Joystarters with Rachel Baribeau: Nurturing Faith, Finding Purpose, and Pursuing Joyful Living

The world runs on people who go above and beyond — the ones who show up with kindness, generosity, and heart when they don’t have to.

In this episode, Rachel Joy Baribeau reflects on moments that reminded her just how much small acts of love and effort truly matter. You’ll be encouraged to look for ways to give more, care deeper, and become the person who makes life brighter for others.

Do more than required. Love bigger than expected. Give when you don’t have to. That’s how movements — and lives — are built.

If this message encouraged you:

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-Share it with someone who has gone above and beyond for you and let them know: “I thought of you when I heard this.”

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About our end-of-episode guest, Lindsay Freezman:

This episode contains a meditation from Lindsay Freezman at the end. Lindsay Frezman is a longtime friend of ICTN,  and is a mindset coach who helps people shift the way they think so they can change the way they live. She is passionate about helping others move past limiting beliefs, find clarity, and walk confidently in their purpose. Through both her coaching and guided meditations, Lindsay creates space for people to slow down, reset, and reconnect — mind, body, and spirit.

www.lindsayfreezman.com
Get Lindsay's ebook

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Rachel shares the story of a last-minute trip she almost didn’t take…  and the cascade of powerful lessons that unfolded as a result.

From rushing out the door to  an unexpected conversation with a stranger to a joyful reunion with lifelong friends, this journey became a masterclass in perspective, emotional growth, faith, and human connection.

You’ll walk away encouraged to slow down, speak kindly to yourself, look for purpose in delays, and reach out to people who matter. 

The episode closes with a calming guided meditation by Lindsay Freezman, who has worked behind the scenes at I’m Changing the Narrative for years. Stick around through the end to release pressure, reconnect with your true self, and return to the present moment.

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Lindsay Freezman is a mindfulness and meditation guide who helps people slow down, release pressure, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her calming voice and compassionate approach, she creates gentle spaces for healing, presence, and inner peace.

Follow Lindsay:: https://www.instagram.com/lindsayfreezman 

Visit her website at: https://lindsayfreezman.com/

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In this episode of the Joy Starters Podcast, Rachel reflects on the powerful lessons that came out of the I'm Changing the Narrative Soul Retreat and Joy Ball on Amelia Island.

When you pour your heart, faith, and soul into something meaningful, the impact doesn’t end when the event is over. In this conversation, Rachel shares what worked, what didn’t, and the deeper truths that emerged from a weekend focused on healing, connection, purpose, and mental health advocacy.

Rachel also opens up about:

Rachel also shares exciting news about a fall 2027 retreat, an upcoming inner-child joy retreat, and why this season is all about continuing the mission of Changing the Narrative around mental health in our 10th anniversary year.

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This week’s episode is straight from the heart of the I’m Changing the Narrative Soul Retreat.

You’ll hear powerful clips from Rachel Baribeau and Shannon and Shirley Austin… moments that stopped the room, challenged belief systems, and invited every person there to go deeper.

Rachel opens with a question that might change your life: Are you willing to look like an idiot for what God has put inside you? Are you willing to risk being misunderstood in order to be obedient?

From there, Shannon and Shirley unpack what it truly means to change the narrative. Not as a catchy phrase — but as a decision. A decision to examine the stories you’ve been telling yourself. The words spoken over you. The identities you adopted. The pain you’ve been holding onto.

This episode dives into:

This episode is an invitation to Change the Narrative in your own life.

