Christianity

Joystarters with Rachel Baribeau: Nurturing Faith, Finding Purpose, and Pursuing Joyful Living

Find what brings you joy and live a life that is full of purpose and passion. Host, Rachel Joy Baribeau, is a former national sportscaster who travels the US speaking on mental health, joy, courage, and discovering purpose and passion. She knows firsthand how important it is to find what makes you happy and go for it. Whether you’re just starting on your journey or you’re looking for ways to make your current path more joyful, the Joystarters podcast is for you. Tune in today and start living your best life

Latest Episodes:

Wild Florida is Worth Fighting For with Emily Ryan Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

When you catch yourself thinking, “Somebody should do something,” what happens if you realize that somebody could be you?

Rachel sits down with conservation advocate Emily Ryan, known online as Earth to Emily, for a passionate conversation about protecting wild Florida, finding hope in nature, and speaking up before you feel qualified. Emily shares how returning home to a beloved wetland replaced by development moved her from heartbreak to action, armed with a phone and a willingness to learn out loud.

Together, they explore how to turn doomscrolling into meaningful involvement, help children build a connection with wildlife, and use your everyday influence for something you care about. They also discuss responsible development, wildlife corridors, and bringing conservation into the decisions we make in our communities and at the ballot box.

Whether your heart belongs to Florida’s wildlife or an entirely different cause, this episode invites you to get curious, get involved, and show the next generation what it looks like to care.

Join Rachel and Terri at the I’m Changing the Narrative Soul Retreat, February 25–27, 2027, in Florida. Visit https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat; for retreat information and registration.

Join Rachel's newsletter by texting JOY to 33777.

CONNECT:

Connect with Emily on Instagram at earthtoemily.fl

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You Can Be Successful and Still Need a Soul Reset - Terri Couser with Rachel Baribeau Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Content note: This episode briefly includes a personal account of domestic violence.

Rachel once planned an event with food, entertainment, and every detail in place. Thirteen people showed up, all of them her friends. She cried in the bathroom. Years later, as 130 people walked into her Joy Ball, she thanked God for every person who came through the door.

In part two of this conversation, Terri Couser returns to the interviewer’s seat as Rachel shares the small beginnings, painful experiences, and willingness to try again behind I’m Changing the Narrative. What started as a two-page Google Doc grew into work with college athletes, NFL teams, businesses, churches, and people in prison.

Rachel and Terri talk about recognizing a problem you can help solve, opening doors for others, and finding joy in the places where your gifts meet someone else’s needs. They also offer a look inside the upcoming I’m Changing the Narrative Soul Retreat, where Terri will join Rachel as a speaker, with time for learning, beach walks, meaningful connections, and a little dancing.

Join Rachel and Terri at the I’m Changing the Narrative Soul Retreat, February 25–27, 2027, in Florida. Visit https://www.rachelbaribeau.com/ictn-retreat; for retreat information and registration.

Join Rachel's newsletter by texting JOY to 33777.

CONNECT:

You can get the whole interview on Terri’s YouTube Channel

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Success Shouldn’t Cost You Your Soul - Terri Couser with Rachel Baribeau Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, Rachel joins her friend and business and wealth coach Terri Couser for a conversation originally recorded for Terri’s show about pursuing success without sacrificing your peace, your relationships, or who you are. Rachel opens up about decades of rushing, the pressure to always be “on,” and her growing desire to trade hustle culture for savor culture.

Together, they explore making room for God to interrupt your plans, setting boundaries, and living with the same integrity in private that you show in public. Rachel also shares her “audacious hour,” a practical way to start asking for opportunities you’ve been quietly hoping will find you.

If you’ve been accomplishing plenty but enjoying very little, this conversation offers a moment to consider what all that effort is building.

Come back next week for part two!

CONNECT:

You can get the whole interview on Terri’s YouTube Channel

Terri will be speaking at the 2027 ICTN Soul Retreat. Get the details here.

Subscribe to Rachel's newsletter via this link or by texting JOY to 33777

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Be an Avalanche of Joy Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you say something good about someone and other people start adding their own stories? You create an avalanche of joy.

In this episode, I share how a post about P.J. Fleck sparked an outpouring of appreciation, along with the behind-the-scenes story of how he helped me grow as a speaker.

I also ask a question worth sitting with: Are you a safe place for people, including yourself? We’ll talk about trust, keeping your word, and caring enough to help someone see what’s possible.

Plus, hear from past ICTN retreat attendees about what happened when they made room for faith, friendship, play, and time for themselves. If you’ve been craving deeper connection or a chance to catch your breath, this might be your invitation.

Who could you encourage this week? Your avalanche of joy can start with one person.

Join my newsletter by texting JOY to 33777.

PJ Fleck back story on IG

What PJ Fleck Gets Right Appreciation Post on IG
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Creativity, Connection, and What Makes Us Human with Joseph Fasano - Part 2 Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you stop fighting what you love and give yourself permission to change course?

In PART TWO of my conversation with poet, author, and educator Joseph Fasano, we explore his move from studying mathematics and physics at Harvard to building a life around poetry. Joseph shares how that decision grew from a desire he could no longer ignore, even without knowing what his future would look like.

We also talk about the parts of ourselves we silence, why achievement and recognition can still leave us feeling empty, and how owning our gifts can help us serve others.

Our conversation touches on AI, the human connection we’re craving, and Joseph’s approach to teaching the whole person. We close with a discussion about apologizing to our children, learning from our mistakes, and striving to be whole rather than perfect.

