Fighting For Joy
95 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 66 ratingsLife in this broken world is hard, but there is joy and hope to be found.
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Episodes
Episode 35: Fighting for Joy against Perfectionism
February 17, 2021 12:00 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBPerfectionism. What comes to mind when you hear that word? For many people, trying to attain “perfection” here in this broken world leads to despair, extreme frustration, debilitating doubt, never feeling good enough, and constant comparison with others which leads to a deep discontentment that permeates the soul. It can feel almost maddening. Like carrying a weight around that is absolutely crushing. Yet, our culture can tend to glamorize it - think of the Lexus car commercial promoting...
Episode 34: Fighting for Joy in Lament
November 27, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBLament. Is that a word that you are familiar with? Before Jackson died, it wasn't a word that I thought much about. But in grief, the examples in Scripture of Biblical lament have really resonated with me. Lament IS releasing our emotions as we cry out to the Lord, but it goes further - it also includes asking for God's help to respond in trust and worship. Lament helps us focus on God’s character and promises while still acknowledging the pain and struggle. My guest today, Molly Huffm...
Episode 33: Fighting for Joy with Authenticity
November 13, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBName the top 10 people who have had a transformative influence on your life! One of those people for me is my guest today, Pastor Don Solin. Don currently pastors a church in Ohio and is a certified life coach, but many years ago he was my high school youth pastor. In the midst of such tender years of growth and struggle, he and his wife Marcie loved on us crazy teenagers in such meaningful ways. Don was one of the first people who really pushed me and challenged me to make my faith my own ...
Episode 32: Fighting for Joy As We Wait
October 30, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 73.8 MBAre you in the midst of a "waiting season"? Maybe your life doesn't look like you thought it would. Or you find yourself in the middle of really difficult circumstances that won't be changing anytime soon...or ever. You long for a different job. A different health journey. A spouse. A family. A different ending. A different story. Is there joy to be found in these longings? Can we experience hope and peace while we wait for God's plans to unfold? When we don't understand what He is ...
Episode 31: Fighting for Joy with Ordinary Goodness
October 16, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBLet’s face it, life in this world of ours is such a “both/and"! It can be beautiful and exciting…AND...it can be hard, painful, and disappointing - sometimes all at the same time! Thankfully, we don’t have to wait for our struggles to end or our circumstances to change before we can experience joy. And hope. And peace. It is possible to find these things right in the messy middle! We can experience pain AND peace. Chaos AND comfort. Grief AND hope. Sadness AND joy. Isn't this hopeful...
Episode 30: Listener Q&A
October 02, 2020 11:00 - 57 minutes - 78.3 MBOn this episode my husband Eric and I answer some of your listener questions! Questions like: "What does your grief look like in year 7?" "How do you recharge?" "How are you able to be so open and vulnerable with your story?" We recorded our first Q & A episode last season and you loved it so much that we wanted to do another one for you. Thank you for submitting questions. It was a joy to share and we hope that you are encouraged. *The Fighting for Joy Podcast is sponsored by Faithful...
Episode 29: Season 3 Kick-Off Episode
September 26, 2020 17:00 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBToday we are kicking off Season 3! I’m grateful to get back to sharing stories of fighting for joy and can't wait to tell you about the exciting things that I have planned for the podcast over the next few months. On this episode, my favorite podcast guest, my husband Eric, is joining me to recap a few things from Season 2 as well as help me to introduce what is coming up in Season 3. *The Fighting for Joy Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling, an online Christian counseling service...
Episode 28: Fighting for Joy with Persevering Faith: A Tribute to My Mom
June 20, 2020 13:30 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBToday I am wrapping up Season 2 of the podcast with a special episode that is dedicated to my mom, Virginia Nelson. She went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 7th, 2020. Her life was a shining example of what it looks like to fight for joy in the midst of this broken world. Her persevering faith carried her through each trial that she faced and her long relationship with Jesus allowed her to sing and smile through suffering. The joy of the Lord truly was her strength and Romans 12:12 is ...
Episode 27: COVID Series: Part 3 - Fighting for Joy by Connecting with God
May 09, 2020 19:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBToday we are wrapping up this special series focused on fighting for joy in the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic. I hope that it has inspired you and given you practical ways to keep pressing on through these weird and uncertain days. As you listen to this episode, may you be reminded that our ultimate hope and joy needs to be found in something, actually Someone, who is much greater than merely having our lives go back to “normal”. A relationship with the Lord is truly better than...
