POSITIVELY JOY: Healing Hearts After Divorce

Season 3, Ep. 57: In part three of our occasional series on pop culture and faith, the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade and I explore the fictional and theocratic society Gilead, in the series "The Handmaid’s Tale." We unpack the show and its religious underpinnings, and ask the question is Gilead really Christian? Rev. Schade and I talk about serious and disturbing subjects, including rape, slavery, and usin...

Season 3, Ep. 56: Wyvonne Williams has an unusual and beautiful name, and she also has an unusual and beautiful son who has severe special needs. While challenging and sometimes frustrating, she sees the joy in her son JJ. Her book, “Parenting Interesting Children,” explores how to parent when you believe you are not equipped. Her book: "Parenting Interesting Children" Her website: https://wyvonne...

This Holy Week, "The Chosen" marathon is showing a livestream of seasons 1 and 2 of this TV show about the life of Christ. I spoke to creator and director Dallas Jenkins last year at the National Religious Broadcasters convention about this show. He was candid and revealing about himself and aspects of "The Chosen." Listen to this episode to get to know Dallas, and watch the marathon on YouTube. C...

Season 3. Ep. 55: Does sin really taste good? Find out in the provocative conclusion of my conversation with author and TV host Reina Rose. Reina is passionate about helping people live out the kind of faith that nourishes the soul. She talks about this in her book, “Sin Tastes Good,” and her talk show “Soul Nutrition.” We had so much to cover in last week’s conversation about temptation and the s...

Season 3. Ep. 54: A friend once prayed that God would give me “Wings of Boldness.” I love that phrase. And as I thought about it, I realize that is a prayer I should have been praying over myself all my life. Because while spiritual fire can grow, it also can be extinguished and our coals grow cold. Listen to my testimony and learn how to keep your fire bright. Next up: Part two of our interview w...

Reina Rose wants everyone to nourish their soul, not just their bodies. She talks about this in her book, “Sin Tastes Good,” and her talk show “Soul Nutrition.” Raised in Malaysia and having lived on 4 continents, Reina considers herself a citizen of heaven with a residency card on earth. Reina believes that as we learn to live a life full of Fruits of The Spirit, we enjoy life more abundantly wit...

Season 3 Ep. 52: It's a special edition of Monday Motivation! Liz Bullard is the host of the Coffee and Convos podcast, but she's also a writer. Listen to hear what happened when one morning she opened herself to the prompting of God and wrote a piece of powerful poetry that touched me in a very special way. She shares the poem widely for the first time today. Also, listen to her podcast, Coffee a...

Season 3, Ep. 51:  Drawing on her 18 years in recovery coupled with her years of teaching, trauma coach Gina Rolkowski helps abuse survivors discover hope and joy by teaching them how to nurture a relationship with God and themselves.  Gina is passionate about serving others and the power of God's unconditional love.  Her website: https://ginarolkowski.com/ Free resources: 5 Keys to Overcome Abuse...

Season 3, Ep. 50: Gloria Guadron's journey took her from people-pleasing and anxiety to helping women struggling with overwhelming feelings of inadequacy walk into their own confidence and the life that God meant for them. She recently revealed to me that there have been some major changes in her life, and I’ll let her tell you about it herself. After that, I will share our conversation from 2021...

Throwback Thursday: Classic Rock group Pink Floyd called the feeling “comfortably numb,” in their song that talked about being anesthetized to get through life. The funny thing is, you don’t know when you are numb to God. You don’t realize how your feelings, once so sharp and bright, like a burning flame, become cooled and dulled to the senses. It’s so easy to slip out of the light into numbness a...

Season 3, Ep. 49: Madonna Hanna has had a  brush with death, not once but three times. And God has pulled her through because he was not done with her. A motivational speaker and senior athlete, Madonna says anything is possible when you believe and help others. Website: Dropkick the Drama

Season 3, Ep. 48: Even after an accident left her in chronic pain, Barby Ingle knew that God had a plan for her life. Barby, the president of the International Pain Foundation, credits God for a new life post-accident that was even better than before. He even set Barby her Ken! Her encouragement to others suffering from chronic pain is true to her unofficial title, the cheerleader for hope. 

