Warrior Words | Stories of Hope | Finding Beauty After Battles & Thriving After Surviving Trauma

Heather Gaffney - Author, Artist, and YouTuber; Storyteller, Warrior, Survivor, Thriver & Faithful Catholic
  • 5.0 (45)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you walking through a storm that feels like it will never end? Do you wonder if life’s storms have stolen the beauty from your life for good? You’re in the right place. My name is Heather, and, like you, I’ve been through a storm or two and wondered if life would ever be beautiful again. Here we share Warriors’ Words ~ stories of discovering beauty after battles and the worth in your wounds. Pick up your sword - or boxing gloves - and join the battle. Your words are powerful, my friends. Make them Warrior Words. Become more involved in this journey at @MyWarriorWords and @HeatherGaffneyAuthor on Instagram. I can also be found on X at @HGaffneyAuthor and on YouTube at @warriorwords and @BeautyAfterBattles

  1. 160. Watching Blessings Flow from Community Ripples | Orlando Barros

    1D AGO

    160. Watching Blessings Flow from Community Ripples | Orlando Barros

    Welcome to Episode 160 of the Warrior Words podcast!   This week, I have a fantastic conversation with a man who has had an incredible experience of community and the Body of Christ. Some members of that community were his family and friends. Others were complete strangers, one of whom has now become a lifelong friend. Without this stranger, our conversation may never have happened. Orlando Barros left home early one morning for a simple bike ride. What happened next changed so many things in his life, but it also reinforced his beliefs in the power of community and service to others. Have a listen and hear how the ripples of a life interruption radiated out and are still creating new ripples today. I also encourage you to take advantage of the offer that he presents at the end of the episode, especially if you work in any ministry at your church. Perhaps even pick it up as a gift for your pastor!   Learn more about Orlando: Website: https://mrpdonordev.com/ Podcast: https://mrpdonordev.com/podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlando-jos%C3%A9-barros-610320115/ HOT off the Press! Beliefs + Relationships = Funds: https://mrpdonordev.stellarwebsystems.com/join?euuid=b65aef8c-05f8-11f1-931e-16ffeab70ea9   Help Start the Nonprofit - Donate through our new fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    45 min
  2. 159. Authority: Failure, Confession, & Lessons | Heather Gaffney

    FEB 11

    159. Authority: Failure, Confession, & Lessons | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 159 of the Warrior Words podcast!   Are podcasters authorities? This is a question I thought about this week, as my week took a different turn. I've spent the last few weeks talking about listening to the Holy Spirit, confirming His message, and then taking action with that information. And then I got some news I wasn't expecting, nor was I willing to consider what was being presented to me. I realized - about 24 hours later - that I had failed at what I'd been "teaching" over the past weeks' episodes. I had a pity party for the situation itself, and then for the fact that I wasn't practicing what I had just preached. Prayer. Willingness. Openness. I began to open myself up to the idea, its benefits, and the possible gifts it could bring. I started to listen again. In this episode, I share my thoughts on myself as an authority, but more so about the reality of my - and our - humanness. We fail at times in the things we teach. The important thing is to admit, confess, and learn lessons. Then, power forward with the Holy Spirit. One thing you'll hear in next week's episode is that the Israelites followed God and then forgot Him. They confess, align with God again. Then they forget Him again. It's a cycle. It was cyclical then. It is cyclical now. Fail. Confess. Learn.   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    31 min
  3. 158. Taking Action with the Holy Spirit | Heather Gaffney

    FEB 4

    158. Taking Action with the Holy Spirit | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 158 of the Warrior Words podcast!   I had no idea this would become a series when I sat down to record the first episode a few weeks ago. Yet, here we are in the third installment. I was thinking about the first two episodes where I talked about listening to the Holy Spirit, and confirming (and being obedient to) the Holy Spirit's Whisper, and it felt incomplete. Then I had a meeting with someone who was a referral from someone else. It was my first "high-profile" meeting with someone in the nonprofit space, someone who had the possibility of helping. I felt out of my league, so I sought advice from someone whose knowledge in this space is far beyond mine. That act of acknowledging what I didn't know and humbly asking for help calmed my nerves. The meeting went fabulously. I met a new faith-filled person, and left with resources I didn't know existed. This is only part of the story. The story is really about taking action. It's about after you've confirmed what the Holy Spirit is asking you to do, you need to move your feet. You can't sit home and just pray about it. Don't get me wrong, you should still "pray without ceasing," but it can't be the only thing. When you are partnering with God on assignment, you need to DO something.  Listen. Confirm. Do.   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Wellow Compression Socks (aff): Get 25% off your 1st order of $50+ https://wellow.refr.cc/default/u/heathergaffney?s=sp&t=cp Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    12 min
  4. 157. The Impossible Whisper of the Holy Spirit | Heather Gaffney

