Women Behind the Words

Episode 83 - Seeing My Life Through God’s Eyes with Ann Harrison

Date: August 8, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Ann Harrison

 

Story Highlights:
In this powerful and faith-filled episode of The Women Behind the Words, Debbie Dufek welcomes author, poet, and freelance editor Ann Harrison for a deeply personal conversation about trusting God in every season, especially when life looks nothing like what you expected.

Born completely blind due to a medical error shortly after birth, Ann has lived her entire life without physical sight. Yet, what she shares in this episode goes far beyond the physical. Ann invites us into her world, a world where she “sees” through texture and shows us how God has shaped her creativity, calling, and purpose.

Ann recounts her early struggles with anxiety, her transition from fiction to poetry and devotionals, and the healing journey God took her on that changed everything. Her vulnerability is matched with wisdom as she describes the way God met her in her pain and gave her the words to minister to others.

We also take a look behind the scenes of her creative process as she explains how she uses screen reading software, structures her writing days, and stays connected to Scripture and the Spirit of God through journaling and prayer. One standout moment comes when she talks about the lasting influence of Mr. Rogers and the profound way he helped shape her perspective on life and faith.

This conversation is not just about overcoming challenges. It is about stepping into the unique calling God has placed on your life, no matter what stands in the way. If you have ever doubted your voice or your purpose, Ann’s story will remind you that God equips those He calls.

 

About Our Guest:
Ann Harrison is an author, poet, and freelance editor who is totally blind. When she is not editing or writing, you can find her crocheting with a podcast playing in the background or reading a good book on her electronic Braille display.

Her debut devotional, Praying Through the Seasons: Seven Aspects of Prayer and Communion with God, is a heart centered guide to building a meaningful prayer life. She is also the author of The Spirit of Creativity: Inspirational Poems for the Creative at Heart and is currently working on the second book in her devotional series, Walking With God Through The Chapters.

Ann’s work appears in several anthologies including God Things: Hope for the Hurting and the upcoming 540 Writers Community anthology. She serves as a professional writer and freelance content editor with Scrivenings Press and Elk Lake Publishing Inc. Ann lives with her daughter in a tiny house in Rochelle, Georgia, and continues to write stories, devotionals, and poetry that reflect God’s grace and creative power.

 

Book Spotlight:
Praying Through the Seasons: Seven Aspects of Prayer and Communion with God
This self paced devotional is a thoughtful guide to cultivating a more intentional prayer life. Whether you are new to prayer or seeking to deepen your practice, Ann’s book offers Scriptural examples, personal experiences, journal prompts, and creative challenges that walk you through daily communion with God. From corporate prayer to private reflection, each section encourages you to draw closer to the Lord in every season of your life.
Perfect for personal study, small groups, or church communities, this devotional is a beautiful tool to help you hear from God and act on His word.

 

Connect with Ann:
Website: www.annharrisonauthor.com
Facebook: Ann Harrison, Author
Pinterest: @AnnHarrisonAuthor
X (formerly Twitter): @annwrites75
Instagram: @annharrisonauthor
Threads: @annharrisonauthor
YouTube: Ann Harrison Author

 

Closing Thought:
Ann’s life reminds us that even when the world tells us we are limited, God’s vision is bigger. He does not need you to be perfect. He just needs you to say yes.

Episode 82 - A Story of Waiting, Obedience, and the Power of Redemption with Maureen Miller

Date: August 1, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Maureen Miller

 

Episode Highlights:
In today’s heartfelt episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek is joined by the beautiful soul and kindred heart of Maureen Miller, wife, mom, Mosie, writer, encourager, and award-winning author. A connector of people and a true wordsmith, Maureen shares the deeply personal journey behind her debut novel Gideon’s Book, a story God placed on her heart during a season of quiet surrender.

Through vulnerability and wisdom, Maureen invites us into the tension of living what you write. She shares the moment God whispered fiction into her heart, the obedience it took to begin, and the waiting that refined both her message and her character. From rewriting the manuscript entirely to wrestling with themes that mirrored her own life, Maureen’s story is one of transformation, trust, and hope for all of us navigating seasons of delay.