BONUS: February is Black History month, and the Positively Joy podcast honors Black Voices this month by showcasing all our joyful interviews with African Americans on a special Spotify playlist

Season 3, Ep. 47: Sarah Philpott lives on a working farm with her husband and children. Her book, “The Growing Season” reflects on the life lessons she has observed on the farm and how it relates to God’s provisions and blessings for us. Her website Her reading club

Season 3, Ep. 46: It's a Clubhouse Collab! Let's read Galatians Chapter two, where the apostle Paul explains acceptance and hypocrisy. Featuring Ngozi Robinson of the People of the Way Ministry and podcaster Nii Tsakle Akofio-sowah.

  Bible journaler, artist, and crafter LaQuisha Hall founded the online channel and social brand Confident Canvas to reflect that she is God’s canvas. She has a lot to share with us today about creativity making us whole after tragedy, trauma, and anxiety, and, she emphasizes that we must use the talents God has given us. Website: ConfidentCanvas.com @ConfidentCanvas on all social media

Season 3, Ep. 44: Listen to this replay of the "House of Joy on Clubhouse," where we talk about John 3:16 and the whole of chapter 3. Thanks to Coach Qiana Nicole, podcaster Ngozi Robinson, and coach Chuck Taylor for a great discussion! "The House of Joy" is a room on the Clubhouse social audio app. We're part of Christian Podcasters Connect and Positively Joy. Join us for great live conversations...

Season 3, Ep. 43: Jenny Toh was a lawyer. An admirable accomplishment! But God had plans for her to help people in a different way. As a life coach, Jenny is using her God-given talents to inspire and encourage others. Jenny is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach (ACC) who runs her own coaching practice, River Life Coaching Pte. Ltd. She is also a lawyer in the U.K...

  Season 3, Ep. 42: Hannah Keeley, a mother of 7, coaches other moms needing help. She’s the author of the book "Mom Fog," and the founder of Mom Mastery University. Today she talks about using her faith and trust in God to revolutionize her way of thinking and revitalize her family. She uses 8 steps to help women use vision and focus and push through the fog. Her book is available for free or ver...

Season 3, Ep. 41: Welcome to The House of Joy, a room on the Clubhouse app that I will share with you on Mondays here on Positively Joy. My co-moderator is Nii Tsakle Akofio-sowah of the new and upcoming podcast "Unleashed." We are starting a new yearlong series on prayer and scripture, and we start with Proverbs chapter 5. Let us know if you like this, and join us Fridays at 6 p.m. on the Clubhou...

  Season 3, Ep. 40: The author of hundreds of icebreakers, hospitality ideas and recipes, Sue Donaldson turns a simple plate of cookies or a coffee cake into an invitation for faith and fellowship. You can find all sorts of ideas and resources at her website, WelcomeHeart.com, and she has a special resource for listeners: "Prayer for a Hospitality Heart" and "10 Mentoring Worksheets."

Season 3, Ep. 39: It’s the beginning of a new year, and like most of you, I’m thinking about my place in 2022 and what God has for me. I took Dayspring’s Word of the Year quiz, where you answer a series of questions to get a word that you will commit to living by for the next 365 days. What word did I get? Where is God leading me in 2022? How about you?  

Other than our perennial favorite, the Financial Diva Victoria Woods, our top-ranked interview was with Melissa Moore of the Faith Hope and Love podcast and community. Moore discusses holding on to her faith despite crushing grief in her life from her Bipolar II disorder, miscarriage, and the suicide of her mother. 

  Welcome to 5-minute  Mondays. Where  I share some encouragement, motivation and honesty in just five minutes! Today I want to talk about self-improvement through reading. As I listened to God in 2020 command me to begin this ministry, I didn’t know what it would look like or what I would do. I never doubted his command or his Word, but like Moses, I did worry that I would not have the words to d...

I'm pleased to present this special Christmas episode, a compilation of podcasters from the Spark Media Network --  including yours truly. It features a special song I co-wrote with Rick Amburgey and Alyssa Newton, "Wonder." Alyssa beautifully sings the vocals. I hope all the messages fill you with the wonder of Christmas.