Dear Annie Joy

If joy is something God promised… why does it sometimes feel so hard to actually experience it? In this episode, my dear friend, Chelsey Seibold, and I talk about why so many faithful women secretly feel like they’re doing everything right but still feel emotionally heavy, disconnected, or afraid to fully receive joy. If you’ve ever found yourself bracing for what might go wrong instead of enjoyin...

In this episode, we're talking about authenticity, emotional healing, and what it really means to be seen with co-founder of The Glory Retreat, Tricia Emmett. So many Christian women carry invisible masks, or coping patterns that once created safety but now keep us from experiencing deeper connection and joy. We explore why those masks form, how they affect our relationships, and why being loved d...

What if emotional dysregulation is not s sign that something is wrong with you, but a signal inviting you into compassion? In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Laura Dugovic for a powerful, honest conversation about reframing dysregulation as information , not failure. We talk about what happens when we stop fighting our bodies, stop forcing peace, and allow God to meet us in the middle o...

What if balance was never the goal? In this episode, I sit down with Becky Squire to talk about why the pressure to “do it all” quietly exhausts so many faithful women, and what God actually offers us instead. We talk about the difference between good, better, and best , why letting something wait doesn’t mean you’ve failed, and how grace meets us right in the middle of seasons that feel heavy or...

What if some of the hardest stories in scripture are actually meant to give us hope ? In this episode, we talk about a powerful reframe of the Flood story—one that moves it away from fear and punishment and toward mercy, patience, and eternal progression. Instead of seeing the Flood as God giving up on people, we explore the idea that it was God giving them their best chance to keep growing , even...

I used to think saying yes was always the right answer. If I could do it, I should do it. But over time, I realized some of my yeses weren’t coming from peace, they were coming from pressure. And my body knew it long before my mind did. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and Human Design coach Stacey Foust to talk about what it actually looks like to trust the way God leads you , not throu...

If you’re a Christian mom who feels like you have a PhD in worrying, this episode is for you. 🫶 In today’s conversation, my dear friend and God-centered intuitive healer, Kenzi Fackrell and I, are talking all about worry, anxiety, and what it really means to trust God in the middle of the mental spiral. A while ago, Kenzi said something that tattooed itself on my heart: “Worries are like little f...

I’m opening up about the miscarriages I experienced during my first marriage, and how they changed the way I understand prayer, peace, and God's presence in pain. For a long time, I believed that if I prayed hard enough and had enough faith, I could control the outcome. But when my prayers didn’t "work" and I lost not one but two pregnancies, I was forced to face the deeper truth— that prayer isn’...

He was the fun one. The loud one. The light in every room. But behind the smile, he was quietly falling apart. In this vulnerable and powerful conversation, we explore what happens when the version of you that everyone loves stops working—when the mask slips, and the pain finally surfaces. My longtime friend, Kyle Flanagan, shares his journey through emotional burnout, identity crisis, self-destru...

I turned 43 this week—and in a twist of timing (or divine alignment?), it just so happens this is also the 43rd episode of Dear Annie Joy . So I'm opening up with 3 honest confessions about the things I used to believe, the stories I’m unlearning, and the freedom I’ve found on the other side. In this episode, I’m sharing the emotional truths behind: Midlife rediscovery and starting something n...

When life takes a turn you never asked for, what happens next? In this conversation with Amber Jackson, we talk about grief, growth, and how joy still shows up — even when nothing looks like it was supposed to. If you're holding heartbreak and hope at the same time, this one’s for you. Amber is a writer, speaker, and fierce believer in honest storytelling. She shares what it looks like to rebuild...

This is a story I never thought I’d share publicly. It involves my bladder, a lot of childhood shame, and how one of my most embarrassing struggles ended up making me a softer, more compassionate mom. In this episode, I open up about what it was like to deal with bladder issues well into elementary school, how that shaped the way I saw myself, and the years I spent carrying quiet shame. I also sha...

Twenty‑three years ago, I didn’t know if I’d see another birthday. I was lost in self‑loathing and loneliness, and I tried to end my life. That moment became the start of learning how to care for my own soul, and eventually, how to choose radical joy . In this episode, I share the full story for the first time publicly. I talk about the pain that led me there, the people who helped me stay, and th...

