No More Perfect Podcast with Jill Savage: Recent Episodes
Jill Savage
Join Jill Savage here on the No More Perfect Podcast as she talks about the messy, less-than-perfect, real stuff of life. Featuring hard-earned wisdom, well-known authors and speakers, inspiring messages, and stories of real families that must be told, the No More Perfect Podcast is designed to be both inspirational and practical. An author, speaker, and coach, Jill is the founder and former CEO of Hearts at Home a ministry that served moms for 24 years. She has been featured on Focus on the Family, Family Life Today Radio, and Dr. Gary Chapman’s Building Relationships shows. She is the author or co-author of fourteen books including Professionalizing Motherhood, No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Marriages (with her husband Mark), and her most recent release Empty Nest Full Life. All show notes can be found at www.JillSavage.org/podcast Have ideas for subjects you need to hear about or guests you'd love to see? Send all your suggestions to resources@jillsavage.org! Love the show? Please leave a review to help others find this encouragement!
When we’re trying to help others, it’s natural to offer advice, share practical strategies, or point people toward helpful resources. Those things are valuable and often necessary—but they’re also one step removed from your own experience.
Sometimes, the most impactful thing you can offer is your story.
It’s not easy to share your journey, with all its imperfections, hardships, and lessons learned along the way. It takes courage and vulnerability. But in exchange for this vulnerability, you can give the gift of real connection and hope that healing is possible.
In the years following our own marriage crisis, we began sharing our story more openly and honestly, and something incredible happened.
Couple after couple told us how much our story encouraged them, gave them hope, and helped them navigate challenges in their own marriages. We realized that our greatest qualification wasn’t having a perfect marriage. It was being willing to honestly share what God had done through our imperfect one.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How even stories with “bad” endings can offer others hope
- Some of the benefits of sharing your story
- The byproduct of sharing honestly and vulnerably with others
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/your-story-309
Looking for Empty Nest resources after launching your kids? Grab the Empty Nest, Full Lifebook, and check out the companion Empty Nest Full Life Course.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
It’s time for even more God stories! When we started recording part one of this series, we quickly realized we would need more time to share our favorite God stories with you! If you haven’t done so yet, we strongly recommend going back and listening to part one here.
A God story is one in which only he could connect the dots in surprising and even miraculous ways to provide answers to prayers and unexpected blessings. These are stories that inspire us and build up our faith as we look back and remember all that God has done.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why we need to learn how to both give and receive
- Four more amazing God stories
- The importance of bringing your wants and needs to God in prayer
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/more-god-stories-308
Looking for Empty Nest resources after launching your kids? Grab the Empty Nest, Full Lifebook, and check out the companion Empty Nest Full Life Course.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Trigger / Content Warning: I want to be sure my listeners are aware that in this episode we will be talking about the loss of a child and brief mentions of suicidal ideation. If these kinds of topics are hard for you to hear about, we recommend skipping this conversation.
Dealing with grief can feel like being plunged into a terrible darkness and not knowing if or when you will get out. It’s a heavy burden to carry, no matter the circumstances surrounding your loss. In the midst of that pain, you may find yourself wondering if you’ll ever feel whole again, whether God truly sees and cares about your sorrow, or how you’re supposed to move forward with the ache now living in your heart.
My guests for this episode know all about the process of grappling with grief.
Dennis and Debbie Jordan walked through the death of their six-year-old son, Ryan, who lost his fight with leukemia. While it wasn’t easy, they wrestled with hard questions, clung to their faith, and today use their experience to help others walking through grief.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How grief impacts marriages
- The importance of sharing our hurts
- How to comfort those walking through grief today
- And more!
We have been so encouraged by Dennis and Debbie’s story. We hope that anyone experiencing grief today would find hope and a path to healing.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/dennis-debbie-jordan-307
Looking for Empty Nest resources after launching your kids? Grab the Empty Nest, Full Lifebook, and check out the companion Empty Nest Full Life Course.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
There are several instances in the Old Testament that reference setting up stones as a remembrance to God’s people of what He accomplished in that location. While we don’t often mark God’s work with piles of stone today, He is still at work all around us, in ways both big and small. Want to see His goodness? Look at the lives He is touching.
When we catch glimpses of ways that He is working, usually how we least expect it, we like to refer to those as “God stories.” These moments might be when prayers are answered, when the Lord gives direction, or when He orchestrates details in a surprising way!
God stories help us encourage one another, build our faith, and see the miraculous ways that He is working to meet our needs. We’re excited to share some of our most powerful God stories, and we hope you’ll share yours with us in return.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to use a “God box”
- How God orchestrated details to get us simple things like bread and milk
- The value in sharing our God stories
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/god-stories-306
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
As you walk through life, are you feeling stuck in relationships or frozen by fear? Perhaps you even feel unsure of how to draw closer to God. We certainly felt that way in the past, which is why Mark and I faced our fears, mustered up some courage, and did the hard work to move from the 1.0 versions of ourselves to the 2.0 life and 2.0 relationship we enjoy now.
I know my guest for today’s conversation not only has a passion for helping people journey through fear to freedom, but she also understands what it takes to face your life with courage.
Ann White is an author, speaker, and passionate Bible teacher. She is the founder of Courage For Life, a ministry dedicated to helping people find restoration, hope, and healing as they learn how to walk with God-given courage in the face of fear.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to move away from fear-based decision-making
- Ann’s personal story of turning to courage
- Practical tips to courageously take the next step in the face of fear
- And more!
When I read Ann’s book, I knew she would be the perfect guest to give a fresh perspective on living a 2.0 life!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/ann-white-305
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Everything in life requires repair: homes, cars, computers, and most importantly, relationships. When we don’t appropriately repair our relationships from a rupture, big or small, then those hurts begin to pile up and create resentment.
At our marriage intensives, we often help couples clean up accumulated hurt that never got repaired simply because they didn’t have the tools to do so.
This is an important skill not only for relationships with a romantic partner, but also with our children and in friendships.
True repair goes beyond saying “I’m sorry,” and in this conversation, we share practical ways to approach conflict and hurts.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What happens when you allow hurts to accumulate
- How justifying actions minimizes the other person’s feelings
- The steps to take in order to fully clean up hurts
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/repair-relationships-304
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Are you chronically stressed? Do you often scroll on your phone to “numb out?” At the end of each day, do you feel wired and tired, just barely getting by?
In a survey of over 2,000 Christian women, 91% admitted that they were tired of pushing through every day. 87% said they regularly felt overwhelmed, but only 11% reported having any way to reset in real time.
My latest guest says that the data she gathered in that survey confirmed the nightmare she was already living. Alli Worthington is the author of five books, including The Year of Living Happy and Breaking Busy. She is also a speaker, author, podcaster, and business coach who helps women thrive.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What happens to our bodies when we scroll to relax
- Strategies to close the “stress cycle”
- Simple ways you can restore peace in your life
- And more!
I loved Alli’s fresh perspective on why we experience burnout and her helpful tips to find peace!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/alli-worthington-303/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
When we adopted our fifth child, Nicolai, at the age of nine, we never imagined we would end up battling circumstances that would lead to over 100 hospital visits.
Today, as an adult, Nicolai has several issues that prevent him from having a normal life. Before we go any further, we do want to let you know that Nicolai gave his permission to share his story. He struggles to manage money and lives primarily in homeless camps. When we do get to see him, our visits are short and typically away from the rest of our adult children.
As parents, we’ve struggled to know how to help him and have learned the hard way that we shouldn’t always rescue him from his circumstances. If you or a loved one has an adult child with life-controlling problems like mental illness, addiction, homelessness, or another similar struggle, we hope this deeply honest and vulnerable conversation can be a helpful resource.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why you can’t make your child’s problems go away
- How to lovingly detach
- How your child’s struggles impact everyone in your family
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/life-controlling-issues-302
Looking for Empty Nest resources after launching your kids? Grab the Empty Nest, Full Lifebook, and check out the companion Empty Nest Full Life Course.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
I don’t have time for rest! My schedule is too full. I’m too stressed out. I will fall too far behind if I take a break.
Do any of these sound familiar to you? Rest is essential for our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. It’s so important that God gave us an example of rest in the creation story at the beginning of the Bible. Yet, it’s so easy to let this basic human need fall by the wayside when life gets busy.
We’ve been wanting to touch on the topic of rest for a while, and we can’t think of a more fitting pair of guests for this conversation than our good friends, Scott and Myndee Anderson. Scott’s father, James, was the author of a book called For God’s Sake, Rest!, and growing up, Scott’s household tried to prioritize those very concepts his father wrote about.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why we find it difficult to rest
- The #1 sign that you are actually experiencing rest
- Scott and Myndee’s reflections on visiting Uganda with us
- And more!
We are delighted to have such dear friends on the show to talk about such an important topic!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/scott-myndee-anderson-301
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Are you feeling worn out from doing all the heavy lifting in your marriage? You are the only spouse who is putting in the effort to listen to podcasts, read the books, and initiate thoughtful conversations—or at least it feels that way.
Resentment is slowly starting to build as you think to yourself over and over, “Why am I the only one doing the work to improve our marriage?”
The topic for this conversation was inspired by a listener-submitted question that asks:
“Is the woman in the marriage the one who does most of the heavy lifting to promote emotional growth?”
This is such an important question, and in this episode, we’re here to answer it. Listen in to hear our thoughts, as well as some tips to help you not only encourage growth in your spouse, but to shift your perspective on the effort they are already putting in.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How your attachment style affects the way you pursue depth in a relationship
- How you can invite connection in your marriage
- How to know when you are being called to accept your partner where they are
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/marriage-work-300
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Real connection happens when you master the personal, powerful way your partner uniquely receives love. That’s when love moves from routine to remarkable.
If you are one of the 20 million readers of Dr. Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages®, you already know that love isn’t one-size-fits-all. This framework provides us with a great place to start, but many couples have found there’s still more to learn about how to fill up each other’s love tank.
Our guests for this episode are experts on this topic who have teamed up with Dr. Chapman to bring us the long-awaited sequel to his renowned original guide. Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott are psychologists, speakers, and #1 New York Times best-selling authors of numerous books, including Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts. This married couple not only share the same name, but also a passion for helping others build healthy relationships.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to go beyond your spouse’s Love Language™
- A rundown of the dialects your partner may be “speaking”
- The one question that will transform your relationship
- And more!
For Mark and I, understanding our Love Languages™ has been instrumental in transforming how we express our love for one another. We hope this conversation is a helpful resource as you seek to understand and connect with your spouse on a deeper level!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/les-leslie-parrott-299
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Have you ever noticed a tendency in yourself to put your own wants before the needs of others?
If we’re honest, that’s not an easy thing to admit. Most people don’t naturally think of themselves as selfish. And yet, when we slow down and truly examine our hearts, selfishness is something we all wrestle with at times.
