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Andrew Ripp is not an overnight sensation. He’s been at this songwriting thing for years now, achieving success in 2005 by co-writing the hit “Shine On” for Ryan Cabrera, and collaborating/ writing for Cory Asbury, The Wait and Ben Rector, The Judds, and others. But success came at a cost. A personal battle with addiction cost Andrew almost everything that mattered to him.  But God...   Andrew gave his life to Jesus and his story is just getting started. Celebrating 15 years of sobriety, Andrew has found a new kind of freedom, success, and sweetness in life in this season. His songs like “Fill My Cup” and “Jericho” have become anthems for those of us who have fallen in love with Jesus and are amazed by how He changes everything.   I am so excited for you to meet Andrew Ripp! He’s my guest on the podcast and he has an amazing story of God’s intervention in his life.  

She had a greatest hits album at 21 years old! Rachael Lampa is 38 years old now and after taking a break from a flourishing career years ago, she’s making music again that speaks to our souls.   “Perfectly Loved” came from things she shared in her life group about what God was teaching her through her work at a prison ministry. I can’t wait for you to hear this warm and inspiring conversation with my new friend, Rachael Lampa.   We talk about life, music, being a mom, and how God often directs us to do things that other people do not understand or approve of. Rachael is a woman who is tuned in to that still small voice of Jesus and a bright light in this world. 

Princess adores her husband of 31 years, Phillip. And she has gone from fighting with him to fighting for him. I love this lady and her authenticity.   Join me for a refreshingly candid conversation about marriage and how to see yours from God’s point of view. Princess is a marriage coach and mentor and she’s on a mission to save marriages. She shares her personal journey of discovering it wasn’t all his fault after all.   With the wisdom that comes from making mistakes, Princess’s new book, “Embracing My Calling: Viewing my Marriage through an Eternal Perspective,” is a must-read for anyone who wants their marriage to be aligned with God’s purposes. This is such good, challenging stuff and comes with a warning: This may change your life.   If you’re married or even thinking about marriage, there is treasure here.  Have a listen and share with someone who needs some encouragement.  

Esther Brant has been a dedicated nurse for over 30 years and she just glows from the inside! A woman of tremendous faith and joy, with a giggle that bubbles up so easily and often, you’d never guess how much loss she’s suffered or how humble her beginnings were.  When a crippling disease devastated multiple members of her family, Esther grieved and discovered God had a purpose for her amid her family’s suffering.   She knew she had to help. She knew God was calling her to be a nurse. Growing up in a poor undeveloped village in the Bahamas, the odds were stacked against her but Esther prayed... “and I began thinking about all the people in the world I would help”.   For anyone who has grieved hard and wondered how to hold on to their faith, Esther’s story is a master class in trusting God. I can’t wait for you to meet her on Your Day Brighter™.  

For every parent, there will come moments where you wonder...do I have what it takes to raise these little humans? You might even feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. And then... they start growing up and facing life challenges and your heart could just burst from everything you want for them. You’re in good company!   Join me for a conversation with my very wise and winsome friend, Todd Gaddy. He knows that feeling so well as a father to two lovely young ladies and he’s written a little gem of a book to encourage you called “We’re Going to Make it”.   Parenting is not easy and this just might be that little burst of encouragement that you need right now!  

Have you ever said these words.. “One day, I’d like to write a book.” And you’ve been saying those words for years.  Or how about this one- “I am sure I have a book in me!”  Or, “I really want to write a book but I don’t have time”, etc...   Think of all the stories that can only be told by you because you’re the one who lived it, or the one who has the idea. Yet so many of these stories will never see the light of day because we do NOTHING about it.   Well, it’s time. Welcome to Season 5 of Your Day Brighter and I am kicking it off with a little kick in the booty for all of us who have dreamed of writing a book. Writing coach, college professor, mentor, and author Yvonne Marie joins me for an unforgettable conversation to get us would-be writers going. And she’s not playing. She coaches, encourages and inspires and when you’re done listening to this, you might have just that spark you need. I know I do!  

