The Lovelight Stories® Podcast

Stephanie Jacobs
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Monthly

Feeling overwhelmed by a world that's seemingly dividing over polarizing views, power, and hate? Unsure how to best help those who are hurting? Having trouble loving someone who's hard to love? Are you longing to see more love, empathy, and true connection in our world, or your own life? Join Stephanie Jacobs, as she creates space to uncover a deeper understanding of humanity through beautiful, redemptive stories that inspire your heart. Welcoming ALL of humanity and diving deep into any and all social justice issues, Stephanie's ready to learn alongside you as joyful redemptive stories are understood, seen, and heard. Gain new perspectives as you explore topics such as: poverty, human trafficking, incarceration, race, mental health, special abilities, and more. Here, you'll have a chance to embrace real, raw, and vulnerable conversations as you begin to uncover the hope, love, empathy, and connection that can be found in our fellow humanity! It's time to rise above all the hate and negativity clamoring for attention in the world, and find the love + light you long for!

  1. Sep 16

    How God Transformed My Life: From Trafficking and Addiction to Sharing His Love On The Streets Of Minneapolis with Kelly Kunz

    Kelly Kunz is the founder of Street Justice Ministry, and in this episode, I'm sitting down with her as she shares her difficult story of loss and immense pain in her childhood. You'll come to understand how that pain lead her to becoming trapped in trafficking and addiction as an adult. You'll hear how she ultimately encountered God and began living life with a renewed sense of purpose through her mobile ministry that meets people where they are! Born into trauma, Kelly has lived a very difficult life in many ways, yet she's found the redemptive love of Jesus…and He's transformed her life. This is a true Lovelight Story in many senses of the word! She was walking in extreme darkness and is now living in the light! Her story and the life she's living today is simply a gift to us all!   Topics discussed in this episode: - Hear Kelly's story of immense, recurring trauma and pain in her childhood - Understand how that childhood trauma lead her to run from the pain…ultimately leading her down a very difficult path as an adult - Come to see how she ended up getting trapped in sex trafficking and understand how easy it is to do so when in a vulnerable situation - Hear Kelly share what life was like while working in Atlanta, and how she finally escaped trafficking after 23 years - Hear Kelly's testimony story of how God met her in a jail cell, and how he helped her discover the true purpose he had waiting for her! - Be inspired by how God transformed Kelly's life and has given her the capacity to emulate His great love and light! - Celebrate as you hear how Kelly is now able to use her gift of connecting with those on the streets through shared empathy by way of her Street Justice Ministry! Kelly's story is a testimony story of God's faithfulness! He's brought her to the light and entrusted her with a divine purpose of connecting with and loving those in true need of love. There's no-one better to do so than her, because she's been there herself. She's fighting for those who are lost. Thank you, Kelly for sharing your story to help all of us better understand those living in vulnerable situations, and for sharing God's love and light with us all!   Is your story ready to be shared? Take the story quiz!   JOIN THE LS COMMUNITY!   FOLLOW STEPHANIE ON IG   FOLLOW THE LOVELIGHT STORIES PODCAST ON IG     SHOW NOTES

  2. Jun 17

    Where I've Been: My Surprise Health Scare + Podcast Update

    Hello sweet friends! I'm Stephanie Jacobs, a storyteller and advocate for social change, and your host of The Lovelight Stories Podcast. Here in this space we uncover beautiful, redemptive stories that transform hearts and expand perspectives — paving the way for a deeper understanding of humanity.   If you've been wondering where I've been, this episode will fill you in on all that happened the last 6 months, my big surprise health scare, and what you can expect from this show moving forward.   Thank you for being here, and see you back for regular episodes in September!   With love + light, Stephanie     Is your story ready to be shared? Take the story quiz!   JOIN THE LS COMMUNITY!   FOLLOW STEPHANIE ON IG   FOLLOW THE LOVELIGHT STORIES PODCAST ON IG   SHOW NOTES https://stephaniemjacobs.com/39

  3. Jan 14

    How My Massage Therapy Techniques Help My Son-in-law Live With His Paralysis | Patty Perdomo