    JAN 28

    157. The Impossible Whisper of the Holy Spirit | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 157 of the Warrior Words podcast!   What do Gideon and Noah have in common? Both were tasked with impossible or perhaps seemingly ridiculous tasks. We are told that one balked at the idea, but we're not told how the other one initially responded. Gideon asked to test God multiple times before his obedience. We only know that Noah was obedient. Both risked stares, laughs, taunts, and, of course, failure to listen and do what the Holy Spirit asked them to do. These two Biblical men are inspirational to me, and I think of them often when I reflect on and actually work on the things I've been asked to do. I don't claim to understand all the reasons. I just know that when I look back, I can see the Spirit's involvement in so much. I see things I never would have, or could have, done. I see things I wouldn't even have considered. And yet, here I am. God's not done with me - or you!  I'm back this week, expanding on my two metaphors from last week: germinating seeds and ladder rungs. For good measure, I throw in a third. Being open to the Holy Spirit opens us all up to those stares, laughs, taunts, and failures, but it also opens us up to a ride we never envisioned. Listen to the next rung on the ladder and how a tiny seed was planted, lay dormant, and has begun to grow.   Trust the Whisper: https://amzn.to/49KUag9   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Wellow Compression Socks (aff): Get 25% off your 1st order of $50+ https://wellow.refr.cc/default/u/heathergaffney?s=sp&t=cp Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    21 min
  5. 156. Do You Find It Hard to Listen to the Holy Spirit? | Heather Gaffney

    JAN 21

    156. Do You Find It Hard to Listen to the Holy Spirit? | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 156 of the Warrior Words podcast!   For much of my life, I think I just went through the motions in my faith: doing things out of duty, checking the boxes, punching my timecard.  Can anyone relate? I had this mindset that God needed to hit me over the head with a 2x4 or flash a neon sign to get my attention. I'm sad to say, I got that 2x4 a few times. Preaching on the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, discussing the first apostles, my priest talked about a simple line in verse 39. A line many people may not pay attention to: "It was about 4 in the afternoon." Why is that there? In his interpretation, my priest said that it was a significant enough event that they wanted to remember the moment they met the Messiah. Then he asked us to think about when we first encountered Jesus, really met Him. I'd have to say, for me, it was when I began to homeschool my kids and teach them the faith. It's not that I didn't have faith or believe before that. It's that I didn't internalize it. It wasn't personal. So, no wonder I needed that 2x4. In this week's episode, I talk about listening to the Holy Spirit. We can't truly hear the Spirit's whispering if we're not paying attention. I share part of my story of hearing the Holy Spirit, paying attention, and eventually listening.   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Wellow Compression Socks (aff): Get 25% off your 1st order of $50+ https://wellow.refr.cc/default/u/heathergaffney?s=sp&t=cp Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    12 min
  6. 155. The Body of Christ: The Vine and Its Branches | Heather Gaffney

    JAN 14

    155. The Body of Christ: The Vine and Its Branches | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 155 of the Warrior Words podcast!   To kick off our stories this year, I am starting with one of my own. Are you familiar with the term: "The Body of Christ?" Jesus said that He was the vine and we are the branches. That speaks to me of a divine connection to form a body. A body, human or a grapevine, is connected and has many members or parts. And I love this connection between Christ and us. But I got to experience the design of the Body of Christ in action during the month of December. And, in this case, this body spanned multiple states. Join me as I share the beauty I experienced at the hands of several members of the Body of Christ.   Episodes I mentioned: Tonya Kubo - Episode 28 Kerri Bishop - Episode 44   Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast to Profit Podcast Course (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Wellow Compression Socks (aff): Get 25% off your 1st order of $50+ https://wellow.refr.cc/default/u/heathergaffney?s=sp&t=cp Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business or Speed Networking membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    12 min
  7. 154. State of Warrior Words: 2026 | Heather Gaffney

