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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
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Sunday Sep 27, 2020
Season two is launching like a powerhouse! Host Yvette Walker shares her reasons and plans for upcoming episodes. Go to positivelyjoy.com for free resources, past episodes and to learn how to see God everywhere. Plus, new Merch!
Sunday Sep 20, 2020
Sunday Sep 20, 2020
Season two of Positively Joy begins Monday, Sept. 28: One week from today! To kick off pre-season week, meet Angel McCoy, a scripture lover who will become a regular feature on Positively Joy ... reading the Bible. Her own podcast, "Angel Reads the Bible," explores scripture to answer everyday problems. She will share her readings on this podcast every week. Praise the Lord, everybody!
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
Thursday Sep 10, 2020
The new season starts Sept. 28! In the meantime, I thought I'd share this Bible verse with you from Zephaniah. God has ALL the power! We don't have to do anything!
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
Tuesday Sep 01, 2020
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!
Monday Aug 17, 2020
Monday Aug 17, 2020
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 that previously seemed pretty cohesive starts to seem separate.
Monday Aug 10, 2020
Monday Aug 10, 2020
The voice of God. Audibly hearing his voice. Isn’t that what we seek when we pray?
We ask for something and we think, “wouldn’t it be nice if God just said, ‘Sure, I can get that for you,’ or ‘I’m make it happen right away.”
But he doesn’t. That’s not how God works, and if I’m honest, sometimes that frustrates me. How about you?
But wait. I didn’t say God didn’t have a voice. He does. The Bible says he does, and people all over the earth have heard his calling. But it’s not the kind of voice we expect from the King of Glory.
It’s not a powerful voice or thunder. The Bible calls it a whisper, or a “still small voice.” Listen to episode 30 for more.
Photo by Evgeny Smirnov on Unsplash
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
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. At age 32, she received a message: Her father had gotten saved. Karen preaches of God's faithfulness and to always have hope in episode 29.
Read my guest post on her blog, Karen Girl Friday, about Finding Joy!
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
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 will get more information on our giveaway!
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
Wednesday Jul 29, 2020
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. We look at four songs in particular: "Wait For It," "Say No to This," "One Last Time" and "Hurricane."
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
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 in return was a promise that God remains faithful always. Listen to find out what this gift was.
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
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, and have a good time. But papercrafting isn't frivolous. It can be practical and even contribute to the community.
Romans 12:9 helped her get through a trying time in her life. Find out why.
Extra: Listen to the end for a surprise announcement from Sherry!
Captions:
(Top) A desktop organizer Sherry made from paper, chipboard cork and crafting hardware.
(Bottom) Her logo welcomes thousands of fans to her channel daily.
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
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, Virginia Walker, when she was in her 20s.
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
Wednesday Jul 15, 2020
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? Sign up here for news and updates about Positively Joy!
Shanna's ability to help Christians delve into God's Word and illustrate it has caused more people to spend time in their Bible than ever before. Below is an example of Bible journaling: a page I created from the book of 1 Peter in the New Testament. The Lord remains forever, and that is why we celebrate Him through illustrating His Word!
Also July 16 and 17, Shanna is participating in the Instagram #passthebrush challenge where black and white designers work together to bring more attention to minority artists.
Monday Jul 13, 2020
Monday Jul 13, 2020
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? Does he pray to God? And do we see religion depicted in other comics?
Also, breaking news about the Infinite Danger Room podcast!
Wednesday Jul 08, 2020
Wednesday Jul 08, 2020
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 been featured in comics for years.
Monday Jul 06, 2020
Monday Jul 06, 2020
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 she did it. Linda says wanted to inspire other women suffering from hair issues to go bald when they are ready. After the reveal, she published the poem "Natural Progression," which she recites on the show. Episode 20 is explosive!
Sunday Jul 05, 2020
Sunday Jul 05, 2020
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 what scripture she stands on.
Wednesday Jul 01, 2020
Wednesday Jul 01, 2020
In part two of the Joy of Hair Week, we talk to the the always fashion-forward Michael Quintanilla If you want someone who finds joy through their hair, it's Michael. Cool, trendy and always passionate about style, he enjoys looking good, but also helping others feel good about themselves! Michael discusses his hair, going gray and why it all matters.
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
It's our Joy of Hair Week! Today in Episode 16 of the Positively Joy podcast, Linda Lockhart discusses her reasons for cutting off her long dreadlocks and embracing the joy of a short, worry-free style.
Subscribe and don't miss parts 2 and 3 in the Joy of Hair Week: Michael Quintanilla on going gray, and Linda Jones on shaving her beautiful head.
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
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 uses language about racial injustice. However, it's important to tackle these topics, understand concerns across this nation, and continue down the path to seeking joy.
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Monday Jun 22, 2020
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.
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
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.
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Monday Jun 15, 2020
Monday Jun 15, 2020
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!
Monday Jun 15, 2020
Monday Jun 15, 2020
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!
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
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.