Recently, Mark has felt God directing his attention to this area in his own life. What we’ve discovered is that selfishness can be sneaky—which makes it difficult to identify. It can show up as that desire to stay on the couch rather than fold the load of laundry sitting in the dryer. It could look like neglecting to show up at a friend’s party because you didn’t feel like going, even though you know it would mean a lot to them.
Selfishness takes many forms, but no matter how it shows up, it affects the state of our hearts in a very real way. That’s why we wanted to take some time to talk about how addressing selfishness is having an impact in our life, as well as offer some tips that everyone can use to tackle selfishness.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How avoiding sacrifice can cause us to miss blessings
- Four steps to address selfishness
- How self-care is different from selfishness
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/tackling-selfishness-298
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
What emotions are clogging your heart? Is it worry? Panic? Regret? Guilt? Anger? Is there deep pain you don’t talk about because it’s buried under bitterness, worthlessness, or loneliness? Do you long for relief?
All of these feelings can keep us “stuck” for far too long. It’s time to unburden your heart and clear out the emotional baggage that has been hindering you from fully living free in Christ. My friend, Laurie Davies, knows what it’s like to feel trapped by the emotions that can build up in our hearts.
Laurie is a writer, speaker, and lay counselor who helps women deal with their “emotional accumulation.” She is the author of the new book, Emotional Hoarding: Letting Go of the Stuff That Keeps You Stuck, in which she offers practical help for decluttering our souls of unprocessed feelings.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Signs you might be an emotional hoarder
- Practical steps to address your heart
- How to recalibrate our thoughts
- And more!
Addressing our built-up emotions is hard work, but it’s so worth it when we’re able to heal wounds and experience wholeness.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/laurie-davies-297
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Many couples believe in the power of prayer, but they struggle to practice it consistently—us included! In fact, 95% of Christian couples do not pray together.
There are times when we struggle to make prayer a priority like it needs to be. Whether it’s because of busy schedules, not knowing how to begin, or feeling uncomfortable praying with another person, there are so many factors that can keep husbands and wives from sharing a regular practice of prayer.
However, prayer is one of God’s most powerful tools for strengthening your marriage. Our guests for this conversation understand this well, and they are here to share practical tools that will help you and your spouse kickstart your prayer journey together.
Brad and Heidi Mitchell are the co-founders of Build Your Marriage, a ministry dedicated to helping couples create Christ-centered marriages. Out of a season of deep brokenness and God’s powerful restoration, their marriage was rebuilt. That experience became the heart of their ministry. Brad and Heidi have been married for 42 years, and they bring honest, hard-earned wisdom to the journey of developing a lasting marriage.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Some of the factors that break down marriages
- Obstacles that prevent people from praying together
- How to practice “popcorn” prayer
- And more!
If you’ve never prayed with your spouse before, we hope this conversation has provided some useful tools that will help you start!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/brad-heidi-mitchell-296
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Vulnerability is very important to us. We share the dirt and the difficulties of our own marriage openly when telling our story.
So when we had the opportunity to read the book, Still Here, by Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman, we resonated with their honesty about the challenges of marriage. This intimate memoir takes you inside the Chapmans’ real-life marriage, spanning four decades of beautiful, broken, and restored moments.
This book means so much to us, and we are thrilled to share the heart behind it with you as the Chapmans join us for this conversation.
Steven Curtis Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history with 60 Dove Awards, five GRAMMY® Awards, 10 certified Gold or Platinum albums, and an unprecedented 50 No. 1 singles. His wife, Mary Beth Chapman, is the co-founder and chairman of the board of Show Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing barriers to adoption.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Some of the what-not-to-dos of marriage
- Where true happiness can be found
- What it takes to be Still Here through every hurdle of marriage
- And more!
We thoroughly enjoyed having the Chapmans share their wisdom with us!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/steven-curtis-chapman-295
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
We had a record number of Marriage Intensives at the beginning of this year! For each intensive, we host a couple at our home for a whole weekend so that we can give them our undivided attention and really dive deep. As we worked with these couples, we were reminded of some of the themes that pop up over and over in relationships.
One of the biggest ones? Anger. Anger is a normal part of life, but how we handle this emotion makes all the difference. Anger protects us, helps us guard against danger, and empowers us, but too often, anger is misused. This issue is at the core of so many of the marriage conflicts we see.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The consequences of anger being misused
- Practical steps to understand anger
- How to take our feelings to God
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/untangling-anger-294
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
In the business world, the ones who make it to the top are often high-achieving, ruthless, and confident. They’re calculated risk-takers. All of these characteristics can help professionals move up the ladder—but they don’t always translate well in those same people’s personal lives. In fact, when people try to take the strategies that bring them workplace success and apply them at home, they can end up harming their marriages.
On the inside, high achievers often fear rejection and shy away from vulnerability—which can make it hard to achieve the close, loving relationships they desire.
This was the experience of today’s guest. Lantz Howard is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and a trained marriage therapist who helps leaders live in their true identity so they can experience more intimacy, more sex, and more connection with their spouse.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why business strategies don’t apply at home
- The importance of uncovering your needs
- Practical tips for escaping a performance mindset in marriage
- And more!
If you or your spouse is a high-achieving type, you won’t want to miss out on this conversation!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/lantz-howard-293
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
A mother’s job is to teach her children to not need her anymore. The hardest part of that job is accepting success.
We pour our lives into our kids. We sacrifice, lose sleep, and make sure they have everything they need, only to have them one day leave to live on their own without us. My guest understands this feeling as a parent with one foot in and the other foot out of the launching phase.
Cristina Wright is an author, former homeschool mom, wife, and mother of two. Her first book, Launch Them Well, helps moms navigate the emotional rollercoaster of watching their children grow into young adults—while also empowering those kids to thrive in independence.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Guidance on how to launch your kids well
- Why your identity should involve more than your role as a parent
- How to process the grief that occurs after your child launches
- And more!
This is a topic I am passionate about, and I felt so blessed by the wisdom Cristina had to share!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/cristina-wright-292
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Talking about death can be a tender and uncomfortable subject, but our time on earth is temporary. Someday we will all leave this world, and many of us won’t get a warning of when that will occur.
While fear may want to push us away from this topic, conversations like this one help us begin to normalize talking about death. When we bring something hard like this into the light, it starts to feel less big and scary—and a little more manageable. When we face the reality of death, we empower ourselves to live in the present, knowing what we are leaving behind: a meaningful legacy.
Helping people broach the topic of death is something that my friend, Yvette Maher, is passionate about. Yvette is an end-of-life transition coach who supports individuals and families in this sacred, yet challenging space.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How preparing for death can help us live better today
- Practical tips for getting your affairs in order
- The importance of creating your legacy in advance
- And more!
I so appreciate Yvette’s willingness to approach this difficult topic with gentleness and understanding.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/yvette-maher-291
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Roosters, candy canes, thermometers, and antifungal cream.
These are just a few of the ordinary items we saw God use in extraordinary ways during our time in Uganda this February.
This journey of our ministry in Africa, which began with an untied shoelace on an Alabama sidewalk, continues to unfold in ways Mark and I never could have imagined. To hear how it all began, you can listen to Episode 135 and 210. Today, Mark and I are grateful and excited to share this special episode where we recap some of the highlights and God stories from our third and most recent trip to Uganda. Best of all, you get to hear from three of the team members who made the journey with us.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Our team’s biggest takeaways from experiencing life in Uganda
- How the school we’ve been building blew our expectations away
- The God story of a big need met through a simple Amazon wishlist
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: https://jillsavage.org/god-stories-uganda-290/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
A dad is foundational in every person’s life, but not everyone has a solid, stable father figure to rely on.
When Mark and I work with couples and individuals in our coaching sessions, we are often able to trace a person’s current challenges back to father wounds. So many people are still being negatively affected by the difficult relationship they had with their father growing up—many of them without even realizing it.
As we help these people unpack the past, we can’t undo their experiences. But we can point to our Heavenly Father and remind them that there is incredible healing to be found in the unfailing, unconditional love that only God can provide.
My guest today sees the effect of father wounds in her everyday ministry work. Rachelle Starr is the founder of Scarlet Hope and Freedom Signa, a ministry that reaches and disciples exploited women. She’s the author of the book Outrageous Obedience, and is passionate about reaching women with hope wherever they are.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How God used a home-cooked meal to start an entire ministry
- Why it’s so important to understand that true healing takes time and patience
- How the love of the Heavenly Father can heal wounds we receive from our earthly father
- And more!
I appreciated Rachelle’s story of how God led her to show up in the lives of these precious women, and the healing that has come to so many as a result.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: https://jillsavage.org/rachelle-starr-289/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Forgiveness.
It’s one of the most powerful tools God gives us in marriage. Yet, when infidelity shatters trust, the path forward can feel confusing. What does real forgiveness actually look like? And how do you know if you’re doing it in a healthy way?
My guest today, Tim Tedder, is a licensed counselor and coach who has spent more than 20 years helping individuals and couples recover after infidelity. Tim’s work is shaped not only by professional training, but also by personal experience. After walking through the devastation of infidelity in his own life, God eventually led him into a calling of helping others find healing and hope.
In this conversation, Tim shares the freedom that comes from genuine forgiveness. He also explains three common ways people try to forgive that actually keep them stuck, along with two forms of forgiveness that truly help people move forward.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Three common substitutes people mistake for forgiveness
- The difference between decisional forgiveness and emotional forgiveness
- Why forgiveness does not automatically restore trust
- How genuine forgiveness can bring freedom, even if a relationship is not restored
- And more!
I was moved by Tim’s honesty about his story and the healing journey that brought him here. I hope you find this conversation as encouraging and clarifying as I did!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/tim-tedder-288
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
The chaos that betrayal can cause in a marriage is unlike almost anything else we experience as humans. When trust is shattered, everything feels unstable. Questions swirl. Emotions run high. And the path forward can feel confusing and painfully slow.
Mark and I know what that broken place feels like. And so does the couple joining us today.
Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith—known as The Raabsmith Team—are co-authors of Building True Intimacy. Together, they have developed practical tools to help couples rebuild trust and create lasting connection. Matthew is a Professional Certified Coach and Restoration Coach with more than 15 years of experience in addiction recovery, betrayal trauma, and leadership development. Joanna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in trauma, betrayal trauma, and relationship healing.
In this honest and hope-filled conversation, we talk about how God brought each of us to the other side of betrayal. We share some of the insights we wish we had known when we were in the middle of our own messy healing journeys. There were setbacks. There was deep pain. But there were also small moments where hope began to rise again.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why healing begins with the individuals, not just the couple
- How family upbringing shapes the way we show up in marriage
- Why a betrayed spouse may still feel unsafe, even after behavior changes
- And more!
If you’re trying to find your footing after betrayal, you may want to lean in and take notes. Our prayer is that this conversation brings understanding and a renewed sense of hope!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/matthew-joanna-raabsmith-287
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
In a culture that is obsessed with perfection, it’s easy to believe that hospitality requires a spotless home, a carefully planned menu, and a seamless itinerary. But the truth is, connection has never required perfection.
