The Joy Stories

Jessica Love

The Joy Stories a faith-filled podcast where real stories of resilience, and hope come alive. You will hear powerful stories of overcoming trials and finding victory through the valley. Life isn’t always easy, but even in the hardest moments, we can find joy in God’s promises with the power of gratitude. I want to encourage you and help you discover the true joy that awaits in your season.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 18: One Year of The Joy Stories: Finding Joy in Every Season

    As I celebrate the first anniversary of The Joy Stories, I'm looking back on some of the powerful conversations, personal testimonies, and faith-filled reminders we've shared this past year. One year. Seventeen episodes. So many stories of faith, hope, and joy! From navigating health challenges, grief, and addiction to wrestling with doubt, learning to hear God's voice, finding community, and trusting Him in seasons of waiting, each story has reminded me of one beautiful truth: God is still at work, even in the hardest and most uncertain seasons of our lives. In this special anniversary episode, we'll revisit meaningful moments from past conversations, reflect on what God has been teaching us, and remember that joy isn't dependent on having a perfect life or knowing how every story will unfold. Because sometimes, joy is found in the middle of the questions, the waiting, and the unknown—when we choose to turn toward God and trust that He is with us. Whether you've been listening since the beginning or are just discovering The Joy Stories, I hope this episode encourages you to look at your own story with fresh eyes and renewed hope. Your story isn't finished. God is still at work. And there is still room for joy. Thank you for being part of this journey! Here's to another year of honest conversations, growing faith, and finding joy in every season. Have a joy story to share? I'd love to hear your story! If you'd like to be a guest on The Joy Stories, email Jessica at connect@thejoystories.com to get connected. Enjoying The Joy Stories? If this podcast has encouraged you, would you consider leaving a review? Your review helps more people discover the show, and I'd be so grateful for your support! Connect with Jessica ·       Email: connect@thejoystories.com ·       Instagram: Follow The Joy Stories at @thejoystories ·       Website: www.thejoystories.com Year in Review: 1. Introduction to the Joy Stories 2. Jessica’s Story of Faith and Healing 3. Turning Pain into Purpose: Hope Skouras 4. The Quiet Thief of Joy: Reclaim the Sacred Gift of Time 5. More Than Happy: Pursing True Joy 6. Addiction Recovery Through Faith: Shelley Winters 7. The Joy of Hearing God’s Voice: How to Discern 8. Learning to Fly: When God Uses Love, Loss, and Grief for His Purposes with Erika Lopez 9. Trusting God with My Love Story with Danielle De Cubillan 10. When the Battle Feels Bigger than God: Open My Eyes Lord 11. Dancing Through Fear: Finding Joy in the midst of Cancer with Lucy Dwindt-Bustos 12. Joy in Community: Part 1 13. Joy in Community Part 2 14. Trust the Whisper: Following God’s Call with Kathy Izard 15. Joy in the Waiting (Part 1): Finding Joy While You Wait 16. Trusting God When You Have Doubts with Niki Hardy 17. Joy in Waiting (Part 2): Is God Waiting on Me?   Music Credits: Theme music: Angels by my Side Artist: Lunar Years Audio Source: Bensound LC #2243284

  2. Sep 17

    Episode 17: Joy in Waiting (Part 2): Is God Waiting on Me?

