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UpStream

UpStream

Written by: The River
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About this listen

It can be tough navigating life's rough waters. Up Stream is here to help make that journey a little smoother.

About the host: Joy Tolle

Joy has been with The River in various capacities since 2016. An ordained chaplain since 2019, she is now the lead chaplain for the team of River chaplains. She holds a deep compassion for people and believes her role is best described as a bridge between the sacred and secular, bringing Christ’s care and hope to those hurting and in crisis. Joy holds a Bachelor of Science in Christian counseling and is currently pursuing an MDiv in Pastoral Counseling. Joy and her husband live in Central Ohio and spend their (rare) free time teaching in children’s music ministries and coaching various drama teams.

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Episodes
  • Navigating a Distant Relationship with Your Child

    Navigating a Distant Relationship with Your Child
    Jan 27 2026

    When a relationship with your child starts to feel distant, the pain can be overwhelming and the questions endless. Where did things go wrong? How do you reach out without pushing them further away? And is there hope for healing?

    In this episode of the Upstream Podcast, Joy sits down with Glenn Leutchens from Focus on the Family to talk honestly about navigating strained or distant relationships with your child. Together, they explore what parents can do when communication breaks down, how to respond with grace instead of fear, and why patience, humility, and prayer matter more than having all the right answers.

    Whether your child has emotionally pulled away, set firm boundaries, or completely cut off communication, this conversation offers encouragement, biblical wisdom, and practical next steps for parents who are longing for restoration but don’t know where to begin.

    If you’re carrying the weight of a broken or distant relationship with your child, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone—and that hope is still possible.

    Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/

    A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!
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    39 mins
  • A Cancer Diagnosis: How Life Changes PT 1

    A Cancer Diagnosis: How Life Changes PT 1
    Jan 20 2026

    In today's episode, Joy speaks with Joel Wharton & Ashley Chickerella of Take Heart Cancer Community about how Cancer has impacted their lives, and how they got involved with Take Heart. If you or someone you know is battling Cancer, this episode is for you! Now, let's go UpStream.


    To Connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/


    Learn more about Take Heart Cancer Community - https://www.takeheartcommunity.org/

    A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!
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    47 mins
  • ALS: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

    ALS: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
    Jan 13 2026

    In today's episode, Joy talks with Greg and Julie Murray about their experience dealing with ALS through Julie's Mom. They share the first initial signs, and what it was like walking through her passing. If you are or have been impacted by ALS, this episode is for you.

    To connect with a River Chaplain - https://riverradio.com/chaplains/

    A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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