ORANGE PARK — After 30 years of covering news, WJXT Anchor and award-winning reporter Joy Purdy has seen some of the best and consequently, some of the worst. 

That's why Purdy said she is making way for something new.

"That kind of weighs on you, so I wanted to start something that was inspirational for people. Motivating people to do better. To be better.”

A product of Purdy's mission to find the ''joy" in life, "Discover the Joy: The Purdy Podcast" debuted its first episode in May.

With just herself, her team and equipment on hand, Purdy said she enters into the lives of various people around the local community, sharing the beauty of who they are and what they've overcome.

"It's so fulfilling for me."

It wasn't a planned endeavor, and Purdy said the idea came quite organically.

"I started the podcast, just looking for inspirational stories," she said. "And why not use my platform and my outreach to connect the community with the things that they need."

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOY PURDY

Purdy said that her faith in God presented her with a way to give back. To help others in the way that he's helped her.

Another inspiration, her mother. 

It was around the time that she started the podcast that Purdy began taking care of her mother, who had dementia.

"It was a release for me. And then three months later, she died. I stopped the podcast for a month, just to get everything in order."

She said that once she picked up again, listening to her interviewees was therapeutic. 

"Listening to people talk about their stories and how they came out of these dark spaces or learned something new and used that to help others, all of these motivational, inspirational tales they were telling me, I was using as therapy for myself," she said. "So, ever since then, I'm addicted."

Since her first interview, she has produced a plethora of episodes highlighting a range of topics. Take her first one with her colleague and long-time Newscast Director at WJXT Matt Harms, discussing his powerful journey of becoming an amputee, one St. Johns County woman's road to testifying against her brutal attacker, AJ Morrow's story of trauma, addiction and redemption, one family's road to adoption or a chat with health and wellness experts.

Even a look inside the Patriots' Barn with Brad Satcher.

It's uplifting stories like this that she said give her purpose.

"Even in the worst stories on the podcast, these people have found some ounce of joy, and they run with it. They've discovered it. Sharing their story, I pray, helps somebody else discover their joy."

From scratch, Purdy said she's learned the ins and outs of running a production, including how to operate behind-the-scenes essentials like cameras, microphones and editing — her own empowering passion project.

"I can do all of it."

Purdy did her first live recording of Discover the Joy at the Summer Health and Home Expo at the Orange Park Mall on July 19.

STAFF PHOTO BY KYLA WOODARD

On July 19, Purdy took a leap of faith and hosted her first live recording of Discover the Joy at the Summer Health and Home Expo at the Orange Park Mall.  With a live audience, Purdy took center stage speaking with three medical experts on children's health, including a pediatrician, physical therapist/athletic trainer and a mental health specialist. 

And an enthralling experience, she said she can't wait to do more.

Also, looking to grow and expand her podcast footprint beyond the First Coast, Purdy said she has a lot of ideas up her sleeve and episodes already in the works —including a special tribute to her mother, her first national guest interview with a couple who run rehabilitation and mental health centers up and down the East Coast, and a NASA astronaut.

Members of the local community can be a part of the conversation, too. Purdy said she's always looking for inspiring stories to highlight. All requests can be sent to tpp@joypurdy.com.

Purdy said "Discover the Joy" has given her a fresh outlook on life, which is more than she could ever ask for. And she's not stopping anytime soon.

"It's a renewing of life. It just feels good."

For more information or to view podcast episodes, visit joypurdy.com.

It was around the time that she started the podcast, that Purdy began taking care of her mother, who had dementia.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOY PURDY