his week on It’s Been a Journey, I had an amazing conversation with someone whose story will truly touch your heart—Denise Taylor. She’s one of the co-authors of the bestselling anthology Born to Win; Volume 2 by Sherri Downs, and her chapter, “Both Sides of the Fence,” is exactly what it sounds like—real, raw, and redemptive.
Denise grew up in the church, so she knew right from wrong. But here’s the thing—knowing about God isn’t the same as knowing yourself. She told me, “I knew things about God, but I didn’t have knowledge of myself.” That disconnect led her down a path she never thought she’d take—selling drugs, then using them, and eventually losing custody of her children to family members.
But Denise’s story doesn’t stop there, and that’s why I had to have her on the show. God had another plan for her life. She quit drugs, turned her life around, and now she’s an advocate for others who are battling the same demons she once faced. She went from being an addict to defending those still in addiction—a true picture of what redemption looks like.
What We Talked About in This Episode:
- How growing up in the church didn’t stop her from feeling lost
- Why knowing yourself is just as important as knowing about God
- The pain of losing her children and how that became the turning point for change
- The process of quitting drugs and rebuilding her life
- How she now helps others who are still caught in the cycle of addiction
Denise’s story is proof that God can turn your mess into a message—no matter how far you’ve fallen.
🎥 Watch the Full Conversation on YouTube
If you’ve ever doubted that change is possible, you need to see this episode for yourself. Denise speaks with such honesty and hope that it’ll leave you encouraged to keep fighting for the life you were meant to live.
👉 Click here to watch the full interview on YouTube
And don’t forget to hit that Like, Share, and Subscribe button so you won’t miss future episodes. Someone you know needs to hear this story—be the person who shares it with them!
Final Thoughts
This conversation reminded me why I love doing It’s Been a Journey. Stories like Denise’s are exactly why we’re here—to remind each other that no matter how broken life gets, healing and restoration are still possible.
So, what’s your journey been like? Drop a comment, share this episode, and let’s keep this conversation going. Because healing, growth, and transformation—that’s what the journey is all about.