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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
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
I'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
Friday Mar 22, 2024
Friday Mar 22, 2024
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.
Friday Mar 08, 2024
Friday Mar 08, 2024
It'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:
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
Clint Hatton has experienced as much pain as most people. But God has given him the task of sharing a message of being strong and courageous even in the darkest of times. "The pain in some form will be with us for the rest of our lives," Clint said. But that pain represents the love he has for his son, Gabriel, a pilot who died a tragic death. After Gabriel's death, he and his family started living Big, Bold and Brave. Learn more about it from Clint himself.
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
I'm concerned about using AI to write Christian teachings, and I'm not the only one. In this two-part episode, I'll talk with experts about whether we should use technology's latest tool to teach the Bible. In part one, Bible Storyteller Sharon Wilharm of All God's Women weighs in.
The Gospel Coalition: "Should We Embrace or Evict AI in Churches?"
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Saturday Jan 27, 2024
Non-religious people as well as Christians, can suffer from depression and suicide ideation. So everyone, listen up! Today's episode with Author D. Neil Elliott takes us down a path that might be different for regular listeners. We talk about depression and suicide, using language that some people, not necessarily Christian, can recognize and relate to. But what's the same is that our Creator's incredible grace and unconditional love remains. As we move in to this year, it's important to be able to talk to all kinds of people with all kinds of beliefs and values. Stay with us through this one.
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
It's early in 2024 and we've been talking about life plans. Life coaches can help us get clarity. Last week we talked with coach Ann Visser about marriage, and this week we spend the episode with Karin Freeland, who coaches women about the workplace and when to exit. Karin and I have a lot in common, especially that unfulfilled feeling that you can't define.
Karin calls herself a recovered corporate workaholic. After experiencing a midlife awakening at 39, she reinvented her life by deepening her spirituality, discovering God's purpose for her life and taking bold action. Now she coaches high-achieving women, helping them achieve success without sacrificing health and well-being.
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Ann Visser co-founded 4 Better 4 Ever with her beloved husband of 42 years.
She has trained couples, young people, students, addicts in recovery, Christian women and professionals ... in the areas of communication, leadership, relationship, mindset and personal growth.
We had such a good conversation on marriage and relationships that we ran a little long this week!
Ann's website: https://4better4ever.com
Check out her 7-day challenge here.
Come back for next week's episode of the Positively Joy Podcast!
Friday Dec 29, 2023
Friday Dec 29, 2023
Going back into the archives, I promised to focus more on prayer in 2022 in this throwback episode. Did I do it? Well, I can say for sure I brought God into my daily life, but I still have some work to do on my prayer life. Talking to God is so important, and you - and I - should do it more often. I hope this inspires you!
Some ways to put prayer front and center:
- Practice daily journaling and speak to him while you do it. Try using my new book, "Journaling His Joy."
- Other books mentioned in the show are "Adventures in Prayer" and "Follow Me" by Mary Jo Pierce, and "Whispering in His Ear" by me, Yvette Walker.
- Make a place for your prayer time, as mentioned in "Adventures in Prayer."
Have a wonderful, safe and inspiring New Year! Positively Joy is back next week with new interviews!
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Years ago, Positively Joy featured the angelic voice of Angel McCoy from the podcast, Angel Reads the Bible. Angel has a beautiful family now and has been pretty busy. But I coaxed her to come back and do a reading from Luke, chapters 1 and 2 in these days leading up to Christmas.
There is never a wrong time to hear the Christmas story, but now is just right. It's not too late to jump into my Christmas countdown on Substack.com. Just look up Positively Joy under publications. I have a weekly newsletter, so subscribe.
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
Saturday Dec 16, 2023
This week, our conversation is about forgiveness, and it's a really unique episode. Could you forgive your grandmother's killer? Today's guest is Sarah Gregory, and her story is hard to fathom. She has forgiven the man who murdered her grandmother, but not only that, spent hours with him on death row the day he was executed. Her forgiveness wasn't automatic, though, and she had a long, hard road to get there. Bruce Springsteen's music plays a role, believe it or now.
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
Sunday Dec 10, 2023
I'm releasing some extra episodes now and until the end of the year. Last week we talked to Bible translator Brian Simmons, and later this week we'll hear about the joy of the Christmas season and Mary, the mother of God. Today, let's talk about compassion. Dallin Candland is a podcaster, poet and a man of compassion. He's also a Mormon, and we'll talk about how people with differences can still learn from one another. I can't wait for you to meet Dallin.
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Get ready for an incredible episode. In the early 1970s, Brian Simmons was a drug dealer on LSD but had what he calls a “radical” conversion. “I went from LSD to G.O.D. in one day,” he said. Part of the Jesus movement, he began memorizing scripture. Years later, after mission work in the rain forest of Central South America with his wife, Candace, he said he was given a commission by God to do a new translation, and he called it Passion.