    What if God is waiting on you? — not because He needs you to have everything figured out, but because He’s inviting you to take the next step? In Part 2 of Joy in Waiting, Jessica shares how she realized she was waiting to feel ready, qualified, and confident before stepping into what God was calling her to do. If fear, comparison, doubt, or feeling unqualified has been keeping you stuck, I hope this episode reminds you that you don’t have to have it all figured out before you begin. Discover how to trust God when you don’t feel ready, overcome comparison and fear, recognize what God has already placed in your hands, and take the next step in faith—even when you don’t feel ready. God is faithful. He will equip you. He is working—even when you can’t see it. And sometimes, the next step is simply trusting the whisper and moving forward. So ask yourself: What am I waiting for? What’s keeping me from taking the next step? What is God inviting me to do next? Take the next step. Trust the whisper. And trust God to take care of the rest. He’s waiting on you… Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 “we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared in advance for us.” Psalm 23  “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.”  2 Peter 1:3 “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” Philippians 4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 10:5: “to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.”   Songs: “Way Maker” by Leeland https://open.spotify.com/track/6QYz6UacqclzLtzi2QTtol?si=f296682135514b25 “Wait for me” by Zach Williams https://open.spotify.com/track/58iKOSsOb6TTd5FAI8Tw3Q?si=2043e0a6d8064031   * Be a Guest on the Show Do you have a joy story that you want to share on The Joy Stories??  Email Jessica: connect@thejoystories.com to get connected. *Leave a Review-Enjoying this show?  A review helps more people find it and I would be so grateful! *Connect with Jessica: Email: connect@thejoystories.com Follow The Joy Stories on Instagram @thejoystories The Joy Stories website:⁠ https://www.thejoystories.com   *Music Credits: Theme music: Angels by my Side Artist: Lunar Years Audio Source: Bensound LC #2243284

  3. Aug 13

    Episode 16: Trusting God When You Have Doubts | A Chat with Niki Hardy

    What do you do when you have questions about God that you’re afraid to ask? What happens when disappointment, grief, unanswered prayers, or suffering leave you wondering where God is—and you’re not sure what you believe anymore? In this episode of The Joy Stories, I’m having a very honest and hope-filled chat with author, speaker, podcast host, and cancer thriver Niki Hardy, author of God, Can We Chat? Niki shares how seasons of loss, cancer, ministry challenges, and disappointment brought her to a crossroads in her faith. Instead of walking away from God because of her doubts, she decided to bring those questions directly to Him—and discovered something she didn’t expect: her questions weren’t weakening her faith; they were actually drawing her closer to God. Niki and I talk about why doubt has gotten such a bad reputation in Christian communities, the lies we can believe when we think we’re the only ones struggling, and what it means to “name the unnamed”—to look beneath the question and discover the deeper story our hearts may be telling us. Niki also shares her practical CHAT framework for bringing our doubts and questions to God, and why sometimes intimacy with God matters more than having all the answers. If you’ve ever wondered why God didn’t answer your prayer, why He didn’t heal someone you love, or why He sometimes feels silent, I hope this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to have it all together before you come to God. You are wholly loved—doubts and all. Maybe faith isn’t coming apart. Maybe it’s coming together. Be encouraged, have hope, and choose joy. Email Jessica: connect@thejoystories.com Follow The Joy Stories on Instagram @thejoystories The Joy Stories website:⁠ https://www.thejoystories.com More info on Niki Hardy:  https://www.nikihardy.com

    Episode 16: Trusting God When You Have Doubts | A Chat with Niki Hardy

  4. Jul 2

    Episode 15: Joy in the Waiting (Part 1): Finding Joy While You Wait

    Are you in a waiting for something? Maybe you're waiting for healing, an answered prayer, a breakthrough, a relationship, a job opportunity, or clarity about what's next. Or maybe you're waiting to take a step of faith that God has already placed on your heart. In this encouraging episode of The Joy Stories, Jessica explores what it means to find joy in the waiting and how God often does some of His deepest work in us during seasons of delay. Through personal stories, biblical examples, and powerful Scripture, you'll discover that waiting isn't wasted time—it's an opportunity to grow in faith, trust God's timing, and experience His presence in a deeper way. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ The two types of waiting: waiting on something and waiting to do something ✨ Why God may be more interested in your growth than your timeline ✨ What Abraham and Sarah's story teaches us about trusting God's promises ✨ How to remain hopeful when you're asking, "How long, Lord?" ✨ Why small steps of obedience can change the course of your life If you've ever felt discouraged, impatient, forgotten, or stuck in the in-between, this episode is for you. Remember: Waiting is never wasted when it is surrendered to God. Be encouraged, have hope, and choose joy—even in the waiting. Email Jessica: connect@thejoystories.com Follow The Joy Stories on Instagram @thejoystories The Joy Stories website:⁠ https://www.thejoystories.com

