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

Rachel sits down with JayDee Milo for a raw and deeply human conversation about what it means to use the internet for something that actually helps people. JayDee shares how his late mother, Sandy, shaped him, why her story became the foundation of his platform, and how grief and addiction recovery changed the trajectory of his life. They talk about why authenticity is magnetic right now, why peop...

Happy 2026, Joy Starters 🤍 This year isn’t starting with resolutions. It’s starting with an exhale. In this honest, unfiltered episode, talks about rest, realness, and what it means to unwind after years of pushing, performing, and powering through. She reflects on learning to be bored again, releasing guilt around rest, and choosing authenticity in a world that’s craving what’s real. This episod...

This is a throwback Sunday Soul episode we are pulling from the archives because it’s with international musician, Laura Reed, who will be with us at the I’m Changing the Narrative Retreat in February 2026. Rachel sits down with Laura Reed for a conversation about what it was like growing up between cultures — never fully “from” one place — and how she learned to love the parts of herself she once...

This is Week Two of our Speaker Series, where we continue introducing the remarkable humans who will be speaking at the I'm Changing the Narrative Retreat this February. You’ll hear from relationship and marriage coaches Shannon and Shirley Austin, who share their deeply personal journey through betrayal, healing, illness &  accountability. We’re also joined by Lindsay Freezman, a mindfulness and...

In this special Retreat Speakers Spotlight (Part 1) episode, Rachel pulls back the curtain on the first Amelia Island ICTN Retreat and introduces a few of the incredible humans she hand-picked for this transformative weekend. You’ll hear how Rachel met Laura Reed (international musician, “tiny giant,” and soul-stirring storyteller) and why Laura’s journey of integrity over industry “success” is pa...

Content note: In this episode, Rachel briefly references violent crime from her past. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. This week, Rachel is coming in raw and real after discovering that someone opened a business bank account and applied for credit in her name.  She walks you through the very real emotions of feeling violated, the practical steps she took to protect herself, an...

There’s a shift happening — in how we move, how we heal, and what we chase. In this episode, Rachel shares raw stories and hard-won wisdom about slowing down, listening deeper, and protecting the peace your soul’s been begging for. Rachel invites you to look at your own life with fresh eyes. Maybe it’s not about doing more, but about feeling again — and finding meaning in the quiet spaces in betwe...

  Resources   EARLY BIRD Registration for the I’m Changing the Narrative Retreat - February 20-22, 2026 in Amelia Island, Florida: https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat   NEVER MET A HAPPY BULLY:   Bullying isn’t just a childhood issue—it impacts schools, workplaces, and communities. Never Met a Happy Bully is a powerful resource designed to help parents, educators, and leaders recognize the...

Rachel reflects on her time in Sicily and Rome—the beauty, the divine appointments, and the unexpected connections that became holy ground. From sunrise walks and quiet prayers to rooftop conversations and a chance encounter that turned into a cross-cultural friendship, she reminds us that love, kindness, and faith speak every language. As she prepares to fly home, Rachel shares what this journey...

Rachel shares her journey through Sicily and reflects on the power of speaking dreams into existence, recounting how she planned to write a book from Sicily eight years ago and is now working on her second book from the same dream location. Rachel also emphasizes the importance of living in awe and appreciating the moments and experiences, no matter where life takes you. Throughout her travels, sh...

In this installment of the Italy Series, Rachel sits down with Isobel Tesch — a Scottish-born woman whose life bridges cultures, continents, and generations of courage. From her own years in military counterintelligence to her mother’s heroic role in the Italian Resistance during World War II, this is a story about the courage to do what’s right — even when it costs everything. Together, they expl...

In this episode of the Joy Starters Podcast, Rachel reflects on the heart of her Rome adventures—not just the sights, but the surprising moments of belonging and connection that make travel unforgettable. From chance encounters to unexpected reminders of God’s goodness, this episode is all about the power of slowing down, being present, and letting people become the best part of your story. Whethe...

Happy fall, y’all! In this heartfelt installment of the JoyStarters Podcast , Rachel takes you back to Italy for more stories and lessons from her time in Sicily, Rome, and—finally—Pompeii. This episode is about more than sightseeing. It’s about secret dreams, full-circle moments, and how God weaves our stories together. Whether you’re a traveler, a dreamer, or someone longing for your own full-ci...

