Dear Annie Joy

Annie Joy
  • 5.0 (7)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Honest conversations for LDS women about real life and experiencing the joy of the gospel without all the pressure. Because following Jesus shouldn’t feel so heavy.

  1. FEB 4

    50: Dysregulation Is Not the Enemy

    What if emotional dysregulation is not s sign that something is wrong with you, but a signal inviting you into compassion? In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend Laura Dugovic for a powerful, honest conversation about reframing dysregulation as information, not failure. We talk about what happens when we stop fighting our bodies, stop forcing peace, and allow God to meet us in the middle of our hardest moments. Laura shares from her own lived experience with panic disorder, trauma recovery, and nervous system healing, and we explore why bypassing our emotions, spiritually, emotionally, or cognitively, keeps us stuck. Instead, we talk about curiosity, validation, boundaries, and learning to say, “Of course I feel this way.” In this episode, we cover: Why dysregulation isn’t the enemy, but a signal asking for care How forcing peace can actually be an act of war against yourself The difference between spiritual peace and emotional bypassing What it looks like to let God be with you instead of asking Him to take the pain away Why your body’s response to stress, trauma, or grief doesn’t mean you’re broken How compassion and validation create real regulation and healing If you’ve ever felt frustrated with yourself for not being “fine,” or wondered why your body reacts the way it does, this episode is a gentle reminder that nothing has gone wrong with you—and you don’t have to do this alone. 💌 You can email me at hello@anniejoy.com or come say hi on Instagram @dear.anniejoy For more of Laura, check out her website becausetheworldneeds.com and for more info on her wellness studio and salt cave go to getsalted.com

    41 min

  2. JAN 27

    49: Balance Was Never the Promise

    What if balance was never the goal? In this episode, I sit down with Becky Squire to talk about why the pressure to “do it all” quietly exhausts so many faithful women, and what God actually offers us instead. We talk about the difference between good, better, and best, why letting something wait doesn’t mean you’ve failed, and how grace meets us right in the middle of seasons that feel heavy or unfinished. This is a conversation about capacity, wisdom, and trusting God to guide the river—especially when life feels anything but balanced. If you’ve ever felt guilty for saying no…If you’ve wondered whether you’re falling behind spiritually…If you’re doing your best and still feel stretched thin… This episode is for you. My hope is that you walk away feeling lighter, steadier, and more at peace with where you are right now. Grace was always the promise. 💌 You can email me at hello@anniejoy.com or come say hi on Instagram @dear.anniejoy Follow Becky on Instagram @beckysquire and check out her website beckyquire.com

    33 min

  3. JAN 20

    48: Turns Out, God’s Been Playing the Long Game

    What if some of the hardest stories in scripture are actually meant to give us hope? In this episode, we talk about a powerful reframe of the Flood story—one that moves it away from fear and punishment and toward mercy, patience, and eternal progression. Instead of seeing the Flood as God giving up on people, we explore the idea that it was God giving them their best chance to keep growing, even if that growth couldn’t happen in this life.In this episode we explore: A mercy-centered view of the Flood Eternal progression over perfection Repentance without fear or heaviness Letting go of pressure and comparison in Church culture Why God’s patience gives us real hope This episode is a gentle reminder that God is not rushing you—and He’s not disappointed in you either. You’re not failing. You’re still learning. And turns out… God’s been playing the long game all along. Follow Bethany Comerford on IG @bethanythelifecoach or check out her website or podcast! 💌 You can email me at hello@anniejoy.com or come say hi on Instagram @dear.anniejoy

    32 min

  4. JAN 13

    47: Say Yes Like You Actually Mean It

    I used to think saying yes was always the right answer. If I could do it, I should do it. But over time, I realized some of my yeses weren’t coming from peace, they were coming from pressure. And my body knew it long before my mind did. In this episode, I sit down with my friend and Human Design coach Stacey Foust to talk about what it actually looks like to trust the way God leads you , not through proving, pushing, or overcommitting, but through alignment, discernment, and embodied trust. We talk about: Why saying yes from pressure eventually costs you peace How to tell the difference between forcing something and being led What it means to listen to your internal signals, and why they matter spiritually Why alignment often feels calm, not urgent How to give yourself permission to pause, wait, or say no without guilt This conversation isn’t about doing less for the sake of doing less. It’s about saying yes only when you actually mean it — and trusting that God knows what you’ll have energy for, even when you don’t yet. If you’ve ever wondered, Is this faith… or am I just pushing? This episode is for you. 💌 You can email me at hello@anniejoy.com or come say hi on Instagram @dear.anniejoy. Check out Stacy Foust on FB or IG! @yourhumandesigncoach Or at her website stacyfoust.com

