
Hosted by Kelly Zitlow · EN
Welcome to the Sunshine Warrior Podcast!
A Sunshine Warrior meets life with grace and humility, grounded in faith and guided by purpose. They show up fully, love deeply, and lift others along the way. A Sunshine Warrior is a light. Bringing peace, strength, inspiration, and hope into the world.
I’m your host, Kelly Zitlow, founder of Sunshine Warrior, eternal optimist, and firm believer in the power of faith, grit, and grace.
This podcast is a space for real conversations and honest reflection. Here, we share stories from the heart, talk through life’s unexpected twists, and lean into the moments that shape us. Love, loss, laughter, healing, and hope all have a seat at the table.
We do not shy away from the hard stuff. We honor the struggle and the strength it builds. We talk about purpose, resilience, and what it means to keep showing up, even when life feels heavy.
Follow us on all platforms so you don’t miss a beat. With conversations that touch every season of life, there’s something here for everyone.
Whether you’re here for encouragement, inspiration, or simply to feel understood, welcome. You’re in good company.
You can watch the full video episodes on YouTube @SunshineWarrior
Let’s shine bright together. ☀️💛
#sunshinewarrior

Feeling stuck as the year comes to a close? You’re not alone! This conversation might be exactly what you need to have the best 2026!As we approach the end of the year, many of us start reflecting on where we’ve been, what’s holding us back, and what we want to change moving forward. In this episode of the Sunshine Warrior Podcast, Kelly sits down with author Kendra Cooke to talk about what it really means to embrace change, empower your growth, and evolve into your true self so you can step into your strongest, most intentional 2026.Inspired by Kendra’s book Embrace, Empower, Evolve: A Practical Guide to Embracing Change, Empowering Growth, and Evolving Into Your True Self, this conversation is both reflective and practical, offering mindset shifts and real tools to help you move forward when life feels uncertain or stuck.

✨ Episode 7 of the Sunshine Warrior Podcast is LIVE! ✨And this one is truly special for me. I recently went to my 40 year high school reunion and it stirred up so many memories, emotions, and lessons I never understood at eighteen.In this episode, I sit down with my three best friends from high school. These are the women who have been with me through every season of life. We talk about what we have learned, what we wish we knew back then, and why friendship might just be one of the greatest gifts we get in this lifetime.As we head into Thanksgiving, I am feeling incredibly grateful for my lifelong friends and for this amazing Sunshine Warrior community. 💛Thank you for being here, for showing up, and for sharing this journey with me.

📢 NOTE: FOR A COMPLETELY NEW PODCAST EXPERIENCEView this podcast on YouTube! Our “VLOG-CAST” includes behind-the-scenes moments and bonus footage you won’t hear anywhere else. This is a must-watch! 🎥✨💔 In this powerful episode, a courageous mother opens up about the unthinkable—losing her son to suicide. Through the grace of God, she found the strength not only to keep going, but to turn her pain into purpose. Today, she is sharing her story to bring hope, healing, and encouragement to others who may be walking through grief, loss, or despair.🙏 You’ll hear how her faith carried her through the darkest valley, what it means to choose life and light in the midst of heartbreak, and how her son’s story is now making a difference in the lives of others.⚡ Whether you’re struggling with loss yourself, supporting someone you love, or searching for a reminder that God can bring beauty from ashes—this episode will speak to your heart.👉 Share this episode with someone who needs hope today.📞 If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. In the U.S., dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.

What are the books, podcasts, and YouTube channels that are changing our lives right now? In this episode of the Sunshine Warrior Podcast, Kelly & Chey share the resources fueling our growth—and how we manage to keep learning in the middle of our busy lives.We’re pulling back the curtain on what we’re reading, watching, and listening to—from inspiring books that shift perspectives, to podcasts that spark new ideas, and YouTube channels that keep us motivated for growth.You’ll hear us dive into everything from buying back your time, getting the perfect beach waves in your hair, health, communication, business, and more!You’ll learn:👉The books, podcasts & YouTube channels changing our lives👉How we carve out time for growth while balancing work, family & life👉Tips to stay consistent with learning even when life gets crazy👉Why continuing education is the fuel for life-changing transformation🌟 Our hope is that you walk away with fresh resources to explore and the encouragement that yes—you CAN keep growing, even in the busiest seasons of life.To watch the full video episode, head to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gomV2ulNjhM-----------------------💛Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to join this journey of purpose and positivity together!🌞🌞 Know someone who embodies the spirit of a Sunshine Warrior? Reach out to kzsunshinewarrior@gmail.com and share why you (or someone you know) should be a guest on the show. ✨ Your story could be the light someone else needs to keep going. ☀️💛✅ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL so that we can reach more people and you are alerted to each new full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinewarriorRemember—you have a LIGHT inside you. Keep SHINING BRIGHT and share your light with the world.#sunshinewarrior #podcast #selfgrowth

