The First Pour
Sundays: A Fresh Start
Sundays have always been my favorite day. The word itself feels like a perfect combination of two of my favorite things: the sun and the daytime. But beyond that, Sundays have always held a deeper meaning for me. Growing up, it was the day I woke up early, threw on whatever church-appropriate outfit I could find, and headed off to worship with my family.
Recently, I’ve started returning to that routine as an adult, and it’s been grounding in ways I didn’t expect. Sundays feel like a reset—a day to slow down, reflect, and reconnect. And honestly, that’s kind of the vibe I’m going for here with this blog.
Why Start a Blog?
So, why start a blog when everyone’s out there scrolling Instagram or TikTok? Honestly, because I want something real. I used to have Instagram (fun fact: I had like 7,000 followers, though I’ll admit I bought some of those, thinking it would boost my DJ career… spoiler alert: it didn’t). But social media ended up feeling like a dopamine trap.
I was constantly comparing myself to other DJs, seeing where they were playing, and feeling pretty down about my own journey. And then there was all the other stuff—images of women that stirred up lustful, unhelpful thoughts and made me question what kind of energy I wanted in my life.
It just wasn’t good for me. So I deleted it. Simplified my life. Cleared out some space in my heart. And what I didn’t realize at the time was that the space I was clearing was actually for Jesus to fill.
Who I Am
So, let’s rewind a bit. My name is Kevin Joyal—some people call me Kebi—and I’m 32 years old. Right now, I’m sitting in a little studio apartment in Maui, Hawaii, writing this post. My girlfriend, Kaylee, lives here, and that’s a story I’ll definitely share another time because, trust me, it’s a good one.
In a few days, I’ll head back to Carbondale, Colorado, just outside Aspen. Most of my year is spent there, surrounded by mountains and doing what I love—making music, DJing, snowboarding, and playing with friends in nature. It’s a life that feels aligned with who I am now: grounded, creative, and connected to God.
But it wasn’t always this way. There was a time when my life was a blur of substances and late nights, chasing highs that always left me feeling lower. Adderall kept me wired, alcohol numbed me, cocaine filled the gaps, and LSD and molly painted colors over cracks that were too deep to fix. I was diving into DMT, mushrooms, and all sorts of ceremonies, trying to make sense of it all. I even dabbled in different religious practices and plant medicines—whatever I thought could quiet the dissonance I felt inside. But no matter what I reached for, it was never enough.
Looking back, it wasn’t just one thing I was addicted to—it was the entire lifestyle. The partying, the chaos, the noise—it all felt so far from who I truly was. Deep down, I’m sensitive. I’ve always felt connected to God in some way, even as a kid. But in those environments, at those parties, I felt out of place, like a single note on the piano that clashed with the chord everyone else was playing. The dissonance was unbearable, and I drowned it out with anything that would silence the discomfort—alcohol, drugs, blackouts.
For years, this was my life. A cycle of trying to fit into a world that didn’t align with my soul and numbing the pain of not belonging. I wasn’t just running from the noise around me; I was running from myself, from who God created me to be.
I’ll definitely dive deeper into this part of my story in a future post, but for now, I’ll say this: God never left me. Even in those dark moments, He was there, patiently waiting for me to surrender and let Him pull me out of the spiral. And when I finally did, everything began to change.
It wasn’t until I hit rock bottom that I truly surrendered and gave my life to Jesus. And let me tell you—He met me right there in the mess and completely turned my life around. Now, everything I do—my music, my work, my relationships—it’s all for Him.
What Is Sunday Cafe?
Okay, so what is this whole Sunday Cafe thing? Well, it started back in Tulum during the pandemic as a little radio show I put together. Life felt chaotic for everyone, and the show became a way to bring something positive into the mix—a little oasis where people could connect through music, even from a distance. The goal was simple: to spread joy and positivity through a variety of genres. Music that could get mom and the kids dancing around the kitchen while cooking Sunday brunch.
Fast forward to now, and Sunday Cafe has grown in ways I could have never imagined. What started as a simple radio show became a record label, and now it’s transforming into a digital coffee shop—a space where faith, creativity, and community come together. The vision is to create a cozy, welcoming space where people can explore different digital “rooms” of connection—one for faith inspired fashion, one for in-depth Bible studies, one for music playlists and movie recommendations, one for creative projects, one for health & fitness, and one for storytelling (like this blog!). And if it’s His will, I pray that Sunday Cafe will one day become a physical, brick-and-mortar space where we can gather in person to share faith, music, and creativity. Lots of them. All over the world.
I’m humbled and excited to see how this journey continues to unfold, trusting that God’s plan for Sunday Cafe will always be bigger and better than anything I could dream up on my own.
It’s about creating a space where we can recharge, find inspiration, and focus on all the good things God has so graciously provided us. Because here’s the truth: all good vibes are actually God vibes. He’s the provider of everything good, and I want Sunday Cafe to be a place that reflects that truth.
Where I’m At Now
Right now, life feels wide open, full of possibilities and unknowns. I’m in Hawaii, spending time with Kaylee, dreaming about the future of Sunday Cafe, and reflecting on how we can continue to serve God with the gifts He’s given us. In just the past few days, we’ve applied to jobs around the world—everything from radio hosting in Tennessee to ministry work in Alaska. We’ve also talked about the idea of moving back to Connecticut, where my family is. Honestly, we don’t know exactly what the long term looks like, but that’s okay. We’re learning to put our trust in Him and take one step at a time.
There’s so much I want to share here—stories from my journey, playlists to brighten your day, reflections on scripture, and maybe even some thrifted fashion inspiration (because, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good crew neck?).
This blog feels like the perfect space for it all. A space to connect in a real, authentic way, without the noise and distractions of social media. My hope is that Sunday Cafe becomes a place where we can slow down together, reflect on what matters, and maybe even grow a little along the way.
Let’s Build This Together
So, here we are. The first pour. My invitation to you is simple: grab a cup of coffee or tea, take a deep breath, and settle in. I’m so glad you’re here.
As we get started, I’d love to hear from you:
What’s your favorite way to slow down and reconnect on Sundays? Leave us a comment or send us an email at sundaycaferecords@gmail.com —I’d love to know.
A Verse for the Week
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” – Philippians 4:12
This verse has been a huge encouragement for me. No matter where you are in life—whether things feel full or empty—God is with you, providing what you need for this moment.
Thanks for stopping by Sunday Cafe. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.
With love and gratitude,
Kevin
(aka Kebi)