    JAN 7

    154. State of Warrior Words: 2026 | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 154 of the Warrior Words podcast!   It feels good to be back! I recorded this episode in my office because I can walk again. It's not perfect or pain-free walking, but it is walking. The 2.5 weeks of zero weight-bearing were tougher and longer than I thought they would be! But like our storms and traumas, I survived and am ready for another year of stories. In this episode, I talk a little about the past and a little about the future. Toward the end, I outlined a few ways you can help the podcast move forward into its third year: Leave a 5-star review. Share an episode, or the whole show, with friends, family, on social, or in your newsletter. Use the affiliate links in the descriptions & show notes; sometimes they are things I personally use, and others, they are someone who has put their trust in me to share, plus I likely use them as well. A note about Amazon. For those who don't know, if you click on an Amazon link, the person only gets credit for that sale if the purchase happens within 24 hours of the click. The fabulous thing about Amazon is that you don't have to purchase the item you clicked. You can click through and then purchase something completely different. All this to say, I would love to be able to have the podcast pay for itself, because it's not free to run. I'd also love to grow it into something that can pay a bill or two. So, if you have a business, book, product, or service you'd like to promote, let's talk. I don't want to turn on generic ads; I'd rather support the businesses of my listeners! I hope your 2026 has begun beautifully! And I look forward to the stories we will share in this new year!  Donate to the Star of the Sea Guild through our fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Join your fellow Warriors: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast Coach, Stefanie Gass:  Podcast to Profit (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    12 min
  8. 153. Bits Of Biblical Beauty (BoBB)

    JAN 2

    153. Bits Of Biblical Beauty (BoBB)

    Welcome to Episode 153 of the Warrior Words podcast!   In this short Bits of Biblical Beauty (BoBB) episode, I talk about the future of the Bits of Biblical Beauty - or BoBB - episodes.   Donate to Star of the Sea Guild through our new fiscal sponsor! https://raisedonors.com/xaviermissionfund/star-of-the-sea-guild   Armor Up. Fight the Good Fight. Seek Beauty. Make Your Words Warrior Words.   Merch Store: https://heather-clr-shop.fourthwall.com   Become a Warrior Words Insider: https://subscribepage.io/pearlsofwisdom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@beautyafterbattlesart YT: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorwords IG: https://www.instagram.com/mywarriorwords/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/heathergaffneyauthor/   People and sponsors/affiliates who helped make this podcast possible. Please support them and help keep Warrior Words on the air! Editor & Music Composer: AgentSecret24 - https://www.youtube.com/@Agentsecret24 Podcast Coach, Stefanie Gass:  Podcast to Profit (aff): https://heatherg--stefaniegass.thrivecart.com/podcasttoprofitmastermind/ Podbean Podcast Hosting (aff): https://www.podbean.com/WarriorWords 1st Phorm (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e   NOTE: Beliefs, practices, and opinions expressed by guests of the Warrior Words podcast are not necessarily the same as those of the host. One of the purposes of this podcast is to share stories. This cannot be effective if everyone is identical. * Links marked with (aff) are affiliate links. I receive a small commission with your purchase at no additional cost to you if you click through my links.

    6 min
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Are you walking through a storm that feels like it will never end? Do you wonder if life’s storms have stolen the beauty from your life for good? You’re in the right place. My name is Heather, and, like you, I’ve been through a storm or two and wondered if life would ever be beautiful again. Here we share Warriors’ Words ~ stories of discovering beauty after battles and the worth in your wounds. Pick up your sword - or boxing gloves - and join the battle. Your words are powerful, my friends. Make them Warrior Words. Become more involved in this journey at @MyWarriorWords and @HeatherGaffneyAuthor on Instagram. I can also be found on X at @HGaffneyAuthor and on YouTube at @warriorwords and @BeautyAfterBattles

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