A Little Wray Of Sunshine: Inspirational stories from everyday people

Send us a text

You'll love the wisdom, courage and fortitude that Karly Wilson brings to this weeks episode! Despite the trials that unexpectedly appear in our lives, Karly tells us how we can overcome, and rise above them. She says "I try not to focus my energy on things that don't matter, but focus my energy on the things that do." Her powerful and moving approach to life will leave you with hope and optimism. "When things don't make sense, or when things feel too hard, all I can do is just rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because they're in control and know the end from the beginning, and I don't have to know the end to be able to keep persevering and keep going."  

Send us a text

In this weeks episode, Rae Huntsman shares her story of overcoming hardship from a young age with the help of positive influences in her life. Rae shares personal accounts of some of the trials she has gone through, and how those experiences have helped shaped her life. "I see myself as somebody that can protect others that maybe grew up like me." Rae has learned and practices the concept of being an influence for good in the life's of children, asserting that "it takes a village to raise your kids, and many people can be positive influences on your kids and your grandkids." Enjoy!

Send us a text

This episode with Marcus Thomas is part two of episode 26. Listen as Marcus shares how he has been able to rise above a childhood filled with abuse, despair, and uncertainty, to instill hope and happiness into the lives of countless young boys that he coaches. He shares his raw and honest thoughts about shaping children to become successful adults. Marcus learned that "when you criticize kids, they don't stop loving you, they stop loving themselves." He feels strongly that as adults we have the ability to mold and influence young people we come in contact with, whether it's as a coach or a parent.. and to do that "you have to make yourself strong by yourself before you can be strong for others." You will be inspired by how this remarkable man has chosen to let his past drive him to be a force for good in the world, and how his choices continue to set him apart as a selfless, caring individual with a heart of gold.

Send us a text

(PART TWO of episode 29 - "IT'S OK TO NOT BE OK")

Joy Hansen continues to spread hope as she openly shares about her lowest point in life, and how her experiences have contributed to, and placed her on a path of healing. "One of the essentials for my healing is to work at building and maintaining deep and meaningful connections with other people... we're not meant to be alone."  "When we can build deep, meaningful relationships where we feel like it's a safe space and place for us where we can be vulnerable, it grounds us; it gives us something to hang on to and if you don't have that in life I encourage you to examine what you can do to build that with others.. because without those meaningful connections, I don't know if I would have made it through."

Send us a text

In this episode you will literally feel the excitement and positive energy blasting from your speakers as you hear how Armando Gonzalez channels his passion, energy, and Christian values to motivate his players, as the head coach for the Rigby High School varsity football team. Relocating to Rigby, Idaho from Southern California five years ago, Armando has impacted the lives of countless youth in a positive and constructive way. You will be inspired as he discusses the four core values that are used as a major focal point for their success, which are: 1. Sharpen the axe; 2. Brotherhood; 3. Ride for the brand; and, 4. Championship competitor. "Nothing's a test... just an opportunity to learn and grow." All I can say is hang on! This energetic and fast paced episode will get your heart pumping!

Send us a text

I've heard it said that God tries those that he loves... and I truly believe that... but, let me tell you, it that's true, the young woman I interviewed for this episode is really, really, loved! Listen as Joy Hansen describes her unique life circumstances with child birth, health, depression, and pressing thoughts of suicide... "It's crazy how intrinsically connected the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual is so interconnected." She witnessed many miracles, and had unseen (and seen) Angels in her corner along the way to help her endure and survive. "When we have a friend who's struggling, I think so often we listen to them so that we can respond, when most of the time they just need us to listen." She is refreshingly honest and bold with her story... "I've seen so much value in being willing to be vulnerable... vulnerability is the key to building amazingly strong relationships in healing and helping others."

Send us a text

If you've ever worried about how the generation coming up will do when asked to take the reins and be the next leaders, your mind will be put to rest after listening to this episode. I had the privilege of interviewing a young man who is a senior in high school, and he shared with me his perspective on what it's like to be a teenager in today's world, including some of the challenges they face.  He has a unique and refreshing perspective that will leave you feeling confident in the abilities of our next generation of leaders. Here are a few quotes from this exceptional young man:

"If everybody thinks the same, acts the same, and tries to be the same, things are gonna fall apart." 

"By small and simple things, great things can come to pass."

"Nobody knows who they are, and everybody's trying to be confused."

"Look to grow to be the good."

Thank you for listening, and if you would like to share your story, please email me at: [email protected]    
Enjoy!

Send us a text

In this incredible episode,  Janet Shippen describes how an otherwise uneventful day turned into a living nightmare when she was attacked by a man while enjoying an afternoon walk. I was so impressed by her fighting spirit, and her ability to act in the moment. "This is something that changes you, you definitely change, but I also feel like I have become a stronger person because of it."  " You don't know how strong or courageous you are until you're faced with a situation like that, and then you realize, well, I am a strong person; I am brave, I can do this."

Send us a text

In this special episode, Marcus Thomas shares his uplifting story of being raised by his mother who was addicted to drugs and alcohol; he was physically, mentally, and sexually abused, and had many other experiences during his childhood that has had a profound impact in shaping him into who he is now as an adult.  Marcus chose to learn from his past, and to focus his efforts now in helping others who may be struggling or who need a role model in their lives.  "You can choose to perservere and push forward, or you can choose to lie down, give up, point the finger, and be part of the cancel culture." Marcus will inspire you to never give up! "It's been a fight my entire life, if I was asked to be a fighter I might as well go down swinging, you have to take it a punch at a time... sometimes you fly through the rounds, sometimes you get knocked down, but I promise if you get up, there is someone who will benefit from it, not just yourself."

CONTACT ME AT: [email protected] if you would like to share your story, or if you know of someone you feel would have a story to share. : )

Send us a text

 In this episode you will be inspired by a girl who was sexually abused growing up, and now, years later, she shares her story about forgiveness, second chances, and choosing to overcome.   There is much we can learn from this courageous and insightful young lady. Below are just a few of her inspirational quotes:

..."I'm going to make mistakes, everyone else is going to make mistakes... it's my choice to forgive them like God forgives them, because if I don't then it's only going to cause me pain, it's not going to hurt them if I don't forgive them... I just need to remember that I never run out of second chances, and neither do they. "

"Every day is a brand new day, it's a brand new chapter in your life that you can choose to let your story... be either negative or positive."

"The things that we go through definitely shape us and influence us to who we're going to be."

"Your happiness is what matters and if you have Christ in your live guiding you, then you're going to be happy." 

"Choose something everyday that going to make you happy and try to just do those things for you and no one else."

"I'm going to mess up every single day in one way or another, but that doesn't define me.. what defines me is how I choose to overcome those things, whether I choose to talk to God about it, or to let it bring me down even more."