    Today on the podcast I'm welcoming Patty Perdomo. If you haven't yet listened to episode 37 with Ryan and Sarah Gibson, you'll want to do so, as this is a two-part series! Patty is Sarah's mom! In the last episode we heard from Ryan and Sarah as they shared details of the tragic accident they endured almost a decade ago.    In this episode, we get to hear from Patty through her perspective of a mother, watching her son-in-law go through this accident that ultimately left him paralyzed. In this episode, Patty gives us a glimpse into how it affected their family, and how she discovered new massage therapy techniques that could actually help Ryan feel tremendously better and live with his paralysis! You'll also hear how Patty is now working to teach these techniques to others, so they too can help others find the relief they need too!   Topics discussed in this episode:  - Hear what it was like to watch her daughter and son-in-law go through a terrible accident that left Ryan paralyzed. - Hear how Patty discovered new massage therapy techniques that helped Ryan feel better. - Understand the power of the mind-body connection and how Patty harnesses that power to treat her patients! - Hear how you can learn more about these techniques to help others too!   As you'll hear in the episode, Patty is my massage therapist and after getting to know the story of her family and the work she's doing, I invited her to join me on the show! This episode in some ways is a little outside of the norm for the type of stories you usually hear, as we decided to do a two-part series. After having listened to both episodes, I think you'll appreciate hearing the story from two different perspectives, and be inspired by how Ryan and Sarah moved through their traumatic accident and by how Patty found a way to help! Together their story is one of resilience, hope, creativity, and of loving familial support too!     JOIN THE LS COMMUNITY!     FOLLOW STEPHANIE ON IG     FOLLOW THE LOVELIGHT STORIES PODCAST ON IG       SHOW NOTES

  4. 12/10/2025

    Building a Thriving Life Together After A Paralyzing Accident with Ryan and Sarah Gibson

    Today on the podcast I'm welcoming Ryan and Sarah Gibson. Join us as together, they share the story of Ryan's life-altering accident that left him paralyzed. Listen-in to understand the significant challenges they've faced, how they moved forward in crisis, and how they've built a thriving life together! You'll leave inspired by their story of love, perseverance, positivity, and community!   Topics discussed in this episode: Hear the story of Ryan's life-altering accident that left him paralyzed Empathize as they share what it was like in those early moments of crisis Understand as they share how they began to realize the things that were immediately different about their life Be inspired by the thriving life they've built together through their love, perseverance, creativity, and positivity!   I met Ryan and Sarah through Patty, my massage therapist! Patty is Sarah's mom, and after hearing their inspiring story through Patty, I knew their story was one you'd find inspiring too. To help you better understand all they've overcome, Ryan and Sarah are re-telling their experience in this episode. I especially love their love and positivity! I'm confident you'll leave inspired to embrace your own challenges too!   JOIN THE LS COMMUNITY!     FOLLOW STEPHANIE ON IG     FOLLOW THE LOVELIGHT STORIES PODCAST ON IG     SHOW NOTES

  5. 11/12/2025

    From Church Planting to Advocating For Youth in Foster Care with Scott Fuller | Murphy-Harpst

    Today on the podcast I'm sitting down with Scott Fuller, VP of Advancement at Murphy-Harpst, to better understand foster care and the system that supports youth without a family. You'll come to learn why instability is unfortunately often a big part of foster care, and how Murphy-Harpst is working to combat the issue. You'll leave inspired with real evidence of kids thriving in the foster care system too!    Topics discussed in this episode:  Hear Scott's own personal story of how God lead him from pastoring and church planting to advocating for youth in foster care! Hear Scott's testimony story of coming to Christ! Understand how meeting the children at Murphy-Harpst helped heal Scott's own heart through shared pain and empathy. Listen as Scott dispels the myths of child welfare. Understand the instability of the foster care system and why that instability is not only bad for the children, but also for the fostering community. Come to learn how Murphy-Harpst is pioneering the first-of-its-kind model in Georgia to provide stability for children in foster care!   This faith-filled conversation with Scott is inspiring! His own personal story has trials and hardship, but also evidence of God's leading throughout! Additionally, Murphy-Harpst's first-of-its-kind model in Georgia supports children in the foster care system - offering hope for the future of foster care!   murphyharpst.org     JOIN THE LS COMMUNITY!     FOLLOW STEPHANIE ON IG     FOLLOW THE LOVELIGHT STORIES PODCAST ON IG   SHOW NOTES

  6. 11/12/2025

    Welcome Back to Season 3!