This conversation explores:

• How God nudged Maureen to begin her first novel

• Why fiction felt like a stretch and a surrender

• The trials and delays that served as divine preparation

• What Maureen learned about God, herself, and the creative process in the waiting

• The moment she felt called to start the manuscript over completely

• Whether Gideon’s Book will become part of a series

• The real-life inspirations behind her characters and themes

• Scriptures that carried her through the writing and rewriting process

• How writing something so close to the heart makes it both harder and holier

• Her prayer for how Gideon’s Book will impact readers and draw them closer to Jesus

If you’re a writer, a dreamer, or someone stuck in a long season of not yet, this episode will gently remind you the Author of your life is always writing and He finishes what He begins.

 

About Our Guest:
Maureen Miller has been wife to Bill for 35 years, is mom to three “born-in-her-heart” children, and Mosie to two grand-girls with a third on the way.

A teacher by degree and writer by calling, Maureen has been crafting stories, devotions, and essays for decades. She is an award-winning author featured in over twenty collaborative works including Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures and regularly contributes to both print and online publications including her own blog, Penning Pansies.

Though she identifies as an introvert, Maureen is known as a connector, someone who brings people together for God’s greater purpose. She is passionate about encouraging others to pursue their gifts and grow in their relationship with Jesus.

She is currently finishing her first novel Gideon’s Book and is the author of the children’s title Daisy the Circus Dog. Through all of her work, Maureen hopes to show others the extraordinary character of God revealed in the ordinary moments of life.

 

Book Spotlight: Gideon’s Book
In this captivating time-split Christian novel, Maureen Miller beautifully weaves together three lives on a journey toward healing, purpose, and faith.

2016: Cassie faces a daunting health diagnosis and lingering insecurities when she is given the chance to write a memoir for her friend’s parents. As hidden truths about her past come to light, she must confront where her worth truly lies.

Spring, 1969: Ava Jackson is 19 and in love with her best friend’s brother. A Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach sets off a chain of events that will alter her future in ways she never expected.

Summer, 1969: Gideon Stallings is a successful architect battling inner doubts. But when he opens a Bible found in his room, a new story takes root in his heart, one that just might change everything.

From Myrtle Beach to Eden, North Carolina, Gideon’s Book is a sweeping tale of faith, self-discovery, and the impact of one life surrendered to God. Inspired by true events and real people, it’s a deeply emotional read that fans of The Notebook and Stepping Heavenward won’t want to miss.

 

Connect with Maureen Miller:
Website & Blog: www.penningpansies.com
Instagram: @penningpansies
Facebook: Penning Pansies
Email: adaisy4you@gmail.com

 

Books by Maureen Miller:

• Daisy the Circus Dog (Children’s Book)

• Gideon’s Book – Published May 2025

• Contributor to 20+ devotionals and collaborative works including Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures

 

Closing Thought:
Maureen ends this episode with a tender prayer for anyone feeling the ache of delay, the fear of beginning, or the fatigue of waiting. Be reminded God sees, He speaks, and He finishes what He starts in you.

 

Next Week on the Podcast:
Don’t miss our powerful conversation with Ann Harrison, a blind author whose testimony proves that our limitations never define us. God does. Tune in for an unforgettable story of courage, creativity, and grace.

Episode 81 - Blooming in Brokenness: Resilience, Faith, and Authenticity with Amber Weigand-Buckley

Date: July 18, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Amber Weigand-Buckley

 

Episode Highlights:
In this inspiring installment of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek sits down with Amazon #1 bestselling author and mental health advocate Amber Weigand-Buckley to unpack her latest devotional, Flowers Find a Way: Resilient Blooms in Relentless Faith. Amber opens up about overcoming mental health challenges and how “mental health struggles don’t disqualify anyone from divine purpose and leadership calling.” Drawing on intimate anecdotes, from the tenacious dandelion that “pushes itself up through concrete just to reach the light” to the symbolism of beautifully broken vessels. She reveals how vulnerability, authentic storytelling, and reliance on the Holy Spirit cultivate resilience, faith-based leadership, and spiritual growth. She also teases an upcoming audiobook version of Sisterhood of the Short Yellow Pencils, allowing listeners to experience her voice in navigating mental health mayhem one sticky note at a time.

