Episode 71: Fighting for Joy: From Chains to Chosen

I love introducing you to my local friends and today you get to meet another special one, Andrea Zahourek. I tell the story at the beginning of the episode, but from the very start of our friendship, we’ve shared deep compassion and understanding for each other’s grief. We’ve also found a lot of joy in cheering one another on over the years and supporting each other’s work, ideas, and dreams. It won’t take long for you to understand what a beautiful soul this amazing woman is! But Andrea’s journey from pain to peace has been a really difficult one. She’s faced teenage pregnancy, the death of a child, a very hard marriage that led to a difficult divorce, struggling and overworking to provide for her family as a single mom, and a lot of fear, questioning, and trying to “fake joy”. Today, as she shares her story and tells us about the years and years of work she has put into her fight for finding REAL joy, you’ll get a powerful glimpse into all that she has overcome and the beautiful life that she leads now…one that’s defined by family, faith, and serving others - and, one that is marked by deep peace, abundant gratitude, and true, lasting, authentic JOY! We cover A LOT in this episode and I’m grateful for the vulnerability that Andrea brought to our conversation. I know you’re going to hear so much HOPE in her story and I’m confident that each one of you will take away something that can help and encourage your own fight for joy. You can find out more about AZ + Co here: https://www.instagram.com/azcoeventsdesign?utmsource=igwebbuttonshare_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== As always, you can connect with the Fighting for Joy Community on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/fightingforjoypodcast?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr and with Jodi personally on her Instagram page here: https://instagram.com/jodiblick?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr **This episode is sponsored by Better Help, the world's largest online therapy provider. As I reflect on my grief journey I'm contantly reminded of just how helpful solid, Christian counseling has been for me! If you think that counseling would help YOUR fight for joy, visit my link at Betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy today! I’ve said it many times before and I will continue to say it - quality counseling is a worthy investment in your fight for joy!

Today’s guest has seen things that no one should have to see. Maranna was being a good friend, going to check on a coworker who didn’t return to the office after lunch, and what she found catapulted her into years of grief and learning how to work through and process trauma. Maranna and I went to high school together but really didn’t develop a friendship until after my son Jackson died. I didn’t know what she had gone through at the time, but I DID know that she made me feel seen in my grief. I share a little bit about the first time we ran into each other as we begin the episode, but I just felt drawn to her…and in those early days of grief, I didn’t feel that too often with people. Now I know its because she, too, understood brokenness and pain. We decided to call this episode “It’s Never Too Late to Start Fighting for Joy" because for Maranna, and for so many people, it can take years, maybe even a decade (or two), to really process "Big T" trauma stuff. So friends, whatever you’ve been through. Whatever you’ve seen. Whatever you’re stuffing down, tamping down, or trying to not think about…it’s not too late to begin the fight for joy around it. You will most likely carry around the effects of grief and trauma for the rest of your life here on earth. And, also...there is hope. There is help. And there is joy to be found and experienced. Also, please be aware that this episode centers around domestic violence. If you or someone you know is feeling threatened or unsafe, there is help available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24 hours a day. You can call 800-799-7233 to speak to someone now. Or, if you are local to the Fremont area I'd encourage you to reach out to The Bridge. You can call their 24-hour crisis line: 888-721-4340 or visit https://bridgefromviolence.com/contact. I'm so glad you found this episode. I hope you’re encouraged as you listen to Maranna share her story. I pray that you hear the message that it’s never too late to do the work around trauma and that it is possible to experience a full, beautiful life on the other side. **This episode is sponsored by Better Help, the world's largest online therapy provider, with over 30,000 licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, therapists, and counselors. I have loved working under the sponsorship of Faithful Counseling over the last few years and am excited to now be welcomed into a special new partnership with its parent company, Better Help, ESPECIALLY because they also provide the opportunity for you to choose a Christian counselor, a licensed therapist who will provide faith-based counseling. When you visit my link, betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy, you will begin filling out a questionnaire and one of the questions will be: “Would you like to be matched with a therapist who provides Christian-based therapy?” I’m so grateful to still offer you this option with Better Help! Also, FYI, if you go to my old Faithful Counseling link, it will still work for a while, it will just redirect you to the Better Help platform. And yes, I’m still able to offer you a 10% discount with Better Help as my sponsor. As I reflect on my grief journey I'm reminded of just how helpful solid, Christian counseling has been for me! If you think that counseling would help YOUR fight for joy, visit my new link at Betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy today! I’ve said it many times before and I will continue to say it - quality counseling is a worthy investment in your fight for joy!