    Hello sweet friends! I'm Stephanie Jacobs, a storyteller and advocate for social justice, and your host of The Lovelight Stories Podcast. After a summer season break, I'm here to welcome you back to season 3 of the show! This is still a place where we can uncover a deeper understanding of humanity through beautiful, redemptive stories that inspire our hearts!   I have a strong line-up of guests ready to share their own personal stories with you again this season, and I just can't wait!    In this quick episode, I'm sharing important updates about the show, and filling you in on all that happened this summer while we took a break.   Welcome back, Lovely!   With love + light, Stephanie

  7. 05/21/2025

    Fighting For Freedom: Uniting Against Global Sex Trafficking with Jackie Ellwood | Atlas Free

    Today on the podcast I'm welcoming Jackie Ellwood. She has worked with Atlas Free for 7 years. She is currently the Donor Relations Manager and works to curate experiences, communication and connection between the Atlas Free donor community and the impact they are making worldwide. As you listen to today's episode, you'll come to better understand sex trafficking and how prevalent it is around the world, especially in the United States (which may surprise you)! You'll become more aware of what's happening around us daily, how to keep your own children safe, and how we can each work towards freedom for all!   Topics discussed in this episode: Come to understand the many forms of human trafficking and how prevalent it is around the world. Learn how Atlas Free works to free people globally by engaging from all angles of the issue. Learn how Atlas Free partners with network members to fight sex trafficking globally. Learn how to keep your own children safe. Come to understand the perspective of having empathy for perpetrators, in addition to victims of trafficking. Hear inspiring stories of freedom! Learn how we can all work towards freedom!   Thank you to Jackie for taking the time to share more about the topic of human trafficking, and specifically, sex trafficking. It's so important to stay aware of what's happening around us and what it looks like. What a gift it is to have the chance to join Atlas Free in the fight for Freedom too! Learn more about Atlas Free at Atlasfree.org   Well Lovely, that's a wrap on season 2 of The Lovelight Stories Podcast! We'll be back with season 3 launching on November 12, 2025. I have so many powerful stories lined up for season 3 already, and I just can't wait for you to join us!    Here on The Lovelight Stories Podcast, we're out to find more empathy, love, and true connection in our world! I'm so glad you're here, Lovely! See you on November 12 for season 3!   Is your story ready to be shared? Take the story quiz!   JOIN THE LS COMMUNITY!   FOLLOW STEPHANIE ON IG   FOLLOW THE LOVELIGHT STORIES PODCAST ON IG   SHOW NOTES

  8. 05/07/2025

    How God Used My Business to Restore Our Life | Jen Jacobson Brusa, Beloved Cheesecakes

    In this episode, I'm sitting down with Jen Jacobson Brusa, founder and owner of Beloved Cheesecakes. You'll hear her story of abuse, both as a child and in her marriage, and how God is using the greatest trials in her life to serve up love through her wildly successful "Beloved Cheesecakes" business!   Topics discussed in this episode: Hear Jen's childhood story of neglect and abuse, and how her longing for love and a family left her feeling broken. Come to see how shame can sometimes guilt us into doing things God may not want for us. Understand how trauma can cause us to operate out of pain and lead us down a path that further harms us. Hear Jen's testimony story of how God pursued her through a series of encounters with strangers. Celebrate the story of Beloved Cheesecakes, and how God has restored her life through her business! Before you jump in, I want to put a little disclaimer out there that Jen's story covers multiple difficult topics you might not want little ears to hear. Thank you to Jen for her openness and vulnerability in sharing her story so that we can come to understand some of the lessons she's learned through tremendous trials, be inspired by the way God has moved in her life, and celebrate alongside her for the life she's living today! Learn more about Beloved Cheesecakes!     JOIN THE LS COMMUNITY!   FOLLOW STEPHANIE ON IG   FOLLOW THE LOVELIGHT STORIES PODCAST ON IG   SHOW NOTES

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5
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Feeling overwhelmed by a world that's seemingly dividing over polarizing views, power, and hate? Unsure how to best help those who are hurting? Having trouble loving someone who's hard to love? Are you longing to see more love, empathy, and true connection in our world, or your own life? Join Stephanie Jacobs, as she creates space to uncover a deeper understanding of humanity through beautiful, redemptive stories that inspire your heart. Welcoming ALL of humanity and diving deep into any and all social justice issues, Stephanie's ready to learn alongside you as joyful redemptive stories are understood, seen, and heard. Gain new perspectives as you explore topics such as: poverty, human trafficking, incarceration, race, mental health, special abilities, and more. Here, you'll have a chance to embrace real, raw, and vulnerable conversations as you begin to uncover the hope, love, empathy, and connection that can be found in our fellow humanity! It's time to rise above all the hate and negativity clamoring for attention in the world, and find the love + light you long for!

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