Today I am sharing powerful stories of interfaith kindness, including the recent passing of President Russell M. Nelson and how people outside my faith offered love and support in deeply meaningful ways. I'm unpacking why spiritual empathy matters, telling a moving story about a Muslim leader’s friendship with President Nelson, and offering 7 practical, soul-honoring ways to support friends o...

The recent Charlie Kirk shooting has left many of us wondering how we got here — and how we can move forward in a culture of conflict. Outrage and division are everywhere, but what if we chose a different path? In this episode, we explore what it takes to build bridges when division feels like the norm. My long time friend and therapist, Jesse Ellis, talks about breaking free from echo chambers, p...

You open your phone. There it is — a text, a DM, an invite. And suddenly you’re spiraling: Should I go? Should I stay home? Am I tired, or am I scared? Will I regret it if I say no? Will I regret it if I say yes? If you’ve ever wrestled with the internal debate that comes with invitations, whether it’s a girls’ night, a work event, or even something at church, this episode is for you. In today’s c...

🎙 Fun Called. She Wants You Back. If life’s felt like one long to-do list lately, this episode is for you. I’m sharing why fun isn’t a luxury—it’s part of your healing. Not just the science (though it’s real), but the real-life magic of what happens when we stop ghosting joy and start inviting her back in. You’ll hear: Why fun is a nervous system reset How laughter + movement can shift your whole...

This week on Dear Annie Joy, we’re diving into one of the hardest things for recovering people pleasers and boundary beginners—what to do when you say no and someone is clearly disappointed in you. I know that ache. I’ve seen the face drop. I’ve heard the “oh… okay” that’s loaded with silent judgment. And I’ve felt the sick-to-my-stomach guilt that creeps in when my no isn’t met with grace. So in...

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel so exhausted even when you’re “doing all the right things,” this one’s for you, my friend. Today, I’m joined by my real-life friend and powerhouse encourager, Erika, who is on a mission to help moms (and honestly, all women) stop merely surviving and start truly living. We’re busting the myth that you’re “just lazy” and unpacking what’s really going on when you...

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from God while sitting in a pew, or hollow while going through the motions of church, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the raw and redemptive story behind creating my Worship Journal—born from single motherhood, spiritual burnout, and a longing for a more personal, soul-deep connection with Heaven. This isn’t about getting worship “right.” It’s about letting it...

Letting go can feel like losing a piece of yourself—but what if it’s actually an invitation to meet a deeper version of you? In this episode, I get real about the fears we face when we release things that no longer fit—jeans, jobs, friendships, even old versions of ourselves. I’ll walk you through the myth of the void and reframe that “empty space” as a sacred clearing where joy, clarity, and conn...

Hey friends—this episode is so close to my heart. I invited my dear friend and parenting coach, Amy Fraughton, onto the show to talk about something I hear from moms all the time: “My kid is being so disrespectful. What do I do?” Whether you're parenting tweens, teens, or even adult children, this conversation is for you. We’re not here to shame, fix, or control our kids. We’re here to understand...

You’ve probably said it too: “I hate small talk.” But what if we've misunderstood its purpose? In today’s soul-stirring episode, I'm reframing small talk as emotional foreplay—the sacred warm-up that paves the way for real intimacy and deep connection. I'll explain how small talk—when done with heart and curiosity—becomes a doorway to soul-aligned friendships. Whether you're an introvert, extrover...

In today’s episode, I'm diving into the art of apology—why “I’m sorry you feel that way” doesn’t cut it, and what to say instead to create genuine healing and connection. Whether you're navigating a tough conversation with your child, partner, or friend, this episode is your guide to emotional safety, nervous system support, and conflict transformation. You’ll learn: Why intent doesn’t matter as m...

If you’re constantly trying to get it right, be liked, or keep it all together, you’re not alone. But when we’re performing, we’re not present. And without presence, we miss real connection. In this episode, I talk with two brilliant improv trainers and actors (and longtime friends, Julie & her husband, Jake) about how simple shifts in how we show up—especially in everyday moments—can change e...