✝️ ABOUT THIS EPISODE

In Episode 109 of Halfway to Sunday, Jill sits down with writer and podcast host Wanda Thibodeaux for a refreshingly honest conversation about joy, especially when trauma and grief are part of your story. Wanda shares how joy doesn’t require denying pain, and why unresolved grief often keeps us anchored in the past. Together they talk about practical ways to “train your brain” toward what’s good and beautiful, including Philippians 4:8 as a guide for refocusing your mind when life feels overwhelming. Wanda offers simple, grounded examples (like noticing small comforts in hard seasons) and reframes joy as something you can practice without minimizing suffering. This episode is for anyone who wants to experience God again in the middle of real life: not through pretending, but through healing, honesty, and small daily steps toward hope.

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PODCAST SHOW NOTES:

Full episodes now out on YouTube! ➡️ Watch: Halfway to Sunday (Full Episodes)

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💌 Questions/Guest Requests

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🩵 ABOUT US

Halfway to Sunday is a weekly faith-based podcast for people who want Jesus but still have questions, sharing honest, hope-filled stories of real faith through joy and loss, healing and growth, and even doubt. Not polished or performative, just real conversations that remind you you’re not alone and loved by God.

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🔗 LINKS

Follow Halfway to Sunday on Instagram

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Follow Jill on Instagram

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📖 BIBLE RESOURCES

Philippians 4:8

The Journaling Bible I use | Bible Highlighters | Annotating Tabs | **affiliate links

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Wanda’s website

🎙️ OTHER EPISODES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL:

Episode #100 Biblical Boundaries, Peace and Celebrating ONE HUNDRED Episodes w/ Cassian Bellino

Episode #96 Interruptible Faith w/ Katherine Douglass and Brittany Tausen

Episode #74 Proximity Over Performance w/ Terence Lester

Episode #72 Bearing Witness to Brave Faith w/ Kurt Ver Beek

Episode #59 Loyal in His Love: How Jesus Heals What People Break w/ Tabitha Panariso

Episode #53 Faith Isn’t Fragile w/ Erin Moon

Halfway to Sunday is a weekly conversation on life and faith with your friends.

We're so glad you're here.