PR Connections

PR Connections


Pure Joy Through the Pain

June 14, 2025

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Behind the System, we sit down with PJ “PureJoy” Belanger—an unstoppable force shaped by 11 ½ years in foster care, personal loss, and relentless adversity. PJ opens up about her time in the system, the trauma she faced, and how she transformed it all into a life of purpose. From surviving two heart attacks and homelessness to becoming a minister, bestselling author, and advocate for youth aging out of foster care, PJ shares how she found her superpower in joy—and how others can too. Her story is not just inspiring—it’s a roadmap for resilience.