Your Day Brighter®

Latest Episodes:

The Face of Addiction with Lisa Yerby Bryson Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

She is the most unlikely face of addiction. A church girl, a beautiful family, and a love for Jesus, but Lisa Yerby Bryson’s life was interrupted by a trauma that sent her spiraling. She tells me her incredible story of her journey into addiction and back to the arms of Jesus. It’s a hard story to hear, but you’ll know something of what real love looks like when you’ve heard it.

3:10- How Lisa was raised and the young woman she became
9:04- How guilt and shame manifested
13:30- Numbing the pain
16:21- Finding God at her lowest moment
21:46- The progression of addiction
25:35- What people struggling with addiction need from us
28:20- Lisa’s husband
30:20-The hotel room
34:29- Rebuilding a new life and being restored
36:40- Lisa’s family
37:54- How Lisa found God in rehab
40:13- Healing from the pain and trauma
43:43- To the person struggling with addiction
46:17- Praising Through Recovery
56:11- Finishing well
59:13- How to reach out and find Praising Through Recovery
61:00- The name and meaning behind Praising Through Recovery

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

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Gracism with Dr. David Anderson Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

Racism has divided our country and our world for generations. My heart has been broken over it. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself, or you’ve ached as you saw the divide get bigger.

Is “Gracism” the answer to racism?

My pastor and friend, Dr. David Anderson, planted Bridgeway Community Church 30 years ago, a multi-cultural church, where people of 52 nations worship and do life, together! He is one of the leading voices in the world on the topic of racism and reconciliation and he has created a word, that is more of a solution than I’ve heard anywhere: Gracism.

I am so excited to share this conversation with you as he shares his personal story of growing up in Prince George's County, Maryland, a burning cross on his front lawn, and a mother who put honoring Jesus above revenge or bitterness.

From Dr. Anderson’s own history, God birthed in him a passion to help us find common ground, racial reconciliation, and healing.

2:11- How David grew up

6:15- The moment that shaped David

8:50- The outlook David had

19:30- The turning point of how David gave his life to the Lord

22:11- How and when David got the idea of planting a Multicultural Church

31:27- A working definition of racism

35:25- How God works through the Multicultural Church

36:19- Side dishes and how the different preferences are represented with all the diverse cultures

42:02- Gracism: The Art of Inclusion by David Anderson

44:56- The sayings of a gracist

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Life Lessons from Losing a Friend with Tracey Tiernan Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

Have you experienced the loss of a friend that rocked you to your core? My dear friend Kevin Thornton suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. He was like a father to me, and as I have been grieving this great loss, God has been so near, teaching me lessons about life I will never forget.

Knowing Kevin has made me want to live better, and I want to share with you a few things I am committed to doing differently moving forward.

2:45- Live with no regrets

4:24- Go with your inclination to reach out

8:54- Bring your tears to the party

15:08- The thing that you might not want to do might be God’s gift to you

22:00- Will you let God love you

23:34- Be a gap filler

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So Long Normal with Laura Story Sep 14, 2021

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When your plans blow up and your dreams are disintegrating, how do you embrace a new normal and live an abundant life? Artist and writer Laura Story shares her story of her not-so-normal life and how God has shown her His plans are always good.

If you've been fighting disappointment because your plans aren't working out, get ready for some real hope. I love Laura's perspective, insights, and her joy!

3:48- What is normal for Laura

6:58- How did Laura get to the place of thriving through grieving

11:19- The trial Laura went through with her husband

15:12- The treasures that came through the trial

23:04- Starting with God being the loudest voice in your life

27:03- The pandemic and what Laura learned in 2020

29:45- Stepping away from the comfortable

31:45- So long normal

35:16- Getting your eyes and focus on God

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The Legacy of Jordan Taylor Sep 07, 2021

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On November 5, 2019, Jordan Taylor was killed in a horrific act of gun violence in Baltimore.

My friend Julie Taylor shares her story of the unimaginable loss of her son and the piece she couldn't let go of- did Jordan know the difference his life made in this world?

As she searched for ways to keep his memory alive, Jordan's legacy as a change-maker emerged, stories from the community flowed and hope was renewed. I love this family dearly and have learned so much from Julie's generous willingness to share. This conversation is about grief but also about legacy, and what we leave behind that lasts.

5:43-Memories of Jordan

9:31-The Y

11:53- How Jordan began working at The Y and his impact

18:21- The calling God has for us

19:42- Julie’s struggle

26:06- The mystery of God

30:40- Comments from people Jordan impacted

33:50- For Jordan Jewelry

39:13- Legacy

43:08-Jordan’s Lynchburg Scholarship Program

46:24- What Julie wants her legacy to be

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Rockstars or Worship Leaders with Chris Brown from Elevation Aug 31, 2021

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Chris Brown is just 39 years old but has written some of the richest worship songs that are being sung all over the world.

