My Story. My Song.: Recent Episodes
Joani
A podcast with the goal of giving the unique perspective of women as they face life's challenges. Stories from courageous hearts. Topics shared such as: abuse, cancer, singleness, grief, marriage, parenting, abortion, divorce, careers, education, and so much more. You'll be inspired.
"I have always dealt with fear... I always felt like a rocky little boat that could easily be toppled over."
Meet my friend Hope. Loving mom of six, and a loving doggy mom of one! Brilliant musician. Currently, she teaches piano, accompanies a small congregation, and is an assistant at a Montessori Preschool.
You will be inspired by her story of working through the challenge of divorce and the beauty of her presence.
". . . the miracle was her."
Meet my four sisters. . . Jackie, Julie, Joy and Joanna. Debbie's daughters. Join us as we share together the challenges of finding out suddenly about my mom's diagnosis and then our journey to say goodbye.
"It effected who I was so deeply. I am Emma, and I am sad. And that's all you need to know."Meet Emma. She is all things beautiful. A singer. Songwriter. Gardner. Good news sharer. And someone who will inspire you today. She shares with us about her journey through grief, identity, anxiety, and more. . . on a pathway to abundant life.
- Stay tuned at the end of the podcast for a special sneak peek into a song that will be on her soon-coming album! *
"Where there's breath, there's hope."
Meet my inspiring niece Abigail and be encouraged as she shares a story of the deepest moments of grief and tragedy, to the powerful message of authentic love and healing.
Abigail is mother to three, wife to Travis. She is a SAHM that is doing the beautiful work of nurturing little ones. She enjoys gardening, family, writing, reading and our favorite.... singing. :)
"I was always, definitely questioning if I was a good kid. . . I didn't understand what I was doing to deserve these things."
Keturah shares her journey working through challenges of abuse in childhood, and the pain that it created throughout her identity and self-worth.
Keturah is one of my lovely niecey's. She is married to Jordan and together they serve training those who serve in international missions.
"I'm just an embarrassment to life."
My sweet niece shares her story in a vulnerable, honest way. Abused from childhood, Hav had to battle the struggles of shame to conquer the message that told her she was not worthy of belonging. She shares about the helpers that alleviated the tough moments, and how she has to be mindful to protect her mind from triggers that cause her to go back to mental pathways that are not helpful.
Havilah is soon to be married, a missionary with YWAM, and a voice for those hurting who cannot speak up for themselves. You can visit her personal journey at "The Road Less Traveled."
"I don't feel like God thinks I deserve this."
An amazing friend shares her struggle with looming financial stress, and unexpected hurdles that tried to define her worth. Bills piling up, young family trying to grow, lots of what-if's? Fears, doubts, coping (good and bad) support, the unexplained, little graces and new days! My reminder that courage doesn't always feel big and bold, sometimes it's just a quiet decision to keep showing up.
Katie is a wifey, mother of two boys, and freshly back to college student achieving her dreams!
Some of the books cited on this podcast are:
Grace Not Perfection, by Emily Ley
The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod
Girl, Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
"That bitterness turned into something really productive. . . I feel like I was able to transform disappointment and self-doubt and criticism. . . God really has different plans for each one of us."
My beautiful friend Sophia shares with us about her difficult journey through her life with infertility. She gives us perspective on when our plans don't look like as we had always thought they would.
Meet Sophia Alleyne. . . wifey to Troy, psychologist at Health Services Authority in Grand Cayman, BWI. Through this work field she is a frontline helper for young lives who are experiencing trauma, crisis and major difficulties. She is a member of First Baptist Grand Cayman, singing in the choir and serving in many capacities.
"It takes so much strength to be in a place of vulnerability."
My friend Mandy faced the battle of cancer during the pandemic. She fought hard to achieve her most heartfelt prayer, to allow her kids to see her face this challenge with grit and grace. Going to all her appointments alone during this difficult season, physical exhaustion and difficult mental struggles she faces one of her greatest challenges head on through being honest with herself, accepting help, and embracing community.
Mandy is mom to three lovely kiddos, student and writer. She's lived in some beautiful spots in this world, and is a voice for the marginalized.
"Show me I am where I am supposed to be today."
My friend Charity shares a time of shifting in what her role in life is and the questioning of what it should be. Doubt, confusion, searching, and the struggle continued to bring her back to prayer and listening closely for wisdom.
Charity Marie is wifey to Aaron, mother to 2, gardener, co-owner with her husband of Headkicks MMA and Fitness Club, trainer, missionary, and a cultivator of all thing beautiful and bright.
"That bitterness turned into something really productive. . . I feel like I was able to transform disappointment and self-doubt and criticism. . . God really has different plans for each one of us."