Episode 26: COVID Series: Part 2 - Fighting for Joy by Connecting with Self
May 06, 2020 15:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBWe are in the middle of a three part series focused on fighting for joy in the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic. Most of us have never lived with such uncertainty. We aren’t used to this much time at home…without going to school, without going into work, without malls, restaurants, sports, and activities. And sadly, for many families, it’s not merely the uncertainty and inconvenience that makes this a difficult time, but there is enormous stress with lack of income, job loss, sickn...
Episode 25: COVID Series: Part 1 - Fighting for Joy by Connecting with Others
May 02, 2020 19:00 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MBToday I am launching a special series focused on fighting for joy in the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic. This is definitely a time in our country and in our world when the fight for joy is so important. We have been pushed out of our comfortable and privileged lives into so many unknowns - into shutdowns, loss, unwanted change, and even fear and worry. So, how do we find joy in the midst of all of this? Thankfully our Creator God knows just how broken this world is and He lovin...
Episode 24: Fighting for Joy with Community
April 18, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 68.6 MBToday’s topic is close to my heart as I truly believe that living in tight community with others is a crucial component in our fight for joy. God created us to be relational beings. It’s rooted in the fact that we are created in the image of God, who is triune and relational Himself. We aren’t meant to walk alone. As we live life together and share in each other's joys and sorrows, the fellowship and encouragement that we experience brings such help, comfort, and joy. Living in tight comm...
Episode 23: Fighting for Joy with Family
March 28, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBI'm doing something different on the podcast today and it's pretty special! I'm sitting by the fireplace in our living room on a Friday night with our kids to talk about grief, family, and fighting for joy together. We’ve been spending a lot of time together these past couple of weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic and while we were brainstorming things to do here at home, the kids suggested recording a group podcast episode. Yes, THEY suggested it!! As you can imagine, I was thrilled...
Episode 22: Fighting for Joy with a Healthy Mindset
March 17, 2020 11:00 - 54 minutes - 62.1 MBI am extremely excited about releasing this episode today! When I began to think of people that I wanted to have on the podcast this season to encourage you in your fight for joy, Becky Novecek was at the top of the list. Becky is one of the most beautiful, interesting, and purposeful people I know. I learn so much from her. I’m inspired by her. She helps me see beauty in all kinds of places. And I’m grateful for the ways that she makes me want to love God and others more. Although I'v...
Episode 21: Fighting for Joy with the Enneagram
March 06, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutes - 54.1 MBLife in this world of ours is such a “both/and". It can be beautiful and wonderful AND it can be so disappointing, confusing, and hard. Sometimes all at the same time! Pretty much everyone will, at some point, experience a difficult season and find themselves struggling through a time of discouragement, loneliness, betrayal, anxiety, sadness, grief, and the list goes on…sometimes it just isn’t easy to persevere through. So, I started this podcast to remind us all that even in the midst of ...
Episode 20: Fighting for Joy with God’s Word
February 21, 2020 12:00 - 55 minutes - 63.7 MBToday is an important episode because as a Christian, nothing brings us as much help in our fight for joy as the Bible does. In this episode, my husband Eric returns as a guest to share about the ways that he implements the truths of God's Word into his daily life, and how knowing and trusting in God’s promises has provided him with things that nothing else in this world can! God's Word is so powerful and we can look to it for help, comfort, peace, hope, and joy. I do want to acknowledge ...
Episode 19: Fighting for Joy with Wholistic Care
February 11, 2020 12:00 - 29 minutes - 33.7 MBMy guest today is Naomi Adjei, a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner in Omaha. I met Naomi through a mutual friend and we’ve enjoyed using Instagram to develop an encouraging new friendship. She has been such a blessing to me these past few months and its been fun to cheer each other on in our various callings. Naomi is passionate about wholistic care. She works to help people thrive with a healthy body, a healthy soul, and a healthy spirit. We are created as whole beings, so what is going ...
Episode 18: Fighting for Joy with Physical Activity
February 03, 2020 12:00 - 38 minutes - 44 MBToday we continue on with Season 2 after a nice long break over the holidays! Whether you are a new listener or someone who has been listening since the beginning, my sincere hope is that you are encouraged and helped in your own fight for joy. I started this podcast to remind us all that there IS hope to be found in the midst of this broken world. We CAN experience joy, even in the middle of difficult circumstances. We don’t have to wait until things get better, or our circumstances chang...