 

About the Guest:
Amber Weigand-Buckley is an Amazon number one bestselling author, speaker, podcaster, and multi-award-winning founding editor and art director of Leading Hearts Magazine. A Springfield, Missouri native, Amber combines her passion for mental health advocacy with faith-based leadership, creating resources that help women embrace their cracks, quirks, and all. Her published works include:

• Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success (co-authored with Lisa Burris Burns)

• Flowers Find a Way: Resilient Blooms in Relentless Faith

• Enough for Today: 30 Mana Moments, 24 Hours at a Time (coming 2025)
  Her 2026 release, Sisterhood of the Short Yellow Pencils: Mental Health Mayhem, One Sticky Note at a Time, continues her mission of authentic vulnerability through powerful storytelling. Amber also co-hosts the weekly podcast Coffee Chat with Amber and Lisa.

 

Book Spotlight: Flowers Find a Way: Resilient Blooms of Relentless Faith 

Flowers Find a Way is more than a devotional, it is an invitation to see God’s presence in the overlooked, the ordinary, and the broken. Through thirty heartfelt reflections, Amber Weigand-Buckley leads readers on a journey of discovering beauty in unexpected places and strength in the midst of struggle. Each page is designed to help women deepen their faith, reframe their challenges, and recognize the powerful ways God moves through even our most fragile moments.

This devotional invites readers to cultivate resilience and uncover divine purpose through:

• Biblical wisdom woven with Amber’s raw and relatable personal stories. Using the dandelion as a powerful metaphor, she reminds us that God often uses what the world sees as weeds, flawed, stubborn, out of place, as vessels for His light and growth.

• Practical prompts that encourage readers to lean into God’s voice and listen for the nudges of the Holy Spirit. These exercises provide space to pause, reflect, and process what God may be speaking into your life today.

• Encouragement to embrace imperfections and stop waiting to be “put together” before being used. Amber’s voice reminds us that our cracks are not flaws to hide but openings through which God’s light pours out.

• Reflection questions designed to spark conversation, journaling, or small group dialogue. These questions help deepen your spiritual walk and foster authentic community, reminding us that our stories matter, and they’re meant to be shared.

From soft strength to holy defiance, Flowers Find a Way is a gentle but bold companion for any woman learning to rise, reach for the light, and trust that her brokenness is not a barrier to God’s purpose, it’s part of the bloom. 

 

Connect with Amber Weigand-Buckley:
Instagram: @barefacedgirl
Facebook: facebook.com/weigandbuckley
Amazon Author Page: Amber Weigand-Buckley on Amazon
Podcast: Coffee Chat with Amber and Lisa

 

Closing Thought:
Just like the dandelion that finds its crack in the concrete, may we lean into our beautifully broken places and trust that God’s light will push us through, blooming resiliently in faith, hope, and community.

Episode 80 - Surviving Trauma and Seeing Jesus: Sheila Preston Fitzgerald’s Miraculous Story of Faith, Healing, and Hope

Date: July 11, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: A Conversation with Sheila Preston Fitzgerald

 

Episode Highlights:
In one of the most gripping and miraculous episodes of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek welcomes author, speaker, and trauma survivor Sheila Preston Fitzgerald. Fourteen years ago, Sheila’s life changed forever after a horrific motorcycle accident that should have taken her life. Instead, it launched her into an unimaginable journey of miraculous survival, divine encounter, and unshakable faith.

Sheila recounts in vivid detail the near death experience that left her body broken but her spirit renewed. From being pinned between her motorcycle and a car to flying through the air and hearing the words, “Don’t be afraid. We got you. You’re going to be okay,” this story is nothing short of supernatural.

Listeners will hear how Jesus showed up, literally, to comfort her at the scene, and how the Holy Spirit wrapped her in what she describes as "butterfly blue," a color she says radiated the peace of heaven itself. Through over 11 surgeries, the eventual amputation of her leg, and an emotional road of recovery, Sheila emerged not as a victim, but as a radiant, joyful warrior with a powerful purpose.

This episode is overflowing with themes of:

• Faith in the fire

• Purpose through pain

• Radical gratitude

• Living anchored in the Lord

• Victory over trauma

• Healing through hope and prayer

Debbie and Sheila also talk about the release of Sheila’s brand new devotional, Foot Notes, and how God continues to use her story to transform lives. This is not just a story of survival. This is a call to trust, believe, and live fully even when life breaks your heart.

