Sara Daigle is our guest in the first episode of a NEW focus on Christian women, marriage and divorce.

Sara was raised in an Amish community and when she married, her history of obedience caused her to put up with a marriage that tolerated pornography. Her husband asked her to consider engaging in an open marriage, and she said no. But these trials forced her to cling to the Lord, who delivered her from that relationship. She also began to teach her daughters how to have a blessed relationship. Part one of a multi-part episode. We will unpack a lot of Sara's wisdom next week. Come back!

Women of Purpose with Sara Daigle

Sara's books

In the 40th and last episode of Season 5, Mischelle Saunders-Gottsch is a God storyteller. But her own ability to tell other women's stories on her podcast ministry, Altered Stories, comes from her history of being in a cult with her mother. She is retelling it in a book she's writing, and the journey is difficult. Listen as Mischelle shared memories of that time in her family's life.

THIS IS THE LAST EPISODE BEFORE WE PIVOT TO OUR NEW FOCUS ON DIVORCED CHRISTIAN WOMEN. We hope you continue to listen as we serve a new audience who needs to learn about joy!

Altered Stories Ministry

The Altered Stories Podcast

We’re pivoting here at the Positively Joy podcast to a topic that many women will find incredibly relevant. Relationships. The Lord has put on my heart to talk about my own difficult divorce and journey back to joy, a journey where God was my everything. I remember how hard it was, and in these upcoming seasons we’ll get real and talk about the hurt, the pain, the loss and freedom in Jesus.

After 13 years of marriage to a man with bipolar depression, I found myself lost in the aftermath of our divorce. The emotional toll of navigating his illness left me drained and questioning my worth. In my search for joy, Psalm 91 became my refuge. The words, “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you will find refuge,” spoke deeply to my wounded heart. Through faith, self-reflection, and God’s protection, I discovered that joy isn’t dependent on circumstances. It’s a choice. By leaning on His promises, I found love for myself, peace in His presence, and joy in the small, everyday moments.

I hope you join us, and share this with those you think need to hear these conversations. It’s still Positively Joy, but more.

Pamela D. Smith is a prayer warrior, who uses prayer not only to evangelize, and communicate and give glory to God, but to  help her self-confidence. Pamela shares her story today of being a teen mom, and all the insecurity and doubt that came with her journey. But she loves her children and is so proud of them. Today Pamela teaches us what prayer is and how to pray. Stay tuned for this important conversation.

Pamela's website

Her books

Tracey Glenn and her alter-ego character, Loretta, are a hoot. But don't be mistaken, they ARE strong Christians and love the Lord. She is an author, blogger, speaker, and searcher of biblical wisdom. Her book, "Gathering the Wayward Heart," is about what happens when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned. Listen to Tracey speak on joy and peace.

Visit Tracey Glenn's website

Her books

Coffee with Loretta

Carol Chisholm is a writer and singer who has kept her baldness a secret from the world and even from her family. She has an autoimmune disease called alopecia that took away her hair and her self-esteem. But she took to heart the words of Psalm 139 that says we are all fearfully and wonderfully made! Now she is proud of her baldness, and her book, "Breaking the Shadows," has just won a best memoir award! Let's hear more from Carol.

Jerry Dugan of the Beyond the Rut podcast and ministry visits the show today. A military veteran, Jerry has a great message about listening to God, being obedient and loving his family. It's about time we had him on the show, and his message of finding faith certainly is relevant following the Memorial Day weekend.

Recent graduate Allison England is starting a new career in ministry and media. The creative media production grad from the University of Oklahoma has joined a student ministry on campus to help disciple college students, a worthy vocation. But she needs your help. Tune in to this week's episode and learn directly from Allison why it's worth it.

Student Mobilization website

How to help Allison's ministry

Couples aren't perfect and can have problems, so speaking to a marriage counselor can be a good idea. But what about incorporating your faith into exploring marital issues? Licensed Professional Counselor and Therapist Healey Ikerd says it's a natural, and that when picking a counselor who is Christian you should ask them to integrate their faith into the counseling. 

Healey's website

Her books on anxiety, children's books and  journals

Perfectionism, pride, imposter syndrome. It's something that Vivian Cumins has struggled with. Vivian is a writer, speaker, and podcast host. Her need to be perfect and in control led to an unbalanced lifestyle filled with work, stress, illness, and depression. Today, Vivian and I talk about how to rededicate our lives to the Lord and leave perfectionism behind.

Go to Vivian's website

Free resources on work-life balance and others