Category Archives: podcast

Positively Joy was born of the pandemic, but our need to find happiness and learn how to choose joy will long outlast this worldwide disease. Keep an eye on this channel! We’re gearing up for season 2 and creating some new media and trailers! Positively Joy tries to allow Jesus and His  unforced rhythms ofContinue reading “Bonus episode: New trailer!”

As I got settled in my seat in church on Sunday, I looked around and more than 1/3 of people were not wearing masks. Now lest you think this is going to be a rant against people who don’t wear masks it is not. In episode 31, I want to explore when a community thatContinue reading “Masks in church: Are we community if we disagree?”

Blogger and speaker Karen Friday’s father left her family when she was a child. When he returned, he told her God didn’t exist. Despite that, she and her twin sister both found God at 16, and from then she prayed her father would find the Lord. She figures she prayed 5,000 times for him. AtContinue reading “Karen Friday’s story of prayer and trust in Jesus Christ”

Welcome, all new listeners to Positively Joy!  We’ve had some new folks join us, so I thought I’d take a few moments in episode 28 to explain exactly what we are trying to do here at the podcast. Please subscribe here or text PJOY to 22828 to get our exclusive subscriber newsletter. Subscribers also willContinue reading “This is what Positively Joy is all about”

  This is one of my favorite episodes of 2020. It didn’t make the top 20 in downloads and I’d say it’s underrated. I hope you enjoy listening to my conversation with Methodist Elder and historian Wendy Meyer unpacking Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical “Hamilton” and looking at the many references to God and the Bible. WeContinue reading “BEST OF 2020 REPLAY: Alexander Hamilton and the Bible”

The note and box of cookies I gave my neighbor yielded more than I could ever have hoped. But that’s not why I did it. More than a year later, John 15:11 holds the key. Episode 26 proves it’s all about receiving the joy in Him that will remain in us. Captions: Her gift inContinue reading “Revisiting kindness in a box of Girl Scout cookies”

In episode 25, we talk to Sherry Williams of Charlotte, N.C., who finds joy out of making all kinds of things out of paper. On her YouTube channel, Posh Paper Lady, she can teach you how to as well.  Thousands of fans come to Sherry’s channel every day to watch her make “stinkin’ cute” projects,Continue reading “Posh Paper Lady: Sherry finds pure joy papercrafting in her She Shed”

Episode 24 is all about trusting God and finding joy in family memories. First, I’m delving into the book of Isaiah and learning about God’s promises. Then later, listen to me and my sister, Karen Walker, as we pick greens and tell funny stories about our parents when we were young. Photo of my mother,Continue reading “Survive the dog days of summer with family memories and God’s word”

Shanna Noel is the founder of the Bible journaling company, Illustrated Faith. Shanna talks all about what Bible journaling is and how we can grow closer to God through this relatively new art form. She has grown her company in 5 short years and has tens of thousands of fans through social media. Like this episode?Continue reading “The mother of Bible journaling, Shanna Noel speaks out on finding joy!”

And here is Daredevil part 1: The guys are back! In part 2 of this conversation with comic experts Anthony Brown (below right) and Kade Poulson, we explore Scripture and Bible characters to get at the root of Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) and his religious traditions. Why does he hurt people but refrain from killing?Continue reading “Daredevil part 2: Breaking down a superhero’s belief in God, and Bible comparisons”

Join my conversation in episode 21 with comic book experts Anthony Brown and Kade Poulson all about Daredevil and his religious crisis. He believes in God, but doubts himself. Is he good? Or is he truly the devil of Hell’s Kitchen? The Netflix show is just the latest incarnation of this character, which has beenContinue reading “Daredevil: The superhero who believes in God”

In part three of the Joy of Hair Week, we talk to a bold woman who revealed a special decision on social media. After battling with the hair thinning disorder alopecia, writing consultant Linda Jones made the decision to go bald. The reaction was swift and positive on social media, but that’s not why sheContinue reading “She shaved her head to find new growth: Writer Linda Jones”

On episode 19 of the Positively Joy Podcast: Carla Hinton, Faith editor of The Oklahoman, recently wore a mask while attempting to interview someone for a story. The person challenged her faith, asking her to remove her mask, and whether she believed God would protect her from Coronavirus. Carla talks about the encounter, and whatContinue reading “When your faith is challenged: The Oklahoman’s Carla Hinton”

