Church and the Community: Exploring the role that the church plays in the community

As we celebrate women this Women's History Month, we sit down with a woman making history in her own right within the AME church. Join us as we seek to understand how being a woman in ministry has impacted her life and her faith.

Dr. Joy, AKA Presiding Elder Sheriolyn Curry-Hodge opens up on what it's like to be a female pastor in a male dominated field, how she found support in other women and challenges that she faced as a woman in ministry. Dr. Joy's relatable stories and witty style make this a fun and lighthearted conversation that you're sure to enjoy.

Meet Dr. Joy - Presiding elder in the 5th district of the AME church (@joyfulstill on instagram)

In this poignant episode, we dive into a topic that often remains veiled in silence but is undeniably present in the fabric of our lives – the impact of mental health struggles on our faith, loved ones, and communities.

I sit down with three incredible individuals who graciously share their personal journeys, shedding light on the profound ways suicide has touched their lives. They open their hearts to reveal the struggles, the pain, but most importantly, the resilience that has emerged from their experiences.

Throughout this episode, our guests implore us to break the silence. The importance of fostering an open dialogue surrounding mental health and suicide is too profound to ignore. By sharing their stories, they encourage others to speak up, listen, and be heard.

Meet our guests: 

Alicia - A strong and faithful woman who lost her husband to suicide 7 years ago.

Lauren - A wife and mother of three that lost her father at age 13 to suicide.

Mike - A youth counselor who lost a close friend at age 15 to suicide. Michael is a practicing  therapist at The Empowerment Group LLC. michael@bestempowermentgroup.com

Join the conversation! Watch the clips, see the full video, find out about live events and more: https://linktr.ee/faithfireladyj

If you or anyone you know needs help finding support or crisis resources, please call the Suicide Hotline, 988. This resrouce is a 24/7 crisis and suicide lifeline.

How has God shown up in the darkest moments of your life? Join us as we delve into the transformative journeys of three inspiring guests who have experienced God's presence in their darkest moments.

Meet our guests and their stories:

• Discover how Rell, despite being told an injury would halt his fitness journey, found unexpected strength to confront his greatest challenge.
• Aja opens up about the seemingly insurmountable loss of her brother's incarceration, revealing how God remained a constant source of comfort and strength.
• Barbara recounts a life-saving conversation that unfolded during her darkest hour, demonstrating how God orchestrates encounters that can change the course of our lives.

In this episode, we explore the common thread that ties these unique stories together - the way God uses our darkest moments to shape and prepare us, unveiling strength and resilience in the process. Join us for a conversation that reminds us that often it is in the rearview mirror that we recognize God's profound impact on our lives.

Join the conversation! Watch the clips, see the full video, find out about live events and more: https://linktr.ee/faithfireladyj

Charolette and I stir up the conversation with another fun game of Conversation Card Roulette where anything can happen and any topic is fair game! Charolette and I pull from a deck of conversation cards to pick the topics and have conversations on the spot. 

Topics include: 

• What do we do when we have doubts about god?
• Should pastors be held to a higher standard?
• Is the church allowed to turn away anyone away?
• What lesssons have we learned in the stormiest season in our lives?

We're talking love just in time for Valentine's Day. Dr. Joy and I dive deep into the perplexing world of love with none other than Brian Howie, the insightful mind behind "The Great Love Debate." - #1 relationship podcast. Brian gives us insights, tips and advice on how to find love, knowing what love is and ways to get out of our own way when dating. 

In this light-hearted yet riveting conversation, Brian shares his wealth of knowledge on love, relationships, and the ever-evolving dynamics between couples. From navigating the modern dating scene to unraveling the secrets of lasting connections, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on matters of the heart.

Brian Howie's wisdom, wit, and genuine passion for love promise an episode filled with laughter, introspection, and invaluable takeaways. Don't miss out on this enriching episode – it's time to elevate your understanding of love and relationships with Brian Howie on Faith and Fire with Lady J.

In this thought-provoking episode, join us for an intimate conversation that brings together three dynamic guests who share their personal stories of how spiritual awakenings have profoundly shaped and transformed their faith.

What is spiritual awakening? A spiritual awakening can occur in a number of ways. For our guests, their awakening happend when they embraced their unique spiritual giftsand allowed  their view of the world to change. Each guest brings a unique perspective, delving into the catalysts that sparked their awakening, the transformative moments that unfolded, and the profound impact these experiences had on their lives.

Whether you're on a quest for spiritual connection or simply curious to hear their stories, this conversation invites you to explore the profound and transformative nature of spiritual awakening. 

This episode is my love letter to churches that are struggling to attract younger members. As a Christian millennial in the AME church, I've struggled feed my fire in a traditional religion with dwindling numbers of young adults. How do I balance my love for the church while still getting what I need to grow spiritually?

I sit down and have a heart to heart with my friend Charolette, a fellow young adult, to have an open conversation about what we are looking for in a church as millennial Christians and some of our church icks. What are we looking for as young adults in the church and how do our millennial values play into how we see the chruch.

This episode is one to watch and share with a friend. We lay it all out and share a perspective that many young adults today are feeling, but may not have the opportunity to say.

As we celebrate MLK day and look ahead to black history month, we take a moment to reflect on the role that the church has played in the community, especially in the black church. How has the relationship between the church and the community changed and what is it that the community needs from the church to thrive? In that same vein, are there things that the church needs from the community in order to survive? We discuss the topic from both angles and think through this critical relationship within the community.

As we kick off the New Year, we explore how health, wellness and wellbeing play into our faith journey. We unpack this church phrase and explore how it relates to living a healthy life inside and out. How do I treat my body as a temple so that it is prepared for the assignment that God has for my life?

We also dive into ways that this phrase has been used and misused in the church. If you grew up hearing this phrase, you know that it has been used for anything from discouraging tatoos to encouraging someone to lose weight. But is there more to the phrase than trying to discourage someone's behavior? What does it really mean when someone is telling you that your body is a temple?