Meet Joy Carothers
Joy is a dedicated spiritual guide, wellness advocate, and community builder. With a deep conviction that every lasting transformation originates in the heart, she has spent over a decade helping individuals navigate the complexities of life, faith, and emotional healing.
Joy is a woman of faith with a heart for encouraging others and helping people discover the beauty, hope, and healing that God has placed within them. She believes some of life's most meaningful moments happen through genuine conversation, creativity, and simply taking the time to listen. A gifted artist and lifelong creative, Joy enjoys painting, writing poetry, journaling, songwriting, and creating resources that encourage reflection and spiritual growth. Her professional career as a Master Esthetician has also sparked a passion for holistic wellness, healthy living, and caring for people both inside and out. Heart Tribe grew naturally from Joy's desire to create a welcoming place where people could slow down, be authentic, and find encouragement for life's journey. She loves bringing people together, creating meaningful experiences, and reminding others that no matter where they've been, God is still writing a beautiful story. Whether through conversation, creativity, retreats, or quiet moments shared over a cup of coffee, Joy hopes everyone who crosses her path leaves feeling seen, encouraged, and reminded that they are deeply loved.
Areas of Expertise
- Spiritual Direction & Contemplative Practices
- Holistic Wellness Integration
- Heart-Centered Leadership
- Women's Retreat Facilitation
- Creative Expression & Artistic Coaching: Guiding individuals to unlock their God-given creativity and discover emotional healing through journaling, poetry, and artistic expression.
- Holistic Wellness & Natural Health: Integrating restorative skincare and natural wellness practices to nurture the body as a temple, reflecting inner peace and outward vitality.
- Spiritual Guidance & Faith-Based Mentoring: Drawing from deep theological roots to provide a safe harbor for examining inner lives and rebuilding strong, authentic spiritual foundations.
- Community Building & Heart-Centered Leadership: Fostering authentic, safe spaces where women can gather to share their stories, find encouragement, and lead from a place of emotional wholeness.
Joe Bruzda
Joe is a passionate connector, sailor, and award winning storyteller. He believes deeply in the transformative power of shared experiences, vulnerability, and intentional living, guiding men and women alike to develop skills and forge bonds that withstand life's storms.
Joe's story is one of rugged grace. After spending years in corporate environments where superficial connections and striving for prosperity were the norm, he experienced a profound awakening after a near-death health emergency that shifted his priorities from professional accolades to spiritual awakening, relational depth, and being true to self.
Along his journey, he discovered that people are hungry for authenticity. Whether out sailing in the San Juan Islands, gathering around a campfire or sitting in a quiet living room, Joe has a unique gift for disarming pretense and inviting people into honest, heart-level conversations. He encourages people, men and women, to speak their truth, directly from their heart, as it is the gateway to healing and understanding.
As the driving force behind the Heart Tribe's community and adventure pillars, Joe curates environments where people can step out of their comfort zones. As a licensed Captain, he leads the Heart Tribe creative wellness sailing retreats. He knows firsthand that facing physical challenges and shared adventures often breaks down the walls we build around our hearts, opening us up to genuine faith, transparency and lasting friendships.
Areas of Expertise
- Community Architecture & Group Dynamics
- Experiential Learning & Adventure Guidance
- Men's Ministry & Mentorship
- Relational Conflict Resolution
- USCG Licensed Maritime Leadership: USCG licensed 100 Ton Master of Vessels in Ocean Near Coastal Waters
- Seminar Presenter & Speaker Experienced seminar presenter and public speaker
- Spiritual Leadership & Teaching: Background as a spiritual leader and teacher
- Technical Leadership & Digital Strategy: Technical force behind the scenes for Heart Tribe Connection's Podcast and Web presence
Built on Faith and Connection
Heart Tribe Connection is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Bellingham, WA, serving the Pacific Northwest and a growing online community. Founded by Joe and Joy, the organization brings faith, nature, and honest relationships together for people ready to slow down and reconnect.
From sailing retreats in the San Juan Islands to local gatherings across Bellingham, Heart Tribe Connection creates space for real conversation and lasting friendship. What began as a personal calling has grown into a nonprofit community reaching hearts well beyond Washington State.
Restoring Weary Hearts, Guided by Proverbs 4:23
Heart Tribe Connection exists to help people heal through faith, authentic relationships, nature, and adventure. Guided by the belief that every heart matters, the organization creates space for people to step back from daily noise and reconnect with what's real.
Serving Bellingham, the San Juan Islands, and a worldwide online community, the mission is measured one relationship at a time. Every retreat, gathering, and shared story brings Heart Tribe Connection closer to its purpose: helping people heal, belong, and grow.