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Mindful Living

A Love Beyond Borders: Joshua Washington’s Tribute to Olga and Their Zionist Legacy

The Joy of Living Podcast with Barry Shore

In this deeply moving episode of The Joy of Living, Barry Shore welcomes musician, activist, and father Joshua David Washington for a conversation that will stay with you long after it ends. What begins as a tale of improbable love—spanning continents, cultures, and age—unfolds into a powerful journey through devotion, purpose, unexpected miracles, and unimaginable loss.

Joshua opens up about meeting Olga, a brilliant South African attorney and fierce Zionist advocate, how their shared mission for peace brought them together, and the love that transformed them both. Together, they defied medical odds to build a family. But just months ago, that joy gave way to heartbreak.

With raw honesty and spiritual depth, Joshua shares the final days of Olga’s life, her legacy, and the divine grace that led to her burial in the land she championed—Israel. This is more than a love story. It’s about faith, resilience, and carrying light through darkness.

Grab a tissue—and don’t miss this. This episode is a sacred tribute to a life lived fully and a love that echoes beyond loss.

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Show Notes:

[11.07] Meeting Olga: Destiny Across Continents

  • Joshua shares how he met his late wife Olga through a deep-rooted family connection centered around faith and advocacy.
  • Both their fathers were pastors involved in Israel advocacy and Jewish-Christian relations, laying a unique foundation for their meeting.
  • Joshua saw Olga’s picture on his father’s phone and instantly felt drawn to her—”Who’s that girl? She’s cute.”
  • Despite her powerful presence, she was initially hesitant due to their age difference—she was nine years older.
  • Olga’s strong values and previous marriage made her cautious, saying, “I don’t date. The man I’m with is going to be my husband.”
  • Joshua’s persistence and clear intentions—”I’m here to marry you or we stay friends”—finally opened the door.
  • They bonded deeply over shared roots, Zionist beliefs, and a mutual passion for service and advocacy.
  • The story of courtship reflects grace, persistence, and the power of divine timing.

[20.04] A Sacred Union and the Miracle of Family

  • Joshua and Olga marry in both California and South Africa, including a traditional tribal Tswana ceremony.
  • They faced the reality of potential infertility, as Olga had been told she might never conceive.
  • Miraculously, they welcomed two sons, Ezra and Judah, just months apart.
  • Their family life was built on shared values, deep love, and mutual respect.
  • Olga brought healing from past wounds through the grace and patience of her new relationship.
  • Their story shows the powerful alignment of faith, vision, and commitment in marriage.
  • The joy of parenthood was a divine gift neither of them took for granted.
  • Their union was more than romantic love—it was a spiritual calling lived through action.

[27.16] Illness, Faith, and the Final Goodbye

  • Olga began experiencing unexplained fatigue and dark patches on her skin, later diagnosed as lupus.
  • Despite her condition, she insisted on fulfilling a family duty in South Africa after her mother’s death.
  • Her health declined during the trip; her brother helped her return, ultimately leading to hospitalization.
  • Joshua recounted the heart-wrenching night when she passed away, holding her hand and singing to her.
  • Her final words, “Thank you for everything,” became a lasting, unspoken goodbye.
  • The loss was sudden and profound, yet Joshua remained composed to tell their sons she had joined “Cuckoo in heaven.”
  • Even in grief, Joshua’s focus was on love, gratitude, and the sacredness of every moment.
  • The story is a tender, raw portrayal of love’s endurance in the face of mortality.

[36.03] Olga’s Eternal Resting Place in Israel

  • Though Olga could have been buried in South Africa or North Carolina, Joshua followed a divine nudge to bury her in Israel.
  • Israel was her spiritual home, aligning with her lifelong Zionist mission.
  • The decision was affirmed by her family, Israeli friends, and the nation itself.
  • She now rests near Givat Olga—a place named after another historic Zionist woman, married to a man named Joshua.
  • President Isaac Herzog personally sat Shiva with the family, honoring her advocacy and legacy.
  • The funeral and mourning period became a global gathering of gratitude and storytelling.
  • Olga’s impact transcended geography; she became a bridge between continents, cultures, and causes.
  • Her burial in Israel represents a return to purpose, a final statement of who she was and what she stood for.

[46.49] Legacy Through Music, Faith, and Identity

  • Joshua channels his grief into music, embarking on a “symphonic soul” tour starting in Jerusalem.
  • His music blends gospel roots, orchestral influences, and raw emotion to uplift and heal.
  • As a Black Christian Zionist, Joshua faces criticism but remains steadfast in his mission.
  • He reminds critics of ongoing slavery in some Islamic regions, turning confrontation into education.
  • His sons are his central focus now—he hopes they will walk in integrity, godliness, and joy.
  • Joshua reflects Olga’s legacy in every note, every speech, every step forward.
  • The interview ends with a powerful hug and a blessing to live life exuberantly.
  • Olga’s story, through Joshua, continues to inspire action, resilience, and unwavering love.

Insider Tips:

Nicole Iny is the Executive Director of Grants and Consumer Education at FAIR Health, a national, independent nonprofit organization that qualifies as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code. FAIR Health possesses the nation’s largest collection of private healthcare claims data, which includes over 47 billion claim records. It is dedicated to bringing transparency and integrity to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support.

Topics:

  • What is FAIR Health?
  • What types of tools and resources are offered on FAIRHealthOlderAdults.org?
  • What obstacles do older adults and family caregivers face when navigating the healthcare system, and what strategies can they use to find the services and support they need?
  • Have you received any feedback from patients and/or their caregivers about the shared decision-making resources available on the FAIR Health consumer website?
  • Where can patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers find more information?

About Joshua Washington

Joshua Washington is a widower, father, recording artist, musician, and signed author based in North Carolina. As a recording artist, he goes by the stage name “JoDavi,” where he is currently on a world tour called “Journey to Healing,” filled with symphonic soulful music that he has written since he beloved wife and South African native, Olga Washington passed away back in January of 2025.