    37 min

  5. 11/25/2025

    46: Worry Isn’t a Warning, It’s an Invitation

    If you’re a Christian mom who feels like you have a PhD in worrying, this episode is for you. 🫶 In today’s conversation, my dear friend and God-centered intuitive healer, Kenzi Fackrell and I, are talking all about worry, anxiety, and what it really means to trust God in the middle of the mental spiral. A while ago, Kenzi said something that tattooed itself on my heart: “Worries are like little friends pointing out where you’re not trusting God.” In this episode, we unpack what that actually looks like in real time—especially as moms who are constantly worried about our kids, our families, and if we’re doing any of this “Christian mom” thing right. We talk about: How worry can be a helpful signal instead of a shame spiral Why your emotions are not the truth about who you are, but are honest messengers about what you’re experiencing The idea of worry as a “false escape”—a way to feel productive while actually avoiding the real problem How anxious energy can either keep you stuck or fuel creative, faith-filled action (like my story about starting a sensory room at church for my son and other kids who need it) What it looks like to “put your worries on the right altar” and ask, “What’s mine to carry and what belongs to Jesus?” Kenzi also shares a beautiful picture of God’s character, how He doesn’t panic about our darkness, doesn’t shame our worry, and doesn’t rush to “fix” us. Instead, He stays. He sits with us. And He gently leads us back to love, trust, and our true identity in Him. If you’ve ever thought, “Good Christians shouldn’t be this worried,” I want this episode to lift that shame right off your shoulders. You’re not broken. You’re not faithless. You’re a human with a tender heart that loves deeply—and God knows exactly what to do with that. 💌 You can email me at hello@anniejoy.com or come say hi on Instagram @dear.anniejoy—I love hearing how these episodes land for you. And make sure to follow Kenzi on Instagram to stay updated on her Ceremony classes and spiritual alignment work. Her Instagram handle is @alignintuitivehealing

    41 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    45: What My Miscarriages Taught Me About Prayer

    I’m opening up about the miscarriages I experienced during my first marriage, and how they changed the way I understand prayer, peace, and God's presence in pain. For a long time, I believed that if I prayed hard enough and had enough faith, I could control the outcome. But when my prayers didn’t "work" and I lost not one but two pregnancies, I was forced to face the deeper truth—that prayer isn’t about getting what we want... it’s about being held when we don’t. In this episode, I share: My personal miscarriage story and the emotional aftermath What it taught me about control, surrender, and faith Why peace comes through alignment with God—not perfect circumstances How prayer shifted from performance to intimate connection The night I felt completely alone, and the moment I knew I wasn’t If you've ever walked through miscarriage, grief, spiritual doubt, or felt like God was silent when you needed Him most, I hope this story reminds you that you're not alone. Because real peace doesn’t come from getting your way—it comes from letting go. If this episode spoke to your heart, I’d love to hear from you. You can send me a message on Instagram @dear.anniejoy or email me at hello@anniejoy.com. And if you know someone who needs this message too, will you send it their way? Let’s keep building this community of heart-led women who are finding their joy again—one brave step at a time.

    16 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    44: You Don’t Have to Perform to Be Loved: Finding Joy After Falling Apart

    He was the fun one. The loud one. The light in every room. But behind the smile, he was quietly falling apart. In this vulnerable and powerful conversation, we explore what happens when the version of you that everyone loves stops working—when the mask slips, and the pain finally surfaces. My longtime friend, Kyle Flanagan, shares his journey through emotional burnout, identity crisis, self-destructive choices, and the slow process of rebuilding his life with honesty and compassion. We talk about: Hiding in the role of “the happy one” What unaddressed pain can do to a marriage, faith, and friendships The lies we tell ourselves to avoid shame Radical self-compassion and what it really means to heal How tiny acts of kindness and connection rebuild your sense of worth The difference between pretending to be joyful and actually feeling joy again This episode is a powerful reminder that you’re not too far gone, you’re not too broken, and you don’t have to perform to be loved. Whether you’re holding it all together for everyone else, or just starting to question who you really are beneath the mask—this one’s for you.

    34 min

  8. 10/29/2025

    43: Confessions of a 43-Year-Old

    I turned 43 this week—and in a twist of timing (or divine alignment?), it just so happens this is also the 43rd episode of Dear Annie Joy. So I'm opening up with 3 honest confessions about the things I used to believe, the stories I’m unlearning, and the freedom I’ve found on the other side. In this episode, I’m sharing the emotional truths behind: Midlife rediscovery and starting something new Letting go of hustle culture and learning to trust alignment The power of trying even when you’re not sure you’ll get it “right” What burnout recovery, spiritual growth, and nervous system peace actually feel like If you’ve ever felt behind, too messy, or unsure of your next step—I hope this feels like a warm hug and a deep exhale. Feel free to each out through IG @dear.anniejoy or email me at hello@anniejoy.com

    17 min
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About

Honest conversations for LDS women about real life and experiencing the joy of the gospel without all the pressure. Because following Jesus shouldn’t feel so heavy.

Information

  • Creator
    Annie Joy
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Annie Joy
  • Show Website
    Dear Annie Joy