Unshakable Hope Podcast

Unshakable Hope Podcast


Daring to Celebrate Joy When It Feels Risky: Nicole Zasowski

August 26, 2025

How do we learn to celebrate joy when pain has convinced us it's too risky? Nicole Zasowski encourages us: “Don’t miss out on your beautiful, God-given life because you’re busy preparing for the worst.” Drawing from her experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist and her own personal struggles to hold onto joy, she delves into practical ways to to live in the vulnerability of joy and experience the abundance Jesus promises. We draw from her new Lifeway Bible study, Daring Joy, as we explore the inspiring lessons and cautionary tales from several women in the Bible. 


Verses: Genesis 18:1-15; Lamentations 3:21-23; Luke 1:5-45; Numbers 12:1-3

00:55 Struggling to Hold on to Joy

01:59 Introducing Nicole Zasowski and Her Journey

02:43 The Vulnerability of Joy

04:42 Embracing Joy Despite Fear

11:26 The Practice of Joy with Elizabeth

25:41 Learning from a Choir Director

26:47 Practicing Joy in Difficult Times

29:51 The Power of Naming Your Pain

37:45 The Danger of Comparison

45:15 Trusting God's Heart in Hard Times

48:27 Replacing Comparison with Acceleration


Connect with Nicole: NicoleZasowski.com

Her book: Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When it Feels Risky, Complicated, or Even Impossible

Connect with Kelly: KellyHall.org