Fighting For Joy - Episodes Tagged with “Hope”

Episode 73: Fighting for Joy with Forgiveness

Jodi Blick — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0600

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!

Episode 42: Can laughter return in grief?

Jodi Blick — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0600

I believed from the start of our grief journey that our faith would allow us to fight for joy in the midst of our sorrow. But happiness? Laughter? It sure didn't seem possible, or even appropriate, for a long time. But today we share a little bit about how laughter HAS returned, even though our grief continues. And, because of all of the tears and darker days, our laughter feels especially sweet now. Richer. More meaningful. More hope-filled.

If you are in the midst of difficult circumstances and feel like genuine laughter is unattainable, we understand - and we want this episode to bring you hope. We have a big God who restores, helps, heals, comforts, and redeems. Wait upon Him. In the meantime, let the tears flow. Keep pressing forward. Take one day at a time. Work to fight bitterness and despondency. And keep fighting for joy, asking God to eventually bring some laughter along with it.

*The Fighting for Joy Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling, an online Christian counseling service that pairs you with a professional licensed therapist who will combine Biblical wisdom with their clinical expertise in mental health to help you address your unique situation. As a Fighting for Joy listener, you can receive 10% off at: faithfulcounseling.com/fightingforjoy. Quality counseling is a worthy investment and can be such a powerful tool in the fight for joy!

Episode 36: Fighting for Joy with Prayer

Jodi Blick — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0600

I’m so happy to introduce you to a special woman in our community who is known as “Mama Lu”. Her nickname points to the role that she plays in the lives of so many - mentoring, teaching, mothering, and encouraging. Her actual name is LuAnn Ruwe. She has been married to her husband Chris for 44 years. They have 7 children (plus 6 of them have brought spouses to the family) and 13 grandchildren. LuAnn is a retired nurse and is now in the catering business. So she brings a lot of experience, wisdom, and insight to the table and I was so grateful for the opportunity to sit and learn from her - and now I'm thrilled to share our conversation with you!

Even though LuAnn has experienced firsthand the brokenness of this world, she exudes an unbelievable amount of joy! LuAnn has one of the most beautiful and genuine smiles, her laugh is contagious, and she always seems to have a song in her heart. As we talk together on this episode today, you’ll quickly find out where her abundant joy comes from (spoiler alert: it comes from her deep love for Jesus!). God's work in her life has produced such beautiful fruit. Through many years of walking closely with Him, she has developed a sweet dependence on Him, she treasures His Word, trusts His promises, believes in the importance of staying in close community with other believers, and regarding our topic today, she has learned about the necessity, comfort, joy, and power of prayer. I hope as you listen you are spurred on in your own prayer life. Or maybe it will prompt you to start praying for the very first time. I love how practical LuAnn got and I think her insight will help and encourage you, as it did for me. And really, as we continue to talk through these many ways to fight for joy, I can’t think of many that top prayer!

Episode 35: Fighting for Joy against Perfectionism

Jodi Blick — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -0600

Perfectionism. 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 the “pursuit of perfection”. Sometimes we wonder if our life would be better if we had MORE perfectionist tendencies. And to be honest, many perfectionists DO accomplish a lot…but at what cost?!? That’s the question that my guest today ended up asking herself after years of trying to accept nothing less than “perfection” in her life.

Today I’m joined by Sara Waddel, my cousin and dear friend. On this episode we talk about how harmful and damaging these tendencies can be when they take over. How quickly perfectionism can rob us of peace, freedom, contentment, and JOY. As Sara shares her story, you’ll be encouraged by her fight for joy in the struggle. God has been teaching her a lot and I’m grateful for her willingness to share so openly and honestly. I think you’ll especially be helped by some of the practical things that she implements into her daily life to fight against perfectionism.

There is so much joy to be found when we rest in Christ’s work, not our own…knowing that we are not accepted and loved by God because we do everything “perfectly” and never fail, but because as believers, Christ’s righteousness counts for us! And, we know that the Holy Spirit is producing good fruit in us that delights God. We don’t have to earn his love or our salvation. We don’t have to seek the love and approval of others - or find our value in doing things “better” than those around us. This is freeing and joy-producing!

Episode 32: Fighting for Joy As We Wait

Jodi Blick — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Are 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 doing? My guest today, Cathy DelSenno, speaks directly to these questions (spoiler alert, the answer is YES!) and shares her story of fighting for joy through some really hard things like miscarriage, major surgeries, divorce, loneliness, and anxiety. In many ways Cathy is still in the thick of things, still waiting, still fighting hard for contentment and joy, but I know you will be so blessed by the beautiful things that she is learning in the middle of it all...rich things about God's love and care, about the comfort of His Word, the power of prayer, the need for community, the process of forgiveness, and how transforming gratitude can be!

