Lighten Up #105: Alia Joy

Lighten Up with Melanie Dale

Today for the finale to our series, Lighten Up about Illness, I'm talking with Alia Joy. You may remember her from episode 99, and now I'm happy to share that her new book, Glorious Weakness: Discovering God in All We Lack, is available now. Today we talk about her bipolar disorder, how it's impacted her life and her kids, and the unpredictability that comes with illness. She says, "I have to be okay with undone things." We talk about what she's learned from bipolar disorder, and Alia says, "Everybody goes through seasons. Mine are just more noticeable...Bipolar is like you're making sandcastles and they're just constantly being swept away." She shares about looking for beauty and wonder in places you'd never expect to find it, and the way she lightens up in the middle of everything is by raising funny kids. We talk about the amazing comedic timing of her kids and the blessings of having a funny family. Through her book and our conversation, Alia is teaching me so much, so grab a fuzzy blanket, get comfy, listen in, and lighten up.

Links from the show:

• Check out Alia’s new book, Glorious Weakness: Discovering God in All We Lack
• Find Alia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Alia’s website
• Listen to Alia's previous visit to Lighten Up Podcast, Episode #99
• Alia’s essays:
  • The Hospitality of Marriage
  • The Fluency of Hope
  • When I Am Bipolar
  • Coming of Age in This American Life
• The Atlas of Reds and Blues