Your Day Brighter®

...And I hope that failure comes your way   And shows you there's a limit to your own strength. Til you can't help but offer other people grace, Yeah, I hope that failure comes   That's what I wish for you   What I hope you find   May it all come true   Knowing sometimes good things come from suffering   Yeah, sometimes good things can come from suffering..."   Jason Gray'...

If you saw the movie "Jesus Revolution" chronicling the life stories of Greg Laurie and Chuck Smith, you'll be fascinated to hear how Kathy Gilbert's story intersects.     Growing up in a conservative Catholic family in Maryland in the late 60's, Kathy was searching for answers to life's deepest questions. She thought the hippies had the answers and she left home to j...

Helen Smallbone is the mother of 7 kids, some of who have become quite famous. Rebecca St. James, her oldest, and Luke and Joel of For King and Country have experienced and are experiencing success in the spotlight.   But Helen Smallbone is a mom who has more fear of success than failure. Join me for a conversation with a very wise woman who has navigated an unconventional life of faith with her e...

Tasha Layton is passionate about using her voice to give others hope. She knows what it’s like to struggle with depression and she has a heart for those who have experienced trauma and brokenness.   In this special episode of Your Day Brighter, Tasha shares some of her spiritual practices that keep her mind and spirit healthy, and she tells an incredible story of following the nudge of the Holy Sp...

I host the morning show on BRIGHT-FM and I get to play so much great music.  But this song “Build a Boat” by Colton Dixon, is the one I get the most emails and texts about. It has struck a deep chord with our listeners and with me personally.   The wonderfully gracious and humble Colton Dixon joins me on the podcast this week! We talk about life, being a dad to twin girls, and his music career tha...

Meet my friend Eric Buarque. Eric never thought about acting as something he’d want to do until people started mistaking him for a very famous actor. And he wondered, is there something to this connection? Could I leverage how I look to break into the movie business?   Thirteen films and twenty commercials later, Eric had a long, wonderful run in the industry with the most unique role: Bruce Willi...

Meet Nicole Sherry. She’s only 1 of 2 women in the entire history of major league baseball who has had the title and responsibility of being the Head Groundskeeper.  Nicole didn’t set out to be a trailblazer but that’s what she is. With the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards for 20 years, Nicole knows every inch of that beautiful field and she knows what it takes to keep it thriving.  I’m a lifelon...

Ever had a panic attack? Jeremy Camp knows what it’s like. His new song “Anxious Heart” starts like this:   Locked up and I'm so in my head   Heart starts racing and I can't slow it down   Hands shaking and l'm losing my breath   Paralyzed with a mind spinning out   My strength has grown weak   No words left to speak   I fell to my knees   Cause I know what I need.   It happened on...

Andrew Ripp is not an overnight sensation. He’s been at this songwriting thing for years now, achieving success in 2005 by co-writing the hit “Shine On” for Ryan Cabrera, and collaborating/ writing for Cory Asbury, The Wait and Ben Rector, The Judds, and others. But success came at a cost. A personal battle with addiction cost Andrew almost everything that mattered to him.  But God...   Andrew gav...

She had a greatest hits album at 21 years old! Rachael Lampa is 38 years old now and after taking a break from a flourishing career years ago, she’s making music again that speaks to our souls.   “Perfectly Loved” came from things she shared in her life group about what God was teaching her through her work at a prison ministry. I can’t wait for you to hear this warm and inspiring conversation wit...

Princess adores her husband of 31 years, Phillip. And she has gone from fighting with him to fighting for him. I love this lady and her authenticity.   Join me for a refreshingly candid conversation about marriage and how to see yours from God’s point of view. Princess is a marriage coach and mentor and she’s on a mission to save marriages. She shares her personal journey of discovering it wasn’t...

Esther Brant has been a dedicated nurse for over 30 years and she just glows from the inside! A woman of tremendous faith and joy, with a giggle that bubbles up so easily and often, you’d never guess how much loss she’s suffered or how humble her beginnings were.  When a crippling disease devastated multiple members of her family, Esther grieved and discovered God had a purpose for her amid her fa...

