Positively Joy with Yvette Walker
A spiritual look at searching for the light in all seasons of life. Join Yvette Walker and her guests as they discuss a wide range of topics with a basis in faith and values.
Channels
Older episodes
- 241A Proverbs 31 woman works or stays home in service to family firstIt's Women's History Month and International Women's Day, so it's fitting to have Anna McLaughlin on the show! Anna is the founder of She Considers A Field, a women's ministry centered around the Proverbs 31 verse on what a good woman is. You can find Anna on her podcast, YouTube channel, and Facebook group of the same name. Anna talks about making the sacrifice to leave a full-time job to become a full-time homemaker and finding her fulfillment there. She Considers a Field Ministries: YouTube Facebook Group Podcast
- 242Over 50 and not sure you're fabulous?Jen Hardy quotes St. Catherine of Siena when speaking about women over 50: “What is it you want to change? Your hair, your face, your body? Why? For God is in love with all those things and he might weep when they are gone.” Jen's Fabulous Over 50 podcast ranks high among aging and retirement podcasts. If you're almost 50 or over 50, listen and let Jen help you feel better about yourself.
- 243Women can find 'Sacred Work' and be Christians and leadersI'm a career woman and a Christian creative, and there have been times when the two felt at odds. When I talked to our guest this week, author and leader Peggy Bodde, it seemed she felt my pain. Peggy has written a new book, titled "Sacred Work: A Christian Woman's Guide to Leadership in the Marketplace" and it was meant for me, and for many of you, too. Let's hear from Peggy. "Sacred Work" is out this week! Get it here. More on Peggy and her ministry at peggybodde.com
- 244Married couple forgive husband's abuser to thriveToday, our show is about forgiveness of the unforgiveable. I spoke to Mark and Jen Sowersby last year about their amazing marriage and his amazing testimony. Mark was abused for years by his mother's boyfriend. He grew up damaged and afraid. But as, he says, a perfect God helped him forgive his abuser, find a loving wife and forgive the nightmare. He created a ministry and book, "Forgiving the Nightmare." And they have 20 years of a beautiful marriage. How did they get here? Mark's book, "Forgiving the Nightmare Mark and Jen's ministry
- 245Beth Thorp loses her son, but crusades to help ill childrenHow can grief be about joy? Grief transforms when the death of a son turns into new lives for lots of other children. Beth Thorp, after the loss of her son, Mitchell, started a foundation with her husband. The foundation would go on to help other children with illnesses, diagnosed or not, find healing. Beth told me she was not ready to start down this path but realized it is what God wanted to turn Mitchell's story from one of death to life. The Mitchell Thorp Foundation has raised millions to help these families. MitchellThorp.org: Learn more about the foundation that helps "children fighting for their tomorrow." anewcreation.org: Learn more about Beth's book: It's a true story about a family, their love for each other and how the power of one life can cause a ripple effect that goes on and on to touch the lives of so many.
- 246Perfectionism and pride don't belong in faithPerfectionism, pride, imposter syndrome. It's something that Vivian Cumins has struggled with. Vivian is a writer, speaker, and podcast host. Her need to be perfect and in control led to an unbalanced lifestyle filled with work, stress, illness, and depression. Today, Vivian and I talk about how to rededicate our lives to the Lord and leave perfectionism behind. Go to Vivian's website Free resources on work-life balance and others
- 247Christians should use faith in marriage and anxiety counselingCouples aren't perfect and can have problems, so speaking to a marriage counselor can be a good idea. But what about incorporating your faith into exploring marital issues? Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist Healey Ikerd says it's a natural, and that when picking a counselor who is Christian you should ask them to integrate their faith into the counseling. Healey's website Her books on anxiety, children's books and journals
- 248Media graduate joins student ministry on OU campusRecent graduate Allison England is starting a new career in ministry and media. The creative media production grad from the University of Oklahoma has joined a student ministry on campus to help disciple college students, a worthy vocation. But she needs your help. Tune in to this week's episode and learn directly from Allison why it's worth it. Student Mobilization website How to help Allison's ministry
- 249Jerry Dugan goes Beyond the Rut to find faith, love and familyJerry Dugan of the Beyond the Rut podcast and ministry visits the show today. A military veteran, Jerry has a great message about listening to God, being obedient and loving his family. It's about time we had him on the show, and his message of finding faith certainly is relevant following the Memorial Day weekend.
