The Heart Behind the Mic: Why I’m Launching 'Joy in the Journey'

Jaja Fortuna
May 13
3 min read

Updated: May 17

You’ve officially landed on the blog side of things, where I’ll be sharing podcast previews, behind-the-scenes stories, and real-life reflections that don’t always make it into the episodes. This space is a little more personal—like journal pages shared between friends.

And today, I want to let you in on the heart behind Joy in the Journey… how it started, why it matters, and why May 20 means more to me than just a launch date.

It All Started With a Whisper

I still remember the day the podcast idea was planted in my heart. God often speaks to me in threes—or maybe I just like to believe He does. Either way, this calling came gently, but clearly.

I was sitting with my dear friend Daisy at one of our favorite coffee shops. We were dreaming up business ideas, not podcasts, when she looked at me and softly said,“You should do a podcast.”

At the time, I smiled and brushed it off. I wasn’t thinking about starting anything new, let alone something that felt so vulnerable.

Then, a few days later, I was out to eat with another friend who was walking through a really hard season. I listened, encouraged her, and shared part of my story. She looked me in the eyes—deep, and hopeful—and said:“Wow… you should do a podcast. Your voice is perfect and comforting.”

If you know me, you know I laugh when I’m nervous, so we both giggled through that moment. I told her I’d think about it and pray.

Then came the third. A complete stranger messaged me on Instagram after I shared vulnerably about living with sickle cell anemia. She wrote: “Have you ever thought about starting a podcast? You advocate beautifully.”

Three different people. Three invitations. One God.And I knew—I couldn’t ignore the pull anymore.

Why This Podcast Exists

Joy in the Journey was born from my deepest belief that suffering and joy can co-exist—and that there’s beauty even in the hardest seasons. Whether it’s chronic illness, heartbreak, grief, or those soul-tired days you don’t have words for… I’ve walked through it too.

And somehow, joy still finds a way in—not after the pain, but right in the middle of it.

This podcast isn’t polished or perfect. It’s real. It’s honest. It’s where we take off the masks, breathe deep, and remind ourselves that we’re not walking through life alone.

What You’ll Find Here

Each episode (starting May 20th) will offer:

Gentle encouragement
Real, raw reflections from my own story
Comfort for your hard days
A safe space for your soul to land
A reminder that even when life feels heavy, joy can still rise

And here on the blog, I’ll share even more—behind-the-scenes moments, parts of the story that didn’t make the mic, and little pieces of life I feel led to share only here.

Will You Join Me?

I’d love for you to be part of this journey from the very beginning. Here’s how:

Listen to the first episode on May 20 (I’ll post all the links!)
Subscribe so you never miss an episode
Share it with someone who needs encouragement
Leave a review (this helps so much!)
And most of all, pray with me that this podcast reaches the hearts that need it most