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 (47)
  • 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. 175. Creative Healing: Are You Who God Wants You To Be? | Emanuela Hall

    5d ago

    175. Creative Healing: Are You Who God Wants You To Be? | Emanuela Hall

    Welcome to Episode 175 of the Warrior Words podcast!   When God told me I was supposed to be a podcaster and public speaker, I had no idea how to do either one. I didn't want to do either one. In this episode, both of those things come together! I am speaking with my speaking coach, Emanuela Hall! It's amazing that when you are obedient to the Holy Spirit, He directs you to what - or who - you need. Emanuela is a performer and lover of the stage, who found a neglected niche in 2020 when people started to move online more and more. She started coaching, creating courses, podcasting, and doing all the things on social media to build an online business. She also had three children, whom she now homeschools, and three births that didn't go as planned. Then she decided to do something for herself and participated in a 30-day creativity challenge. In those 30 days, she wrote a short play about her breastfeeding experiences and was blessed to be able to perform it on the stage. She struggled with all of the "shoulds" and "have-tos" of being a mom. And in 2025, those "shoulds" started showing up in her business. But she learned from her motherhood "shoulds" and realized that she could take a pause to discover who she was created to be. Were all of these things in her life things she wanted or that which society told her she "should" be? She got creative!   Learn more about Emanuela: Website: https://www.emanuelahall.com Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-speaking-and-storytelling-podcast-for-christ/id1744414818 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emanuela.hall/ Emanuela's Unforgettable Elevator Pitch Template (free for everyone!): https://mailchi.mp/59d9a0afd914/yourunforgettableelevatorpitch   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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/ Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd   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.

    47 min
  2. 174. UFOs, UAPs, NDEs From God? Discernment is Key | Steven M. Bell

    Jun 3

    174. UFOs, UAPs, NDEs From God? Discernment is Key | Steven M. Bell

    Welcome to Episode 174 of the Warrior Words podcast!   I have something a little different for you this week. One of my former guests shared his latest book with me, and the topic is timely. Given all the hype lately around aliens and spaceships, and life not of this earth, Steven M. Bell (Episode 140), was brought back to an encounter he had as a child. That and his newfound knowledge of the Catholic faith led him down a path of research and discovery, parts of which reminded him of his journey with addiction recovery. So, before we dismiss what we're hearing and seeing, perhaps we should discern instead. This was a fascinating conversation around a topic I hadn't given much thought to, much less put all of these things together.   Learn more about Steven: Website: https://www.thethinningveilproject.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.b12 The Thinning Veil: https://amzn.to/4g01rvQ The Uncomfortable Truth: https://amzn.to/4dKeAbb   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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/ Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd   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.

    51 min
  3. 173. Will You Take Up Your Cross? Fragility of Life | Paty Araiza

    May 27

    173. Will You Take Up Your Cross? Fragility of Life | Paty Araiza

    Welcome to Episode 173 of the Warrior Words podcast!   This week, I am blessed to introduce you to a wonderful young lady! Paty has been tested by fire multiple times in the last few years. But when faced with a temptation that put her at odds with her Christian upbringing, she courageously faced doubt in fear in order to say "yes" to Jesus. Then, she's had to face tremendous loss, not once, but twice, in a short period of time. To say her faith has been tested would be an understatement. But Paty has faced each temptation, each doubt, and each fear with Jesus by her side. It hasn't been easy, but she has experienced both beauty and peace. Listen in to learn more about this remarkable young woman, the challenges she's faced, and the grace & strength God has given her to walk through them all.   Learn more about Paty: Website: https://salescareerlab.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-araiza/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paty.araiza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tech.sales.matchmaker/   Don't forget Paty's offer of a 30-minute clarity call. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Instagram to get that call set up!   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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/ Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd   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.