"I am not my limitations. This body is just an Earth suit. God didn’t just save my life. He gave me a new one."

Whether you're in the middle of your own shadow valley or searching for proof that God still performs miracles, this episode will leave you stirred, encouraged, and standing in awe of what happens when heaven touches earth.

 

About the Guest:
Sheila Preston Fitzgerald is a speaker, author, and passionate woman of faith whose joy radiates from the inside out. After surviving a catastrophic motorcycle crash, Sheila now shares her miraculous story across the country, bringing hope, healing, and encouragement to audiences of all backgrounds.

She is the author of One Foot in the Door: Finding Hope in the Hopeless and the brand new devotional series Foot Notes, which invites readers into a deeper understanding of God’s presence in every step of the journey. Sheila speaks to churches, women’s ministries, nonprofits, and schools, pouring her heart into helping others find strength in God through even the most crushing moments of life.

She lives just south of Nashville, Tennessee, where she finds joy in time with family and friends, writing, serving her church, and cuddling her beloved dog Heidi.

 

Book Spotlight: Foot Notes by Sheila Preston Fitzgerald

Published this week, Foot Notes is the long-anticipated devotional that invites readers into Sheila’s sacred conversations with Jesus. Through powerful storytelling, heartfelt prayers, and daily encouragement, Sheila opens a path for readers to experience hope, peace, and purpose no matter what they’re facing. Each devotional offers:

• Personal reflections born out of deep trauma and divine encounters

• Encouraging truths to help reframe pain through the lens of faith

• Practical applications to walk forward with renewed strength

• A radiant reminder that even when your journey includes loss or suffering, it is not without meaning

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to find light in the darkest valleys.

Also by Sheila: One Foot in the Door: Finding Hope in the Hopeless — Sheila’s powerful debut memoir that first introduced readers to her extraordinary story of survival after a devastating motorcycle accident. With raw honesty and vivid detail, she takes readers through the harrowing moments that nearly took her life, the long and painful recovery that followed, and the deeply personal spiritual encounters that transformed her from the inside out. This book is a testimony to God’s faithfulness in the darkest moments, showing how even the most hopeless situations can become platforms for healing, purpose, and radiant joy. Through every page, Sheila reminds us that when God opens a door, even one that leads through pain, it can bring you straight into His presence and plan.

 

Connect with Sheila:
Website: www.sheilaprestonfitzgerald.com
Instagram: @sheilaprestonfitzgerald
Facebook: Sheila Preston Fitzgerald Author & Speaker

 

Closing Thought:
“Every day is a new morning. We are renewed daily.”

Miracles still happen. And when we stay anchored in the Lord, even the most broken places of our lives can become the stage where God’s glory shines the brightest.

Episode 79 - A Story Passed Down: How a Grandmother’s Legacy Sparked a New Calling

Date: July 5, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Nancy Haack

 

Episode Highlights: In this heartfelt episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek welcomes author and illustrator Nancy Haack to share her beautiful journey of creativity, calling, and God’s perfect timing. Nancy opens up about the childhood passion for art that eventually blossomed into something more—writing stories that echo the legacy of faith she inherited from her grandmother.

Although Nancy never set out to become a writer, God used a lifetime of unexpected twists, jobs that seemed unrelated, seasons of quiet waiting, and a deepening walk with Him to prepare her for something new. With vulnerability and wisdom, she shares how her grandmother’s unwavering faith inspired her debut novel A Day to Remember and how she’s learned to trust God’s plan even when the road didn’t make sense.

This episode invites listeners into the beauty of waiting, the significance of finding a community of support, and the power of holding fast to Scripture during life’s transitions. Nancy’s story is one of surrender, hope, and the reminder that God never wastes our waiting.

Whether you’re stepping into a new calling or struggling to find clarity in your current season, Nancy’s testimony is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to begin again and that God truly uses all things for His glory.

 

About the Guest: Nancy Haack has spent her life in the Northeast where she married her best friend, raised two daughters, and now embraces her role as a proud grandmother. From a young age, Nancy’s artistic talent was nurtured in a home that celebrated children and creativity. Her passion for illustration took root in college where she discovered how artwork can reflect God’s heart.