RESOURCES:

Follow our Speakers:

Rachel Joy Baribeau is a nationally-recognized speaker, former sportscaster, and founder of the “I’m Changing the Narrative” movement. She speaks to athletes, teams, corporations, and communities about mental health, purpose, faith, and using your story to create impact. Rachel is known for her bold vulnerability, powerful storytelling, and heart for helping others find healing, hope, and joy.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbaribeau/

https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/

Shannon and Shirley Austin are transformational speakers, marriage mentors, and founders dedicated to helping individuals and couples rewrite limiting narratives and build relationships rooted in empathy, intentional living, and healing. Drawing from their own powerful journeys of trauma, restoration, and personal growth, they guide others toward extreme accountability, emotional maturity, and spiritual wholeness. Known for their authenticity, practical wisdom, and ability to connect deeply with audiences, Shannon and Shirley equip people to break free from destructive thought patterns and create healthier stories — in relationships and life.

https://www.marriageinc.us/

INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/marriageinc

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We just wrapped the first annual I’m Changing the Narrative Soul Retreat & Joy Ball on Amelia Island, and this episode offers a glimpse into a weekend that was equal parts healing, challenge, connection, and celebration. It was a gathering of people who believe that stories matter, that faith and courage truly change lives, and that showing up in the right room at the right time can alter the course of your future.

Throughout the retreat, attendees were encouraged to confront limiting beliefs and step into greater ownership of their lives — personally, spiritually, and financially. The Joy Ball beautifully capped off the weekend, raising funds to support mental health resources provided by I’m Changing the Narrative.

Today, we’re sharing portions of talks from three of our speakers. While you’ll hear powerful moments in this episode, they represent just a fraction of the hours of transformation, connection, and meaningful sessions that took place — many of which simply can’t be captured on a recording. This episode is your reminder that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens when you choose to show up.

We hope you’ll join us next year for the ICTN Soul Retreat and Joy Ball. We are in the process of dreaming and planning already and will release dates soon. If this episode stirred something in you, imagine what happens when you’re physically in the room. Make plans now to be where transformation unfolds.

RESOURCES:

Speakers Featured on Today's Show:

Rachel Joy Baribeau is a nationally-recognized speaker, former sportscaster, and founder of the “I’m Changing the Narrative” movement. She speaks to athletes, teams, corporations, and communities about mental health, purpose, faith, and using your story to create impact. Rachel is known for her bold vulnerability, powerful storytelling, and heart for helping others find healing, hope, and joy.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbaribeau/ | https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/

Kim Peek is a midlife life coach, speaker, and podcast producer specializing in helping women over 40 navigate divorce recovery, empty nest syndrome, burnout, and major life transitions. As founder of the YES Life Project, she guides women through identity reinvention, mindset transformation, and intentional life design using her proven 6Ps framework. Kim combines decades of marketing leadership, digital entrepreneurship, and personal resilience to empower women to rebuild confidence, rediscover purpose, and design a life that feels fully aligned

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyeslifeproject/  | https://www.theyeslifeproject.com/ 

Jerremy Newsome is a wealth coach, author, and entrepreneur who teaches individuals how to build financial freedom through mindset, investing education, and personal responsibility. Known for blending practical investing strategies with powerful belief shifts, Jerremy challenges audiences to rethink money, eliminate limiting beliefs, and create abundance by design rather than by default. 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jerremynewsome |  https://jerremynewsome.com/

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The I’m Changing the Narrative Retreat and Joy Ball are this week! So, we pulled excerpts from conversations with the speakers who will be joining us for the retreat. Every single person you’ll hear in this episode has walked through fire in their own way and now uses their story, their grit, and even their imperfections to help other people rise.

You’ll hear from Laura Reed, international musician, who shares her journey from singing on the streets to writing at Sony—and why she chose integrity over a big paycheck. Laura talks about authenticity, activism, and the power of music to move the needle in people’s lives. 

Jerremy Newsome joins us to talk about wealth in a way that goes far beyond money. Yes, he understands money at the highest levels and works with ultra-high-net-worth clients, but what he really teaches is energy—how we relate to money, fear, gratitude, and stewardship. He shares openly about losing millions of dollars (multiple times), what that taught him about gratitude, and the difference between making money, keeping money, and multiplying money. His perspective will challenge the way you think about abundance and possibility.