At just 31 years old, Kyleen Aiello has lived through more heartbreak and courage than most will in a lifetime. A devoted mother of five, Kyleen faced the unimaginable, losing one of her children, and shortly after, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.In this powerful episode, Kyleen opens up about her journey through grief, resilience, and the fierce love that gave her the strength to keep fighting. Her story is one of unimaginable pain, unshakable faith, and the kind of hope that lights the way for others walking through darkness.If you've ever needed a reminder of how strong the human spirit can be, this is it. 💛💛Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to join this journey of purpose and positivity together!🌞🌞 Know someone who embodies the spirit of a Sunshine Warrior? Reach out to kzsunshinewarrior@gmail.com and share why you (or someone you know) should be a guest on the show. ✨ Your story could be the light someone else needs to keep going. ☀️💛To watch the full video episode, head to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/XNs63vw548k?si=iqVSn6_dh5mw3tIh✅ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL so that we can reach more people and you are alerted to each new full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinewarriorImages Courtesy of: Kyleen Aiello http://www.eviestudios.comThumbnail Photo by: O. Marie Photography Arizona

In this episode of the Sunshine Warrior Podcast, we’re diving into Mel Robbins’ new book, The Let Them Theory. This simple but powerful mindset shift has taken social media by storm—and we’re breaking down what it really means, how it applies to everyday life, and whether it lives up to the hype.We’ll share our honest takeaways, favorite quotes, and how this message aligns with the heart of the Sunshine Warrior mission: choosing peace, setting boundaries, and living with purpose.Whether you’ve read the book or are just curious what the buzz is about, this conversation will inspire you to let go of what doesn’t serve you—and let them.💛Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to join this journey of purpose and positivity together!🌞🌞 Know someone who embodies the spirit of a Sunshine Warrior? Reach out to kzsunshinewarrior@gmail.com and share why you (or someone you know) should be a guest on the show. ✨ Your story could be the light someone else needs to keep going. ☀️💛To watch the full video episode, head to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gomV2ulNjhM✅ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL so that we can reach more people and you are alerted to each new full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinewarrior#sunshinewarrior #letthemtheory #letthem

In this powerful episode of the Sunshine Warrior Podcast, we sit down with author, speaker, and personal development expert Marsha Petrie Sue—the woman who helped me overcome my fear of public speaking and find my voice.For years, I struggled with self-doubt and the fear of public speaking. But Marsha’s wisdom and encouragement changed everything. This conversation dives deep into the power of your voice and how to reclaim it.💛 Your voice matters. And once you find it, everything begins to change.➡️➡️Learn more about the amazing MARSHA PETRIE SUE at: marshapetriesue.comLet’s continue building this uplifting Sunshine Warrior community where love, faith, and encouragement shine bright every day. To watch the full video episode, head to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Yut88rq_kz4?si=_LZwYrNojWcvmmhR🌞 Know someone who embodies the spirit of a Sunshine Warrior? Maybe it’s you. If you’ve faced life’s challenges with heart and grit, and found a way to keep moving forward, we’d love to hear your story.✨ Reach out to kzsunshinewarrior@gmail.com and share why you (or someone you know) should be a guest on the show. Your story could be the light someone else needs to keep going.✅ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL so that we can reach more people and you are alerted to each new full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinewarrior#SunshineWarrior #PodcastLaunch #HopeAndHealing #ShareYourLight ☀️💛

☀️Welcome to the very first episode of the Sunshine Warrior Podcast! In this heartfelt debut, Kelly Zitlow shares the personal story behind Sunshine Warrior, how it was born in a moment of fear and transformed into a personal mantra of courage, faith, and light.This isn’t just the origin story of a podcast, it’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, light is within reach.To watch the full video episode, head to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Yut88rq_kz4?si=_LZwYrNojWcvmmhR💛 If you’ve ever needed hope, healing, or a reason to keep going, this episode is for you.🌞 Know someone who embodies the spirit of a Sunshine Warrior? Maybe it’s you. If you’ve faced life’s challenges with heart and grit, and found a way to keep moving forward, we’d love to hear your story.✨ Reach out to kzsunshinewarrior@gmail.com and share why you (or someone you know) should be a guest on the show. Your story could be the light someone else needs to keep going.✅ SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL so that we can reach more people and you are alerted to each new full video episode: https://www.youtube.com/@sunshinewarrior#SunshineWarrior #PodcastLaunch #HopeAndHealing #ShareYourLight ☀️💛