Your Day Brighter®

TobyMac joins me for a beautiful conversation about the love of his family and the healing power of God in a hard season of loss. His transparency and his faith left me undone in the best way.  

This man is the real deal: a man of God on a journey to love well.  

01:39 Coming “Home”

03:27 Marriage Lessons

08:20 How is God healing you?

16:50 What’s bringing you joy?

22:45 What’s the band teaching you about race and culture?

25:50 “Space”

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

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If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

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She grew up in a Jewish home, a home that from the outside looked perfect. No one knew the hurt and pain that was happening behind those doors.  As a child, she was entrusted to be the confidante and keeper of her mother’s secret affairs; a darkness that a little girl was brought into.  That trauma stayed with her into her adult life and affected her ability to love her own family. She tried therapy. Years of it. Jill was broken, and her life was coming apart.  

But Jesus.  

Join me for a special conversation with author Jill Ellen Smith about God’s holy love and how Jesus rescued her and changed her life.  

01:02 Meet Jill

06:45 I’m in trouble here

13:30 Jesus in a Jewish home

24:24 I don’t do Jesus!!

26:15 Holy Love

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

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If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

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How do we talk about and process racially-motivated violence? How do we help bring healing to this world that is reeling? How do we navigate a diverse world as people who love Jesus and want to build unity and understanding? How do we lead in a multi-cultural context?  

These are important questions and my friend Nikki Lerner is up for the challenge. Join me as I talk with one of my dearest friends and safest places to process with. Nikki is a culture coach and she brings so much wisdom and practical help. You might want to take notes- I did! 

01:30 Culture coach??

03:15 What’s a Safe Person?

07:15 Processing horrible things

17:25 Lightbulb moments!!

24:14 The Golden Nugget for leaders

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

Follow Tiffanie

Follow John

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

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Her incredible voice has taken her to American Idol, season 9, and a 4-year stint as a backup singer for Katy Perry. But Tasha Layton has finally landed in a personal sweet spot, writing and singing music that draws people closer to God. Have you heard her single, “Look What You’ve Done?” It undoes me!  

I was honored to hear her share a bit of her journey to this sweet spot of life, including going from performing in stadiums in elaborate productions to intimate gatherings of worship and being a mom and wife.  

Tasha is transparent and relatable, and also shares about her battle with depression that nearly took her life years ago. She is a breath of fresh air; grateful and grounded in her faith- and her music is just one part of a beautiful soul that you’ll get to know on this episode of the podcast.  

02:03 Meet Tasha

05:15 Searching for truth

09:02 Wounded by the Church

11:30 Inspiration in nature

15:01 Leading worship vs performing

16:04 What’s next for Tasha?

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

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If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

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I love to laugh but I am not a fan of vulgar humor and foul language -and what’s even worse for me, is when making fun of other people becomes the source of the jokes. So how refreshing is it when you get to laugh gorgeous belly laughs with no flinch factor at all? Yes!  

I am delighted to introduce to you comedian Shawn Reynolds. He is hilarious, authentic and a precious human who loves to use his humor to bring people together. Shawn is doing good things in the world, leveraging his platform to help make adoptions more affordable and yes, he’s got a story to share.  

There’s so much to love about this guy. Get ready to laugh with no flinches, and like I just did, become a new fan of Shawn Reynolds.  

02:03 Meet Shawn! 

07:35 Shawn’s calling

10:36 Adoption 

19:02 Life as a comedian

21:14 Clean comedy

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

Follow Tiffanie

Follow John

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

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In a field that was for years, dominated by men, journalist Denise Koch forged a path in broadcast journalism and became one of the most trusted news anchors in our generation.  

For 40 years, we’ve seen her on our local station WJZ, delivering the news with excellence, and covering human interest stories with warmth and relatability. I have admired her for so many years and I am thrilled to share this conversation with you on the podcast.  

If you’re from Maryland, you know her name and you love her. If you’re not from Maryland, you’ll love her after listening to this conversation. Wise, warm and wonderful... meet Denise Koch, my guest on this episode of Your Day Brighter ™. And yes... that is me, doing a little fangirl squeal.  

02:45 Meet Denise

04:35 Why Journalism?

14:15 When did you know that you found your passion?

21:55 Breaking bad news

27:01 What’s going on in the world?

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

Follow Tiffanie

Follow John

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

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Twenty-seven years ago, I made a decision that I can never undo. I had an abortion. I carry with me the sorrow of that decision and I will carry it for the rest of my life. But what I don’t carry with me, is the shame and guilt that I felt years ago. This episode is deeply personal because it’s my story. No politics here- Just my story. And I share it as a woman who has experienced the love and grace of God and profound healing from my trauma. I want that for women and men who are living with the pain and shame that has been a secret they’ve been holding for years.  

Pam Palumbo of Wellspring Life joins me for the second half of this podcast and no one I know has more experience, wisdom and compassion to talk about this hard topic. Have a listen and please share with someone that needs a tender touch, a safe place, and an invitation to bring their secret into the light of God’s love.  

00:06:20 Meet Tracey

00:14:15 The broken vase

00:26:15 Pam Palumbo, Wellspring Life

00:29:13 The ultimate mission of Wellspring life

00:36:45 The statistics  

00:44:30 Reversal of thought

00:53:02 How can I get involved?

01:06:00 Baby

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

Follow Tiffanie

Follow John

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

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Do you ever feel like your best life is just beyond your grasp? Joshua Becker has a passion for helping people to live meaningful, purpose-filled lives.  

He’s a best-selling author and founder of BecomingMinimalist.com and his work has helped people all over the world get free from the weight of owning so much stuff, so they can focus on what really matters to them. Joshua’s wisdom has impacted my life and I am so thrilled to share this amazing conversation with you.  

We talk about Joshua’s new book which will help us identify the specific distractions that may be keeping you from the life you actually want. This is a game-changer, friends!  

02:20 Minimalism?

09:45 If you were to die today…

11:52 Distractions keeping you from a meaningful life

18:02 Happiness - a distraction?

24:45 The problem of technology

30:15 How to have fewer regrets

37:45 Acts of service

42:50 Unpacking distractions

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

Follow Tiffanie

Follow John

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey
Follow Tiffanie
Follow John

We all want to have better relationships, right? The Bible is deeply relevant when it comes to how we treat other people and it gets all up in our business. And I love it!  

On this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing some lessons I’ve learned about loving our friends and yes, I’m still learning. I never want to just let my close relationships be on auto-pilot, but I want to nurture them to be healthy and vibrant. The wisdom in Colossians 3:12-14, tells us there are things we need to take off and things we need to put on. We are to wear love! What does that look like practically? Join me for some real talk about loving our friends well.  

00:45 We’re wired differently!

05:30 What are we supposed to wear?!

08:30 Cover messes with grace

13:15 Be aware of the season your friend is in

18:25 Celebrate AND mourn with your friend

21:58 Ring that bell

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

Follow Tiffanie

Follow John

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey
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Logan, Madison, and Taylor, otherwise known as CAIN join me for an honest, delightful conversation from a room backstage somewhere in South Dakota, or North? They honestly weren’t sure where they were! They are precious. Siblings who have been making music together for a long time, singing in cover bands and in bars.... but only recently discovered that making music for Jesus was what they wanted to be doing all along.  

What a journey they’ve been on... Can’t wait for you to meet them!  

06:25 Something special 

08:15 Musical direction

11:45 How to stay authentic

16:08 The best thing I learned from touring

20:25 The burden of our generation

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey

Follow Tiffanie

Follow John

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at BRIGHTFM.com.

Join our private Facebook Group

Follow Tracey
Follow Tiffanie
Follow John