Shannon and Shirley Austin of Marriage Inc. speak candidly about rebuilding their marriage after infidelity, heartbreak, and deep personal reckoning. What makes their message so powerful is that it’s not about fixing the other person. It’s about radical accountability and choosing principles that guide how you show up. They talk about learning to become a student of your spouse instead of their critic, and how real peace begins when you stop pointing the finger outward and start doing the inner work.

Lindsay, our mindfulness and meditation guide, brings the conversation back to the brain and the body. She explains how visualization works on a scientific level—how the brain doesn’t know the difference between something vividly imagined and something experienced. Her work ties everything together: relationships, money, joy, healing. She reminds us that presence isn’t passive; it’s powerful.

If you’ve been craving clarity, accountability, financial wisdom, relational growth, or simply a reminder that you’re not alone, this episode will give you a glimpse of what happens when people come together with intention.

And if you’re already coming to the retreat or Joy Ball, we hope this prepares your heart for what’s ahead.

👉 JOY BALL TICKET AND DONATION LINK:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/im-changing-the-narrative-joy-ball

RETREAT: https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat

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What if the dream in your heart didn’t come with a backup plan—because it wasn’t supposed to?

This week on the Joystarters Podcast, Rachel takes us deep into one of her all-time favorite movies, Field of Dreams, and the message that has become her mantra during one of the most audacious seasons of her life: Plow the corn. Burn the boats. No plan B.

From planning a retreat and gala that benefits her nonprofit, to wrestling with middle-of-the-night anxiety, this episode is a reminder that doubt doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it often means you’re doing something brave.

Rachel also opens up about the painful truth many dreamers face: Some people will never understand your vision. They may be kind. They may love you. But they’re not your people when it comes to your dream—and that’s okay.

This episode is both a gut-check and a love letter to anyone standing at the edge of their own Field of Dreams.

RESOURCES:

We would love to see you at the Joy Ball and I’m Changing the Narrative Retreat! If you can’t attend in person, would you consider a $5 donation to help the nonprofit:

• provide mental health resources
• sponsor talks and live events
• send people to get counseling and support
• distribute bracelets, books, and resources to those in need

👉 JOY BALL TICKET AND DONATION LINK:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/im-changing-the-narrative-joy-ball

RETREAT: https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat

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In Part 2 of Rachel’s conversation with JR Harvey, the dialogue goes even deeper — into communication, emotional safety, grief, and what it truly takes to heal.

They explore the complementary strengths of men and women, discussing how men often lead through doing while women bring depth through being, feeling, and nurturing connection. Together, they talk about why so many men struggle to communicate because vulnerability has often been met with shame or punishment.

This episode also tackles:

• Why emotional safety is essential for real intimacy
• How small practices (like writing things down) can change relationships
• The lifelong impact of unprocessed grief and loss
• Why acceptance is the turning point that allows life to move forward again
• How pain, when shared, becomes purpose and leadership

Rachel shares powerful stories from her own journey and from working with athletes and leaders, highlighting the importance of sacred spaces — places where people can take off the mask, be seen, and begin to heal. JR Harvey reinforces that community is not optional; it is essential for growth, especially for men who were taught to carry everything alone.

This episode is a moving reminder that healing doesn’t happen in isolation — it happens in relationship.

✨ This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.
If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, be sure to start there — then come back to this episode to continue the journey.

JR Harvey is the founder and leader of Kings Community, a thriving online brotherhood dedicated to helping men rebuild their confidence, leadership, and emotional resilience after life’s toughest challenges. Through mentorship, community support, and candid discussions about mental health, authentic masculinity, relationships, and personal growth, he has created a space where men can move past survival strategies and step into purposeful, values-driven lives.

Under his leadership, Kings Community has grown into a meaningful network of tens of thousands of men who seek to break free from outdated coping patterns, embrace accountability, and support one another in becoming stronger, more confident, and emotionally grounded versions of themselves. 