If you just received the worst news of your life...if you just buried your favorite person...if you are just starting your grief journey...if you are in the darkest days of grief...this episode is for you. (And/or if you know someone who is in the early stages of grief...please send this episode to them!)

Today I wanted to share a few personal thoughts on 2023 as well as re-release Episode #5: "Our Empty Spaces". The days and weeks following the holidays can often feel quiet, lonely, and empty. I pray that my words encourage you and that you hear the HOPE that God’s love, sovereignty, and promises give to us as we remember that He often does His best work in the empty places in our heart, our life, our home, our family… Let Him fill your empty spaces in 2024. It will help your fight for joy! **This episode is sponsored by Better Help, the world's largest online therapy provider, with over 30,000 licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, therapists, and counselors. I have loved working under the sponsorship of Faithful Counseling over the last few years and am excited to now be welcomed into a special new partnership with its parent company, Better Help, ESPECIALLY because they also provide the opportunity for you to choose a Christian counselor, a licensed therapist who will provide faith-based counseling. When you visit my link, betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy, you will begin filling out a questionnaire and one of the questions will be: “Would you like to be matched with a therapist who provides Christian-based therapy?” I’m so grateful to still offer you this option with Better Help! Also, FYI, if you go to my old Faithful Counseling link, it will still work for a while, it will just redirect you to the Better Help platform. And yes, I’m still able to offer you a 10% discount with Better Help as my sponsor. As I reflect on my grief journey I'm reminded of just how helpful solid, Christian counseling has been for me! If you think that counseling would help YOUR fight for joy, visit my new link at Betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy today! I’ve said it many times before and I will continue to say it - quality counseling is a worthy investment in your fight for joy!

I have been looking forward to introducing you to my new friend, Teresa Glantz. Teresa is a certified trauma recovery coach and also has a big heart for educating the church on trauma and mental health. Teresa and I met through Instagram as we both work and share in the same online space of “Christianity and hard things”. I haven't known her long but I've already learned so much from her and have been encouraged by the things she shares about trauma recovery and mental health. On this episode you'll hear her share some of the traumatic parts of her own story as a backdrop to the hope she has to share with you. She speaks from experience when she says that you CAN recover from trauma. She is a beautiful example of this and I know you will be helped by her insight, wisdom, and powerful testimony. It is possible to fight for joy, and find it, even if you have experienced terrible things. There is hope! *Please note, we do talk about suicide in this episode. **This episode is sponsored by Better Help, the world's largest online therapy provider, with over 30,000 licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, therapists, and counselors. I have loved working under the sponsorship of Faithful Counseling over the last few years and am excited to now be welcomed into a special new partnership with its parent company, Better Help, ESPECIALLY because they also provide the opportunity for you to choose a Christian counselor, a licensed therapist who will provide faith-based counseling. When you visit my link, betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy, you will begin filling out a questionnaire and one of the questions will be: “Would you like to be matched with a therapist who provides Christian-based therapy?” I’m so grateful to still offer you this option with Better Help! Also, FYI, if you go to my old Faithful Counseling link, it will still work for a while, it will just redirect you to the Better Help platform. And yes, I’m still able to offer you a 10% discount with Better Help as my sponsor. As I reflect on my grief journey I'm reminded of just how helpful solid, Christian counseling has been for me! If you think that counseling would help YOUR fight for joy, visit my new link at Betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy today! I’ve said it many times before and I will continue to say it - quality counseling is a worthy investment in your fight for joy!

