Growing a Joyful Heart Even in Difficult Seasons with Karen Whiting and Pam Farrel
Description
Are you feeling weighed down and searching for more joy in your life? Well, you’re in the right place! Welcome to another uplifting episode of Fierce Calling! This week, Doris Swift invites us to explore and rediscover joy — what joy truly is and how we can reclaim it, even in life’s toughest seasons. Doris is joined by two extraordinary guests: Karen Whiting, a prolific author, speaker, and certified writing coach, and Pam Farrel, beloved for her wisdom on relationships and joy, and co-author of more than 61 books alongside her husband Bill.
Together, Pam and Karen share their personal stories of facing adversity — from health crises and loss to everyday struggles —while living out their message of “choosing joy.” You’ll hear Pam’s powerful testimony of transformation and perseverance through illness, and Karen’s gentle wisdom born from raising a family across the country and sharing joy through creativity and kindness. The conversation delves into their collaborative devotional, Growing a Joyful Heart, filled with practical ways to cultivate, nurture, and spread joy, as well as the impact of biblical and historic joy-givers.
If you’re craving encouragement and ready to let the “Jesus joy” overflow in your life, don’t miss this inspiring episode. There’s even a special announcement about their upcoming Joy Challenge — so get ready to connect, reflect, and rediscover the source of true, lasting joy.
We’re Talking About This Amazing Book & More!
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</figure>Florida Women’s Ministry Leadership Conference mentioned in the intro:
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</figure>Episode Highlights and Takeaways …
00:00 “Surrender What Steals Joy”
07:53 “Women: Multitasking by Design”
09:26 “Joy, Communication, and Devotion”
12:23 Choosing Joy Amid Change
17:54 “Finding Joy in Memories”
20:55 Sprinkling Joy Through Seasons
24:19 Sharing Joy Through Crafts
25:44 Streams of Joy Amid Struggles
29:28 “Transformed by Jesus’ Love”
31:26 Medieval Monks’ Quirky Scribbles
36:07 “Teal Tuesdays: Choosing Joy”
38:17 “Sprinkling Joy in Daily Life”
43:51 “Sharing Christ’s Love Together”
Connect with Karen!
You can connect with Karen, join the JOY CHALLENGE, and find her books and resources mentioned in the show, here:
More About Karen!
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</figure>Karen Whiting, a freelance writer and award-winning author of more than thirty nonfiction books, loves to let creativity splash onto the pages as she writes. Karen’s newest books Growing a Peaceful Heart and Growing a Joyful Heart help people live above the negative news and difficult circumstances to embrace God’s love.
Karen also writes books to equip families and help them and their children thrive. Karen is a certified personality trainer, certified children’s ministry coach, and AWSA certified writing and marketing coach. She loves to guide people to move forward in life and God’s calling.
Connect with Pam!
You can connect with Pam, join the JOY CHALLENGE, and find her books and resources mentioned in the show, here:
More About Pam!
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized">
</figure>Two phrases sum up Pam’s approach to life:
Choosing Joy!
One ordinary woman connected to the extra-ordinary God can make difference!
These sayings captured Pam’s heart because they sum up her experience. “I am the first-born daughter of an alcoholic father with severe rage issues. I often thought our family would make the headlines but for all the wrong reasons. When I was 8 years-old, however, a family friend saw the chaos we were living in and invited us to attend church with her. There I saw what real love looked like.”
Having discovered peace and focus in her life, she is motivated to help women everywhere uncover their potential through a life of confidence and courage.
Her writing career began shortly after she began attending church as a child. She wrote her first book under a tree on her family farm. As an adult, she has published more than 40 books including the best-seller Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti, 7 Simple Skills for Every Woman, Becoming a Brave New Woman, Devotions for Women on the Go!, Got Teens? (co-authored with Jill Savage), 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband; Red Hot Romance Tips for Women, 10 Secrets for Living Smart, Savvy and Strong and most recently Discovering Creative Bible Study Experience books: Discovering Hope in the Psalms, Discovering Joy in Philippians, Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament – release date October, 2019 and 2 future Discovering books (co-authored with Jean E. Jones and Karla Dornacher).
Pam is an engaging and energetic leader who has impacted women’s lives with her experience as an international speaker, Director of Women’s Ministry, radio co-host, newspaper columnist, pastor’s wife, youth leader, and mentor.
What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?
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</figure>Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/
<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized">
</figure>Let’s Stay Connected!
Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized">
</figure>Thanks for Listening!
I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.
If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at <a href="https://www.womenspeakers.c
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