My beautiful friend Sophia shares with us about her difficult journey through her life with infertility. She gives us perspective on when our plans don't look like as we had always thought they would.
Meet Sophia Alleyne, wifey to Troy, psychologist at Health Services Authority in Grand Cayman, BWI. Through this work field she is a frontline helper for young lives who are experiencing trauma, crisis and major difficulties. She is a member of First Baptist Grand Cayman, singing in the choir and serving in many capacities.
"I walked around in a circle like what... what am I going to do? . . . This unbelievable fear came over me, how will he live? . . . I didn't feel betrayed, I felt afraid."Jody shares with us about the day she received news that her husband was in a horrible car accident. She walks us through all the strong emotions, what beautiful support looks like, and miracles that have no explanation.
Jody is a beloved Wifey, Granny, and Mom. Not to mention a soprano voice that sounds like an angel. She works as a librarian, music teacher, and is a Christian author, with works such as the Washout Express Series, and the Mistletoe Series from the Pelican Book Group. All available through Amazon or Barnes and Nobles. She's also the author of a children's book entitled Yellow Bottom Bob, a fun story of a candy corned friend.
"I constantly wondered what I could do to fix it. . . My anxiety and depression were so high that often I couldn't even sleep or eat. . . this was at ages of like 7 or 8. . . It's crazy how the abuser makes you think it's all your fault."Anxiety, depression and fears challenge the childhood of Keturah as she experiences abuse from a young age. Through faith and support she learns to embrace who she is, and the beauty of her life today. Keturah is wifey to Jordan, and this sweet couple both work with "Launch Global," working to share the good news with unreached people groups around the world. She is one of the sweetest souls you'll meet.
Ket cites a beautiful quote from the book, "Gospel" written by J.D. Greear.
My Story; My Song is a project, not about my own story and song, but the message from a host of women who have brave hearts and willingness to share perspective, strength and hope to others! Diversity of all walks of life, particular struggles and celebrations through the eyes of women as they walk their journeys. This podcast is very organic and not rehearsed, simply some bold ladies giving insight to you with pure hearts to help! This intro episode tells of my "why" for this.
I'm Joani. Mother of five wonderful sons, and one sweet daughter in law. Counselor at Cypress Lakes Lodge (addictive recovery). Sister to four courageous souls. Auntie to some pretty cool nephews and nieces. Friend to ladies who will drop your jaw on the floor with their miraculous stories. Daughter to Debbie Alyene. This is for you, Mom.
"Find within you the audacity to live with an unexplainable joy, with an un-circumstantial peace and with a natural inclination to focus on our blessings and allow our trials to make us better to be used by our Creator."Melody shares with us what the moments of facing overwhelming circumstances of pain, cancer and fighting to live fully looks like! Good days, bad days, and reminding us that movement is life.
Melody is a wifey and a mom to three blessings. She is an ultrasound technician at the East Texas Pregnancy Help Center, and serves so many in love and encouragement.
"It takes so much strength to be in a place of vulnerability."My friend Mandy faced the battle of cancer during the pandemic. She fought hard to achieve her most heartfelt prayer, to allow her kids to see her face it with grace and grit. Going to all her appointments alone during this difficult season, physical exhaustion and difficult mental struggles she faced one of her greatest challenges head on through being honest with herself, accepting help, and embracing community.
Mandy is mom to four lovely kiddos, wife, and writer. She's lived in some beautiful spots in this world, and is a voice for the marginalized.
"I'm just an embarrassment to life."
My sweet niece shares her story in a vulnerable, honest way. Abused from childhood, Havilah had to battle the struggles of shame to conquer the message that told her she was not worthy of belonging. She shares about the helpers that alleviated the tough moments, and how she has to be mindful to protect her mind from triggers that cause her to go back to mental pathways that are not helpful.
Havilah is soon to be married, a missionary with YWAM, and a voice for those hurting who cannot yet speak up for themselves. You can visit her personal journey at "The Road Less Traveled."
"I don't feel like God thinks I deserve this."
An amazing friend shares her struggle with looming financial stress, and unexpected hurdles that tried to define her worth. Bills piling up, young family trying to grow, lots of the what-if's? Fears, doubt, coping (good and the bad), support, the unexplained, little graces, and a new day. My reminder that courage doesn't always feel big and bold, sometimes it's just a quiet decision to keep showing up.
Katie is a wifey, mother of two boys, accounts payable employee of her bank, and freshly back-to-college student.
Some of the books she cites on this podcast are:
Grace Not Perfection by Emily Ley
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis
Atomic Habits by James Clear