He's got a huge platform. How does he keep his head on straight and make it about God?

I can't wait to share this conversation with this humble man who drops some wisdom that has stayed with me.

He's the real deal.

2:45- Chris’s church experience

3:50- What’s it like being part of a megachurch

6:18-The Little Rascals

8:29- How Chris guards his relationship with God while being an influence

11:25- Songwriting

17:09- When the melody and lyric meet

21:28- A topic and attribute about God Chris loves to write about

26:52- How Chris finds the middle ground being a worship leader and truly worship while he leads

31:47- Meaningful moments during the Pandemic and COVID shutdown

37:07- Prayer for Chris and his family

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Painting With God Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Ever wonder what an artist’s creative process is like? I am thrilled to introduce you to my friend, Sandi Wilson, who shares how her faith in the Lord has guided her artwork and how she’s used it to minister to others.

Sandi for the past few years has been extensively working in Encaustic medium (beeswax, resin, and melted pigments) which creates layers of beauty to be revealed in the process and objects and images to be embedded within the abstract painting. This conversation is like our all-access VIP pass behind the scenes into a sacred space, where courage and faith and the mystery of creativity come together.

2:30- Sandi’s art

5:50- Sandi’s story and how she got started in art

9:09- A different kind of art

10:48- How Nick and Sandi met

13:23- Sandy the Photographer and Sandy the Artist

16:18- What inspires Sandi to create

17:27- Sandi’s faith journey

18:57- How God has used art to be therapeutic and to comfort

23:55- A One Hit Wonder

25:37- How Sandi approaches a blank canvas

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For the Whole Family: The Art of a Great Story Aug 17, 2021

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If you’re longing for more beautiful things in the world of entertainment to share with your kids, you don’t want to miss this meaningful conversation with a man who’s committed to doing just that.

J. Chris Wall, a film producer and long-time content creator of VeggieTales, talks with me about his passion for creating faith-infused content and how a great story can bring families together.

With over a decade of collaboration with industry leaders at Dreamworks Animation and Big Idea, Chris is currently collaborating with musician and author Andrew Peterson on the newly funded (with help from Angel Studios), Wingfeather Saga animated series.

Chris is passionate about creating content that will serve families with stories of truth and beauty, and I know you’ll hear that in our conversation.

2:16- Behind Chris’s passion for creating family content

4:16- Questioning his calling

6:46- How do you protect your innocence

12:14- The Wingfeather Saga and working with Andrew Peterson

17:26- What is Christian Fiction

21:01- Crowdfunding for The Wingfeather Saga

26:40- How to get involved and help

30:51- The theme of identity in The Wingfeather Saga

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Andrew Peterson on Cultivating Creativity and Connection Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

I am so thrilled to share this conversation with one of my favorite writers, Andrew Peterson.

Andrew is a musician, songwriter (including “Is He Worthy?” covered by Chris Tomlin), founder of The Rabbit Room (a non-profit supporting creators), an award-winning author, and so, so much more.

In our conversation, you’ll hear how music, art, and the mystery of creativity connects us to God and each other. And if you’re looking for more entertainment that’s good for your family, you’ll want to hear about the new animated series bringing Andrews award-winning Wingfeather Saga book series to life.

6:03- What the old can teach
10:19- Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem
13:14- How art and songwriting has been an extension of Andrew’s relationship with God
20:37- What gardening does for Andrew
25:48- Andrew’s new book coming out
33:26- The impact and what Andrew hopes people get from the story
38:16- One thing God really showed Andrew during the pandemic

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365 Days of New Aug 03, 2021

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Ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut spiritually, emotionally, physically? This is where I found myself 10 years ago, wrestling with this fear deep inside: the best was behind me. There was nothing new to give, nothing new to tap into. I’d hit a wall at the age of 47.

Are you there now? I want to help you get back your sense of newness, and share with you how an experiment – 365 days of new – changed my life and helped me learn what it means to be a "new creation" like the Apostle Paul writes about here in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

There is so much to discover about you!

3:04- Tracey's Wall

5:04- a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

5:53- God’s workman's ship masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)

6:14- Sealed (Ephesians 1:13-14)

12:12- 3 things that stole away Tracey’s sense of new

12:52- 365 Days of New

14:35- Disconnection from God’s Word

18:09- Tracey's trip to Haiti

21:48- The lighthouse (2 Chronicles 16:9)

24:17- Disappointment in God’s plan

25:25- Wrestling with God over your disappointment and sorrow