Sometimes, the most meaningful moments in life happen with dishes in the sink and pillows on the floor. Deep down, most of us already know this to be true. And yet, inviting people into our space can still feel overwhelming.
That’s why, today, we’re asking the question:
What if hospitality isn’t about impressing others, but about making space for them to feel seen and loved?
My guest today is Abby Kuykendall, author of Let the Biscuits Burn. Abby has spent years exploring what it means to build God-centered community around the table. Through her own journey of singleness, growth, and opening her home in different seasons, she has discovered that hospitality is less about performance and more about presence.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The difference between entertaining and true hospitality
- Why it’s important to gather with people who are different from us
- Three simple qualities that can help you practice hospitality right where you are
- And more!
I loved this conversation with Abby! It was such a freeing reminder that we don’t have to do hospitality perfectly to do it faithfully.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/abby-kuykendall-286
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Vulnerability can feel like a high-stakes poker game where your only option is to go “all in” and either win big or lose everything. Many of us carry the painful memories of when opening up has gone wrong in the past, and these can keep us from opening up again.
However, when we dare to be vulnerable in spite of our fears, we can find intimacy, connection, and safety on the other side.
While it may feel intimidating to open up to your spouse, we can tell you from experience that this decision can be the key to finally experiencing true connection and building a relationship where you can share your true self.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The reasons why we resist vulnerability
- Common roots of rejection or fear
- Steps you can take to start practicing vulnerability
- The importance of believing the best about your spouse
- And more!
Vulnerability is something we all struggle with, not just a certain attachment style or personality type. We hope these tips can help you take the first step to opening up to your spouse.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/fear-of-vulnerability-285
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Letting go is hard. It goes against our natural human urge to cling on tightly to the things we care about so we can maintain a sense of control. This internal game of tug-of-war is something we all struggle with. Even if you aren’t a self-proclaimed “control freak,” you can probably think of at least one area of your life in which you are being called to release control.
Surrender is an invitation to entrust each hope, worry, and pressing concern in our hearts to the one whose love for us goes beyond measure. To surrender means to relinquish control and recognize that God alone can meet our deepest need.
My guest for this conversation understands both the struggle of letting go and the power that comes when we stop trying to micromanage the outcome. Mary DeMuth is the author of The Freedom of Surrender, a journey through 40 days of entrusting specific areas of your life to God. She is an international speaker, podcaster, and author of over forty books, both fiction and nonfiction.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why you should stop trying to control outcomes
- The power that lies in letting go
- How we can practice giving our hopes to God
- And more!
It’s always a delight to have Mary on the podcast, and I greatly enjoyed our conversation about surrender.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/mary-demuth-284
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube!**
Experiencing infidelity or broken trust in your marriage is one of the hardest challenges a couple can face, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the end your relationship. In this conversation, we are wrapping up our series on what it looks like to heal from betrayal in marriage, and this time, we are talking about the final step—how to move forward.
The road to restoration and reconciliation is not an easy path to take, but if both spouses are committed, all the hard work is so worth it. From personal experience, we can say that it is absolutely possible to transform your marriage into something that’s even better and healthier than it was before. We call this achieving a “2.0 marriage.”
To get there, you have to go through the four phases of affair recovery: rupture, repentance, reconciliation, and finally rebuilding trust. The fourth one is typically the longest phase of the journey, and that’s the chapter we’re focusing on today.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The elements of a healthy apology
- What it means to “push accountability”
- Why personal growth is an important part of rebuilding your marriage
- And more!
We hope that hearing our personal story of crisis, repair, and recovery has been helpful to you! If you’ve been walking through infidelity or broken trust, our goal with this series was to provide a valuable resource on your road to rebuilding your marriage.
No More Perfect Marriages: https://amzn.to/4bLuwZZ
My Heart is Broken: https://amzn.to/3YQZA32
I Really Messed Up: https://amzn.to/4sJ81Lg
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/recovering-from-infidelity-283
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube!**
“Mom, don’t be foolish. He’s just going to do this again.”
Broken trust affects more than just your spouse. There’s a ripple effect that goes out and changes every relationship, from your children to your relatives, close friendships, and even neighbors.
We know that, when recovering from infidelity and broken trust, it can be difficult to know how to start mending the fractures that the betrayal has caused within your social circle. That’s why, in this conversation, we will be giving you a structure you can follow to start repairing those relationships that have been damaged. This is part three in our four-part series, Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust. If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to go back and listen to parts one and two here.
As you pursue reconciliation, it doesn’t happen all at once. It may take weeks, months, or even years to fully restore all the relationships that have been damaged. However, it’s imperative that you start with your spouse, then your children, and then move out to the “outer circles.”
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- A blueprint for where reconciliation should begin
- What it means to have a “safe conversation”
- Advice for the spouse who still thinks about their affair partner
- And more!
As we continue in this series, we hope it is an encouragement and resource for anyone who is navigating reconciliation!
No More Perfect Marriages: https://amzn.to/4bLuwZZ
My Heart is Broken: https://amzn.to/3YQZA32
I Really Messed Up: https://amzn.to/4sJ81Lg
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/recovering-from-infidelity-282
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! We love finding new ways to connect with you, and we hope you enjoy the added experience of watching along as you listen.
Have you ever thought:
I don’t love my spouse anymore. Marriage should be easier than this. My spouse doesn’t care about me.
If so, you are not alone. When relationships become rocky, it’s easy for lies like these to consume our minds.
Before someone seriously considers leaving their marriage or cheating on their spouse, there is first a battle in their mind. In our own marriage crisis, Mark thought and believed similar things, which eventually led to him stepping out and leaving our marriage.
What we see every day as marriage coaches is that the same thoughts that nearly destroyed our marriage are destroying marriages all over the world. That’s why, in this conversation, we are continuing our Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust series. In case you missed it, you can head back and listen to part one here.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Some of the lies that drive people to consider leaving their marriage
- Why our issues will always follow us to a new relationship
- The essentials of breaking off an affair
- Our personal story navigating infidelity
- And more!
If this topic hit home and you want something practical to dig into, we’ve written three books we want to share with you:
No More Perfect Marriages: https://amzn.to/4bLuwZZ
My Heart is Broken: https://amzn.to/3YQZA32
I Really Messed Up: https://amzn.to/4sJ81Lg
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/recovering-from-infidelity-281
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! We love finding new ways to connect with you, and we hope you enjoy the added experience of watching along as you listen.**
“Yes, I’m having an affair, and I’m not going to stop.”
Hearing these words would be absolutely heartbreaking for anyone. But if you’ve ever navigated infidelity, you’re certainly not alone.
The numbers are staggering, really. Statistics indicate that 65% of men and 55% of women cheat before they turn 40, and that both Christians and non-Christians are prone to similar levels of infidelity.
Infidelity and broken trust have been a significant part of our story, as well as the stories of the couples we coach on a regular basis. After 14 years on this journey of recovery and repair, our marriage has come out stronger on the other side. Now, we want to share what we’ve learned in the hopes that it helps others who are going through the same thing.
This is part one of a four-episode series on recovering from infidelity and broken trust. Even if this doesn’t directly apply to you and your relationship, our hope is that it may help you help someone else.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The four phases of infidelity
- Our personal journey navigating broken trust
- Some factors that contribute to infidelity
- And more!
We hope that this series will be a blessing and encouragement to every couple, regardless of what stage your marriage is in.
If this topic hit home and you want something practical to dig into, we’ve written three books we want to share with you:
No More Perfect Marriages: https://amzn.to/4bLuwZZ
My Heart is Broken: https://amzn.to/3YQZA32
I Really Messed Up: https://amzn.to/4sJ81Lg
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/recovering-from-infidelity-280
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Welcome to the first episode of 2026! As we welcome the new year, a time marked by fresh starts and new routines, it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about making over our mornings!
I personally needed this conversation because I am not a morning person, and I desperately need to make some changes. (Mark would say that I’m only aware of 6 o’clock happening once a day, and that is in the evenings.)
My guest, Tara Beth Leach, is a pastor, speaker, writer, and author. She’s the Senior Pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. Tara has written four books, including The GREAT Morning Revolution: Daily Spiritual Practices for Meaningful Moments with God.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How transforming your mornings can have a deep personal impact
- An acronym to have a GREAT morning
- A framework for lifting up our exaltation to God
- And more!
I hope this conversation has inspired you to make a shift in how you start your day!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/tara-beth-leach-279
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Each year around Christmas, we like to do a special episode where we not only celebrate the holiday, but also look back on the last year and all that God has been teaching us. The days and months can often speed by us, and that’s why it’s so nice to take a moment to pause and reflect.
We are reviewing the entire year before moving into 2026, including why Mark has been on the podcast more (and why he’ll be returning more next year!), what it was like to start the year off with our Life 2.0 Foundation work in Africa, and more.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What we’ve learned in 2025
- The role that waiting plays in the context of Christmas
- Some exciting things that are coming in the new year
- And more!
From our family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/merry-christmas-278
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
We love Christmas! It’s our (and especially Mark’s) favorite time of year. Besides the decorations, presents, cheer, and time with family, Christmas marks a very special event. It’s when God sent His son to earth, which was the greatest expression of His love for us.
In our own personal story of redeeming our marriage together, one of the biggest lessons we learned was what love really looks like. It’s not that we were unloving in the 1.0 version of us; it’s just that we didn’t understand how to love each other and receive love well.
All of us can benefit from maturing our understanding of love. Instead of falling into the trap of giving and receiving love that’s transactional, we need to practice the kind of love that Jesus showed us.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The characteristics of real love
- How Jesus displayed love for us
- Ways we can express sacrificial love for one another
- And more!
We hope this conversation helps you understand the true love that Jesus exemplified when He laid down His life for us!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/love-like-jesus-277
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
Are you feeling restless today? Dissatisfied? Sometimes, when we’re feeling these unpleasant emotions, we can struggle to identify their source.
What you might not realize is that many of those feelings can come from the false beliefs we hold about the world, ourselves, and those around us. Many of us are believing lies that rob us of contentment and cripple our intimacy with God.
For Mark and I, becoming “lie detectors” in our own lives has been a big part of our healing process—both as individuals and as a married couple. That’s why I’m so glad my guest for this conversation is a champion of truth, and he’s here to help us lean away from lies and toward what’s real.
Gary Thomas says that the key to the truly abundant new life God promises starts with unlearning falsehoods we may not even realize we believe. Gary is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry seeks to bring people closer to Christ and to others.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- God’s true purpose for marriage
- Some of the lies that rob us of joy
- The key to having a deep relationship with God and others
- And more!
It was a pleasure to have Gary on the show, as his writing has had such a deep impact on our lives and marriage.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/gary-thomas-276
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest Moms
This week’s episode will look a little bit different, as we are resharing one of our top five episodes of all time with you!