For every parent, there will come moments where you wonder...do I have what it takes to raise these little humans? You might even feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. And then... they start growing up and facing life challenges and your heart could just burst from everything you want for them. You’re in good company!   Join me for a conversation with my very wise and winsome friend, Todd...

Have you ever said these words.. “One day, I’d like to write a book.” And you’ve been saying those words for years.  Or how about this one- “I am sure I have a book in me!”  Or, “I really want to write a book but I don’t have time”, etc...   Think of all the stories that can only be told by you because you’re the one who lived it, or the one who has the idea. Yet so many of these stories will neve...

Every December, I’ve made it a regular practice to go back through my journals and prayerfully consider what God has been teaching me in this past year. I want to learn from my life; my mistakes and wins, my fears, and the state of my relationships.  I want to keep growing and never stop.   You too? Join me for a rich conversation with one of my besties- culture coach and artist, Nikki Lerner. Nik...

Joy was leaking from my life. Maybe you can relate?   Last week in episode 14, I define what biblical joy really is and identify some of the joy-stealers we’ve all been battling. But here in episode 15, I’m excited to share with you some very practical ways to get it back!   The Lord has been teaching me so much from the Word and from how He shows up in my life. I am so hopeful for us. While we ca...

Joy... Isn’t it something that I “should” have as a Jesus follower? So why does JOY feel so elusive, even slippery at times, like we can’t quite get our hands on it?   If you have wondered who stole your joy lately and you’d like to get it back, I want to help! Join me for this special episode where I give you a new definition of joy to ponder and identify some of those joy-stealers in our lives....

What’s your relationship status with food? Is it complicated? Love/Hate? A battle? The struggle is real!   Join me for an insightful, helpful, and downright empowering conversation with Dietician and Nutritionist Lindy Ford. Her own health crisis years ago led her to discover nutrition and lifestyle changes that saved her life!   Lindy is passionate about helping others to find freedom, fight dise...

God is moving in the city of Baltimore! Join me for an inspiring and hope-filled conversation with Pam Wilkerson. Pam is the Director of the Center for Women and Children at Helping Up Mission and she is on fire with a passion to serve the most vulnerable among us.   Pam believes God is doing a new thing in Baltimore, setting people free of addiction and homelessness to discover their unique purpo...

Jodi and Chris of Love and the Outcome have been through the hardest season of their lives.   First, their record label was sold. Then COVID shut the word down and like other musicians, Jodi and her husband Chris had no way to do shows and provide income for their family. Then their house flooded and was basically destroyed. They were displaced for over a year and a half. Then their trailer was st...

Singer Tauren Wells doesn’t just have one of the most amazing voices in music today. He also has a deep passion and love for the Word of God. When you put these obvious giftings together, you have a treasure.   That treasure was almost buried because of some discouraging words that a professor spoke to him in Bible college. He even wondered if he had anything worthwhile to say and stopped speaking...

No one knew she could sing like that. After the sudden tragic loss of her brother, Anne Wilson knew she needed to worship and spend time in the presence of God. She went to the piano in her family’s home and sang her heart out to Jesus. It was this private moment that was overheard by her stunned mom who said, “Anne... I had no idea you could sing like that”.     No one knew. Even Anne herself did...

Growing up, my experience going to church was in a contemporary building, with modern music and culture.  But occasionally...I would visit a different kind of church with a friend and there, I was exposed to ancient rituals, rhythms, and sacraments that drew me in and touched my heart.   Join me for a warm, rich conversation with Aaron Damiani. Aaron is the lead pastor of Immanuel Anglican Church...

“Music is the only thing that doesn’t need permission from your brain to get into your spirit. -Jonathan Traylor singer-songwriter Jonathan Traylor lights it up on my podcast this week in one of the most authentic conversations I’ve ever had.   He shares his story of growing up with an abusive step-dad, who brought violence into the home but on Sundays, went to church. Young Jonathan was confused...

How did the celebrity culture infiltrate the evangelical church and what should be done about it? Writer Katelyn Beaty has written a thought-provoking book, Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are Hurting the Church.   She traces the history of the celebrity pastor, mega-churches, publishing deals, and stages and screens; and exposes the dangers of fame without accountabili...