Episode 15: In a special episode of Positively Joy: Journalism student Jessie Smith tells why the death of George Floyd affected him so deeply. They both are black men, and motherless. Smith’s essay, “Like a Motherless Child: The Memory of George Floyd,” can be found on Medium. Editor’s note: This conversation references difficult topics and usesContinue reading “Writer uses the Gospel to reflect on the death of George Floyd”

Episode 14: Valerie Vaughn is a photographer, but she also has a mission to infuse empowerment into everything she creates. Listen to our conversation on how she does this, and why she prays before every session. To read the story I wrote about her project for Upworthy, click here. Go to our website, at positivelyjoy.comContinue reading “Empowering women and girls behind the camera is her passion”

Episode 13: How does an Episcopalian bishop deal with self-isolation in a quarantine? He makes funny videos, of course. That’s what Bishop Jose McLoughlin does, anyway. Listen to my conversation with the bishop about making people laugh during stressful times. Go to our podcast episode page at positivelyjoy.com for more everyday stories of faith. ToContinue reading “Bishop Jose uses mirth in his ministry through quarantine videos”

If you like to listen on YouTube, go to the Positively Joy podcast on YouTube. New episodes every Monday and Thursday! For more everyday stories of faith, please visit our Podcast Episodes page To tell your story, or to suggest someone else’s, email us! Also, we would love to pray for your needs. Send emailContinue reading “Positively Joy now on YouTube!”

In Episode 12, therapist and life coach Marcus Cade Jr. of Happiness Decoded 101 teaches people how to activate their joy. Through personal tragedy, he learned  the four pillars of harmony and happiness! For more everyday stories of faith, please visit our Podcast Episodes page To tell your story, or to suggest someone else’s, emailContinue reading “Activate your joy with Happiness Decoded 101”

In Episode 12, therapist and life coach Marcus Cade Jr. of Happiness Decoded 101 teaches people how to activate their joy. Through personal tragedy, he learned  the four pillars of harmony and happiness! For more everyday stories of faith, please visit our Podcast Episodes page To tell your story, or to suggest someone else’s, emailContinue reading “How to decode happiness … with Marcus Cade Jr.”

Here is part one: In Episode 11, listen to part two of my conversation with author Crescent Dragonwagon and her husband, Mark Graff on hosting a story time for children’s stories on Facebook, and why sharing stories is important. For more everyday stories of faith, please visit our Podcast Episodes page To tell your story,Continue reading “Author Crescent Dragonwagon on why storytelling gives her joy, part 2”

In episode 10, author Crescent Dragonwagon, yes, that’s her name, and her husband, Mark Graff started reading children’s books on Facebook Live during Covid-19. Her mother, Charlotte Zolotow, was an accomplished writer and brought joy to many children, as did Crescent herself. In part one of our conversation, the couple talks about why they startedContinue reading “Crescent Dragonwagon brings joy by reading to others”

And this is part 1: This is episode 9, and part two of my conversation with Asst. Pastor Mashaun D. Simon. We finish talking about the Facebook Compliment Challenge but also delve into how social media can serve as a positive in a season of negativity. For more everyday stories of faith, please visit ourContinue reading “Feeding joy and starving fear on social media, pt. 2 … with Mashaun Simon”

In episode 8: Asst. Pastor Mashaun Simon posted a compliment challenge on his Facebook page. The huge response is indicative of our craving for positivity. Simon talks about this need, his unexpected path into ministry after journalism, and life in the church as a gay man.

 In episode 7: Photographer Jaleccia Ates shares her insights about joy and the experiences of a single, saved woman. Credit: Ariel C. Burns Photography

Episode 6: On this Memorial Day, a drive through a safari park got me thinking about our freedom and how to think about others.  For more everyday stories of faith, please visit our Podcast Episodes page To tell your story, or to suggest someone else’s, email us! Also, we would love to pray for yourContinue reading “Can animals teach us about kindness?”

In episode 5: Teresa Taylor Williams talks about her blog, Praises in the Pandemic and how she has sought God in this challenging season in her life. For more everyday stories of faith, please visit our Podcast Episodes page To tell your story, or to suggest someone else’s, email us! Also, we would love toContinue reading “An interview with a Christian Covid survivor”