With the holiday season beginning, there will be countless opportunities for relationships to be strained. You’ll encounter many situations where you will have to interact with people that you would rather avoid.
We were designed to be in relationships. However, even though connecting with others is part of our DNA, navigating relationships can also be one of the most challenging parts of life. Joining me to help us explore this topic is PeggySue Wells.
PeggySue is an author, speaker, and coach. She is the best-selling author of 45 books. On top of that, she’s a single mom of 7 kids. PeggySue has a passion for helping people improve their relationships.
We first released this conversation four years ago, and it’s still one of our favorite episodes. The information shared continues to be a great resource for all of us as we head into the holidays and are knee-deep in the sometimes messy but always meaningful work of family relationships.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The five R’s that destroy relationships
- How to get out of common unhealthy cycles
- The benefits God has for us in relationships
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/peggysue-wells-275
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
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- Empty Nest...
Can you believe that the holidays are just around the corner? We recently got our first snow in Illinois, and it’s got us in the holiday spirit!
Along with the merriment and celebrations of this season come various expectations, obligations, and family gatherings to attend. A few years ago, we started a tradition in our family of giving our children the gift of freedom when it comes to holiday events.
While this may be unheard of in some families, this decision has brought our family much relief from the pressures that often come with the holidays. It gives our adult children space to forge their own traditions with their families, and it gives us freedom, too.
This year, we’re traveling to Australia to spend Christmas with our son—something we couldn’t do if we’d insisted that all our kids and their families spend the holidays with us locally. If you’re curious about what it could look like to give the gift of freedom to your own family this holiday season, listen in to hear our best advice.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to let go of rigid schedules
- The greatest gift you can give to your adult children
- Why setting realistic expectations is so important
- And more!
We hope this conversation inspires you to prepare well for the holiday season!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/preparing-for-holidays-274
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Every one of us knows what it’s like to hold prayers that haven’t been answered. That season of waiting can feel like one of the toughest battles of all. I experienced this myself during my marriage crisis, and I can’t tell you the number of times I cried out to the Lord to answer my prayer.
My guest knows what it’s like to live with an unanswered prayer. She searched for over 10 years for her biological father, all the while fervently praying that God would lead her to him.
Dr. Deanna Shrodes is an ordained minister, an author, speaker, and spiritual life strategist. She has been featured in various media outlets, including CBS News and People Magazine. Her latest book is Uncommon Answers: Partnering with the Holy Spirit to Receive Extraordinarily More, and in it she offers fresh hope and faith for those weary for a breakthrough.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- An incredible story of a long-awaited prayer
- How to persevere in prayer
- The importance of continuing to pray even when you don’t receive an answer
- And more!
I was so encouraged by Deanna’s incredible story of answered prayer and her insights on what to do in those long seasons of waiting.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/deanna-shrodes-273
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
When we stand at the altar and say “I do,” our eyes are filled with stars. We’re certain we have found happily ever after.
After the wedding day, we find out that this marriage stuff is way more complicated than we initially thought. Once we are living out our day-to-day routine with another person, we find that challenges abound.
We talk about marriage a lot on this podcast, but today, we are going to get a little more specific. We’re diving deep into how marriage is experienced by men. Our guest for this conversation is Roy Wooten.
Roy is the executive director of The Crucible Project, a nonprofit men’s ministry. He has served as a pastor, ministry executive, coach, and counselor. Roy and his wife have co-authored The Secret to Lifetime Love.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Common tendencies men have within marriage
- Lies satan often uses against men
- The importance of learning how to engage our emotions in a healthy manner
- And more!
We deeply enjoyed Roy’s fresh insight on how men engage in marriage.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/roy-wooten-272
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you heard about the dog and cat marriage? It might sound like a crazy concept, but it’s one that has helped us not only understand each other, but also help other couples understand how attachment styles are impacting their marriage.
We created this idea of “dogs” and “cats” to explain the different attachment styles, and we’ve discovered that applying this concept is one of the top ways we see marriages change and heal in our coaching sessions.
Regardless of whether you are more of a “cat” or a “dog”, everyone can benefit from this helpful analogy to understand how your attachment style plays out in your relationships.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What it means to be a “dog” or a “cat” in your marriage
- Some tools to help you understand your attachment style
- Ways we can move toward a secure attachment style
- And more!
We hope this conversation helps you begin to better understand your attachment style!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/dog-cat-marriage-271
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
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- Empty Nest...
One of the most beautiful gifts we can give to others is our presence in their pain. Knowing you are not alone when you are walking through something hard is so important, especially when it involves the death of a spouse.
When you lose your teammate in life, it’s disorienting, overwhelming, and traumatic. Here to help us understand the difficult circumstances that arise from the passing of a spouse is my guest, Amy Graves Boyd.
Amy’s life took an unexpected turn in 2020 when she faced the loss of her first husband, Bryan. He passed away just three months after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This was not the way life was supposed to go. During and after this dark season, Amy had to navigate not only her own pain, but also the pain of their children who lost their father at such a tender time.
As her family walked through the valley of the shadow of death, Amy experienced God’s tender embrace. Today, she’s passionate about sharing her story of faith, healing, and resilience.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How each family member mourns in different ways
- Practical ways to support someone through the loss of a spouse
- Helpful resources for anyone walking through a loss
- And more!
This conversation was so helpful in learning how to show love and encouragement to a dear friend who is walking through a loss today.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/amy-graves-boyd-270
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
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- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
What is the Next Day Principle?
It’s a practice that we have not only implemented in our own marriage and family, but it’s also something we recommend to other couples in our coaching all the time.
It helps to slow down reactivity, giving you time to clarify your feelings and determine what you still need to take to your spouse. The Next Day Principle is simply this: instead of reacting in the moment of a conflict with the full weight of your frustrations and emotions, you wait until the next day to bring it up with your spouse.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The value of slowing conversation down
- Tips for practicing the Next Day Principle
- The importance of being responsive rather than reactive
- And more!
We hope this conversation blesses you!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/next-day-principle-269
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
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- Empty Nest...
As Christians, we are often unclear about God’s views on sex and intimacy. It can be a struggle to make sense of our temptations, shame, brokenness, longings, or desires. What is more, Christian churches and families are often divided in the nuances of sexuality, neglecting Jesus’ most important call to be unified as His body.
Mark and I often talk about the significance of surrender, but how should that impact our sex life?
My friend Dr. Juli Slattery is deeply familiar with both topics and is here to help us connect the dots between surrender, sex, and sexuality. She is the President and Co-Founder of Authentic Intimacy, a ministry dedicated to reclaiming God’s design for sexuality. She has authored twelve books, including her newest book, Surrendered Sexuality: How Knowing Jesus Changes… Everything.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why Christians can’t ignore the topic of sex and sexuality
- Practical steps to surrender in the area of sexuality
- An encouraging word for anyone struggling with sex
- And more!
It was truly a pleasure to have Juli back on the podcast for this conversation about surrender and sexuality.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/juli-slattery-268
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
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- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
When brokenness strikes, it can feel impossible to know what to say or how to ask for help. Whether that brokenness is due to hard circumstances, an unexpected diagnosis, or the pain of a relationship ending, when we are hurting, all we want to do is retreat.
But it’s in these dark seasons when we need a community to lean on the most. How do we find the strength to reach out when we are battling some of our worst moments? What can we offer our friends who we know are hurting? And can God still use us even when the brokenness never seems to fade away?
My guest today is here to offer clarity and guidance around these questions. Toni Collier is the founder of a global women’s organization called Broken Crayons Still Color. She helps people process through brokenness to get to healing and hope.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to find healing from brokenness
- Common myths we believe about our pain
- The power of having people who will sit with you instead of trying to fix you
- And more!
Toni’s story is full of so much brokenness and pain. Yet, in spite of those circumstances, she has found healing and comfort. Her experience is proof that even the darkest seasons don’t last forever.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/toni-collier-267
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
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- Empty Nest...
Have you ever met someone who was not at all like you? Maybe their thinking, mannerisms, or outlook was so different from your own that you clashed or struggled to connect with them?
The old proverb, “birds of a feather flock together” is a classic because it’s true! Building relationships with people who share your interests, hobbies, opinions, and goals often feels easier than stepping outside your comfort zone.
However, here’s the truth: in any close relationship—whether with a friend, family member, or spouse—differences eventually show up.
It could be that one of you is a saver while the other is a spender, one of you is an early riser and the other a night owl, or even that one of you is an internal processor versus an external processor.
Today, we want to challenge you to think about these differences in your relationships, well, differently!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to move from frustrated to fascinated
- Practical ways to avoid taking differences personally
- Helpful ways to reframe differences in your mind
- And more!
Learning how to work with our differences has helped us so much in our marriage and friendships. We hope this conversation can help you, too!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/differences-differently-266
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
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- Empty Nest...
We have all experienced moments when we wanted more than anything to “keep up with the Joneses.” This comparison trap is nothing new—our parents dealt with it, their parents dealt with it, and so on and so forth.
The only difference? Fifty years ago, the “Joneses” were just the folks down the street. Now, social media lets us keep tabs on hundreds of Joneses from all over the world—morning, noon, and night.
This kind of exposure to the lives of others can allow a constant yearning for what we don’t have to fester in our hearts. If we aren’t careful, it can breed discontentment as we compare our imperfect lives to the greatest hits of someone else’s.
My guest knows what it’s like to long for the shiny things we see on social media. Kate Strickler is the author of I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen. She’s also the creator behind the extremely popular blog and Instagram account, Naptime Kitchen.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How we can pursue joy in our current circumstances
- Some simple mindset shifts we can put into practice today
- How to see our “stuff” as a tool to offer belonging
- And more!
Comparison can easily creep into our hearts. I hope you will be just as encouraged and inspired by this conversation as I was!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/kate-strickler-265
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
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- Empty Nest...
Unexpected news, traumatic events, and unfortunate but common stressors in life—such as a fender bender or learning that you’ve lost your job—can hit us in unexpected ways. While we may not be able to verbalize exactly how we feel in the moment, having a family member, spouse, or close friend be there for us during a hard season can make all the difference in the world.
That’s what we are talking about in this episode—the power of being there for someone else. We’ve experienced this many times in our own lives as we’ve faced unexpected turns of events, loss, and even crisis.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How a simple hug can offer comfort
- Practical ways you can be there for someone
- The God Tool of Courage
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/power-presence-264
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
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- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
For today’s conversation, we are talking very openly about the physical relationship within marriage. (If you have little ears around, consider listening on headphones or waiting until you are alone.)
Many marriage resources presume that the husband has a higher sex drive, but in about 25% of marriages, it’s actually the wife who experiences more feelings of desire.
When women have the higher level of desire for sex and intimacy, they can often experience feelings of rejection when their spouse doesn’t reciprocate. They may even wonder what’s wrong with them, and unfortunately, they often have nowhere to turn for advice.