What comes to mind when you think about hospitality? Making sure your house is clean? Cooking a fancy meal? Throwing a memorable party? In our current culture, true hospitality often gets confused with entertaining. The focus can often be on the host and their "Instagram worthy" decor vs. the guests and the opportunity to serve them. On the episode today, Eric and I have a conversation about the calling we have as Christians to welcome people in, not in order to make much of ourselves, but to make others feel welcomed, seen, and cared for - to provide a safe place for people to land and belong. A definition that we recently heard for hospitality mentioned making "sacrificial accomodations with others in mind". This often happens in relationship - putting people at ease with food, with good conversation, sometimes with humor, and almost always with bold generosity of resources...your home, your money, your stuff, your time, and your energy. Yes, entertaining can be fun (and there are certainly ways to make entertaining hospitable!) but genuine hospitality is a beautiful way to share the hope, peace, comfort, help, and joy that we as believers have received from the Lord with others and bless them as we welcome them in and seek to meet their needs. Listen in as Eric and I share some ways that we were loved on in grief and how that has helped us to grow in our own desire to be hospitable and to find practical ways to bless and care for hurting people. I hope this episode inspires and encourages you to incorporate more hospitality into the regular rhythm of your life as a way to fight for joy - and help others keep fighting for joy as well! As always, you can connect with the Fighting for Joy Community on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/fightingforjoypodcast?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr and with Jodi personally on her Instagram page here: https://instagram.com/jodiblick?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr **This episode is sponsored by Better Help, the world's largest online therapy provider, with over 30,000 licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, therapists, and counselors. I have loved working under the sponsorship of Faithful Counseling over the last few years and am excited to now be welcomed into a special new partnership with its parent company, Better Help, ESPECIALLY because they also provide the opportunity for you to choose a Christian counselor, a licensed therapist who will provide faith-based counseling. When you visit my link, betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy, you will begin filling out a questionnaire and one of the questions will be: “Would you like to be matched with a therapist who provides Christian-based therapy?” I’m so grateful to still offer you this option with Better Help! Also, FYI, if you go to my old Faithful Counseling link, it will still work for a while, it will just redirect you to the Better Help platform. And yes, I’m still able to offer you a 10% discount with Better Help as my sponsor. As I reflect on my grief journey I'm reminded of just how helpful solid, Christian counseling has been for me! If you think that counseling would help YOUR fight for joy, visit my new link at Betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy today! I’ve said it many times before and I will continue to say it - quality counseling is a worthy investment in your fight for joy!

I have had people ask for an episode on forgiveness since I started the podcast. I’ve touched on it with many of my guests and have continually emphasized the importance of it as we fight for joy, but I’m excited to finally bring you an entire episode on the topic - and, I couldn’t have a better guest for this conversation! You heard her story 2 weeks ago on Episode 72: “Fighting for Joy in the Aftermath of Divorce”, and today, Kathy Kaspar returns for a follow up episode to share how she has learned to fight for joy with forgiveness. As she shares more of her story and parts of her own forgiveness journey, she will help you better understand “the why” and “the how” of the forgiveness process. I think you’ll really appreciate how practical Kathy gets! It’s one thing to know that we SHOULD extend forgiveness, but it’s a whole other thing to really know how to do it - so I love that she walks us through some actual steps and gets beyond the why to the practicality of the how! And, spoiler alert, while unforgiveness leads to bitterness, resentment, and hardness of heart, working towards forgiving those who have wronged you leads to freedom, peace, deeper faith, and JOY…so, I’m glad you’ve found this episode. Thank you for listening and continuing to share the podcast with others! As always, you can connect with the Fighting for Joy Community on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/fightingforjoypodcast?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr and with Jodi personally on her Instagram page here: https://instagram.com/jodiblick?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr **This episode is sponsored by Better Help, the world's largest online therapy provider, with over 30,000 licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, therapists, and counselors. I have loved working under the sponsorship of Faithful Counseling over the last few years and am excited to now be welcomed into a special new partnership with its parent company, Better Help, ESPECIALLY because they also provide the opportunity for you to choose a Christian counselor, a licensed therapist who will provide faith-based counseling. When you visit my link, betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy, you will begin filling out a questionnaire and one of the questions will be: “Would you like to be matched with a therapist who provides Christian-based therapy?” I’m so grateful to still offer you this option with Better Help! Also, FYI, if you go to my old Faithful Counseling link, it will still work for a while, it will just redirect you to the Better Help platform. And yes, I’m still able to offer you a 10% discount with Better Help as my sponsor. As I reflect on my grief journey I'm reminded of just how helpful solid, Christian counseling has been for me! If you think that counseling would help YOUR fight for joy, visit my new link at Betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy today! I’ve said it many times before and I will continue to say it - quality counseling is a worthy investment in your fight for joy!

