Just Lori, I Can Only Be Me!

What happens when the worship leader needs worship? Theodore Chestnutt sat down for one of the most powerful conversations we've ever had on Just Lori. This episode isn't about having it all together—it's about what happens when life breaks you open and you have to decide: Will I perform or will I be present? After releasing his album Spiritual Beginnings , Theodore walked through one...

Welcome back, beautiful souls! This episode of Just Lori, I Can Only Be Me takes us back to one of the most powerful and heartfelt conversations from Season 1. Because let’s be honest—three seasons later, this message still hits deep. We’re talking about self-love, body acceptance, and the daily decision to embrace your reflection—inside and out. From the mirror moments to the science of self-comp...

When the world feels like it's ending, where do you place your trust? A few days ago, panic flooded timelines. The government shut down with no end in sight. Wars raged overseas. People prophesied doom, convinced the world was ending. Fear spread like wildfire—and if you're not rooted, that kind of energy can shake you. But here's the truth that anchors me: God has not shut down. The K...

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." — Proverbs 18:21 KJV Your mouth is one of the most powerful tools God gave you. Not just for communication—for CREATION. Every word you speak is a seed you're planting. And you're going to eat the fruit of whatever you've been planting with your tongue. In this transformative e...

Time waits for no one. In this powerful conversation, Wade Simmons shares how his journey—from wrestling to the funeral business to filmmaking—has been shaped by purpose, creativity, and gratitude. Together, we explore what it means to live intentionally and to leave behind a legacy that speaks louder than words. ✨ In this episode you’ll discover: Why every chapter of your life matters to your st...

Welcome to Just Lori: I Can Only Be Me , the podcast that empowers authenticity one story at a time. I’m your host, VaLora—aka Lori—and in this episode, we’re shining a light on the aftermath of narcissistic abuse and the courage it takes to rebuild. My guest, CF Micky , lived through 33 years of a narcissistic marriage—a relationship that slowly stripped away her joy, confidence, and sense of sel...

Sometimes God speaks through the most unexpected places – and this week, He decided to drop wisdom through a TikTok about "A Different World." If you've ever felt like God keeps changing the script on you, if you've wondered why certain seasons felt endless, or if you're tired of fighting the curriculum He has you enrolled in, this episode will shift your perspective forever....

Carol shares what it means to walk in divine purpose without shrinking into societal molds. We talk about how disability isn’t a disqualifier, how faith informs her business decisions, and why she’s on a mission to help others unbox their God-given identity. Through her work with the Faith & Flow Circle , she guides faith-led creatives and entrepreneurs to activate their voice, vision, and val...

🌅 Your Story Isn't Over: A Conversation About Mental Health & Hope In this deeply personal and urgent episode, host VaLora (Lori) addresses a crisis that's been weighing heavily on her heart - suicide in the African American community. After losing her young cousin to suicide and witnessing the tragic loss of a 22-year-old woman who celebrated her birthday alone before ending her life...

What do you do when people can’t stop criticizing your choices, questioning your vision, or doubting your calling? In this powerful episode of Just Lori: I Can Only Be Me , Lori takes us on a real, heartfelt, and faith-filled journey inspired by the story of eagles and crows. It all started with a Facebook post from a pastor friend: the crow is the only bird bold enough to peck at an eagle. But he...

Picture this: You're standing in your kitchen (probably looking for your coffee again), when someone asks, "Have you ever thought about starting a podcast?" Your first instinct? Laugh until you choke on your own ambition! But here's the plot twist - maybe they're onto something bigger than you realized. Welcome to "Why Are Women Over 50 Wanting to Start a Podcast?"...

Have you ever experienced that magical moment at sunset when everything is bathed in golden light, and the world just feels... perfect? In this transformative episode of "Just Lori, I Can Only Be Me Podcast," host Lori takes you on a journey to discover your personal "Golden Time of Day" - that pivotal moment when you stop hiding and start shining as your authentic self. What Y...

In this heartfelt anniversary episode, I’m reflecting on my podcast journey—from day one to now. I didn’t start with a studio or fancy mic. I started with what I had, and that was enough . I recorded using Audacity , hosted on rss.com , and later transitioned to Spotify for Podcasters , where this show truly found its rhythm. This episode is part celebration, part testimony, and all real talk. 🙌...

