Episode 3: The Truth Behind the Smiles: with Melissa Methven

This episode of the JOA Publishing Podcast shares how author and breathwork facilitator Melissa Sue Methven answered a holy nudge to write—just one year after her husband died by suicide—and how saying "yes" saved lives. From moving states alone with two young kids to writing The Truth Behind the Smiles in five days and returning to the island to write The Gut God Connection, Melissa shows that healing and authorship can happen in the same breath: tell the whole truth, trust God, and let the light in. Host: Keira Brinton Guest: Melissa Sue Methven Websites: joapublishing.com | melissagratitude.life Instagram: @keirabrinton | @joapublishing | @melissa_gratitude Best Quotes: "It's very, very healing to write your whole truth in a book." "Even if I just save one life, it would be so worth it, right to write your book and share your story." "Allow to receive light… every day find something to allow more light in." #grief #faith #authorship #healing #suicideawareness #breathwork #writersisland If you're ready to write the book you're called to write, start now with Keira's free course: The Book Activator — https://go.keirabrinton.com/minibookactivator *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "69f18b9d-1d96-411c-9ddf-88955462ae7a" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> When you feel the nudge that it's time to stop circling your book and step fully into authorship, I invite you into The Author Threshold Workshop. This is a live activation for those who know their book isn't just a project—it's a calling. A threshold is a doorway. And when you step through it, everything begins to move. Join me here: https://go.keirabrinton.com/author-threshold-workshop