    57 min
  4. 172. Rejoicing in Life’s Storms; Trusting in Jesus | Heather Gaffney

    May 20

    172. Rejoicing in Life’s Storms; Trusting in Jesus | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 172 of the Warrior Words podcast!   When it rains, it pours. That's a sentiment I've held onto most of my life. It seems, looking back (and while living it!), that it's poured most of my five+ decades. And as much as I've loved the iconic scene in Singing in the Rain, it's a shame that it has taken until this last decade to appreciate it in my own life. I'm not perfect at it. But this podcast has shown me so many examples of people who are rejoicing in the rain, finding beauty in their suffering. And I am so grateful. I thought this podcast would help others find beauty - and I know it has because people have told me so - but God's wisdom and ways are so high above mine. He has taught me to sing, dance, and laugh in the rain. He has taught me: This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad! Again, I am not perfect. But I share in this episode more storms ~ and, of course, more beauty. It's awe-filled that a shift in perspective can have you going from "Why me?" to "Jesus, I trust in You."   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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/ Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd   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.

    15 min
  5. 171. Seeking Help & Becoming Who God Created You to Be | Tresa Rolando Salters

    May 13

    171. Seeking Help & Becoming Who God Created You to Be | Tresa Rolando Salters

    Welcome to Episode 171 of the Warrior Words podcast!   This week's guest, Tresa, shares her story of how another's alcohol abuse led to abuse of another kind. And also led to a downturn in her own physical health. But she was raised in faith, and she started to see threads God was weaving through her life. She recognized that she needed help, and she sought it. Then, after she was on the other side, she sought more help. She actively participated in improving her own health, and in so doing, she learned skills that are not only helping her, but also helping so many women she has encountered. Listen in to hear how God spoke to her, and how she was obedient, and subsequently rewarded.   Tresa's Pain Assessment: https://www.livewellwithtresa.com/upsell-6791   Learn more about Tresa: Website: https://www.livewellwithtresa.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@tresarolandosalters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tresa.rolando.salters Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livewellwithtresa/   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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/ Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd   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.

    43 min
  6. 170. How Can We Bear Both Burdens & Fruit? | Heather Gaffney

    May 6

    170. How Can We Bear Both Burdens & Fruit? | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 170 of the Warrior Words podcast!   This week, I talk about another quote I heard! I learned so much at the Women's Retreat I attended earlier this year! If you have the opportunity to attend one, I highly recommend it. This time, I heard a comparison between the phrases "bearing burdens" and "bearing fruit." It's an important connection and relates very well to the mission of this podcast. Burdens = Suffering Fruit = Beauty Can you have the beauty/fruit without the suffering/burdens? What did our speaker say? What does Jesus say in the Bible?   You can find Sr. Jude Andrew at https://openlightmedia.com/   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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 1st Phorm for your Health Goals (aff): https://1stphorm.sjv.io/K01j3e Catholic Owned (aff): Get 10% off any Business membership with my code WARRIOR at https://catholicowned.com/ Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd   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.

    11 min
  7. 169. Lessons for Us & Our Friends with Autism | Heather Gaffney

    Apr 29

    169. Lessons for Us & Our Friends with Autism | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 169 of the Warrior Words podcast!   I was blessed to have an amazing conversation with a woman who is doing great work with families living with autism. While I didn't record our conversation, I wanted to share some of the things we discussed. We talked about what she is doing with her organization and about where we go from here. What is needed in the autism community? What's next? Even if you don't personally know anyone on the spectrum, there is still valuable information in what she's doing. I am hoping to be able to connect with her further for a recorded conversation, but in the meantime, I invite you to have a listen to hear why.    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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 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/ Warrior Words Amazon Store (aff): For items I use, recommend, or love! https://a.co/d/06usyTGd   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.

    13 min
  8. 168. See the Beauty, not the Ugly | Heather Gaffney

    Apr 22

    168. See the Beauty, not the Ugly | Heather Gaffney

    Welcome to Episode 168 of the Warrior Words podcast!   Is your tendency to see only the ugly in certain situations? Or, are you able to discover beauty in even the ugliest of circumstances? Learning to discover beauty can be hard. But it's also so important. I heard a smart young woman say something so profound, yet so simple. It was her quote that inspired this episode. It's not a long episode, but she inspired me to take a look at how I viewed a few situations in my life.  Listen in to hear an insight I discovered.   Here's where you can get to know Chika: https://www.chika.church/   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/ Gabriella Batel's Editing Services: https://bonepiercer.com/editing/first-chapter-packages/ 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.

    13 min
See All (176)

Trailer

5
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

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

Information

You Might Also Like