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MORE ABOUT JOSEPH:

- The Magic Words (poetry prompts): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744300/the-magic-words-by-joseph-fasano/

- The Teacher (a novel and spiritual guide): https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-teacher-joseph-fasano/96c14415c4f73f2d

- The Last Song of the World (poems): https://boaeditions.org/book/the-last-song-of-the-world/?srsltid=AU7gw4Xg1NM8L_JgY8lfI8b6HezUD9fD07aS4PMhCFdYz_uNa6T1JsxD

- Pre-orders for How We Survive: https://www.aftershockreview.com/product-page/how-we-survive-a-guide-to-being-human-in-a-time-of-ai

INSTAGRAM: @joseph.fasano

THREADS: @joseph.fasano

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How Do We Stay Human in the Age of AI, with Joseph Fasano Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

Poet, author, and teacher Joseph Fasano joins Rachel Joy Baribeau for a conversation about what it means to be human in a world that increasingly measures us by what we produce. A story about something his four-year-old son said opens the door to questions about empathy, the way we raise and educate children, and what artificial intelligence can never experience for us.

Joseph shares the ideas behind his forthcoming book, How We Survive: A Guide to Being Human in a Time of AI. He and Rachel also talk about leading through service, the value of an unhurried morning, and why listening deserves as much practice as speaking. The episode closes with Joseph reading a poem whose final line may stay with you long after it ends.

Join us next week for Part Two of this episode.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL AND I'M CHANGING THE NARRATIVE:

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https://i-m-changing-the-narrative.ck.page/8326be1f65

CONNECT WITH JOSEPH:

BOOKS BY JOSEPH FASANO:

- Pre-orders for How We Survive: https://www.aftershockreview.com/product-page/how-we-survive-a-guide-to-being-human-in-a-time-of-ai

- The Magic Words (poetry prompts): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744300/the-magic-words-by-joseph-fasano/

- The Teacher (a novel and spiritual guide): https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-teacher-joseph-fasano/96c14415c4f73f2d

- The Last Song of the World (poems): https://boaeditions.org/book/the-last-song-of-the-world/?srsltid=AU7gw4Xg1NM8L_JgY8lfI8b6HezUD9fD07aS4PMhCFdYz_uNa6T1JsxD

INSTAGRAM: @joseph.fasano

THREADS: @joseph.fasano

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Life Is Short. Get Your House in Order. Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Life is precious, life is short, and too many of us live as if we will always have more time to handle the things that matter.
In this raw and personal episode, Rachel shares the heartbreaking experiences that helped inspire her new book and the wake-up call she cannot stop thinking about. She also talks about preparing for difficult possibilities, preserving the stories behind the things we treasure, receiving feedback without reacting, and having the courage to make an audacious ask.

This episode is an invitation to stop postponing the conversations, decisions and practical details that deserve your attention. Some of them may feel uncomfortable, but taking care of them now is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself and the people you love.

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://i-m-changing-the-narrative.kit.com/2b1b250423 via this link or by texting JOY to 33777

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https://i-m-changing-the-narrative.ck.page/8326be1f65

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Sometimes the Detour Is the Answer Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

What if the thing that feels like it’s falling apart is actually making room for something better?

On the day Rachel turns in her new book, she shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to get there, including the plans that changed, the moments that tested her, and the unexpected turns that ultimately led to something better.

This episode is about doing your best to plan ahead while accepting that you cannot control everything, speaking honestly with grace, recognizing when disappointment may actually be redirection, and remembering the deeper purpose beneath the goals, numbers, and titles.

Sometimes clarity does not come while everything is unraveling. Sometimes it comes later, after the tears, the deep breath, and enough distance to finally see that what felt like a setback may have been a blessing all along.

Subscribe to the newsletter: https://i-m-changing-the-narrative.kit.com/2b1b250423 via this link or by texting JOY to 33777

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But God: What to Do When Life Keeps Piling On Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when it feels like one thing after another keeps going wrong?

In this episode of Joy Starters, Rachel gets real about a season that has required what she calls “fingernail faith”: those moments when you’re hanging on, life feels heavy, and your nose is barely above water.

She shares an update from the final days of writing her new book, the unexpected setbacks that threw her carefully planned timeline out the window, and what she’s learning about trusting her gut, receiving correction, and asking for help.

Rachel also talks about something we don’t discuss enough: being thoughtful about the emotional weight we ask other people to carry. From giving trigger warnings to asking, “Do you have the headspace for this?” she shares simple ways we can care for the people who are caring for us.

If you’re walking through a heavy season, this episode is a reminder that joy doesn’t require everything to be going well. Sometimes joy looks like holding grief in one hand, gratitude in the other, and finding enough faith to keep going.

Subscribe to the newsletter via this link or by texting JOY to 33777

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When the Work Still Gives You Chills: My Time with Moravian University Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Rachel recently spoke to nearly 100 football players at Moravian University, creating a space for them to talk honestly about mental health, family struggles, trauma, loss and the pressure so many men feel to protect, provide and perform.

In this episode, she reflects on why she no longer sees herself simply as a speaker, but as a sacred space holder. Her work is about helping people take off the mask, put down some of what they have been carrying, and feel safe enough to be real.

She also shares why soul care matters after pouring so much into others, and why, even after 10 years of I’m Changing the Narrative, this work still leaves her in awe.

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