Oh, Good Grief | The Podcast with Joy McMillan

In this episode of Oh, Good Grief, Joy McMillan reflects on what it means to be shaped under pressure rather than undone by it.

Through stories, the surprising lesson of the Biosphere trees, and the steady truth of Scripture, Joy explores how God uses resistance to deepen our roots, strengthen our character, and form a resilient faith.

This is an invitation to see pressure not as punishment, but as the place where perseverance is forged in the fire and hope takes shape.

Scripture:

• James 1:2–4
• 2 Corinthians 4:8–9
• Romans 5:3–4

Playlist:

The ⁠⁠⁠Oh, Good Grief Playlist⁠⁠⁠, featuring the songs that carried us through. Today’s song: “Another In The Fire” by Hillsong.

Book Mentioned: SOZO | Embracing the Hard + Holy Road to Wholeness in a Quick Fix World

Connect with Joy:

Website: simplybloom.org

Facebook: @simplybloom

Instagram: @simplybloomjoy

Email: [email protected]

If this episode encouraged you:

Share it with someone who may be in a hard season.

Subscribe + review to help others find this space.

You are loved.

In this episode, Joy explores the transformative power of praise - not as denial, but as perspective.
When the wilderness feels heavy and hope feels far away, gratitude and worship become life-giving anchors that steady our hearts and shift our focus back to the faithfulness of God.

Scriptures:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

• Psalm 34:1

• Psalm 22:3

• Isaiah 35:1–4

Playlist:

The ⁠⁠⁠Oh, Good Grief Playlist⁠⁠⁠, featuring the songs that carried us through. This week's song: “Hard Fought Hallelujah” by Brandon Lake.

Connect with Joy:

Website: simplybloom.org

Facebook: @simplybloom

Instagram: @simplybloomjoy

Email: [email protected]

If this episode encouraged you:

Share it with someone who may be in a hard season.

Subscribe + review to help others find this space.

You are loved.

When life feels stripped and small, it’s easy to assume we’re being punished. But what if it’s love? What if pruning is the proof of God’s care, not His cruelty?

In this episode, Joy McMillan unpacks the beauty and ache of being refined by God. Through Scripture, story, and reflection, she reminds us that when God removes, He’s also restoring.

Scripture:

John 15:1-2 | “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Hebrews 12:11 | “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful; later it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.”

Hosea 2:14-15 | “I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her there… and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.”

The 5 Year R•EVOLVE Journal: www.simplybloom.org/revolve

Playlist:

The ⁠⁠Oh, Good Grief Playlist⁠⁠, featuring the songs that carried us through. Today’s song: “Come What May” by We Are Messengers.

Connect with Joy:

Website: simplybloom.org

Facebook: @simplybloom

Instagram: @simplybloomjoy

Email: [email protected]

If this episode encouraged you:

Share it with someone who may be in a hard season.

Subscribe + review to help others find this space.

You are loved.

In this episode, Joy invites listeners to see the hard and holy seasons of life through a new lens. What if the desolate places aren’t evidence of God’s absence but proof of His presence? What if the wild is actually where we are most formed, refined, and readied for what’s next?

Through story, Scripture, and reflection, Joy shares how nearly every person God used powerfully—David, Joseph, Esther, even Jesus—spent time in the wilderness. It’s there that old identities fall away and new roots take hold.

Scripture:

Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”.

Playlist:

The ⁠Oh, Good Grief Playlist⁠, featuring the songs that carried us through. Today’s song: “Unraveling” by Cory Asbury.

Connect with Joy:

Website: simplybloom.org

Facebook: @simplybloom

Instagram: @simplybloomjoy

Email: [email protected]

If this episode encouraged you:

Share it with someone who may be in a hard season.

Subscribe + review to help others find this space.

You are loved.

In this first episode, Joy shares the story behind Oh, Good Grief. She opens the door to a vulnerable chapter of her life — one marked by loss, betrayal, church hurt, grief, resilience, and the slow journey of becoming whole again.

This episode is for anyone who has ever retreated into the quiet to heal, who has loved deeply and been hurt deeply, who has wondered if they’d ever find their way back to themselves, or to community.

What we explore:

• Why this podcast exists — and why now

• The difference between healing and hiding

• The sacredness of community during seasons of unraveling

• How grief and goodness can coexist

• What it means to steward suffering well

• The slow work of becoming softer, wiser, and more like Jesus

Scripture:

Genesis 50:20 (MSG): “You planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good… life for many people.”

Playlist:

The Oh, Good Grief Playlist, featuring the songs that carried us through. Today’s song: “Constant” by Maverick City.

Connect with Joy:

Website: simplybloom.org

Facebook: @simplybloom

Instagram: @simplybloomjoy

Email: [email protected]

If this episode encouraged you:

Share it with someone who may be in a hard season.

Subscribe + review to help others find this space.

You are loved.