Over the years, Nancy has worn many hats, from window washer to writing tutor, but each role served a purpose. Through conferences, Scripture study, and faithful obedience, her creative path unfolded. Now, as both a children’s illustrator and romance author, Nancy continues to follow God’s lead with an open heart and willing hands.

 

Book Spotlight: A Day to Remember
Julia Kelly has always loved life on her family’s quiet farm in the New Hampshire mountains. But everything changes when her mother dies during childbirth and her father remarries the infant’s nurse. As the McGrath family takes over the farm and Julia is sent away to the Kimball Academy for Girls, she is plunged into a world far removed from the one she knows.

While trying to navigate this high-society life, Julia must choose between DJ McGrath, the grounded, sarcastic farmhand she can’t forget, and Jonathan Ashcroft, a wealthy suitor with a hidden past. Set in the 1920s, A Day to Remember follows Julia through loss, longing, and redemption as she discovers her identity, fights for hope, and learns to forgive.

This novel is ideal for readers who love faith-filled romances, historical settings, and strong, relatable women. With heartache, redemption, and God’s grace woven throughout, Nancy’s debut is a story that will leave you deeply moved and hopeful.

 

Connect with Nancy:
Instagram: @nancyhaack
Website: www.nancyhaack.com

 

Closing Thought: Sometimes the calling you never imagined turns out to be the one God had planned all along. What part of your story is He preparing you to tell?

Episode 78 - Rich, Refreshing, and Restful: A Look at a Creo Classical Academy with Katelyn Adams

Date: June 28, 2025

Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Katelyn Adams

 

Story Highlight:
In this episode of The Women Behind the Words, we’re diving into the world of homeschooling with a very special guest—Katelyn Adams, Head of School and co-founder of Creo Classical Academy.

Following our recent conversation with my granddaughter, Shayna Morehouse—a dedicated homeschooling mama—I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue our focus on homeschooling during these summer months, a prime season for planning and inspiration. As a homeschooling veteran myself, I’m especially excited to introduce Katie and the incredible work she’s doing to serve homeschooling families through a Christ-centered classical model.

Katelyn shares the heart and vision behind Creo Classical Academy, a nonprofit hybrid program she helped establish in New York’s Capital District. Born out of a desire to support homeschool families with structured, high-quality academic support—especially for upper grades—Creo has become a vital resource for students and parents navigating the challenges of classical education.

Katie walks us through the academy’s founding, sharing how her passion for classical learning began and what sets this model apart. She defines classical education and explains how students can transition from a standard curriculum into this rich, time-tested approach that fosters creativity, wisdom, and a love for truth, beauty, and goodness.

We also explore the hybrid model Creo offers—a two-day drop-off structure that blends the strengths of home education with the benefits of a classroom setting. Katie explains how this unique rhythm supports both students and parents, making upper-level learning accessible and effective while meeting all New York State academic requirements. From lab-based sciences and Latin to Socratic discussions and college credit opportunities, Creo is equipping students not only with academic excellence but also with spiritual grounding, leadership skills, and strong character formation.

Katie introduces us to Creo’s mission and vision—rooted in pointing students toward their Creator and helping them fulfill their God-given purpose. She shares how the program’s qualified, mission-driven faculty walk alongside families to provide support, mentorship, and structure. Whether it’s preparing students for college and careers or helping them grow in wisdom and virtue, Creo is truly building a community where students can thrive intellectually and spiritually.

We also get a peek into Katie’s own homeschooling life—what her home days look like and how Creo partners with parents to ensure continuity between classroom and at-home learning. She addresses common questions about curriculum, parent preparation, and how families can get started with the program. Katie highlights the relational and personalized approach Creo takes, beginning with an online application, a thoughtful family interview, and continued support throughout the school year.

This conversation is packed with practical insight, heartfelt encouragement, and a beautiful testimony of what can happen when education is centered on Christ and built in community. If you’re a homeschooling mom, grandma, educator, or simply curious about classical education, you won’t want to miss this episode. Be sure to share it with other homeschoolers you know and reach out to Katie directly for more information—her contact details and social media links are in the show notes below.

 

About Our Guest:
Katelyn Adams brings a wealth of mentoring, leadership, and educational experience to her role as Head of School at Creo Classical Academy, where she has been instrumental in developing and leading the high school program.

She co-founded Creo Classical Academy alongside a dedicated team, establishing it as a nonprofit hybrid program that serves homeschooling families throughout the Capital District.

