BrighterDaze with Sara
BrighterDaze with Sara is a space where we get lost in gratitude instead of drowning in despair. We talk to real people. We celebrate victories. We have honest conversations about gratitude, resilience, and the motivation it takes to keep showing up every day.
Episodes
14 episodes
Ep. 13: Carmen "Already Won" Carnage | Boundaries, Joy & Believing in Brighter Days
In this episode, Sara reconnects with an old college friend, Carmen Carnage, a former social worker, for a heartfelt conversation about gratitude, boundaries, and choosing to see the light — even in life's hardest seasons.Carmen opens up...
Ep. 12: Dustin “All Heart, All Human” Calvario-Ripkens | Living With Purpose, Boundaries, and Gratitude
In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, I sit down with Dustin Ripkens — fitness and wellness coach, husband, soon-to-be dad of twins, and someone who's been consistently one of the most joyful people I know. We talk about what it means to b...
Ep. 11: Sarah “The Genuine Optimist” Mary | Finding the Rainbow Behind the Clouds
In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, host Sara Dorris reconnects with longtime friend Sarah Mary — a dog mom of six (three permanent, three fosters), a manifestation practitioner, and a self-described optimist who says she feels ...
Ep. 10: Shelby "Rolling with the Punches" Funk | Friendship, Gratitude & Getting Through the Dark Days
On this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, Sara catches up with college mate Shelby Funk for a candid conversation about resilience, friendship, gratitude, and choosing to stay through life’s darkest moments.⚠️ Content note:
Ep. 9: James “The Faithful Light” Haley | Identity, Obedience & Finding Yourself Beyond Titles
✨ In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, Sara sits down with her cousin James Haley for a heartfelt conversation about faith, obedience, identity, and finding yourself again after life changes in ways you never expected.James opens u...
Ep. 8: Bryant “The Broker, Builder & Family Man” Sells | Entrepreneurship, Gratitude & Knowing When to Pivot
What does it really look like to build a life — not just a business? In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, Sara sits down with Bryant Sells, a business broker, entrepreneur, husband, and father, for a raw and refresh...
Ep. 7: James “The Dream Builder” Hernandez | Faith, Resilience & Fighting for the Life You Imagined
In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, I sit down with James “The Dream Builder” Hernandez for a conversation about faith, resilience, gratitude, and what it really looks like to fight for the life you imagined.Ja...
Ep. 6: Elom “The Peaceful Believer” Jackie | Faith, Peace & Trusting God Through Every Season
Content Note: This episode includes a brief mention of losing a parent at a young age.This week on BrighterDaze with Sara, I sit down with Elom “The Peaceful Believer” Jackie, owner of Elom African Braids, for a pe...
Ep. 5: Jay “The Consistent Presence” Collier | Self-Worth, Change & Choosing Happiness
What does it look like to keep choosing yourself, even when life feels uncertain?In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, I sit down with Jay Collier — photographer, creative, and self-described “awkward but cool guy” — f...
Ep. 4: Xavier “The Chaos Calmer” Ezra | Gratitude, Service & Taking Control of Your World
In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, Sara sits down with Xavier Ezra for a powerful conversation about gratitude, service, hardship, and learning how to take control of your world when life feels chaotic.Xavier opens ...
Ep. 3: Adeeba "The Safe Harbor" Spann | Health, Gratitude & Finding Peace in Transition
In this episode of BrighterDaze with Sara, Sara sits down with Adeeba Spann for a thoughtful conversation about health, gratitude, transition, and learning how to find peace while life is still unfolding.Adeeba opens up abo...
Ep. 2: Chinna "The Helpful Daredevil" Montoya | Family, Presence & Why Time Matters
What happens when everyone assumes someone else will step up?In this episode, Chinna Montoya and I break down the idea of the “ghost of somebody”—that quiet assumption that someone else will take action… and how it can leave important th...
Ep. 1: Anita "The Manifester" Frierson | Gratitude, People Pleasing & Choosing Yourself
In this episode of Brighter Daze with Sara, I sit down with my wife, Anita Frierson, for a real and meaningful conversation about gratitude, growth, and choosing yourself.We talk about what it looks like to unlearn people-pleasing, the ...