- 250Singer and author is bald but bold about her faith and her diseaseCarol Chisholm is a writer and singer who has kept her baldness a secret from the world and even from her family. She has an autoimmune disease called alopecia that took away her hair and her self-esteem. But she took to heart the words of Psalm 139 that says we are all fearfully and wonderfully made! Now she is proud of her baldness, and her book, "Breaking the Shadows," has just won a best memoir award! Let's hear more from Carol.
- 251Tracey Glenn finds peace at the most difficult times in life.Tracey Glenn and her alter-ego character, Loretta, are a hoot. But don't be mistaken, they ARE strong Christians and love the Lord. She is an author, blogger, speaker, and searcher of biblical wisdom. Her book, "Gathering the Wayward Heart," is about what happens when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned. Listen to Tracey speak on joy and peace. Visit Tracey Glenn's website Her books Coffee with Loretta
- 252Teen mom's journey to self-confidence through prayerPamela D. Smith is a prayer warrior, who uses prayer not only to evangelize, and communicate and give glory to God, but to help her self-confidence. Pamela shares her story today of being a teen mom, and all the insecurity and doubt that came with her journey. But she loves her children and is so proud of them. Today Pamela teaches us what prayer is and how to pray. Stay tuned for this important conversation. Pamela's website Her books
- 253Positively Joy gets a new makeover and focus: Divorce and marriageWe’re pivoting here at the Positively Joy podcast to a topic that many women will find incredibly relevant. Relationships. The Lord has put on my heart to talk about my own difficult divorce and journey back to joy, a journey where God was my everything. I remember how hard it was, and in these upcoming seasons we’ll get real and talk about the hurt, the pain, the loss and freedom in Jesus. After 13 years of marriage to a man with bipolar depression, I found myself lost in the aftermath of our divorce. The emotional toll of navigating his illness left me drained and questioning my worth. In my search for joy, Psalm 91 became my refuge. The words, “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge,” spoke deeply to my wounded heart. Through faith, self-reflection, and God’s protection, I discovered that joy isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s a choice. By leaning on His promises, I found love for myself, peace in His presence, and joy in the small, everyday moments. I hope you join us, and share this with those you think need to hear these conversations. It’s still Positively Joy, but more.
- 254Escaping a cult transformed her life into a God storytellerIn the 40th and last episode of Season 5, Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch is a God storyteller. But her own ability to tell other women's stories on her podcast ministry, Altered Stories, comes from her history of being in a cult with her mother. She is retelling it in a book she's writing, and the journey is difficult. Listen as Mischelle shared memories of that time in her family's life. THIS IS THE LAST EPISODE BEFORE WE PIVOT TO OUR NEW FOCUS ON DIVORCED CHRISTIAN WOMEN. We hope you continue to listen as we serve a new audience who needs to learn about joy! Altered Stories Ministry The Altered Stories Podcast
- 255New focus on marriage, divorce: Amish wife suffered in silenceSara Daigle is our guest in the first episode of a NEW focus on Christian women, marriage and divorce. Sara was raised in an Amish community and when she married, her history of obedience caused her to put up with a marriage that tolerated pornography. Her husband asked her to consider engaging in an open marriage, and she said no. But these trials forced her to cling to the Lord, who delivered her from that relationship. She also began to teach her daughters how to have a blessed relationship. Part one of a multi-part episode. We will unpack a lot of Sara's wisdom next week. Come back! Women of Purpose with Sara Daigle Sara's books
- 256Telling my story: Women can find joy and reclaim worth after marriageThis week, I want to unpack our stories about navigating relationships, faith, and the journey to rediscover joy. These are stories of resilience, heartbreak, and ultimately, transformation — not just for those who have faced trials in their relationships, but for anyone seeking hope and faith amid challenges. When we talk about difficult relationships, it's tempting to stay silent, but sharing our stories has incredible power. As women, we often feel isolated, thinking, No one else could possibly understand. But the truth is, many women suffer silently, especially in relationships where love turns into control, and trust is replaced by betrayal. Today, I want to explore why these conversations matter—why breaking silence is a step toward reclaiming our worth and faith. And I will take the first step: sharing my own story. Women need to know they are not alone, and their struggles are seen by others and, more importantly, by God. Positively Joy Ministries J.O.Y. blog My books My speaker website
- 257Divorce and single moms: 'Doing life without a man'We're back with Amish-raised Sara Daigle in part two of her interview. In part one, we talked about her marriage and background, and today, we'll talk about the lessons she learned through her divorce and as a single mother. Stay with us until the end, as Sara drops some truth bombs you won't want to miss. Sara's blog Sara's books
- 258Find the Christmas spirit, even after divorce and lossSome years people tell me they can’t find the Christmas spirit. Usually that's because of some pain or difficulty in their lives at the moment. The feeling of loss can be the same whether it's the heartbreak of divorce or actually losing a family member. And so I hope that today we can unpack this a little bit and talk about those feelings and how, as usual, we are encouraged to choose the joy of the holiday season. These are journeys filled with pain, helplessness, and, eventually, peace. I want to hear from you! Share your stories of loss and joy at yvette@yvettewalker.com Join my newsletter here. Find my books here.