After successfully completing the academy’s launch year, she is now eagerly preparing for Creo’s second year of growth and impact.

Her leadership is grounded in a passion for classical education, a commitment to Christ-centered growth, and a deep desire to cultivate an environment where both families and students can flourish.

A dedicated homeschooling parent and educator for more than ten years, Katelyn has directed and taught entire grade levels (7th–9th) in a local homeschool group—managing admissions, student and parent relations, curriculum planning, and instruction across all subjects.

Her work has included writing community policies, overseeing classroom structure, managing conflict, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all students in her care.

With a heart for service, Katelyn spent over a decade leading youth ministry alongside her husband and also served her community as a registered nurse for 14 years. During that time, she taught childbirth classes, attended births, and worked for three years as a SANE RN at St. Peter’s Health Partners.

Katelyn has been joyfully married for 19 years and is the mother of five children. She and her family live on a farm, where she enjoys watching things grow—both in the soil and in the hearts and minds of students.

 

Connect with Katelyn:
https://www.facebook.com/CreoClassicalAcademy/
https://www.instagram.com/creoclassicalacademy/
https://creoacademy.org/
Email: katie.adams@creoacademy.org
General inquiries – Holly Hines: Contact@creoacademy.org

 

Creo Classical Academy
206 Greenfield Ave
Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Episode 77 - Finding Joy in Spinning Plates with Shayna Morehouse

Date: June 13, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Shayna Morehouse

 

Episode Highlights:
In this heartfelt and joyful episode of The Women Behind the Words, host Debbie Dufek welcomes a very special guest—her granddaughter by marriage, Shayna Morehouse. As a homeschooling mom, wife to a busy coach and teacher, entrepreneur, and passionate follower of Jesus, Shayna sits down with Debbie for her very first podcast interview. The conversation is filled with wisdom, laughter, and real-life encouragement for moms who are trying to “spin all the plates.”

Shayna shares why she titled this episode Finding Joy in Spinning Plates, and how the Lord is teaching her that joy is not found after the chaos settles—it’s a calling to be lived out in the chaos. She speaks candidly about the pressures of motherhood, homeschooling, and running a small business, and how the Holy Spirit meets her in the mess with daily grace and peace.

Together, Debbie and Shayna explore:

• Why joy is a calling, not a circumstance

• What to do when your “plates” crash

• How to find joy in the mundane

• The importance of recognizing God's presence in every task—from lesson plans to laundry

• Shayna’s sweet “Happy New Day” tradition with her boys

• Practical encouragement for homeschooling moms who feel overwhelmed or stuck in comparison

• The sacredness of ordinary moments and small faithfulness

If you're a busy woman, a homeschool mom, or someone trying to hold it all together, this episode will gently remind you: you’re not alone, and joy is yours for the taking—right now.

 

About the Guest:
Shayna Morehouse is a homeschooling mama to two boys, wife to her high school sweetheart Jeremy (a full-time coach and history teacher), and a creative entrepreneur with a heart for Jesus and community. Raised in a Christ-centered home, Shayna has walked with the Lord from a young age and continues to grow in her calling to live faithfully and joyfully in the everyday. Whether she’s curating a vintage collection, chatting with neighbors, or teaching her boys about Jesus, Shayna carries a contagious spirit of joy that blesses everyone around her.

 

The Vintage Life: Curated with Joy at Vessel
When she’s not in homeschool mode or cheering on her husband at a game, Shayna runs Vessel, a thoughtfully curated vintage shop both online and in person. Based in the Capital Region of New York, Vessel is where Shayna’s love for story, beauty, and timeless style come together. Each item in her shop is hand-selected to inspire joy and connection—whether it’s a European antique from her travels or a one-of-a-kind home accent that tells a story. Vessel’s heart beats with Shayna’s passion for honoring the past while adding meaning to the present. Stay tuned for upcoming collections sourced from Switzerland and England!

 

Connect with Shayna:

Shayna Morehouse is the owner of Vessel Vintage, a curated vintage shop that can be found on Instagram @vessel_vintage and part of the global marketplace Vintage Keepers.

She sells locally at Pickers Nation in Ravena, New York, and also runs an eBay store for ReFurnishings, with all proceeds going to Justice for Orphans. 