Saturday Dec 02, 2023
Saturday Dec 02, 2023
Social drinking may be acceptable, especially during the holiday season. But for some, it's a problem that non-Christian alcohol programs can't help. Rose Ann Forte knows these problems first hand, and she wrote a book, a Christian program, and now, a podcast called "Say Goodbye and Imagine," for people interested in understanding what's possible when they remove something toxic from our lives, namely alcohol.
The Plans He Has For Me website
Saturday Nov 25, 2023
Saturday Nov 25, 2023
Author and speaker Christine Trimpe has inspired so many women to lose weight and treat their bodies as a temple since she shed more than 100 pounds. You may know her for that. But she is a strong Christian, and today we are going to talk about her award-winning Christmas devotional "Seeking Joy through the Gospel of Luke." It's a perfect read this December and we'll talk to her all about it.
Speaking of books, check out my new journal, "Journaling His Joy" is out on Amazon and other fine booksellers.
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Born with a cleft palate here in America, Sue Corl has one of the most unusual testimonies I have heard in my conversations here on the Podcast. God equipped her with a mother who was a nurse with cleft palate experience, working in a hospital with expertise of her needs. You might say she was cursed, but Sue says she was blessed. And I agree. Listen to her story.
Here's more about Sue:
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Happy Halloween! Wait: I know some of you don't observe this and don't watch scary movies, and that's OK. But stay with us. The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade joins us once again to talk about how faith and good and evil is represented in pop culture. Today, we'll talk about the comedy "Good Omens" about angels and demons, and, yes, we'll talk about the sequel to "The Exorcist" -- which has a surprisingly inspiring ending.
Warning, there are spoilers.
This is a bonus episode this week, so look out for our usual end-of-the-week podcast episode.
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
It's a two-fer today on the podcast! Join me in the retreat house at Promise Keepers 2023 conference, for a short chat on why forgiveness heals us. Then, listen to Johnathan Drayton and I talk about the topic of hermeneutics, which is Bible interpretation. We talk about how hermeneutics and understanding translations can help our spiritual understanding.
Drayton's podcast, "The Truth of the Matter Is"
Promise Keeper Retreats, organized by Kimberly Brown and Gabby Love. The retreats are Fall and Spring. Join the Facebook group for more information.
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Today we speak to Katherine Warnock, Vice President of Original Content for the hit television series, "The Chosen." You know that I have talked to several members of the show, most notably Creator and Director Dallas Jenkins and his wife, Amanda. But did you know that there is more to the Chosen than the show? Katherine and her team are responsible for original material like children’s books, bible studies and other creative content. Oh, and ChosenCon starts today! (I spoke to Katherine two weeks ago and you will hear me refer to the convention in future tense).
Watch The Chosen (on Angel Studios)
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Kyle Roberts is a videographer, stop-motion filmmaker and a feature filmmaker who loves God. His newest film, “What Rhymes With Reason” releases for one night on 10/10 World Mental Health Day nationwide, and tells the story of a group of friends on a journey of mental health awareness. Kyle said God was all in the making of this film, including the prophetic release date. We will talk about startling statistics on suicide and mental health and why this movie is important for all families to see.
Learn more about "What Rhymes With Reason" movie
Read about World Mental Health Day
Kyle's previous feature, "The Posthuman Project"
Saturday Sep 30, 2023
Saturday Sep 30, 2023
Author Lori Ann Wood's victory isn't done. She's a survivor of heart disease but the disease isn't cured. She lives every day, trusting God, and walking out the journey that she describes in her new book, "Divine Detour." It's a lesson we can all learn.
"Divine Detour": Read more about her new book.
Her website: Learn more about Lori Ann.
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Friday Sep 22, 2023
Angie Baughman experienced God's faithfulness in the middle of her worst day. She and her family were in accident, and when she opened her eyes, God didn't promise that she or her kids would be OK. He promised He was with her. It was all she needed in that moment. Her ministry, Live Steady On, is an outgrowth of His faithfulness.
Learn more at Live Steady On
Free resource: "Talk to Your Triggers"
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Dave Combs had a song in his head, and flowed out through his fingers on the piano. He eventually named it, "Rachel's Song," and it has been played to audiences, large and small. Today Dave talks about the song, his faith, and how a little tune that God gave him has inspired thousands around the world.
Dave Combs website, and hear "Rachel's Song."
Dave's music with his co-writer Gary Prim
Friday Sep 08, 2023
Friday Sep 08, 2023
If you have ever shouted at God, asking, no pleading how you can lose weight, then Listen today as Julia Fikse and I talk about food addiction and cravings, how faith is the solution, and how we can love and hate food at the same time! This episode certainly speaks to me!
One Step to Wellness: Julia's website
Dear Food book series (scroll down for the mood tracker)
Saturday Sep 02, 2023
Saturday Sep 02, 2023
Carole Sluski's "Thirty" is an inspirational and emotional memoir about the loss of her daughter, Paula. Find strength in this touching story to face life's challenges with courage and grace.