Cathy lives in Omaha, has 4 amazing kids, works at a local hospital, and has headed back to school. She is spinning a lot of plates in life right now but does it with grace and wisdom, aiming to just do "the next right thing". Over the past couple of years, she has grown to become a dear friend to me and I always walk away from our time together feeling encouraged, spurred on, and blessed. I'm sure you're going to feel the same way after hearing her insight today!

Episode 23: Fighting for Joy with Family

Jodi Blick — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -0500

I'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 and jumped on the opportunity.

You'll hear plenty of laughter and light-hearted moments, but you'll also hear courage, strength, and vulnerability as they bravely share from their hearts. It’s not easy for teenagers and young adults to process and talk about grief - to open up about the hardest and most painful parts of their lives. But all three of them know that the Fighting for Joy Podcast is helping and encouraging so many people. From the beginning I have involved them in this ministry...talking through guest ideas, topics, and explaining the metrics so that they know who is listening and where they are listening from. I also love sharing your feedback with them and the ways that the podcast has helped you to experience more hope and joy. As a result, these three have become some of my biggest cheerleaders. I'm so grateful they believe in this ministry and very proud of them for wanting to be a part of it. I hope you are encouraged as you hear them give testimony to God’s sufficient and healing grace.

Episode 22: Fighting for Joy with a Healthy Mindset

Jodi Blick — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 06:00:00 -0500

I 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've known Becky for a long time, we became intentional last year about spending more time together and deepening our friendship, and it ended up being one of the greatest blessings of 2019 for both of us.

Becky is well-known for her amazing photography, but in our community, she is also known and admired for her strong faith, her creativity, her care for other women, her style, and the beautiful ways that she serves and loves people well. And, while she really does invest in our town and love this place, she’s also become quite an influencer on social media, inspiring women of all ages in all parts of the country with the wise perspective and beautiful insights that she shares.

On the episode today, Becky talks about transforming her thought life and how keeping a healthy mindset has been crucial in her personal fight for joy. She shares how she has learned to break negative thought patterns and cling to specific truths in God's Word when fear, worry, or negative thinking fill her mind. Along with mindset and perspective, we touch on a number of other interesting topics like simplifying, the mind/body connection, overworking, the blessings of Instagram, and the importance of daily practices. I know you will love hearing her heart today and I hope you are encouraged by our conversation.

Episode 21: Fighting for Joy with the Enneagram

Jodi Blick — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 06:00:00 -0600

Life 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 of the mess, there IS hope to be found. We can help each other fight for joy and encourage one another to keep pressing forward in hope. Season 2 is all about how to do that…

Most of the tools that I have been having my guests highlight are tools that I implement in my own fight for joy as well, and this episode is no exception. My guest today is Chris Heuertz, and among the many other hats that he wears (author, speaker, non-profit consultant, and activist to name a few), Chris is an Enneagram teacher and coach. I wanted to highlight this tool because of how helpful it has been to me in grief. I realize that for some of you, this may be the very first time that you have ever heard the word Enneagram. It’s still fairly new to me too. But as I’ve learned about it and therefore learned more about myself and others, its been a helpful tool in my life, especially in relationship to my grief. Three main things come to mind in regards to WHY and HOW it has been beneficial for me.

First, it’s pushed me to have more compassion towards myself - especially in recognizing my tendencies in stressful times and what I am prone to when life is hard. Oftentimes we can wonder, “Why am I responding like this? Why did I react that way? Why is this bothering me and it doesn’t seem to be bothering her?” Learning about my specific dominant type has caused me to better discern how I become discouraged and the lies that I am tempted to believe when I’m struggling. It's also helped me to grow in appreciation for my strengths and the things that I contribute to the world and to my relationships, both in happy times and in difficult times. I’ve just been kinder to myself and more grateful to God for the ways that He has uniquely designed me - and also more motivated to mature, develop, and transform in more Christ-like ways.