Shayna is passionate about giving old things new life and connecting with others through the stories vintage pieces tell.

You can find all her links and social media below. 

Instagram is @vessel_vintage and 

Instagram personal @shayna.morehouse 

Email: shayna.morehouse@gmail.com 

Shayna is apart of Vintage Keepers Marketplace, her shop page is, https://www.vintage-keepers.com/shops/vessel/ 

 

Closing Thought:
There’s no such thing as “just a mom” or “just a plate-spinner.” Every dish washed, every story read, every prayer whispered is seen by the Lord and made sacred in His presence. Joy isn’t waiting at the finish line—it’s woven into the fabric of every ordinary, grace-filled day.

Episode 76 - Embracing Our Seasoned Years with Joy

Date: June 6, 2025
Podcast Show Notes: Interview with Jarm Del Boccio

 

Episode Highlights:
Welcome back to The Women Behind the Words! In today’s episode, we’re honored to sit down with author Jarm Del Boccio, who at 69 years old is embracing her silver years with joy, passion, and deep purpose. Jarm opens her heart and life story to encourage other women to view aging not as a decline but as an invitation to flourish and make a lasting Kingdom impact.

Jarm shares how the sudden loss of her beloved father at the age of four shaped much of her early life. Raised by a strong-willed, practical mother, she often felt misunderstood—but through her mother’s love of travel and missions, Jarm developed a heart for the world and a curiosity about God’s greater plan for her life.

As a deeply sensitive and shy child, she struggled with criticism until a transformative season during her teenage years, when the warmth of her best friend’s family helped her bloom. That experience gave her the glimpse of unconditional love she had longed for.

Through her young adult years, Jarm wrestled with heartbreak and a longing for connection—especially the kind of love she once had with her father. Those seasons of loss drew her closer to her Heavenly Father, where she found true comfort and security.

Marriage came later in life, bringing unexpected trials—most notably, infertility. After multiple attempts to conceive, Jarm faced the painful realization that God had closed her womb. But once again, she leaned into Him, found purpose in ministering to others, and ultimately embraced adoption and homeschooling. Though naturally drawn to solitude as an only child, the homeschooling years taught her the beauty of self-sacrifice and the joy found in unexpected places.

Jarm also speaks about her lifelong love for travel, ignited in childhood and carried with her even now, despite living with osteoarthritis. Though her mobility is limited, her desire to explore and her trust in God’s unfolding plan remain as strong as ever.

In the final portion of our conversation, Jarm introduces her upcoming book, Fragrant and Flourishing: Living Abundantly in Our Seasoned Years—a heartfelt guide for women navigating the fears and questions that come with aging. She beautifully reminds us that women like Sarah, Elizabeth, and Anna in Scripture did some of their most impactful work later in life—and that we, too, are called to continue growing, giving, and glorifying God, no matter our age.

Jarm’s story is a testament to God’s faithfulness through every trial—from childhood grief to infertility, from physical limitations to letting go of deeply held dreams. Her life overflows with wisdom, grace, and the sweet reminder that we never age out of God's purpose.

Thank you, Jarm, for your openness and encouragement. You are a radiant example of what it looks like to age with joy, trust, and unshakable faith.

 

About the Guest:
At 71, I feel like a 20-something when someone compliments my stunning silver hair—and I always tell them it’s God’s gift to me (along with my faithful hairdresser of 30 years!).

But on a deeper level, I’ve observed a hesitancy among women to leave behind the familiar comforts of the past and step into the unknowns of a new season—one that might actually bring more joy, clarity, and spiritual vibrancy than we ever imagined. The very things we fear could be the catalysts that help us age with boldness, purpose, and grace.

As a former educator and passionate advocate for women, I feel deeply called to help older women use their seasoned years for God’s glory—living joyfully and fully, right where He has them.

 

Book Spotlight:
The Heart Changer
By Jarm Del Boccio

Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?

Miriam is asked to do the unthinkable: serve the wife of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and the roots of her faith, she enters captivity filled with worry and bitterness. But God—the true Heart Changer—is already at work, preparing her for something greater than she could ever imagine.

This powerful middle-grade historical novel offers a tender and truthful portrayal of a young refugee navigating loss, identity, and the redemptive hand of God in a foreign land.

 

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