  5. Jun 11

    Episode 14: Trust the Whisper: Following God's Call with Kathy Izard

    What if the quiet nudge you've been feeling is God inviting you into something more? In this inspiring episode of The Joy Stories, I sit down with bestselling author, speaker, and retreat leader Kathy Izard for a powerful conversation about purpose, courage, and learning to trust God's voice. Kathy shares the remarkable story behind her books The Hundred Story Home, Trust the Whisper, and The Last Ordinary Hour, and how one unexpected encounter changed the trajectory of her life. What began as volunteering in a soup kitchen eventually led to the creation of Charlotte's first permanent supportive housing community for people experiencing chronic homelessness. A simple but powerful question from a formerly homeless man—"Where are the beds?"—became the whisper Kathy could no longer ignore. That whisper led her on a journey she never could have planned, transforming not only the lives of others but her own as well. Together, we explore what it means to hear God's gentle nudges, overcome fear and self-doubt, trust the unknown, and step into the purpose God has uniquely designed for each of us. We discuss "God dots," divine connections, unexpected callings, and how every chapter of our lives is preparing us for what comes next. In this episode, you'll discover: ✨ How God often speaks through whispers rather than loud signs✨ Why fear and self-doubt don't have to stop you from moving forward✨ The power of "God dots" and divine connections along the journey✨ Why it's never too late to begin a new chapter✨ How every season of life is preparing you for what's next✨ Practical encouragement for discerning and following your own calling I also share my own whisper story—how a season of surrender, silence, and sabbatical ultimately led to the creation of The Joy Stories podcast, and how God beautifully connected Kathy's story with mine through a series of unexpected "God dots." If you've ever felt a nudge you couldn't explain...If you've ever wondered whether God might be inviting you into something more...If you're standing at a crossroads, sensing a new direction, or longing for more purpose and joy... This conversation is for you. Listen closely. Take the next faithful step. And trust the whisper. Be encourage, have hope, and choose JOY. Connect with Kathy: https://www.kathyizard.com Email Jessica: connect@thejoystories.com Follow The Joy Stories on Instagram @thejoystories The Joy Stories website: https://www.thejoystories.com

    Episode 14: Trust the Whisper: Following God's Call with Kathy Izard

  6. May 14

    Episode 13: Joy in Community: Part 2

    In this deeply personal continuation of “Joy in Community,” Jessica shares how God used friendship, vulnerability, and honest community to bring healing during one of the most painful seasons of her life. After attending a women’s retreat centered around the theme “Radiant,” Jessica reflects on the powerful role godly women have played in pointing her back to Christ through seasons of heartbreak, shame, surrender, and healing. In this episode, she opens up about her and her husband’s hidden pain they carried for years, and the life-changing words spoken by a lifelong friend and prayer warrior that ultimately led her toward surrender and peace. This conversation is for anyone who has: struggled silentlywrestled with unanswered prayersbattled shame or isolationwondered if God still sees themor needed the reminder that they were never meant to walk through life aloneYou’ll be encouraged to let go of perfection, stop hiding in shame, and lean into the kind of honest, godly community where healing and joy can grow. Because sometimes God’s healing comes through the people He places beside us. Be encouraged, have hope, and choose JOY. The Joy Stories website: ⁠https://www.thejoystories.com⁠ Follow me on Instagram: @thejoystories ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejoystories?igsh=MTFrbzk4cW9hb2M2OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠ Email: connect@thejoystories.com Scripture: Psalm 34:5: “Those who look to the Lord for help will be radiant with joy, no shadow of shame will darken their faces." Psalm 37:4: "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Philippians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Mark 9:24: “Lord, I believe but help my unbelief.” Song: "Author" by Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas https://open.spotify.com/track/49pVTawHCdwER1Y5w7Mgeb?si=d8d8abcca458424b

