Joy in the Journey Podcast with Jaja Fortuna

It's a sad reality, but you’ve seen the clips —the Coldplay song, the kiss cam, the couple sitting in silence while the world watches their distance, their heartbreak. Behind the awkward smile… is a story. Divorce isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet heartbreak. It’s the slow grief of watching something sacred fall apart. It’s sitting next to someone who once promised forever — now a stran...

Everyone talks about surgery prep — but no one tells you how lonely recovery can be. In this raw and honest episode, Jaja opens up about the emotional toll of her first hip replacement surgery. From late-night panic attacks to the silence that felt heavier than the pain, she shares what it’s like to heal when your body hurts and your spirit feels stretched. With tender reflections, faith-filled en...

There’s something about going through something again —whether it’s surgery, recovery, or emotional healing—that gives you both courage… and caution. You know what to expect, but your heart still hopes it’ll be easier. This episode shares the story of my second hip replacement , and what I learned about healing through chronic illness, community, and quiet faith. From navigating a pain crisis due...

This episode isn’t from a place of arrival. It’s from the messy middle—from pain, denial, and the process of healing. At 37, I did not expect to hear the words: “You need a hip replacement.” But that’s exactly what happened. I had just gotten back from a fun road trip to Chicago with my husband. I was walking fine (or so I thought) and hoping for an injection or some physical therapy. Instead, I g...

Sometimes the deepest pain is the kind we carry in silence. In this episode, I’m sharing a part of my story I rarely talk about—what it felt like to grow up feeling invisible, only noticed in moments of crisis. From early childhood in Angola to the quiet ache of rejection and abandonment, this is the healing work I never knew I needed. Inspired by Ann Voskamp The Broken Way , and Uninvited by Lysa...

In this episode, Jaja shares her honest journey through identity, grief, and emotional healing — from growing up with sickle cell and being labeled "sickly," to carrying the ache of not knowing her father, to finally learning that her identity is not in her pain... but in Christ. With gentle encouragement, a touch of humor, and deep vulnerability, Jaja reminds us that it’s okay to not be okay — an...

When I was just nine months old, my mother ran to save my life—literally. No transportation, no warning—just her intuition, God’s grace, and a family friend who happened to be in the path. This is the story of how I was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia in Malanje, Angola—and how my mom’s strength, faith, and community gave me a fighting chance. In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on childh...

In this heartfelt episode, Jaja Fortuna shares her story—from the warmth and beauty of growing up in Angola, to the emotional and physical weight of navigating high school in a new country while living with sickle cell anemia. What felt like a death sentence before age 18 wasn’t just her fear—it was her mother’s fear and constant burden. Jaja opens up about carrying that fear, facing each crisis,...

In this debut episode of Joy in the Journey , Jaja Fortuna shares her story of being diagnosed with a chronic illness at just 9 months old. Through pain, grief, and big emotions, she’s learned the beauty of soft strength. This podcast is for anyone seeking emotional healing, joy, and hope in hard seasons. 📺 Watch with subtitles on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vk2x0ffurgs?si=0HahKWWuNPfWe_LZ Availabl...