A soul-call to every healer, noticer, helper, and joy starter to love boldly, guard your mind, and step into your assignment—today. Content Warning: Mentions of political violence, murder, mental health crises, and spiritual warfare. Listener discretion advised—especially for children. Please preview before sharing with minors. Context for listeners: news this week includes the assassination of Ch...

This week on the Joy Starters Podcast , we’re back in Italy—this time in the seaside town of Cefalù, Sicily . What began as a birthday trip gifted by my beloved Aunt Kay became a life-changing journey about dreams, openness, and the courage to notice the beauty (and people) right in front of us. In this episode, I share: How my aunt gave me the gift of travel and sparked a lifetime of dreaming. Th...

What does it take to leave behind the ordinary and live your dream life? In this episode of the Joystarters Podcast , Rachel sits down with her dear friends Bob and Phyllis Brugh—two retired flight attendants who turned their dream of living in Italy into reality. From flipping houses in the U.S. to buying and restoring property in Sicily (even appearing on House Hunters along the way!), Bob and P...

What does it mean to lead with soul—even when it costs you everything? In this episode, Rachel takes us on a journey from Sicily to Nazi Germany to the 1936 Berlin Olympics, telling the story of Luz Long, the German athlete who defied Hitler to help Jesse Owens. Their friendship, sacrifice, and courage have shaped how Rachel speaks in prisons, NFL locker rooms, and healthcare conferences. From vis...

In this season opener, Rachel Joy Baribeau welcomes you into an unforgettable journey through Italy — a season filled with history, divine encounters, and the beauty of living like a local. From standing in awe at Pompeii to chasing down a shop owner in Rome and ending up at dinner with his family, Rachel shares the serendipitous moments that only happen when you release control and open yourself...

In this replay of an Instagram Live from her Minneapolis hotel room, Rachel reflects before speaking to the Minnesota Gophers football team for the ninth year in a row. From NFL meeting notes to God-given middle-of-the-night inspiration, she shares the importance of caring for yourself before you pour into others, discovering your “soul’s superpower,” and never dying with your flowers. You’ll hear...

We’re bringing you a powerful episode from the Boy Man King podcast—because this conversation was too good not to share with our community.  🎧 You’ve got to meet these guys. Rachel recently appeared on  the Boy Man King podcast, and we knew we had to share this conversation with our Joystarters community. Not only did the hosts create a powerful and safe space for real talk, but the conversation...

Rachel Joy Baribeau shares a behind-the-scenes look at her whirlwind trip from Italy to Pittsburgh, where she spoke to both the Pitt football and basketball teams. With less than 24 hours on the ground, she brought her signature fire, faith, and purpose-driven message—reminding us all that we are on assignment. Rachel reflects on what it means to be a “sacred space holder,” the power of giving peo...

We are visiting the archives for a bit this summer as Rachel travels, writes and spends time with family. In this episode, she takes us back to the moment she chose to leave behind her 17-year career in sportscasting to pursue what truly set her soul on fire. With honesty, humor, and heart, she shares the story of her emotional leap of faith—including the retirement letter she wrote mid-flight, th...

In this episode from the vault, Rachel challenges us to stop waiting for "someday" and start living with full authenticity today . She shares what it means to be nostalgic for the present moment, to embrace our imperfections while staying in a state of healing, and to show up boldly—even when it’s messy.  You'll hear the behind-the-scenes of building her movement, launching her mastermind, and lea...

For the next few weeks, we are going into the vault to share past episodes. This week takes us back to January of 2024 where Rachel reflects on what it means to be seen while we’re growing—messy, honest, and beautifully unfinished. From calling out the “disappear and come back different” culture to unpacking the difference between solitude and isolation, Rachel urges us to stop hiding and start sh...

This episode is a collection of moments—from Rachel’s recent prison ministry experience to her reflections after speaking at the Next Level Speakers Conference, plus highlights from this past season. You’ll hear coaching breakthroughs, sacred conversations, vulnerable stories of grief, marriage healing, addiction recovery, and deep soul work. It’s unfiltered. It’s emotional. And it’s packed with t...