For nearly 15 years, J. Parker has been the voice behind the blog, Hot, Holy & Humorous. She’s the author of five books on sexual intimacy and marriage, including her most recent title, The Higher Desire Wife: Understanding and Help for Christian Women Navigating Mismatched Sex Drives. J. holds a master’s degree in counseling, but it was her personal testimony that fueled her desire to write about God’s design for sex and marriage.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to navigate sex when you and your spouse’s desires are mismatched
- How your sex drive can change over time
- The benefits of scheduling sex
- And more!
This is a candid conversation I wish had existed early on in my own marriage, and my hope is that you will glean helpful information to guide you in your physical relationship within marriage.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/j-parker-263
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
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- Empty Nest...
This is a special episode with just me (Jill)! For this one, I’m opening up about a topic that is very close to my heart. I wanted to share it this time of year because the end of August is when school starts back up, and as such, many groups such as Bible studies, moms’ groups, and more, are all kicking off.
Through my years of parenting, I’ve found that it can be challenging to integrate into a new group. Meeting new people, finding those who will be closer friends, and discovering your place in the collective takes skill and perseverance.
I know how intimidating it can feel to be the newbie in a group of established friends, and how discouraging it can feel when friendships don’t immediately blossom the way you hoped they would. However, I want to encourage you to keep trying—it’s by no means an easy task to make deep and lasting connections, but it is so worth it.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Helpful principles for making connections
- The importance of having the right mindset
- Why you should make the first move
- And more!
I hope these tips will help you make better connections in groups and find friends who speak to your heart. This episode also features helpful guidance for group leaders who want to make sure they’re cultivating environments that are warm and welcoming!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/group-connection-262
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
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- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Our words have the power to encourage and inspire others. They also have the power to put down, shame, and discourage. In this conversation, we are looking at the power of our words. Joining me for this discussion is someone who has personal experience with the impact our words can have in relationships—especially within marriage.
Ann Wilson spent more than a decade longing for a better marriage. Every chance she got, Ann told her husband how much she wished he were more attentive, more helpful, and just all around better. While she thought she was being helpful, in reality, her words were badgering him with constant critiques that nearly broke their marriage.
No matter how long you’ve been married, you won’t want to skip this episode on how our words can make the difference between merely wishing things were different in our relationship and actually changing it for the better.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Practical ways to speak life to your husband
- A powerful prayer to recite
- Why you should talk to Jesus BEFORE talking to your spouse
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/ann-wilson-episode-261
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
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- Empty Nest...
“What does it mean to hold space for someone?”
A listener recently sent us this question—and it’s such a good one.
Simply put, holding space means being emotionally and physically present with someone’s feelings—without judging, making it about you, trying to fix it, or getting defensive.
The beauty of this practice is that it works in almost any relationship. You can hold space for your spouse, friends, family, neighbors, coworkers—you name it!
We don’t know about you, but we’ve noticed the phrase “holding space” showing up everywhere lately. Still, even with its growing popularity, many people aren’t entirely sure what it really means. So whether it’s brand new to you or you’ve heard it before but want to gain a deeper understanding of why it’s valuable and how you can use it to support the people you love, we’re here to unpack what it looks like in action.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why it’s important to hold space for one another
- How to set yourself up to listen well
- Practical tips for holding space for someone
- And more!
We hope this conversation is helpful as you begin to practice holding space for the people in your life!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/hold-space-260
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
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We all know marriage isn’t easy. Bringing together two people with different life experiences, opinions, and family backgrounds takes a whole lot of intentionality, grace, and growth.
When neurological differences enter this complex equation, you need an additional set of tools in order to maintain a healthy marriage.
My guest, Shawna Meek, is here to help us understand what it can look like to navigate neurological differences within a marriage relationship. She has been through three separations with her husband, infidelity, and his late diagnosis as an adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is a professional certified coach and an author. Shawna’s primary focus is supporting women who have gone through betrayal and trauma, and helping couples who have experienced infidelity in a neurodiverse marriage where Autism or Asperger’s profiles are present.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What it means to have a love addiction
- Some of the ways neurodivergence affects a marriage
- Strategies for helping a spouse who is neurodivergent
- And more!
I’m excited to share this conversation with you today as we discuss some helpful tools for navigating a neurodivergent marriage.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/shawna-meek-259
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
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- Empty Nest...
We live in a world full of distractions. Technology is always with us, pulling our focus away from the present with notifications that ping at all hours of the day and night. On top of that, many of us deal with internal distractions like insecurity, the desire for perfection, or the stress of trying to do it all.
These distractions can often crowd out the still, small voice of God—if we let them. My friend, Peg Arnold, understands the struggle of grappling with distractions well. She is an author, speaker, and teacher whose passion is to encourage women to understand their true value and purpose so they can utilize their gifts in everyday life.
One of Peg’s recent books, Devotions for the Distracted Heart, helps those of us who tend to be distracted find focus on God and His Word so that we can stand strong in the winds of life. Peg also helps us understand that delays and detours are not always a bad thing—in fact, they can sometimes be blessings.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Practical tips for dealing with distractions
- The power of reframing our schedules
- How God might use detours to strengthen our faith
- And more!
This conversation was a delight—it’s full of helpful tips we can use to shift our perspective. Enjoy!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/peg-arnold-258
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
We are excited to have another listener-submitted question to discuss! This question really hit home with us because it resonated with obstacles we’ve recently overcome in our own lives. It reminded us of the powerful emotional growth and healing that can be achieved in a marriage.
The question was: “Is the woman in the marriage relationship the one who does most of the heavy lifting as far as promoting emotional growth toward each other?”
You know, we find that 75% of the time, it is the woman who is pursuing and initiating things that will promote emotional growth. However, this is less because of gender and more due to attachment styles.
If you didn’t know, we love to talk about attachment styles because of how pivotal this concept has been in our marriage, our emotional intelligence, and our individual growth. Your attachment style will determine all sorts of things about how you relate to your spouse—such as if you reach out to them for connection or feel smothered by attention.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How people with different attachment styles engage in a relationship
- The underlying reason you long for connection
- Next steps to develop more secure attachment
- And more!
We have certainly benefited from learning about our attachment styles, and we hope this helps you as well!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/emotional-growth-257
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Life can be full of uncertainty. Whether it’s moving to a new city, starting a new job, or walking through a difficult time, we don’t always know how things will work out in the end. When that happens, we can feel frozen by fear and unsure of what our next step should be.
Thankfully, my friend Katie Reid knows what it’s like to face uncertainty and has some helpful encouragement for us. Katie is a Bible teacher, author, podcaster, pastor’s wife, worship leader, and mom. She recently released her latest book, God, What Do I Do?: A Bible Study on Judges 1–5 About Making Wise Decisions in Uncertain Times.
Katie has said that some of the best decisions she’s ever made include following Jesus, marrying her husband, and becoming a mom to five kids. She brings such a steady, grace-filled voice into conversations like this one.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to get unstuck in your decision-making
- Six decisions you can make even when the future feels unclear
- Where to turn when you are facing hard circumstances
- And more!
Katie is a dear friend, and it’s always a joy to have her share her wisdom on the podcast.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/katie-reid-256
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
We’re back for another special conversation, this time about the topic of accountability. When most people think of accountability, they imagine someone asking them tough questions—almost like it’s a police interrogation and they’re in the hot seat. The problem with that mindset is, if the other person doesn’t ask us the “right” questions, then we think we’re off the hook. We don’t have to offer up anything we don’t want to share.
That’s how we viewed accountability before walking through our marriage crisis. But once trust was broken, we realized we needed something different. Something stronger. Rather than seeing accountability as someone else’s job, we began to view it as something we take responsibility for. We started to “push accountability.”
What that looks like in real life is this: the person who is holding themselves accountable takes the lead. They offer up the information their spouse needs in order to feel safe. It’s not about being monitored. It’s about choosing to be known, and choosing to help rebuild trust one honest conversation at a time.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What it means to open up your life to accountability
- Parameters for pushing accountability well
- Ways to offer reassurance and rebuild trust once it has broken
- And more!
We hope this skill is as beneficial for your relationship as it has been in our marriage!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/push-accountability-255
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Whether you are experiencing a prolonged period of stress or just having a bad day, everyone experiences times of emotional strain. Our jobs can often overwhelm us with pressure-filled deadlines. Our family budget may be tight, which causes us to worry about making ends meet. Sometimes, our family relationships are tense and filled with conflict—whether that be with our spouse or extended family.
There are so many things in life that can be the source of our stress. Although stress may be unavoidable, I want you to know that we don’t have to get stuck in a cycle of never-ending worry. That’s why I’ve asked my friend, Barb Roose, to join me for a conversation about how the Bible can lead us to be stronger than stress.
Barb is a speaker and an author who is passionate about equipping women to be strong and courageous so that they can experience God’s great adventure of faith and purpose for their lives. She has authored eight Bible studies and five books, including Stronger Than Stress: 10 Spiritual Practices to Win the Battle of Overwhelm.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The surprising effects stress can have on our lives
- How to take your stress to God
- A helpful practice called “Hands up, Hands down”
- And more!
Barb has been a dear friend to me through the years, and it’s always a pleasure to hear her insights and wisdom.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/barb-roose-254
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
If you’re listening on the day this releases, then tomorrow (6/25/2025) is our 42nd wedding anniversary! We can’t believe that it’s already been more than four decades since we walked down the aisle to say our “I do’s”.
Would you believe that our first big argument occurred on our honeymoon? We had a lot of good times in those early years, but they were also the beginning of some recurring conflicts and struggles for us.
As we reflect back on 42 years of marriage, one of the things that has made a big difference in the health of our relationship is learning how to make requests instead of hoping, wishing, or hinting at what we wanted or needed. In today’s conversation, we are discussing why this was a game-changer and how you can incorporate this practice into your own marriage.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- The importance of discovering your needs
- How hinting and hoping can damage your marriage
- How unexpressed expectations build resentment
- And more!
We hope this skill is as beneficial for your relationship as it has been in our marriage!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/hint-hope-253
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
An estimated 100 million people in the United States have some sort of “step” relationship. This could be a stepchild, a stepparent, or even a stepsibling. These relationships are often part of what’s known as a “blended” family, where individuals come together from previous relationships to form a new, unique family unit.
Blended families face many challenges and difficulties that other families don’t necessarily have to navigate. They have to build new relationships within the parent-child and sibling dynamics that have already been established. It can feel awkward at times, and kids may even struggle with feeling like their stepparent is trying to replace or force a bond.