Over the past few months I have had the privilege of reconnecting with a sweet friend from college. Kathy Kaspar and I met over 30 years ago and although we never developed a deep friendship, she was always someone that I loved running into and have fond memories of. Facebook kept us in touch a little bit, but it was really preparing for this episode that allowed me to hear about the heartbreak she has had to endure over the years. I’m thankful for Kathy’s willingness to share about her fight for joy in an extremely difficult marriage, through her subsequent divorce, and in the years to follow as she lost not only her marriage but friendships, her home, her financial security, and was thrust into the overwhelm of starting over. So many of us are affected by divorce, either personally or with someone we care about. But I'm confident that you'll find many take aways from this episode that go beyond the effects of divorce, especially if you find yourself in a place where your life looks nothing like you thought it would. I think you'll especially appreciate the Top 5 list that she shares at the end. Kathy's journey has been tough - and she still has a lot of hard things to deal with, but I know you'll be encouraged by her hope, her perserverance, her gratitude, her fight for her true identity, and her trust in God's goodness, even in the middle of horrible circumstances. I hope that her story will inspire YOU to keep fighting for joy in the middle of your own hard stuff. As always, you can connect with the Fighting for Joy Community on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/fightingforjoypodcast?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr and with Jodi personally on her Instagram page here: https://instagram.com/jodiblick?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr If you want me to connect you with Kathy, email me at fightingforjoypodcast@gmail.com. **This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling, an online Christian counseling service that can help you get paired with a licensed therapist in just a few days. They have given me the opportunity to share a 10% off link for you as Fighting for Joy listeners at: faithfulcounseling.com/fightingforjoy. Quality counseling is a worthy investment and can be such a powerful tool in the fight for joy!

Today I get to introduce you to Brandy Reynolds, a local friend of mine who became very dear to me during our years of serving a community of young moms together. It was during that time that I learned more about Brandy's story - its a tough one that includes time in prison and years of rejection and shame...but it also includes repentance, forgiveness, restoration, and yes, even joy! In our conversation today, Brandy shares about the fight for joy she experienced both in and out of prison. She gets practical with some of the things that helped her run TO God, not from Him, and how she was able to cling to hope in some of her darkest days behind bars. We also talk about the power of forgiveness and love, and the miraculous ways that God can redeem our broken stories for His glory. Brandy is in the process of launching her new book into the world - Released: Chains to Chosen. We only had an hour together for this episode, so you'll have to get the book to read her entire story, but as you listen today I hope our conversation encourages you, especially if YOU feel labeled, rejected, or chained to your own difficult circumstances. There IS a path to freedom, hope, and JOY! You can find out more about the release of Brandy's book at https://chainstochosen.com As always, you can connect with the Fighting for Joy Community on Instagram here: https://instagram.com/fightingforjoypodcast?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr and with Jodi personally on her Instagram page here: https://instagram.com/jodiblick?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr **This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling, an online Christian counseling service that can help you get paired with a licensed therapist in just a few days. They have given me the opportunity to share a 10% off link for you as Fighting for Joy listeners at: faithfulcounseling.com/fightingforjoy. Quality counseling is a worthy investment and can be such a powerful tool in the fight for joy!

You guys!!! Season 6!!! What in the world?!?! I'm so grateful to be bringing you another season of the Fighting for Joy Podcast. In this quick intro episode I share a little bit about why I started the podcast back in 2018 - and why I feel called to continue to record episodes for you here in 2023. Let's get this season started!