  7. Apr 16

    Episode 12: Joy in Community

    In this episode of The Joy Stories, we explore the powerful truth that we were never meant to do life alone. God created us for relationship — not only with Him, but with each other. While modern culture encourages independence and self-sufficiency, Scripture teaches that believers are called to support, encourage, and strengthen one another. This episode highlights how Christian community, discipleship, and prayer support help us grow in faith and experience deeper joy. True, God-centered community is more than just social connection; it is a place where we are known, supported, encouraged, and strengthened in our faith. If you are searching for encouragement, deeper connection, and practical faith guidance, this episode will remind you that you don’t have to navigate life alone. Because true joy grows when life is shared.  Together, we talk about:• Why isolation can quietly weaken our spiritual lives• The difference between solitude and loneliness• The danger of trying to live a self-sufficient faith• How the enemy often uses lies to keep us disconnected• Why healing and transformation rarely happen alone• The beauty of having people who pray, encourage, and walk alongside us• What healthy, authentic Christian community truly looks like The Joy Stories website: https://www.thejoystories.com Follow me on Instagram: @thejoystories https://www.instagram.com/thejoystories?igsh=MTFrbzk4cW9hb2M2OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Email: connect@thejoystories.com Scripture: Genesis 2:18-Not good for man to be alone, I will create a helper Jeremiah 17:5-Don’t put your trust in humans and turn away from God 1 Peter 5:8- Be alert of the enemy who looks for someone to devour Ephesians 6:10-Armor of God Exodus 17:12-Story of Moses and the two men who held his arms up Mark 2-The story of the 4 friends and the paralyzed man who they took to Jesus Galatians 6:2-Carry each other’s burdens Philippians 2:4-Look out for one another’s interest Hebrews 10:24–25 -Think of ways to motivate one another and encourage one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-Encourage one another and build one another up. Romans 12:15-Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Ecclesiastes 4:12-A triple braided cord is not easily broken Psalm 37:4-Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart Matthew 7:7-Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for Book Resources:  “Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World” by Jennie Allen https://a.co/d/0e5c3BT8 “Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried About a Thing” by Megan Fate Marshman https://a.co/d/03O4yPvr Song: “Tear Off The Roof” by Brandon Lake https://open.spotify.com/track/1phLTiTxprKkjt4IjNDxuD?si=ecd774d88bb340a1 Links:  Men’s Fitness group, F3 https://f3nation.com/about-f3

  8. Mar 26

    Episode 11: Dancing Through Fear: Finding Joy in the Midst of Cancer

    What does it look like to choose joy in the face of fear? In this deeply moving episode of The Joy Stories, Jessica sits down with her dear friend Lucy—a wife, mother of three, and “Dancing Queen” who has been courageously walking through a cancer diagnosis she calls “the element.” With honesty, warmth, and even humor, Lucy shares how her journey has transformed her faith from routine to deeply personal—shifting her view of God from distant to a constant companion and friend. Through late-night fears, painful treatments, and the unknowns of illness, Lucy reveals how she has learned to: Find light in life’s smallest momentsTurn pain into purposeInvite God into her fear instead of hiding from itAnd quite literally… dance her way through itFrom her children’s powerful words (“Hair or no hair, you’re still my mom”) to spontaneous moments of singing and dancing in hospital hallways, Lucy’s story is a beautiful reminder that joy is not the absence of suffering—it’s the presence of God within it. This episode is for anyone walking through fear, uncertainty, or hardship. Lucy’s message is clear and powerful: You are not alone. Your story has purpose. And even here… you can choose joy. “I hope you dance. I hope you sing. I hope you see the joy in everything.” If you want to follow Lucy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancing.through.fear?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Songs: "At The Cross": https://open.spotify.com/track/3BYjy9SgiD9BbBPdhOfRg5?si=c04cec279fe0451a "Be Not Afraid": https://open.spotify.com/track/2Po5VXHFACJdKdqsGk0aFC?si=a3e74026132943ba "Fear is a Liar" : https://open.spotify.com/track/6Z85UCEueQcgSyChlrEu5G?si=46e6d98ddf2f4e28 Email Jessica: connect@thejoystories.com Website: https://www.thejoystories.com

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4.9
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

The Joy Stories a faith-filled podcast where real stories of resilience, and hope come alive. You will hear powerful stories of overcoming trials and finding victory through the valley. Life isn’t always easy, but even in the hardest moments, we can find joy in God’s promises with the power of gratitude. I want to encourage you and help you discover the true joy that awaits in your season.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessica Love
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jessica Love
  • Show Website
    The Joy Stories