UpStream

About UpStream

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.

Publisher

The River

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Mar 2024

Latest episode

12 May 2026

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 May 2026

   Making the Bible Come Alive with Pastor John Thomason

   Why does the Bible sometimes feel difficult to connect with—and how can it become real and meaningful in everyday life? This week on Upstream, Joy sits down with John Thomason of Buckeye Christian Church to talk about practical ways to engage with Scripture, grow deeper in faith, and experience God’s Word in a fresh way. Whether you’ve read the Bible for years or are just getting started, this conversation will encourage you to see the Bible not as a chore, but as a living message that ...

2. 

   12 May 2026

   When Faith Meets Suffering | Finding Hope in Life’s Hardest Seasons

   Why does suffering happen—and how do we keep our faith when life hurts? On this episode of Upstream, Joy sits down with Joannie DeBrito from Focus on the Family to talk about the many forms suffering can take, from grief and loss to anxiety, disappointment, and seasons of uncertainty. Together, they explore practical ways to navigate pain, how faith can shape our response in difficult moments, and why hope is still possible even when life feels overwhelming. If you or someone you love is walk...

3. 

   10 Feb 2026

   A Cancer Diagnosis: How Life Changes Part 2

   Navigating a parent’s cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult journeys a family can face—especially when that parent is your mom. In this episode of the Upstream Podcast, Joy talks with Ashley Chickerella from Take Heart Cancer Community about her personal experience walking through her mom’s cancer journey. Ashley shares what it was like from diagnosis to treatment, the emotional highs and lows, and how faith, support, and community played a crucial role along the way. To connect with ...

Who has been a guest on UpStream

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Adam Holz
• Joannie DeBrito
• Brenda Huerta
• Lisa Anderson
• Jeremy Keaton

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

46

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

27

Contact UpStream

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.