Secondly, I’ve grown tremendously in understanding and in compassion towards others. I’ve been especially grateful for the insight the Enneagram has provided into the various ways that each of us living here in the Blick house might tend to process and deal with heartache and pain. All 5 of us lost Jackson, but each of us have had a markedly different journey in grief these last 6 years. I’ve also found myself better able to extend grace and patience to the people around us who have wanted to walk with us in our sorrow (and honestly, towards those who haven’t). As I better understand why different people are responding in different ways, I can better appreciate what they ARE bringing to the table and look to them for help and friendship in the natural ways that they are wired, appreciating their strengths and perspective, and letting go of expectations that might be unrealistic for the way that God has uniquely created them.

And lastly, the Enneagram has given me such a bigger picture of God…his creation, his glory, and his holiness. His greatness is powerfully reflected in the special and unique ways that He has created and wired each one of us and the personal ways that He meets us and loves us.

I really think you will enjoy hearing from Chris today. He is such a thoughtful voice in this world. I was so honored to have this time with him and excited to share another practical tool that may help you fight for joy!

Episode 20: Fighting for Joy with God’s Word

Jodi Blick — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 06:00:00 -0600

Today 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 that quite a few of you who listen to my podcast are not Christians. Or your faith looks very different than mine. And it is such a blessing to get feedback that, even so, you are gaining encouragement from listening, despite our differences! But I'm wondering how some of you will react to the title of this episode. Maybe you struggle with believing that the Bible is true...doubting if it can be of any help for your particular situation. Maybe you have tried to read the Bible or have gone to church but it just left you confused or frustrated. Maybe the Christians in your life have let you down, or really caused you hurt. My encouragement to you is to listen anyway. Let us share the personal ways that God has met us with His Word. Christians and non-Christians alike continue to ask us how we can have joy in the midst of great loss, and how we are finding laughter and dancing again, even as other difficult things continue to present themselves and burden us down. Friends, this is one of the main ways! So pray that as you listen, God meets you and draws you into the hope and help of His Word as you keep fighting for joy in the midst of whatever you may be facing in this broken world.

Episode 17: Fighting for Joy with God’s Love

Jodi Blick — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 06:00:00 -0600

Today 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 shares online I often share it with my followers. But if you aren't on Instagram, or you haven't learned about Heart of the Bison yet, I am so excited for you to listen in to our conversation. Jen shares about how her fight for joy began through struggles in marriage, parenting, loneliness, adoption, and the battle to stay healthy (physically, mentally, and spiritually). I think each of us can relate to at least one of these topics, can't we?!? With openness and tears, Jen shares about how she got to a place where she broke down, weary from leaning on her own strength, and realized that she didn't understand or know the love of God. She was asking lesser things in this world to bring her the joy and peace that her soul longed for - and she found herself deeply unsatisfied and lacking joy. You will be so blessed to hear about the tender ways that God drew her to Himself and taught her about His deep, and personal love, and how this led to Jen finding restored joy and a peace that only our heavenly Father's love can bring. She also shares a number of other practical tools that she implements into her life, and I'm confident that you'll find something that can be used in your own fight for joy.

I don’t think there is anyone who would argue that this world is not broken. There are so many hard things to deal with in this life…both big and small. But, I started this podcast to remind us all that there IS still hope to be found. Yes, the fight for joy can be hard-fought, but we can help one another keep fighting! Through our stories, we can point each other to the comfort, help, and peace of Christ, and encourage one another to keep pressing forward and keep moving towards God and His love - and today Jen does exactly that! I hope you are helped and encouraged by our special conversation.

Episode 14: Fighting for Joy with Therapy & Medication

Jodi Blick — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Laura 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 13, my conversation with our counselor, Claire Cunningham. Laura's story reiterates many of the points that Claire conveyed and wonderfully illustrates how tools like therapy and medication can bring hope, help, and restored joy.

Episode 13: Fighting for Joy with Counseling

Jodi Blick — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0500

My 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 particular situation in grief, which is continually changing and shifting as the years go on, she helps us prepare for what lies ahead…what’s coming as we continue on in grief! Our sessions with Claire have been tremendously helpful and such a key component in our healing and progress as we continue to grieve. So whatever difficulties YOU are dealing with in life, big or small, I hope that today’s episode gives you a glimpse into how counseling can be a helpful tool to navigate the hard things in life and help you fight for joy!

Episode 11: Paige Peterson's Fight for Joy after Losing her Brother to Suicide

Jodi Blick — Sat, 04 May 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Today 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 Paige’s willingness to share this part of her story will be helpful for many of you listening. We need to get better at talking about death, and grief, and yes, even suicide…its a part of living in this broken world. So I’m thankful for Paige’s courage and openness and I know you’ll just love hearing her wise and beautiful heart.

