Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Purdy.
Hi Joy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve heard it from TV news viewers my entire 30+ year career: “The news is too depressing.” They’re not wrong. But last year, I found myself in a position to try something new to debunk that feeling — a way to get important information though a positive platform. With the quickly growing popularity of podcasts, I took a chance at telling uplifting and encouraging stories from everyday people to hopefully inspire and motivate viewers and listeners. That was in May of 2o24, and it’s been a learning experience — from operating my own lighting and cameras, to making podcast edits and booking guests, it’s been a thrill to accomplish something new in my line of work! But what has been the unforeseen benefit is tending to my own mental health and physical well-being. 3 months after starting my podcast, my mother passed away. She had dementia and I had been responsible for her care the last 7 years of her life. The day she died, her passing was very unexpected — mom had her meals for the day at her rehab center, and even argued with a caregiver that day. My mother peacefully passed away in her sleep and my mind was not at all ready for that. But listening to my podcast guests’ stories of triumph over trials truly helped carry me through my grief, and motivated me all the more to help others “Discover the Joy” — the name of my podcast. Almost a year later, I continue to find SO much fun and fulfillment in bringing viewers/listeners these stories and hearing how the conversations have encouraged others. In fact, on April 12, 2025 my podcast was awarded the Digital Reporting award from the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists (FABJ). Now, my mission is growing, as I’m finding many of my connections to experts, specialists and influencers are also helping people gain vital insights to apply and better their lives. I’m LOVING it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest challenge has been overcoming my own insecurities — about tackling something new on my own, and not wanting to publicly stumble along the way. News anchors and reporters are “supposed” to be polished and unfazed by the topics they discuss. I’ve been anything but, on this journey! From physically wrestling with beeping cameras in the middle of recording a sensitive discussion, to sharing for the first time my own personal experiences and connections to topics — every podcast recording uncovers something different about the process. It’s taken a year for me to be comfortable with not always having a perfect presentation, but I know in my heart that each presentation is 100-percent authentic with my viewers’ and listeners’ benefit in mind.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My journalism career has spanned 30+ years as a news reporter and anchor, beginning in Trenton, NJ .. to here in Jacksonville .. to Miami, then back to Jacksonville and I truly believe this career has been God’s gift to me; my calling. I’ve had a blast and still love my work after all these years. I am currently the main female evening News Anchor for the number-1 news team in Jacksonville (News4Jax) where I anchor the 5pm, 6pm, 10pm & 11pm newscasts. I’ve also been awarded 3 regional Emmy Awards for my storytelling and was recently recognized (March 2025) with an Honorable Mention for my storytelling by the national Gracie Awards via the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. My specialties (which are what also set me apart from others, I believe) are handling breaking news on the anchor desk and in the reporting field, as well as being able to easily connect with those I interview. The highest compliment I’ve received is when someone I interview says, “THAT was easy…” — especially since not many like the unblinking glare of cameras recording them. But what I’m most proud of, is the marriage I have with the most amazing and supportive man (he’s a great cook, too!) and the life we’ve built together. It’s allowed us to be the strong role models we believe we are for our three girls. We’re so proud of our oldest who’s in her 30’s and thriving on her own. The younger two, ages 15 and almost 13 — as much as they hate being stopped during our outings running errands by people who says to me, “Hey! You’re that news lady!”, I’ve asked our girls separately if they would rather I take another job so I have time to go to their sports games, or have a family dinner, or simply see them more — they said no.. Haha! One of them has even asked if I would please get dressed up “like you’re going to work” after I’ve stopped by the school in my ball-cap-and-no-make-up look one too many times — Ha! The girls also find it funny to see people’s reactions when the two reveal who their mom is!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising — I have never liked talking in front of a crowd of people. Can you believe that! But I explain, that in the studio or even while reporting on the street, the person I’m interviewing is worried about how they themselves look or sound. The people running the cameras want to make sure that equipment is working properly. No one in these relatively controlled settings is sitting there, staring at (and mentally judging) only me while I’m yammering on about whatever the topic is. It hasn’t been until recently I’ve become comfortable with public speaking because of the vast life experiences I’ve gained — as a wife, mom, stepmom, working woman, and daughter of/caregiver for my parents before their deaths. Having had so many varied experiences has allowed me to relate to and connect with so many different people and scenarios. This, I’ve found, has enhanced the conversations I have with new people I meet. There’s never a dull day!
Pricing:
- Pricing available upon request! – I can be contacted through my website for speaking engagements, workshops, brainstorming session, reading to students, personalized podcast/guest video recordings, to name a few things!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joypurdy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.purdy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.purdy.9
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TPPJoyPurdy
- Other: https://www.news4jax.com/team/PMOR33CN3NB3VDOCOZPPZQCEG4/