Episode 17: Fighting for Joy with God’s Love
December 03, 2019 12:00 - 45 minutes - 52.3 MBToday I am thrilled to have a new friend of mine, Jen Stutzman, on the podcast. Jen and her family are fellow Nebraskans and we met online through our mutual love for podcasting, being purposeful with social media, and looking for God in all things (many thanks to Laura Ruwe, my guest on episodes 8 and 14, for connecting us)! If you follow me on Instagram, you already know about the Stutzman's ministry, Heart of the Bison, because when I am encouraged by the wisdom and insight that Jen shar...
Episode 16: Fighting for Joy with Writing
November 15, 2019 12:00 - 44 minutes - 51.6 MBI hope you guys are enjoying Season 2! We’ve gotten off to a great start and I am thankful you are listening and sharing the podcast with others who you think may be encouraged. More importantly, I hope you are continuing to fight for joy in whatever you are facing today, and that this season of The Fighting For Joy Podcast is giving you fresh perspectives as you listen to my friends share about various tools that are helping them fight for joy in the midst of their difficulties as well as ...
Episode 15: Fighting for Joy with Friendship
November 01, 2019 11:00 - 54 minutes - 62.1 MBToday I have two very special people on the podcast to talk about Fighting for Joy with Friendship! They are my dearest friends Cathy Brown (my guest on Episode #2) and Kathy Craig. They came to Nebraska for a girls weekend in September and I just knew that we needed to record an episode together on this theme while they were here. We talk about everything from prayer, to the Voxer app, to raising girls, to leaning on each other's faith during dark seasons of life. We even chat about the i...
Episode 14: Fighting for Joy with Therapy & Medication
October 17, 2019 11:00 - 40 minutes - 46.4 MBLaura Ruwe was one of your favorites on Season 1, so I am thrilled to have her return as a guest on the podcast for Season 2! Laura has made some beautiful progress in her continued fight for joy this year and I'm grateful for her willingness to come back on to share about two practical tools that have brought her tremendous help. I think a lot of you will resonate with what she shares today as depression impacts so many people and families. This discussion is a perfect follow up to episode...
Episode 13: Fighting for Joy with Counseling
October 04, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 41.2 MBMy guest today on the Fighting for Joy Podcast is our counselor, Claire Cunningham. Going to counseling has been a huge help in my personal fight for joy these past 6 years - in fact when people want to know what has helped me keep progressing in grief, my appointments with Claire and the things that I have learned through counseling are always at the top on my list. Not only does Claire help us help us navigate the things that we are in the middle of and dealing with now, but for our particu...
Episode 12: Season 2 - Intro Episode
September 27, 2019 11:00 - 50 minutes - 58 MBWelcome back to the Fighting for Joy Podcast. Season 2 is here!! I’m grateful that my husband Eric was willing to be on the podcast again and record this first episode with me. Today we officially wrap up and reflect on Season 1, we address some of the most frequently asked questions about grief and our fight for joy, and of course, we introduce this second season and give you an idea of what is to come in the next few months. Thanks for listening!
Episode 11: Paige Peterson
May 04, 2019 11:00 - 38 minutes - 44.3 MBToday my friend Paige Peterson joins me. I’ve known Paige for almost 20 years but it really was Jackson’s death that brought our friendship to a deeper level, and I share a little bit about this at the beginning of our conversation. Paige has been a huge help to me in grief. Sadly, that’s because she is well acquainted with grief herself. She has dealt with many losses over the years, including her younger brother taking his own life. This is a tough topic to talk about, but I know that ...
Episode 11: Paige Peterson's Fight for Joy after Losing her Brother to Suicide
May 04, 2019 11:00 - 38 minutes - 44.3 MBToday my friend Paige Peterson joins me. I’ve known Paige for almost 20 years but it really was Jackson’s death that brought our friendship to a deeper level, and I share a little bit about this at the beginning of our conversation. Paige has been a huge help to me in grief. Sadly, that’s because she is well acquainted with grief herself. She has dealt with many losses over the years, including her younger brother dying by suicide. This is a tough topic to talk about, but I know that Paig...
Episode 10: Addie Schiemann
April 19, 2019 11:00 - 33 minutes - 39 MBToday you get to meet our sweet friend, Addie Schiemann. At 16 years old, she is the youngest guest I’ve had on the podcast so far, but it won’t take long for you to pick up on her maturity, poise, and steady strength. In 2017, Addie was involved in a UTV accident and had to have her right arm amputated. Every day presents Addie with challenges, but her fight for joy is an inspiring picture of hope as she continues to press on through very difficult circumstances. The timing of our conversa...
