Meet Briana Zananiri | Storyteller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Briana Zananiri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Briana, what inspires you?
I am inspired by people’s stories. Everyone has a story to tell. When I accepted Jesus into my life at the age of 22, I became fascinated by where people came from, what they went through, and how they’d overcome in Christ. Storytelling has been a passion of mine for years, but heightened when I realized I had a story to tell too. There’s many people walking around feeling hopeless and stuck in whatever situation they are in, but I and many others, have found a hope that is never ending and can get you through any place you find yourself in.

With my testimony and the countless ones I’ve heard from others, I became inspired to create a place where women could share God’s goodness in their lives. In September of 2020, Finding The Good was created. 13 stories have been shared so far of these women who saw the goodness of God from a hardship they were in. When I hear these testimonies, it inspires me to keep going, keep creating, and keep sharing of God’s goodness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In 2015, I was sitting on my couch watching a segment about the drug epidemic in our country. The show followed three individuals around who were addicted to drugs. At the end of the episode, all three people were left with no success in their story. They either overdosed or were incarcerated. I remember sitting there with a heavy heart and so saddened by what these people had walked through. I thought to myself, if only they knew the hope my father, a former drug addict, found in Jesus. It was at that moment that I heard God tell me to share my family’s story.

Even though my father was the one with a drug addiction, my mom, sisters, and I all suffered too. When my dad was delivered from drugs, healing came to our family. Our relationships were restored and we became the family we always hoped to be. Shortly after watching that segment, we created a testimonial video and uploaded it to social media. It was then that the desire to share God’s hope and goodness through stories was instilled in me.

Years later, God revived that desire and put it on my heart to create a platform where women could share their own testimonies. Not knowing where to start or how this would look, I remembered the scripture the Lord gave me at the beginning of 2020, “Surely your goodness and unfailing love shall pursue me all the days of my life…” Psalm 23:6 (NLT) As I began to meditate on those words, God began to reveal all the good that has come from the broken places I had experienced in my life. From seeing my dad battle an addiction with drugs to my many failed relationships throughout my 20s that left me feeling even lonelier every time one ended to being in a hurtful church situation that made me question my faith. But God redeemed every one of those areas and I can see His goodness from them. And so came the name, Finding The Good, for these series of stories.

I have interviewed 12 women so far and shared my testimony too. I most recently launched the “Good Shop” which includes handmade leather journals, stickers, and prints. I wanted women to be able to own products that remind them of God’s goodness daily. It’s all around us if we choose to see and believe in it.

While it’s tempting to want to find my success in this video series by the number of likes I receive on social media or the play views from each interview, I’ve learned that it is not about that at all. It’s about my obedience to God in what He has called me to do. If only one person tells me they were impacted by a story someone shared, then I know I’m on the right track. I’m excited to continue to share these amazing testimonies and look forward to what Finding The Good becomes.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My husband and I just recently moved to Fort Worth. We’ve been here for almost four months and are loving it! If my bestie was in town, we’d definitely go to Vaquero Coffee to start our morning. It’s a cute little spot that my husband and I go to. Next, we’d head to the Foundry District to Inspiration Alley! There are so many Instagram-worthy murals to take pictures in front of. The Stockyards would definitely be on the list! It’s a tourist spot, for sure, but is a big part of what makes up Fort Worth.

We’d also spend one of the days on the southside of Fort Worth. Shopping at Morgan Mercantile, checking out Best Maid Pickle Emporium, and playing games while eating at Game Theory Restaurant.

For a fun evening, we would head downtown to walk around and listen to music on Sundance Square.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shoutout my amazing husband who has been my biggest supporter since day one of Finding The Good. Most recently, Jonathan helped me launch my first product, The Good Journal. He is a skilled leather goods maker who brought my vision to life. I love you beyond words.

Next, my incredible family + friends. I am extremely grateful for the encouragement and love they show me in any project I put my hands to.

Lastly, a shoutout to all the women who have been a part of Finding The Good. I’m so proud of you all because it’s not always easy to share the hardships we’ve experienced, but it’s so necessary to help others. You’re brave, strong, and heroes in my book. I’m blessed to know every single one of you.

Website: www.findingthegoodseries.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingthegoodseries/

Facebook: facebook.com/findingthegoodseries

Youtube: www.youtube.com/findingthegood