What if the most beautiful people weren’t the most “pretty”? What if beauty wasn’t about filters, lashes, or angles — but about peace, presence, and purpose? In this episode, Lori shares a deeply personal story about a young girl from church whose kindness, joy, and God-given light made her unforgettable — even though others said she "wasn't attractive." Her legacy still teaches us: beauty isn’t a...

Season 3 is here, y’all—and I had to start it off with something real, raw, and spirit-filled. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Nasya Shepard , the powerful woman behind Mirakul Moments . Nasya is someone whose presence speaks peace, and her story is full of divine alignment, obedience, and the kind of healing you can feel in your soul. We talk about the birth of Mirakul Moments , how her fa...

Just Lori, I Can Only Be Me is not just a podcast — it’s a movement. Hosted by Lori, a creative coach, designer, and faith-driven powerhouse, this show is for every woman who's tired of shrinking, tired of pretending, and so ready to walk boldly in her truth. It’s raw. It’s reflective. It’s rooted in faith. And it’s everything you didn’t know your soul needed. Each episode is crafted like a love l...

Welcome back to Just Lori, I Can Only Be Me — the podcast that empowers authenticity, one story at a time. I’m your host, VaLora, but you can call me Lori. ✨ This week, we’re not talking about becoming someone new . We’re talking about returning — to the bold, beautiful, whole version of yourself that existed before the world tried to edit you. Before the degrees, before the pressures, before soc...

You’ve been praying for visibility… but hiding in plain sight. You’ve been asking for elevation… but thinking like you’re still in survival mode. Whew. Let’s talk about it. In this episode, Lori brings the fire with a message that blends faith, mindset, alignment, and real-talk strategy, standing out in a world full of noise and comparison. Whether you’re a creative, entrepreneur, purpose-driven v...

Some stories aren’t easy to tell. This is one of them. In this raw and soul-stirring episode, I take you back to a chapter of my life that almost broke me. I was a teenage girl carrying heartbreak, shame, and a growing baby belly—trying to survive a world that judged my worth based on mistakes I didn’t even understand. I share what it felt like to be young, abandoned, and afraid… To sit in a baby...

Being real sounds easy… until it starts costing you something. In this episode, we’re diving deep into the real cost of authenticity —what it means to walk in your truth when the world expects you to shrink, smile, or stay silent. Whether it’s your comfort, approval, reputation, or relationships—sometimes being true to yourself comes with a price. But here’s the question: What if the cost of being...

Let’s keep it real—how many blessings have you delayed because you were thoughting ? You know... “I thought they would support me.” “I thought I needed more time.” “I thought I wasn’t ready.” We’ve all been there. But here’s the thing: a thought without faith? That’s just fear with a disguise on. In this soul-shifting episode, Lori breaks down the difference between THOUGHTING and THINKING —and wh...

“Setbacks, Setups, and the Refiner’s Fire” Sis… have you ever found yourself in a season where it feels like the rug was snatched right out from under you? You’re showing up, staying faithful, doing all the things you know to do — and still, life hits you with a setback so hard it makes you question everything. But what if I told you that setback is really a setup? What if the heat you’re feeling...

Welcome back to Just Lori , where I can only be me —and today’s episode? Whew… it’s a real one. Let me say this as clear as I can: You are not for everybody. And that’s okay. In this powerful episode, I’m bringing you a love letter—a soul check—for every one of us who’s ever tried to fit in, shrink down, or water ourselves down just to be accepted. We’ve all been there… holding back, second-guessi...

Sis… what if the clarity you’ve been praying for isn’t out there—it’s already in you ? In this powerful episode of Just Lori, I Can Only Be Me, I’m breaking all the way down what it means to stop seeking outside validation and start trusting your inner wisdom. Because real talk? That voice inside of you… it’s not random. That’s divine. That’s God. That’s your alignment calling. And if you’ve been...

You say you want success. You post about it. You pray for it. But the moment it shows up—you hesitate. Sound familiar? In this powerful episode of Just Lori, I Can Only Be Me, Lori dives deep into the truth about Fear of Success and how it quietly sabotages your next level. From procrastination and playing small to self-sabotage disguised as perfectionism, Lori breaks down how fear of success cree...