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The Positively Joy podcast is taking a powerful new direction and diving into a subject that touches so many hearts: relationships. I’m Yvette Walker, creator and host. God has placed it on my heart to share my own journey through a difficult divorce and my path back to joy—a path where God became my everything. I remember the overwhelming hurt and confusion, but I also remember the freedom that came through Jesus. In this new season, we’re going to get real. We’ll talk about the deep pain, the loss, but also the healing and liberation found in Christ. After 13 years of marriage to a man with bipolar depression, I was left broken, questioning my worth. But Psalm 91 became my anchor. “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge.” It was through faith, self-discovery, and God’s protection that I learned joy isn’t tied to life’s circumstances—it’s a choice. By leaning into His promises, I found love for myself, peace in His presence, and joy in the everyday moments I once overlooked. I invite you to join us on this journey. Share it with those who need these conversations. Positively Joy is evolving, and we’re stepping into something even greater.
Episodes
Friday Apr 11, 2025
Friday Apr 11, 2025
It's part two of our conversation with Dana Williams of Redeemed Identity. Do you think you can't find redemption after a breakup? Dana Williams speaks life into Christians who have divorced. She believes your identity in Christ redeems women, no matter the stage of their relationship. Dana has a life of lessons to share this week.
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Think you can't find redemption after a breakup? Dana Williams speaks life into Christian single, separated or divorced women. She believes your identity in Christ redeems you, no matter the stage of your relationship.
Dana, a former wife of a pastor, has a life of lessons to share this week, and come back next week for part two of our interview.
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
This week, therapist, coach, and author Liz Bullard returns to unpack the lessons from our latest guests, who shared faith and wisdom around leaving abusive marriages.
Listen, subscribe, and like wherever you listen to podcasts, or subscribe and like our YouTube channel, where you can watch the entire episode.
Miss the episodes we are talking about? Check them out:
More on coach Liz Bullard:
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Angela Chambers wore a mask to hide the pain of her marriage. When she walked out, she was looking for hope and another chance to find joy after abuse in her marriage. Her book, "Real Life, Real Hope" shares her story.
I just want to tell you that there is hope for anyone out there who feels trapped in an abusive relationship. If you are in the US, go to womenshealth.gov, the U.S. Office on Women's Health, and search for resources by state. If you are outside of the US, please seek help in your city or town.
Angela's website, Restored Ministries
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Michelle 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
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Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Today'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/
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Relationship 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)
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Get 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.
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
- 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:
Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday Jan 06, 2025
With 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
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Some 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
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
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.
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
This 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.
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Sara 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
Monday Nov 11, 2024
Monday Nov 11, 2024
In 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!
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
Thursday Oct 31, 2024
We’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.
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Pamela 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.
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
Thursday Jun 13, 2024
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.
Thursday Jun 06, 2024
Thursday Jun 06, 2024
Carol 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.
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Wednesday May 29, 2024
Jerry 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.
Friday May 17, 2024
Friday May 17, 2024
Recent 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.
Wednesday May 08, 2024
Wednesday May 08, 2024
Couples 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.
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Perfectionism, 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.
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Monday Apr 22, 2024
How 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.
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Today, 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?