Episode 10: Fighting for Joy After Limb Loss with Addie Schiemann
April 19, 2019 11:00 - 33 minutes - 39 MBToday you get to meet our sweet friend, Addie Schiemann. At 16 years old, she is the youngest guest I’ve had on the podcast so far, but it won’t take long for you to pick up on her maturity, poise, and steady strength. In 2017, Addie was involved in a UTV accident and had to have her right arm amputated. Every day presents Addie with challenges, but her fight for joy is an inspiring picture of hope as she continues to press on through very difficult circumstances. The timing of our conversa...
Episode 9: My Brother's Fight for Joy Through Addiction
April 10, 2019 11:00 - 47 minutes - 55 MBI am so excited about this episode because I have the special privilege of introducing you to my youngest brother, Dwight Nelson! When I first starting thinking about creating a podcast, he was one of the guests that I knew I wanted to, and needed to, have on. Dwight has a hard, but really important story to share, and I'm deeply grateful for his willingness to record this episode with me. Listen in as Dwight talks about addiction, grief, living in community, and of course, fighting for joy...
Episode 9: Dwight Nelson
April 10, 2019 11:00 - 47 minutes - 55 MBI am so excited about this episode because I have the special privilege of introducing you to my youngest brother, Dwight Nelson! When I first starting thinking about creating a podcast, he was one of the guests that I knew I wanted to, and needed to, have on. Dwight has a hard, but really important story to share, and I'm deeply grateful for his willingness to record this episode with me. Listen in as Dwight talks about addiction, grief, living in community, and of course, fighting for joy...
Episode 8: Laura Ruwe
February 26, 2019 12:00 - 55 minutes - 63.9 MBIn this episode I am excited to introduce you to a local friend of mine, Laura Ruwe. Laura and her husband Andrew are the adoptive parents of two young boys. Eric and I have been friends with the Ruwes for many years, but as Laura and I have watched one another walk through difficult days these past 5 years, our hearts have been uniquely connected. Laura is in a tougher season right now, but I'm so grateful that she came on the podcast during this time. We need examples of people who are ...
Episode 8: Fighting for Joy through All Kinds of Brokenness with Laura Ruwe
February 26, 2019 12:00 - 55 minutes - 63.9 MBIn this episode I am excited to introduce you to a local friend of mine, Laura Ruwe. Laura and her husband Andrew are the adoptive parents of two young boys. Eric and I have been friends with the Ruwes for many years, but as Laura and I have watched one another walk through difficult days these past 5 years, our hearts have been uniquely connected. Laura is in a tougher season right now, but I'm so grateful that she came on the podcast during this time. We need examples of people who are ...
Episode 7: Nancy Guthrie (Part 2)
February 12, 2019 12:00 - 35 minutes - 40.8 MBHere is the second part of my conversation with my friend and mentor, Nancy Guthrie. I introduced her in Part 1, so if you haven't had a chance to listen to that yet, I encourage you to go back and do that first as it will be easier to jump in to the second half of our time together. In this episode, we talk about some practical aspects of grief, like fighting bitterness instead of tears, and learning how to temporarily "put grief on the shelf”, a tool to stay engaged with those around you ...
Episode 7: Nancy Guthrie's Fight for Joy (Part 2)
February 12, 2019 12:00 - 35 minutes - 40.8 MBHere is the second part of my conversation with my friend and mentor, Nancy Guthrie. I introduced her in Part 1, so if you haven't had a chance to listen to that yet, I encourage you to go back and do that first as it will be easier to jump in to the second half of our time together. In this episode, we talk about some practical aspects of grief, like fighting bitterness instead of tears, and learning how to temporarily "put grief on the shelf”, a tool to stay engaged with those around you ...
Episode 6: Nancy Guthrie's Fight for Joy (Part 1)
February 05, 2019 12:00 - 41 minutes - 47.8 MBI am honored to have my friend and mentor, Nancy Guthrie, on the podcast today! Nancy is a writer, Bible teacher, conference speaker, a contributor for The Gospel Coalition, and host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast. Nancy and her husband, David, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their son, Matt, living close by. They have two other children, a daughter, Hope, and a son, Gabriel, who were both born with a rare genetic disorder and both died within their first year of life. Having ex...
Episode 6: Nancy Guthrie (Part 1)
February 05, 2019 12:00 - 41 minutes - 47.8 MBI am honored to have my friend and mentor, Nancy Guthrie, on the podcast today! Nancy is a writer, Bible teacher, conference speaker, a contributor for The Gospel Coalition, and host of the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast. Nancy and her husband, David, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their son, Matt, living close by. They have two other children, a daughter, Hope, and a son, Gabriel, who were both born with a rare genetic disorder and both died within their first year of life. Having ex...