- 259Mom of three boys, Dawn Love's Journey Through DivorceWith a name like hers, Dawn Love found irony in her divorce. And as she said, there was a time when she was "broke, busted and disgusted." But this ministry leader leaned on God in trying times, even when the church around her was not always supportive. Listen to Dawn as she shares some wisdom on her marriage, divorce and her life as a single mom. Her book, Embracing Change: Trusting God Through the Transitions of Life Christian Women and Divorce (Support Group)
- 260Divorce and relationships: Insights from a creative therapistIn this episode of the Positively Joy Podcast, host Yvette Walker and therapist Liz Bullard discuss the complexities of relationships and divorce, particularly within Christian circles. They explore themes such as procrastination, imposter syndrome, the importance of friendship in relationships, navigating difficult decisions, the role of faith and support systems, the power of forgiveness, and self-care strategies during transitions. The conversation emphasizes the emotional struggles individuals face during divorce and the importance of recognizing one's worth and seeking support. Takeaways It's common to feel stuck when contemplating divorce or significant life changes. Faith and support systems play a vital role in coping with divorce. Forgiveness, including forgiving oneself, is essential for healing. Feelings of unlovability are common but can be overcome with self-compassion. Self-care practices are important for emotional well-being during transitions. It's OK to seek help and lean on others during difficult times. Resources: Dawn Love's episode Liz Bullard coaching Liz Bullard's books
- 261Gratitude Through Grace: Amanda Schaefer on Faith, Divorce, and HealingGet ready for some gratitude today with podcaster and writer Amanda Schaefer. She calls herself "the woman at the well" because of past marriages but she found Jesus in a unique encounter and never looked back. She and I talked during the season of gratitude, Thanksgiving, but like Amanda says, gratitude is the only response to God's grace, no matter what time of year, or whether its in the middle of divorce, grief or loss. It must be intentional. Listen to A Cup of Gratitude podcast Amanda's website and resources
- 262Relationship coach: Drop the guilt and shame and pick up gratitudeRelationship expert Melanie Yates and I unpack the wisdom of last week's guest, Amanda Schaefer. Schaefer, as you recall is the gratitude girl and woman at the well with two previous marriages. Yates and I talk about what we learned from the idea that gratitude is the only response to God's grace, and more. Melanie Yates’ Website: HappyJoyousAndFree.org (https://www.happyjoyousandfree.org) Melanie’s Book: Happy, Joyous, and Free (https://amzn.to/4jcoOl8) – Available on Amazon. Follow Melanie on Social Media: Instagram: @NeuroCoachMelanie (neurocoachmelanie) Facebook: Happy Joyous and Free (melanie.m.gilman) LinkedIn: Melanie Yates (melanie-yates-dr-coach) YouTube: @CoachMelanieYates (@coachmelanieyates) TikTok: @HappyJoyousandFreeCoach (happyjoyousandfreecoach)
- 263Lessons from My Divorce: Healing, Letting Go, and Moving ForwardToday's episode is short, but packed with important information. Today I explore some of the lessons I learned during my divorce. I hope they resonate with you. From understanding how to heal to knowing when to put down the burden. Next week we'll have a new guest and I'll tease who that is on social media this week. So if you aren't already following me on Facebook and Instagram at Positively Joy podcast or on YouTube at Yvette Walker, please subscribe, like and share. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyindivorce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positivelyjoypodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YvetteWalker Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/yvettebwalker/
- 264Finding God's healing after divorce and abuseMichelle Ruddell is a survivor. She escaped a twice-abusive marriage and found healing after the death of her son, finding the love she needed from God. Today she is a speaker, an author and a daughter of the King. Here's Michelle's difficult but important story. Michelle's book, "Welcome to the Club - I'm Sorry You're Here" is available here. Learn more about Michelle at michelleruddell.com -------------------- Follow Positively Joy, subscribe, like and share! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyindivorce Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positivelyjoypodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YvetteWalker Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/yvettebwalker/
Get the Pray app
Keep listening to Positively Joy with Yvette Walker on your phone, and pick up where you left off.