While we don’t have personal experience on this topic, our guests do—and they are here to share their wisdom with us. Paul and Jeannette Savage are a Colorado-based couple with a blended family of five adult children and five grandchildren. Together, they authored Blended: Navigating the Challenges and Joys of a Stepfamily.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Common challenges blended families face
- The importance of avoiding defensiveness
- How to preserve the original parent-child bond
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/paul-jeannette-savage-252
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
We are doing another episode to answer your questions! Last time we did this, a listener asked to hear more about “Jill 1.0”. For this conversation, we have received a question for Mark! Here’s the message that came in via email:
Dear Mark, I listen to every episode that you and Jill put out there. In one of the episodes, you described a “chaos” going on inside your brain and how you’ve experienced healing from it. I want that more than anything.
The chaos in my brain seems insurmountable. I can’t believe it could ever change because it has been a part of me for my entire life. You did an episode about how Jill moved from the 1.0 version of herself to the 2.0 version, but I need to hear how Mark went from 1.0 to 2.0.
Thank you so much for submitting this question! We know how overwhelming it can feel to struggle with inner turmoil, and we’re so happy that you reached out for guidance. Over the years, as we’ve been publicly sharing our story, we’ve taken a lot of time to consider the core elements that helped us move from the old 1.0 versions of ourselves to the new 2.0 versions—and we’re here to share some of our insights with you.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- The acronym Mark uses to describe the chaos
- How to retrain your thoughts
- The importance of making requests
- And more!
We hope this conversation is helpful for anyone struggling to understand their brain or who needs to hear that there is hope.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/old-version-mark-251
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
If you’re familiar with the journey Mark and I have walked together, then you know that I spent a year “standing for my marriage” while Mark had an affair and separated. (You can explore more about our story here.) It was the darkest season of my life—and also the season that produced the most personal, emotional, and spiritual growth I’ve ever experienced.
My guest for this conversation has a similar story. Jason Carver is a pastor and the founder of Standing Supernaturally For Marriage Restoration Ministry. He has served in various pastoral roles in the church for over 35 years and is also a Certified Christian Counselor through the National Association of Christian Counselors.
Whether you are currently separated, in the midst of a divorce, or praying for restoration after divorce, we want you to know that God can do an amazing work in your personal life and relationship.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How God can resurrect dead things
- The importance of maintaining hope
- Practical steps to stand for your marriage
- And more!
I am so grateful to bring you even more stories of marriages that have been restored.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/jason-carver-250
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Over the years, we’ve had our fair share of expectations that ended in disappointment—sometimes around big moments like birthdays, and other times over something as simple as how we spend a Saturday.
It’s taken us a while to discover that what caused many of these conflicts was a lack of proactive communication, or as we like to say, a failure to “push information.” Pushing information is simply taking the time to communicate in advance your current hopes and desires (or even how you are used to doing things in the past).
Pushing information to your spouse may take some time and effort upfront, but we know from experience what a valuable tool this strategy can be in avoiding unnecessary arguments and hurt.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- The importance of comparing your “normals”
- Why proactive communication is key for healthy relationships
- Practical tips for being clear with your expectations
- And more!
This has been such a helpful tool that we’ve used in coaching and in our marriage! We hope it helps you turn confusion and disappointment into clarity and contentment.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/less-arguments-249
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Every marriage is an ongoing story with its own highs and lows, joys and difficulties. Depending on which season we are in, we may start to see marriage as the best thing that has ever happened to us or the source of our angst.
If you’ve been following our journey for a while, you know that my husband Mark and I share openly about the struggles as well as the victories in our marriage. God has used every obstacle we’ve encountered to grow us in so many ways.
The truth we hope you walk away with today is that marriage is actually our ultimate invitation to grow. If we allow it, God will use our marriage to shape us into someone who is deeper, healthier, and more rooted in Christ. Our guest believes wholeheartedly that if we are willing to examine the stories of our past that are influencing the present, we can write a new story for the future.
Dr. Dan Allender has a long history in the therapy world. As the author of over two dozen books and the founder of The Allender Center, he believes that true healing and restoration occur when we courageously step into our stories of pain.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The value of vulnerably stepping into each other’s pasts
- Why it’s important to disrupt destructive patterns
- One of the key factors to resolve any conflict
- And more!
These principles have proven so beneficial in our marriage. We hope this conversation helps you write a new story for your own relationships.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/dan-allender-248
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
©2025 FamilyLife. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.
If we’re being completely honest, many of us enter into marriage with stars in our eyes and the hope that our spouse will live up to our every expectation. Isn’t it funny how we can spend months preparing every last detail for our marriage ceremony—yet we spend little, if any, time preparing our mindsets for what our marriage will actually look like in practice?
That reality often shows up fast—like the moment you realize the person you just vowed forever to puts the toilet paper on the roll backward! No matter how big or small they may be, unmet expectations can cause conflict, disappointment, and frustrations to develop in your marriage and other relationships.
Today, we have the honor of sharing a special episode with you. Earlier this year, Mark and I did a workshop on managing expectations in marriage for the FamilyLife Love Like You Mean It Cruise (which we highly recommend!). With their permission, we wanted to share it with you as well.
While this message was created for married couples, the reality is that all of us need to manage our expectations better. After all, they can impact all areas of our lives—from our kids, to our extended family, and even our friendships.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- Four types of expectations
- Where unrealistic expectations come from
- How we use cats and dogs to describe attachment styles
- And more!
Understanding how expectations may be showing up in your relationships can help you avoid dynamics that contribute to discontentment, disappointment, and more. We hope you enjoy this special episode—recorded in front of a live audience!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/managing-expectations-247
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you heard some variation of this before?
“Marriage is hard. It’s unfair. One of you will always pull more weight. Marriage doesn’t make you happy; it makes you miserable.”
I'd like to push back against that pessimistic mindset. Yes, it’s true that marriage can be challenging—but it can also be one of the greatest relationships you will experience!
Marriage is certainly not easy, but it can be easier if we approach it the right way. Joining us to share her insights on doing just this is my friend, Arlene Pellicane. Arlene is a speaker, host of the Happy Home podcast, and author of several books including Parents Rising, Screen Kids, and Making Marriage Easier. Arlene has been featured on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, the Wall Street Journal, and Focus on the Family.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The four decisions that deeply impacted Arlene’s marriage
- Why you should silence your phone while spending time with your spouse
- The benefits of trying something new together
- And more!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Arlene, and she has so many great tips on how to make marriage easier.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/arlene-pellicane-246
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
When a loved one hurts, it can be hard to know how to respond and support them through the crisis or pain they feel.
Our first response is often to jump straight into “fix it” mode or lighten the mood by offering platitudes. However, the key to true comfort lies in a few key areas that Mark and I are going to talk about in this conversation. In our story, we’ve had quite the journey of learning how to best support one another—whether we are experiencing physical pain, emotional hurt, or just a difficult season of life.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- Some examples of crises and pain a loved one may be experiencing
- The importance of sitting in the pain with someone else
- A few ways to practically support someone going through a crisis
- And more!
Through my cancer journey and our marriage crisis, we received so much help and comfort from our friends, our family, and each other. We hope you will feel more equipped to offer support to a loved one after listening to this candid conversation.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/hurting-loved-one-245
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
If you know my husband Mark and I, then you know we are passionate about moving people from a 1.0 version of themselves to a new-and-improved 2.0 version. We’ve taken this journey ourselves and know the difference it can make in your relationships, as well as how you view yourself.
We want you to know that whether you are navigating a life transition, experiencing a relationship crisis, trying to rediscover your purpose, or looking for direction on how to move forward, you are always just one choice away from making a change.
Today, we have two incredible guests joining us to explore this topic. Justin and Trish Davis are pastors, speakers, coaches, and the founders of Refine Us Ministries. Through their powerful story of failure, loss, and transformation, they help others find renewed hope and purpose. Justin and Trish have co-authored and individually authored several books, the latest being One Choice Away from Change: Break the Cycles That Hurt Your Relationships and Hold You Back.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How God restored their relationship after an affair
- Common barriers that hold us back in life
- Practical steps to take when you feel stuck
- And more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/justin-trish-davis-244
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Everyone has baggage. We carry it around with us everywhere–into marriage, adulthood, and every aspect of our lives. It’s part of being human, and while there’s no shame in having baggage, it’s important to take the time to consider how the behaviors we’ve picked up over the years could be potentially harmful to ourselves and others.
The question we are addressing in today’s conversation is: how do we pinpoint our baggage and begin to heal those areas of our lives? We define “baggage” as places where we need to pursue personal growth, instances of trauma or hurt from the past that remain unhealed, and learned behaviors, habits, and thinking patterns from our childhood that no longer serve us.
Whether you are married, dating, or single, doing the individual work to unpack your baggage is an investment you will never regret making. You may also want to consider working with a coach, counselor, or therapist to assist you in your journey.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- The importance of discovering your baggage
- How to look back at the past to uncover unhealthy coping mechanisms
- Why we should pay attention to relational feedback
- And more!
Dealing with our own baggage has been transformative in our marriage, and it played a crucial role in our individual journeys to become Jill 2.0 and Mark 2.0. We hope this conversation can be a stepping stone for others to dig deeper into their own habits and behaviors.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/uncover-baggage-243
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
What does your morning routine look like? A typical morning may look like rolling out of bed, getting ready, and grabbing breakfast to feed your body before you tackle the day. But how often do you prioritize feeding your soul as well as your physical body?
My guest for this conversation discovered that there is no better way to start her day than by sitting with Jesus. Tera Elness is a writer and a speaker. In her first book, Sitting with Jesus: A Yearlong Faith Journey, each individual entry is a glimpse into her personal journal as she shares with God and about God.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The importance of opening God’s Word
- What your time with God could look like
- How Tera uses 80s music to deliver a biblical message
- And more!
If you long to have vibrant, personal, and fulfilling moments connecting with our Heavenly Father, you won’t want to miss this conversation with my friend Tera.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/tera-elness-242
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you ever had a conversation where it seemed like you and the other person kept misunderstanding one another? At some point, it may have even felt like you were speaking two different languages. This is a challenge that pops up in many marriages—after all, there’s a reason why people say men and women could be from different planets!
Teaching others how to have safe conversations is a passion of ours, as this skill has played a big role in taking our marriage to the next level. You may have heard us teach about this topic if you’ve done coaching with us or attended one of our No More Perfect Marriages Seminars. Today, we’re honored to speak with two professionals whose work has significantly shaped the way couples everywhere approach healthy dialogue.
Harville Hendrix, Ph.D, and Helen Hunt, Ph.D., are the creators of Safe Conversations®, a training institute focused on relational intervention. They are the co-authors of three New York Times bestsellers, including Getting the Love You Want, which has sold over four million copies. Married for over 40 years, they have six children and seven grandchildren, and they split their time between Dallas and New York City.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why it’s important to listen more than we speak
- The elements of a safe conversation
- Two things you can try during your next “negative” conversation
- And more!