Episode 5: Mini Episode: Our Empty Spaces
December 28, 2018 12:00 - 6 minutes - 7.28 MBThis past week I have been reflecting on Leanne’s sweet reminder that God loves to fill empty spaces (Episode 4). I found it especially helpful during this time of year when many of us can more deeply feel the emptiness in our lives. Did you feel some emptiness this Christmas? Maybe you haven’t lost a loved one, but your heart feels empty. Or you’re experiencing some sort of brokenness in your family, or with your health, or in a relationship? Or maybe you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, st...
Episode 4: Fighting for Joy after Losing My Son with Leanne Ballinger
December 21, 2018 12:00 - 52 minutes - 59.8 MBIt is such a privilege to introduce you to my special friend, Leanne Ballinger. Eric and I met Mike and Leanne in 2014 when we attended David and Nancy Guthrie’s grief retreat in Nashville together. My friendship with Leanne began with a long hug and tears, and God immediately began knitting our hearts together in powerful ways. Mike and Leanne's second son, Andrew, was born with complications and he was given a 25% chance of survival. After enduring 7 and 1/2 months of traumatic ups and ...
Episode 4: Leanne Ballinger
December 21, 2018 12:00 - 52 minutes - 59.8 MBIt is such a privilege to introduce you to my special friend, Leanne Ballinger. Eric and I met Mike and Leanne in 2014 when we attended David and Nancy Guthrie’s grief retreat in Nashville together. My friendship with Leanne began with a long hug and tears, and God immediately began knitting our hearts together in powerful ways. Mike and Leanne's second son, Andrew, was born with complications and he was given a 25% chance of survival. After enduring 7 and 1/2 months of traumatic ups and ...
Episode 3: Fighting for Joy After a Stroke with Melissa Sasse
December 11, 2018 12:00 - 30 minutes - 35.4 MBToday you will hear from my friend, Melissa Sasse. In 2007, her life changed forever when she suffered an aneurysm in her neck that caused three strokes. Because of the limitations that this left her with, she was in need of someone to drive her and her children to run errands and get groceries once a week when they moved back to Nebraska a number of years ago. I volunteered...and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Melissa's own suffering has made her keenly aware of mine and...
Episode 3: Melissa Sasse
December 11, 2018 12:00 - 30 minutes - 35.4 MBToday you will hear from my friend, Melissa Sasse. In 2007, her life changed forever when she suffered an aneurysm in her neck that caused three strokes. Because of the limitations that this left her with, she was in need of someone to drive her and her children to run errands and get groceries once a week when they moved back to Nebraska a number of years ago. I volunteered...and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Melissa's own suffering has made her keenly aware of mine and...
Episode 2: Cathy Brown
November 30, 2018 12:00 - 47 minutes - 54.9 MBToday I’m going to introduce you to one of my oldest and dearest friends, Cathy Brown. We were roommates in college and our almost 30 year friendship is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I’m excited for you to get to know her just because she’s a phenomenal woman and friend, but she’s also an ideal guest for this podcast because Cathy fights for joy in beautiful and inspiring ways. Shortly after we graduated from college, Cathy experienced the sudden and traumatic loss of her mom. ...
Episode 2: Fighting for Joy after Losing My Mom with Cathy Brown
November 30, 2018 12:00 - 47 minutes - 54.9 MBToday I’m going to introduce you to one of my oldest and dearest friends, Cathy Brown. We were roommates in college and our almost 30 year friendship is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I’m excited for you to get to know her just because she’s a phenomenal woman and friend, but she’s also an ideal guest for this podcast because Cathy fights for joy in beautiful and inspiring ways. Shortly after we graduated from college, Cathy experienced the sudden and traumatic loss of her mom. ...
Episode 1: Our Story
November 19, 2018 12:00 - 54 minutes - 62.5 MBToday my husband, Eric Blick, joins me on the podcast as we share a little bit about why this fight for joy is personal for us. As I mentioned in the preview episode, this podcast will be full of stories, and I thought it was appropriate to “go first” with our story. Eric and I met at Wheaton College and have been married for 24 years. We have four children and live in Nebraska. Our firstborn son, Jackson, died at the age of 16 in 2013. Our goal in this first episode is not to fully or pe...
Episode 0: Preview
November 12, 2018 12:00 - 9 minutes - 10.6 MBWelcome to my new podcast, Fighting for Joy. Life in this broken world is hard, but there IS joy and hope to be found. In this preview episode, I will share my vision for this podcast and begin to share why this flight for joy is personal to me.