Kern Magazine profiled D'Maurier and Janell Johnson — Bakersfield youth pastors, podcasters, and one of the most genuinely warm couples in Kern County — in a Valentine's season feature that reads more like a short film than a magazine article.
Their story began in 2020, during the pandemic, when connection happened slowly and intentionally — park dates, intimacy card games, and eight hours of conversation with no cell phones. D'Maurier is a Bakersfield native, comedian, and para-educator. Janell is a registered nurse who returned to Kern County to care for her elderly godparents and found something she wasn't expecting.
A Love Story Rooted in Kern County
The couple got engaged in May 2022 and married in October 2022. Today they serve as youth pastors at Church of God Bakersfield and host the Love is Funny podcast, which explores relationships, faith, and the healing power of laughter. They're also certified in Relationship Assessment and Guidance, working with couples to improve communication and connection.
What They've Learned About Love
In the interview, both D'Maurier and Janell share their honest perspective on what it takes to build a lasting relationship — including the role of humor, forgiveness, and choosing to stay when things get hard. Their advice is grounded, practical, and delivered with the warmth that defines everything they do.
Read the full feature — including the chicken that crossed the road, the DMs that started it all, and their advice for anyone navigating love in Kern County — at Kern Magazine.
Originally published in Kern Magazine.
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