We are thrilled to have gotten the opportunity to sit down with the two people who laid the groundwork for our understanding of safe conversations!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/hendrix-hunt-241
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Dear Mark & Jill,
I listen to your podcast every week and I love it. It seems like when you are talking together, we hear a lot more about what Mark did wrong before and during your marriage crisis. I identify more with Jill’s personality before your marriage crisis. I would love to hear more about “Jill 1.0” when you are discussing problems in your marriage. What were some of the things you (Jill) did during that time that you felt did not help the situation, and how did you correct them to become Jill 2.0?
This was an email we got from a listener—and it sparked an hour-long conversation between Mark and I! It was such a good question that we decided to answer their email in this episode of the podcast.
We often talk openly about our marriage crisis, Mark’s infidelity, and how I contributed to the dysfunction in our marriage before we became what we affectionately refer to as Mark & Jill 2.0.
For this conversation, we want to examine Jill 1.0 more closely—not to blame her for what happened, but to honestly consider the role she played in our marriage crisis.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- The 6 dysfunctions Jill brought into our marriage
- What the “strong woman, silent man cycle” looks like
- The characteristics of an “avoider”
- And more!
It was enlightening for Mark and I to examine some of my behaviors during the first half of our marriage and how they impacted our relationship. I hope this can be a helpful resource for you, especially if you relate to or have a similar personality to mine.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/old-version-jill-240
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
As a coach, one of the things I do most often is help people learn how to manage their emotions in a healthy way. The human capacity to feel is God-given. However, when our feelings go unchecked, that’s when emotional ups and downs can start to steal our peace, sabotage our relationships, and fill our minds with self-defeating thoughts.
So how can we manage our emotions instead of letting them manage us? Alicia Michelle is here to show us the way. Alicia is a coach, author, speaker, course creator, and podcast host. She blends science and faith together to provide us with a helpful process for working through difficult feelings with compassion and clarity.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The three-step process to managing emotions
- Why it’s important to ground our feelings in God’s clarity
- How we get to decide where we camp out in our feelings
- And more!
My hope is that the strategies in this conversation will help you develop a healthier, more positive relationship with your feelings.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/alicia-michelle-239
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Mark and I are excited to bring you another special episode with just the two of us! In this conversation, we are talking about confirmation bias. It’s something we have experienced in our own relationship and we see it time and time again in the couples we coach.
Confirmation bias occurs when we look for evidence that “proves” what we have already decided to believe about ourselves or others. It’s a dangerous thing, because our assumptions are often incorrect. When we put on the blinders to any information that contradicts what we want to believe, we make it almost impossible to let go of flawed ideas.
Confirmation bias not only affects our marriages—it can also impact our friendships, family relationships, what we believe about God, and what we think about ourselves. It’s so important to identify the relationships in which we are experiencing confirmation bias and take steps to root our thoughts in reality rather than assumptions.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- How confirmation bias harms relationships
- What steps we need to take to change our perspective
- Why it’s important to take our thoughts captive
- And more!
We’ve experienced the damage confirmation bias can cause firsthand, and we hope this conversation helps you identify it in your own thoughts and beliefs. The first step to letting go of this bias is being aware it exists and observing how it manifests in you.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/confirmation-bias-238
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
As Christian parents, we do our very best to help our kids develop deep and lasting relationships with Jesus. However, despite our efforts, they will sometimes still choose to walk away from their faith. If you’re navigating this struggle with your own child, I want you to know that you are not alone and that this episode is for you.
Many parents are experiencing the pain of watching their children live life without Christ. Whether your son or daughter has been drawn away by the allure of a secular lifestyle, fallen into the wrong crowd, or simply turned away from the faith they claimed as a child, it can be difficult to know the best way to help them.
My latest guest understands this dilemma well. Laine Lawson Craft is a parenting expert, author, speaker, and host of the Warfare Parenting Podcast. She believes that the best place for parents to fight the battle for their wayward children is on their knees.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why prayer is not a last resort
- How to place your child in the Lord’s hands
- The importance of tending to your own heart
- And more!
Whether your children are still at home or out on their own, it's never too early to start covering them in prayer!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/laine-lawson-craft-237
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
The topic of this episode was inspired by a question submitted by one of our listeners:
What does it take to heal a family after trust has been broken? How do you acknowledge the wider influence of pain, and where do you go from there?
As marriage coaches, we often talk about healing your relationship with your spouse. However, after a betrayal, your husband or wife isn’t the only person you need to consider. It’s also important to make amends with family and friends who’ve been affected by your actions.
Trust can be broken by infidelity, separation, or divorce—but also by false promises, financial misuse, uncontrolled anger, and more. Regardless of how it happened, the first step to rebuilding is recognizing how your choices impact not just your marriage, but those around you. After that, healing what has been damaged takes time, effort, and intentionality.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- Why infidelity is just one of many ways that trust can be broken
- How to recognize which relationships in your life need repairing after a betrayal
- Helpful principles for rebuilding trust
- And much more!
We’ve walked the hard road of healing from broken trust as a family, and we hope this conversation is helpful as you navigate this challenging—but essential—journey.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/broken-trust-236
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
One of the things we say time and time again is that the “perfection infection” happens when we compare our insides to other people’s outsides. When we do this, we often come up with inaccurate conclusions about ourselves AND others.
Falling into the trap of the perfection infection is especially easy when you’re on social media. Not only are your favorite influencers putting the best parts of their lives on public display, but all your friends and family are often doing the same. It’s natural to want to highlight happy moments, but constantly scrolling through everyone’s best bits can sometimes make you feel like you’re not measuring up.
This is one of the reasons why we share so honestly and openly about the real stuff in our lives…even when that stuff is ugly, hard, or imperfect.
Our guests today can certainly relate to this sentiment. Rebecca St. James and her husband, Cubbie Fink, illuminate the heartaches and triumphs that have shaped their story as a married couple, as parents, as musicians, and—most of all—as Jesus followers in their first co-authored book, Lasting Ever.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How authenticity shows both the highs and the lows of life
- Where to find security in who we are
- What to do when you are going through a dark season
- And so much more…
We so enjoyed having Rebecca and Cubbie share their story and we hope it helps to take some of the perfection infection’s weight off your shoulders today.
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/rebecca-st-james-235
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
What is a “Midlife Marriage”? It’s the season of life that begins after the whirlwind of kids’ soccer practices, dance recitals, and endless extracurriculars comes to an end—when the nest is empty, and it’s just you and your spouse, rediscovering life together.
As parents, it’s natural to focus all your energy on raising your children, and while this journey is so rewarding, it can take a lot out of you. What we have discovered in our coaching and in our own marriage is that, when all of your kids have ventured out on their own, many couples lose the original connection that brought them together. It’s almost as if they have become strangers in the empty nester season of life.
While maneuvering this midlife marriage stage may sound daunting and you might be wondering if you can ever rekindle your love again, we are here to say that there is life and love after kids!
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- How to build patterns into your marriage that nurture connection
- Ways you can start reigniting the flame
- A template for starting the “midlife marriage” conversation with your spouse
- And much more!
We hope this conversation is helpful to you, whether you’re still in your parenting phase or quickly approaching your midlife marriage!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/midlife-marriages-234
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
After 20 years of youth ministry, my son-in-law recently completed a much-needed, four-month sabbatical. It’s encouraging to see that, more and more, both employees and their employers are valuing the soul-satisfying, replenishing healing that comes with taking a break from your normal routine.
God invites us to a weekly Sabbath, a one-day rest. My guest today agrees that Sabbath is important—and she says that soup is one simple way that busy women can make a weekly sabbatical a practical possibility.
Kathi Lipp is the Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author of over 20 books, including Sabbath Soup, Clutter Free, and The Accidental Homesteader. She is also a national speaker and podcast host. Kathi and her husband, Roger, ran away to the mountains of northern California, where they grow their own food together and turn it into delicious meals!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The practical benefits of a Sabbath
- How God invites us to rest
- Why soup is the best meal for the Sabbath
- And so much more…
This episode is full of great tips for incorporating a weekly Sabbath into your routine!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/kathi-lipp-233
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
What role does prayer play in your marriage? For us, prayer has been a profoundly positive force in our lives—both as individuals and as a couple. When it comes to strengthening your marriage, there are many tools and strategies to explore, but prayer is one you simply can’t overlook. It’s a powerful way to invite God into your relationship and deepen your connection with one another.
This is an extra special episode for us, because we have two new books on prayer coming out this week: 199 Prayers for My Wife and 199 Prayers for My Husband.
This is a passion project we’ve had in the works for a while, and we’re so thrilled to finally share it with you! These books are a daily guide for lifting your spouse in prayer, and they will be released on January 29th.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- A practical definition of prayer
- How God uses prayer to help both you and your spouse grow
- Why prayer can transform your marriage
- And much more!
We are covering all things prayer in this conversation and
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you ever felt out of sync with your spouse? Some days it can feel like you are on two different planets and you just can’t seem to get on the same page.
Our guests for this episode can relate! They are the authors of The Rhythm of Us and co-hosts of a podcast by the same name. Chris and Jenni Graebe understand the ups and downs of marriage and are passionate about helping married couples step into the plan and purpose God has for their lives.
As the name of their book and podcast suggests, we are discussing the rhythms of a healthy marriage and how to get back in sync with your spouse.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The five rhythms of marriage
- How small acts of service can have a big impact
- The importance of pursuing adventure
- And so much more...
The wisdom from other couples is so invaluable and our hope is that you would find nuggets of wisdom nestled in the rhythms of life!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/chris-jenni-graebe-231
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Are you struggling with connection in your marriage? Has it been ages since you and your spouse laughed together? We get it. Life gets busy when you are constantly managing to-do lists, taking your kids from one place to another, and more. When your schedule is already overflowing, it can feel almost impossible to carve out meaningful moments to laugh, play, and bond with your spouse.
That's why Mark and I are discussing the importance of prioritizing fun in marriage—and why finding a common interest to invest in is a great way to get started toward this goal. Having fun with your spouse takes work and intentionality, but it is well worth the effort!
In this episode, you'll learn about:
- Slow fades that can occur in your relationship
- The value of engaging in fun with your spouse
- Why you should stay curious in your marriage
- And much more!
As we kick off 2025, we hope this episode encourages you to find time for fun in your relationship!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/fun-together-230
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Do you find it challenging to make exercise a daily part of your routine? If so, you are not alone! This time of year, many people make New Year’s resolutions that revolve around the gym. When Mark and I decided we wanted to take our fitness more seriously, we reached out to today’s guest to help us get on the right path.
James Webster helps people prioritize physical fitness in their lives. He is a fitness coach dedicated to helping believers transform their health and well-being. With over 15 years of experience helping his clients achieve and maintain their health goals, James inspires others to not only prioritize their health but also to keep God first in their lives.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- James’ personal story of overcoming addiction and finding hope in fitness
- How faith and fitness can connect to contribute to a fulfilling life
- Tips for finding success as you pursue your health goals
- And so much more…
Our hope is that this episode will be helpful for discovering how your faith and fitness journeys can cross paths!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/james-webster-229
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Welcome to the last episode of the No More Perfect Podcast for 2024!