Episode 10: Fighting for Joy After Limb Loss with Addie Schiemann

Jodi Blick — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 06:00:00 -0500

Today 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 conversation is special because April is Limb Loss Awareness Month. Listen in as she shares the realities of living with limb loss and what God has been teaching her through this hard journey!

Episode 9: My Brother's Fight for Joy Through Addiction

Jodi Blick — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 06:00:00 -0500

I 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 in all aspects of life. Almost everyone is affected by addiction in some way, so I hope that this open and honest conversation provides help and hope to many of you!

Episode 8: Fighting for Joy through All Kinds of Brokenness with Laura Ruwe

Jodi Blick — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 06:00:00 -0600

In 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 willing to share what the battle looks like in the MIDST of the storm. It’s brave to say, “We are still trying to figure that out." Or, "I’m not quite sure how this is going to play out for us yet”. Laura is tender and honest as she shares about what grief looks like in adoption, feelings of isolation, prayer, seasons of waiting, social media, and of course, fighting for joy!

I hope you are helped and encouraged by this conversation. I know you will see beauty in the brokenness of Laura's story. God is doing some amazing things in her heart and life, and her love and gratitude for her sweet family is evident and inspiring!

Episode 6: Nancy Guthrie's Fight for Joy (Part 1)

Jodi Blick — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 06:00:00 -0600

I 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 experienced the brokenness of this world in heartbreaking ways, Nancy has fought for joy by finding comfort and hope in God’s Word, trusting in His sovereignty, and helping others see the trustworthiness and beauty of Scripture, and the help that it provides.

For many years, Nancy has served as a mentor and influential teacher in my life. Her books and studies have equipped and helped me as I have studied the Bible, and her ministry has greatly encouraged my walk with the Lord! After Jackson died, she embraced me as a friend and fellow grieving mom and has tenderly walked with me these past 5 years. It is such a blessing to learn from a friend who is a number of years ahead of me on this grief journey. As I have mentioned in previous episodes, the Guthries host weekend retreats for couples who have lost a child, and attending one of the those retreats shortly after Jackson died has been one of the most helpful things for us in grief.

Nancy is a gracious friend and a wise teacher - I’m so grateful for her willingness to record this episode with me. Today you will hear Part 1 of our conversation.

Episode 4: Fighting for Joy after Losing our Baby Boy with Leanne Ballinger

Jodi Blick — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 06:00:00 -0600

It 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 downs, sweet Drew went to be with the Lord in July of 2013. With Jackson dying in June of that same year, our grief journey has been on a very similar timeframe. Our stories are different and our sons died at different ages and through different circumstances, but God has given us such likemindedness in one another. It has been such a help to have a kindred spirit like Leanne to walk through grief with. In the midst of such heartbreaking circumstances, we have seen our friendship as a kindness of the Lord. I think you will be touched by this tender conversation between two grieving moms who have become friends and confidants through great loss and great hope.

Episode 3: Fighting for Joy After a Stroke with Melissa Sasse

Jodi Blick — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 06:00:00 -0600

Today 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 she has been such a help to me in grief. She was one of the first people to show up at our door when Jackson died and she hasn't stopped showing up for me since.

No matter where you land on the political spectrum, please know that this podcast is not about politics...it's about friendship, and faith, and pressing on. Melissa leads by example in this fight for joy. She has a strong and deep faith that has provided such hope and gratefulness, but her story reminds us once again that faith doesn't make the consequences of this broken world hurt any less. I hope you are encouraged and inspired in your OWN fight for joy as you listen.

Episode 2: Fighting for Joy after Losing My Mom with Cathy Brown

Jodi Blick — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 06:00:00 -0600

Today 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. Listen in as she shares some of her story of loss and how it has shaped her life and faith. Cathy is such an encouragement to me, and I know she will be for you too!

Episode 1: Our Story

Jodi Blick — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 06:00:00 -0600

Today 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 perfectly tell our story. In fact, there are a few details that we almost edited out because we remembered them differently. But, that is part of trauma...and part of going through grief together, but separately. So we didn't make any edits. With this podcast, I've decided that "done is better than perfect". Grief is messy...and this podcast will be messy at times as well.

I'm thankful that Eric agreed to be my first guest. He has believed in this project from the start and I seriously couldn't have gotten it started without him. So I'm excited for you to get to know him a little bit as we share our hearts and help you better understand the “why” behind this podcast.

Episode 0: Preview

Jodi Blick — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 06:00:00 -0600

Welcome 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.