Every December, I’ve made it a regular practice to go back through my journals and prayerfully consider what God has been teaching me in this past year. I want to learn from my life; my mistakes and wins, my fears, and the state of my relationships.  I want to keep growing and never stop.   You too? Join me for a rich conversation with one of my besties- culture coach and artist, Nikki Lerner. Nikki is a journal-er and lifelong learner too.  We had so much fun processing with one another some of the things God has been teaching us in this season.  It’s amazing how patient He is with us and how some lessons have to come back around for us to own them.   In this final episode of season 4, we’ll unpack some learnings that have been significant to us and talk about some ways to develop your own journaling practice for 2023. If you want to never stop learning from your life, have a listen and let’s learn together.  

Joy was leaking from my life. Maybe you can relate?   Last week in episode 14, I define what biblical joy really is and identify some of the joy-stealers we’ve all been battling. But here in episode 15, I’m excited to share with you some very practical ways to get it back!   The Lord has been teaching me so much from the Word and from how He shows up in my life. I am so hopeful for us. While we can’t make ourselves feel anything, there are things we can do to posture ourselves to receive the joy God has given to us in Jesus.   Get ready to take some action and let’s get our joy back!  

Joy... Isn’t it something that I “should” have as a Jesus follower? So why does JOY feel so elusive, even slippery at times, like we can’t quite get our hands on it?   If you have wondered who stole your joy lately and you’d like to get it back, I want to help! Join me for this special episode where I give you a new definition of joy to ponder and identify some of those joy-stealers in our lives.   Together let’s learn how to take back this gift God has given to us!    

What’s your relationship status with food? Is it complicated? Love/Hate? A battle? The struggle is real!   Join me for an insightful, helpful, and downright empowering conversation with Dietician and Nutritionist Lindy Ford. Her own health crisis years ago led her to discover nutrition and lifestyle changes that saved her life!   Lindy is passionate about helping others to find freedom, fight disease and create their best health through functional nutrition. It’s not too late to learn some new things and feel better! You’re gonna want to take notes on this one.  

God is moving in the city of Baltimore! Join me for an inspiring and hope-filled conversation with Pam Wilkerson. Pam is the Director of the Center for Women and Children at Helping Up Mission and she is on fire with a passion to serve the most vulnerable among us.   Pam believes God is doing a new thing in Baltimore, setting people free of addiction and homelessness to discover their unique purpose on this earth. I believe it too. I can’t wait to introduce you to this amazing woman of God and the incredible work that HUM is doing. Healing lives isn’t just possible- it's here.  

Jodi and Chris of Love and the Outcome have been through the hardest season of their lives.   First, their record label was sold. Then COVID shut the word down and like other musicians, Jodi and her husband Chris had no way to do shows and provide income for their family. Then their house flooded and was basically destroyed. They were displaced for over a year and a half. Then their trailer was stolen containing all their music gear and some things they managed to save from the flood.  All gone. It was literally, one crisis after another, and no way they could fix it themselves. But God.   Join me for this amazing story and conversation with the irrepressible Jodi King and hear how God showed up in the everyday miracles of people being good humans. Jodi says it’s seasons like this, that you really learn WHO God is. There is so much wisdom to glean in this conversation you may want to take notes and have the Kleenex nearby.  

Singer Tauren Wells doesn’t just have one of the most amazing voices in music today. He also has a deep passion and love for the Word of God. When you put these obvious giftings together, you have a treasure.   That treasure was almost buried because of some discouraging words that a professor spoke to him in Bible college. He even wondered if he had anything worthwhile to say and stopped speaking and preaching for a few years. It wasn’t until a counselor spoke new words to override the negative ones, that Tauren faced his fears and decided he had to share what God was teaching him.   Join me for an unforgettable conversation with the incredibly gifted musician and yes, preacher, Tauren Wells. His humility is even more compelling than his voice.  

No one knew she could sing like that. After the sudden tragic loss of her brother, Anne Wilson knew she needed to worship and spend time in the presence of God. She went to the piano in her family’s home and sang her heart out to Jesus. It was this private moment that was overheard by her stunned mom who said, “Anne... I had no idea you could sing like that”.     No one knew. Even Anne herself didn’t realize the tremendous gift God has given her in music because she had other plans for her life.  But moments like these can be God’s way of leading us down the path He had for us all along.     Join me for an unforgettable conversation with an unforgettable person, singer-songwriter, and new author, Anne Wilson. Her story is amazing but not as amazing as the God she’s singing for.  