He shares personal insights and lessons publicly through social platforms like Instagram (@kings__community) and in interviews and podcasts, where he speaks openly about overcoming adversity, redefining strength, and helping men lead with integrity both in their relationships and in their own lives.

RESOURCES:

We would love to see you at the Joy Ball and I’m Changing the Narrative Retreat! If you can’t attend in person, would you consider a $5 donation to help the nonprofit:

• provide mental health resources
• sponsor talks and live events
• send people to get counseling and support
• distribute bracelets, books, and resources to those in need

👉 JOY BALL TICKET AND DONATION LINK:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/im-changing-the-narrative-joy-ball

RETREAT: https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat

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Rachel sits down with JR Harvey, who shares how Kings Community was born out of his own pain and insecurity. Throughout the conversation, they reflect on how much confusion and pain comes from never being shown what healthy purpose, love, or leadership looks like in real life.

Together, Rachel and JR unpack how doubt slowly becomes identity, how shame takes root, and why real healing begins at the roots rather than by trying to fix surface behavior.

This conversation also explores:

• Why purpose is often found through pain
• The danger of tying identity to roles, careers, or relationships
• How community interrupts isolation
• Why healing men also lifts women
• And why men and women need each other

This episode is especially meaningful for anyone who cares about mental health, leadership, relationships, and breaking generational patterns.

✨ This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.
Be sure to come back next week for the continuation of this honest, healing dialogue.

JR Harvey is the founder and leader of Kings Community, a thriving online brotherhood dedicated to helping men rebuild their confidence, leadership, and emotional resilience after life’s toughest challenges. Through mentorship, community support, and candid discussions about mental health, authentic masculinity, relationships, and personal growth, he has created a space where men can move past survival strategies and step into purposeful, values-driven lives.

Under his leadership, Kings Community has grown into a meaningful network of tens of thousands of men who seek to break free from outdated coping patterns, embrace accountability, and support one another in becoming stronger, more confident, and emotionally grounded versions of themselves. 

He shares personal insights and lessons publicly through social platforms like Instagram (@kings__community) and in interviews and podcasts, where he speaks openly about overcoming adversity, redefining strength, and helping men lead with integrity both in their relationships and in their own lives.

RESOURCES:

We would love to see you at the Joy Ball and I’m Changing the Narrative Retreat! If you can’t attend in person, would you consider a $5 donation to help the nonprofit:

• provide mental health resources
• sponsor talks and live events
• send people to get counseling and support
• distribute bracelets, books, and resources to those in need

👉 JOY BALL TICKET AND DONATION LINK:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/im-changing-the-narrative-joy-ball

RETREAT: https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week’s episode is real life, recorded in pockets of time, stitched together with honesty, faith, and that unmistakable Joystarters energy.

Rachel starts with what’s been sitting on her heart, including a sports moment that sparked a whole internet firestorm: Lynn Jones (Associate Editor, Jacksonville Free Press) taking a few seconds to speak life into Liam Coen after a gutting game.

From there, the episode turns toward the deeper heartbeat behind I’m Changing the Narrative—what the nonprofit actually does beyond speeches and stage moments. 

Rachel reads a letter from an athlete the I’m Changing the Narrative foundation helped during a hard patch for the player: job loss, housing instability, real-life crisis. The letter is a tearjerker, and it puts words to the mission in the clearest way possible: this is what support looks like when it’s real, relational, and rooted in faith.

LINK FROM THIS EPISODE:

Kulture City, the world’s leading nonprofit on sensory accessibility and acceptance.

RESOURCES:

We would love to see you at the Joy Ball and I’m Changing the Narrative Retreat! If you can’t attend in person, would you consider a $5 donation to help the nonprofit:

• provide mental health resources
• sponsor talks and live events
• send people to get counseling and support
• distribute bracelets, books, and resources to those in need

👉 JOY BALL TICKET AND DONATION LINK:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/im-changing-the-narrative-joy-ball

RETREAT: https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.