rachel shares the story behind that struggle, the friends who he...

Fresh off speaking with the Minnesota Vikings and attending the Next Level Speakers Conference, Rachel reflects on what happened behind the scenes, and why meaningful human connection matters more than ever. Rachel also shares reflections on mental health in sports, the pressure athletes face, and the importance of knowing who you are beyond your accomplishments. SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:  https...

What began as a Memorial Day weekend trip to her childhood home became something much deeper: a chance to grieve, rest, reflect, and reconnect with the people and places that have shaped her life. After a difficult month marked by loss, Rachel shares what happened when she slowed down long enough to let her nervous system finally exhale. SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:  https://i-m-changing-the-narrat...

Rachel shares a collection of reflections recorded over the past several weeks while traveling, speaking, grieving, coaching, and walking closely with people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.  At the center of this episode is one powerful message: You cannot lead people if you refuse to see their pain. From heartbreaking conversations about mental health… to moments with grieving...

In this Mother’s Day message at Christ’s Chapel in Kentucky, Rachel Joy Baribeau shares a deeply personal and Spirit-led talk about purpose, obedience, grief, forgiveness, and the urgency of living fully for God. Rachel reflects on her journey from sportscaster to founder of the #ImChangingtheNarrative movement, explaining how God transformed her career into a calling to encourage others and help...

Rachel reflects on the power of encouragement, the ripple effect of forgiveness, and the kind of community that helps you keep going when your confidence starts to wobble.  She shares a story that reveals how one conversation can impact generations, and explains why it’s important to use your gifts even when you feel unqualified, uncertain, or under attack.  If you’ve ever wondered whether what yo...

This week, we have another episode from the vault as part of the 10-year anniversary of I’m Changing the Narrative . This time it’s a portion of an early talk from Florida State University.  What started as a simple airport conversation quickly turned into a reminder of the stereotypes athletes face every single day: assumptions about character, behavior, and even intelligence.  In this talk, she...

This week, we’re going back to the vault and into the trenches. As part of the 10-year anniversary of I’m Changing the Narrative , Rachel Joy Baribeau shares a portion of one of her early talks… including the unforgettable moment she stopped talking about football—and decided to live it. After years of grinding in sports media, Rachel stepped into something completely unexpected… training camp wit...

Rachel Baribeau recently visited the Sports Visions Morning Show to share the journey that took her from a young Auburn graduate getting her first shot in radio… to becoming a trailblazer in sports broadcasting, a speaker for NFL teams, and the founder of the “I’m Changing the Narrative” movement. Sitting across from someone who gave her an early opportunity, this wasn’t just a walk down memory la...

From early morning reflections before the sun comes up… to conversations about leadership, purpose, and what it really means to go above and beyond… this episode is packed with wisdom pulled straight from real life as it’s happening. This episode is part reflection, part teaching, and part wake-up call to live more consciously, more generously, and more fully present. Because the truth is… You’ll...