Growing up, my experience going to church was in a contemporary building, with modern music and culture.  But occasionally...I would visit a different kind of church with a friend and there, I was exposed to ancient rituals, rhythms, and sacraments that drew me in and touched my heart.   Join me for a warm, rich conversation with Aaron Damiani. Aaron is the lead pastor of Immanuel Anglican Church in Chicago, and the author of Earth Filled With Heaven: Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments, and other Ancient Practices of the Church.   Aaron invites us to discover how these historical practices of the early church can nourish our spiritual lives and be a beautiful way to connect with God and community. If your spirit is longing for new ways to go deeper in your relationship with Jesus, the answer just may be... rediscovering the old ways.  

“Music is the only thing that doesn’t need permission from your brain to get into your spirit. -Jonathan Traylor singer-songwriter Jonathan Traylor lights it up on my podcast this week in one of the most authentic conversations I’ve ever had.   He shares his story of growing up with an abusive step-dad, who brought violence into the home but on Sundays, went to church. Young Jonathan was confused by the inconsistencies but his Mama never stopped praying. Jonathan found hope in that same God who showed up for his mom. He fell in love with Jesus for himself and even asked God for the gift of music, so he could serve in the church.   Buckle up… because this conversation between a white woman in her 50s and a young African-American man is real and honest about Jesus, grace, and race.  

How did the celebrity culture infiltrate the evangelical church and what should be done about it? Writer Katelyn Beaty has written a thought-provoking book, Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are Hurting the Church.   She traces the history of the celebrity pastor, mega-churches, publishing deals, and stages and screens; and exposes the dangers of fame without accountability and spiritual maturity.   This is an important topic and Katelyn doesn’t come to it as one with a vendetta, but as one who loves the church, loves Jesus, and is concerned about where we’re headed. We should be too.

Spend a little time with my gracious friend Bobbie Jenkins and you will be LIFTED! Bobbie is the production manager and beekeeper for Hon’s Honey, a social enterprise created to give dignity and purpose to women survivors of trauma, and an outgrowth of a loving community called The Well in Curtis Bay, Maryland. For many women who come to The Well, the story of the past is a painful one; addiction, trafficking, generational poverty, and abuse.   But love has a way of re-writing our stories, taking us from surviving to thriving. Bobbie Jenkins oozes hope and joy!  She has a gentle strength and humility that is disarming and drops so much wisdom in this conversation, you may need to take notes.  If you feel stuck in a part of your story you don’t like and you can’t imagine how to begin changing it, Bobbie has a word for you: it’s FORWARD.     3:05  A turning point in Bobbie's life 6:10  What finding real love looked like 9:40  The Well and Hon's Honey 17:04  How does community help? 26:35  Beekeeping for Newbies 31:25  How to turn if you're stuck    

Matthew West writes the songs he needs to hear.   4:30 How do you bounce from one thing to another? 7:20 What does a songwriting day look like? 12:10 “The God Who Stays” book  24:03 The need for authenticity 30:10 Sharing messages I need to hear 35:45 The secret to 20 years with Emily

She’s sold millions of books and records, she’s a popular talk show host, Bible teacher, and speaker... and she knows what it likes to feel like her world is falling apart. Sheila Walsh has an incredible story.  If you’ve ever felt like giving up, or that you couldn’t share your struggle, you will find a safe, compassionate, wise mentor in Sheila Walsh. From her own journey of childhood trauma and depression later in life, she found healing in a place she didn’t want to go, and renewed hope and trust in the God she’d been telling others about for so many years. I want to just sit at her feet and listen to her talk about Jesus. Sheila Walsh is a gift.   Join me for a special conversation that you may want to share with someone you love who is hurting. And if that someone is you, linger a bit. Listen. And listen again. There is hope.    3:05 Support for ministry that combats human trafficking 5:50 How to help those who survive human trafficking 9:05 Sheila’s testimony 11:16 When does ministry become a place to hide? 15:30 A rock-bottom moment... on TV 21:10 “Holding On When You Want to Let Go” 25:35 What’s the hardest thing people are grappling with post-Covid?