At the end of each year, we like to take a moment to look back at everything that happened during the last 12 months and look ahead at all the opportunities the upcoming year holds. We’ve been blessed to have so many wonderful experiences in 2024, and the path of our lives this year has taught us a few important lessons that we haven’t talked about openly until now.
We are so excited to share what’s been on our hearts, what God has been teaching us, and what we have to look forward to in 2025.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How and what God has been teaching us this year
- What we are most looking forward to in 2025
- A few encouraging words as we close out 2024
- And much more!
We hope this conversation is helpful as you reflect on this past year and look forward to the next!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/behind-the-scenes-228
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Do you find yourself knee-deep in the mundane and longing for something more? Are the rhythms of routine dulling your life? If so, my latest guest says that a little bit of delight, whimsy, and spontaneity may be just what you need.
Bob Goff is the NY Times Bestselling author of many books, including two of my favorites—Love Does and Everybody Always. He's a lover of balloons, cake pops, and helping people pursue their big dreams.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- A biblical basis for creating whimsy
- How this approach led Bob face-to-face with giraffes (yes, really!)
- What you can do to create more curiosity in your life
- And so much more...
This conversation was such a delight for me and I hope it will be for you too!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/bob-goff-227
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Are you gearing up for your very first Empty Nest Christmas? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned Empty Nester who is looking for fresh, new ideas that will help you make the most of this holiday season?
When we experienced our first Christmas as Empty Nesters, it was jarring—we had to work through all sorts of conflicting emotions. We felt the freedom of being able to do whatever we wanted, but this was mixed with the sadness of not gathering with all our children and their families.
Now that we have a few Empty Nest Christmases under our belts, we wanted to share what we’ve learned, how we’ve grown, and the key principles you can use to navigate your next Empty Nest Christmas with grace and confidence.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Various emotions you may encounter and how to deal with them
- Touching stories from fellow listeners
- What to let go of vs. what to hold on to
- And much more!
We hope this conversation is helpful as you set new traditions for your family!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/empty-nest-christmas-226
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Did you know we homeschooled our children for a while? Whether or not you’ve done the same, every parent serves as a teacher to their children in one way or another—in fact, we do it every single day! We may not always consider the lessons we’re passing on to our kids, but there are so many benefits to discipling a child’s heart with intentionality and purpose.
I can think of no one better to help guide a conversation on this crucial topic than Leslie Nunnery.
Leslie is a Christian author, speaker, and homeschooling advocate. She founded Teach Them Diligently, a ministry that provides resources and experiences to strengthen Christian homeschooling families. Leslie has written several books on parenting and homeschooling, including Teach Them Diligently: Raising Children of Promise and Heart School: How Amazing Parents Become Excellent Home Educators.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What it means to “heart school” children
- Why it’s important to live out your faith
- How heart schooling can come from anyone to anyone
- And so much more…
This was a fantastic conversation that I can’t wait to share with you!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/leslie-nunnery-225
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
With Christmas right around the corner, we decided it was the perfect time to sit down and have a chat about the expectations that can go hand-in-hand with the holiday season.
Whether you’re a new parent, an empty nester, or somewhere in between, we’re willing to bet you’re all too aware of holiday expectations. After all, they seem to come at us from every direction—from our family members, traditions we see in movies, and even social media.
When the holidays don’t go as planned, it can leave us feeling disappointed, unhappy, and disconnected from our loved ones. The truth is, nobody benefits from the burden of these expectations—so let’s let them go. This winter, rather than spending your time frantically rushing to and fro, consider with us how we can better manage our expectations around this busy season.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How a simple mindset adjustment can help you have a great holiday season
- Our six strategies for managing expectations
- Why you should survey your family about what they really want to do
- And much more!
We hope this conversation helps you set realistic expectations and maximize your connection with your loved ones!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/holiday-expectations-224
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
When was your last conflict? Whether it was a spat with your spouse or a clash with a close friend, odds are it felt pretty intense. Most likely, it made you feel disconnected from a person you really care about.
Most of us don't think of conflict as a way of connecting in a relationship. In fact, I think most of us would describe it as the opposite! My guest, however, wants to change that perspective.
Dana Che Williams is a speaker, a writer, a marriage coach, and the host of the Rebuilding Us podcast. She loves to encourage, empower, and equip people to step up more confidently and courageously in their lives and relationships.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Why we should consider conflict an opportunity for connection
- How conflict shows us areas of personal growth
- The good things that await you on the other side of conflict
- And so much more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/dana-che-williams-223
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Has your life been turned upside down? Are you walking through hardship? Do your future plans feel completely shaken up? If so, you may be in the midst of what I like to call a “life quake”. A life quake is what happens when our circumstances change drastically, and suddenly, we find ourselves in a whole new season of life we may not have been expecting.
Regardless of your age or situation, life quakes happen. When they do, we have to learn how to look forward rather than back. Joining me for an enlightening conversation on this topic is Tracie Miles. Tracie is a best-selling author, the director of COMPEL Writers Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries, and the founder of the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Program.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- What it means to embrace God’s plan, even when it’s not what you envisioned
- Why moving forward even when you’re afraid is the key to building confidence
- How you have the power to reshape your life through intentional action
- And so much more!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/tracie-miles-222
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Can you remember the last time a kind word lifted you up? Perhaps it came from a trusted friend or our boss reminded you of how you are particularly skilled at what you do. Words of encouragement do more than just let us know we are appreciated or noticed. They have the power to supercharge our sense of well-being and even boost our productivity as we know that the effort we are putting in does not go unnoticed.
Joining me for this conversation on the power of encouragement is my friend, Jordan Montgomery. Jordan is a highly regarded performance coach and keynote speaker who travels the country speaking and coaching executives at Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, and salespeople. Jordan lives in Iowa with his wife, Ashley, and their four children.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How brokenness is necessary to know encouragement
- Tips on how to encourage well
- Why anyone can offer encouragement
- And so much more!
I hope this conversation is helpful as we learn about the power encouragement can have in our lives!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/jordan-montgomery-221
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you ever felt more like roommates than husband and wife? Most couples go into marriage with forever in mind, but then life happens. There are times when you may find yourself clashing with your spouse, and instead of growing closer together, you are being driven further apart.
In these cases, you have three options: get divorced and co-parent if you have children, wait until the children are grown and then divorce, or get radical about turning your marriage around.
Joining us to discuss this important topic is a couple who chose the third option. Tony and Alisa DiLorenzo are the hosts of the top marriage podcast, The ONE Extraordinary Marriage Show, where they speak to a worldwide audience about sex, love, and commitment. They challenge every listener to make their marriage a priority. Their bestselling book, The 6 Pillars of Intimacy, has changed countless marriages around the world.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How self-leadership impacts your relationship
- What it means to go “volcano” or “iceberg” in your marriage
- The importance of prioritizing your marriage relationship
- And so much more!
This conversation was such an encouragement to take a closer look at what we can do today to strengthen and invest in our marriage!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/tony-alisa-dilorenzo-220
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Just a heads up that in this episode we are going to be talking openly about genital body parts that you may not want your kiddos to hear. If needed, feel free to put in your earbuds for this one or save it for a time when you can listen in private.After 10 years of experiencing painful symptoms without answers, I was diagnosed with vulvar lichen sclerosus. Multiple doctors had missed the diagnosis and couldn’t provide a reason for my pain.
What do you do when you have a condition that doctors can’t figure out? How can you advocate for your own health? Where can you turn to learn about your diagnosis and find answers?
Joining me for this important conversation is Jaclyn Lanthier. Jaclyn has a Ph.D. in philosophy of neuroscience, is on the board of the Lichen Sclerosus Support Network and the steering committee of Core Outcomes for Research in Lichen Sclerosus (CORALS), and is the founder of The Lost Labia Chronicles, which is a content hub for lichen sclerosus information and support.
Jaclyn had a similar journey as me and decided to use what she went through to help others. She shares openly about this topic online and I found her posts extremely helpful after my own diagnosis.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How to educate yourself about lichen sclerosus and lichen planus
- Tips for advocating for your own health
- Why a gynecologist may not always be the best option for diagnosis
- And so much more!
Jaclyn has been such an encouragement to me both through our conversation and her online content. I hope this has been helpful for you and your health journey!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/jaclyn-lanthier-219
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
In life’s darkest moments, have you ever wondered if your prayers are really heard? When desperation strikes, is it possible to actually exchange panic for peace? While God is near and He hears our prayers, it sometimes might feel like He isn’t listening.
In this conversation, we are going to be talking about how to embrace the power of prayer in life’s darkest moments. Helping me do this is my dear friend Rachel Wojo.
Rachel is an inspirational author, public speaker, podcaster, and is known for her popular blog, RachelWojo.com, as well as her podcast, Untangling Life. Despite enduring the loss of her mother, her adult special needs daughter, and her father, Rachel remains resilient as she empowers women to discover strength and hope in everyday conversations.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The purpose of prayer
- Three ways God speaks to us
- How to pray from a dark place
- And so much more!
I hope this episode offers hope and help in whatever circumstances you are facing!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/rachel-wojo-218
You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
It's been a while since we had a bonus episode of the podcast! These are shorter episodes full of bite-sized encouragement and support that you can apply to your life today.
In this episode, we are talking about marriage. Now you may have heard that marriage is 50/50, but we think that marriage is actually 70/30. In our coaching, we've come to strongly believe that marriage is 70% personal growth and 30% couple growth.
Too often, couples only focus on fixing the issues within the marriage as a couple and not enough time on how each person needs to grow individually. In this episode, we're explaining more about what this means and how it can impact your marriage. Listen in!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/individual-growth
Join us during October for our No More Perfect Marriages 4-Week Live Event
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Life is full of ups and downs. Each one of us will experience difficult seasons in life. During my darkest and most difficult season, one of the things I learned to say is “It is not well with my circumstances, but I want to make sure it is well with my soul.”
My guest, Courtney Joseph Fallick, experienced this as well when her high school sweetheart husband left their marriage for another woman. She found herself fighting for joy and working to overcome the darkness.
Courtney is a best-selling author and the founder of Women Living Well Ministries and Good Morning Girls. Courtney is also a great speaker who has been featured on The Rachael Ray Show and many national conferences including Hearts at Home. She’s been blogging through the Bible, one chapter per day, since 2014 and she makes her home in Ohio with her blended family.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- More about the dark season of life Courtney walked through
- How to keep bitterness and resentment from building up
- How to respond when it feels like God's ignoring our prayers
- And so much more!
I hope this episode offers you confidence, support, and hope for the future!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/courtney-joseph-fallick-217
Join us during October for our No More Perfect Marriages 4-Week Live Event
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Our topic in this episode is SO IMPORTANT! Mark and I are joined by Reese and VaLisa Palmer, fellow workers in the sphere of marriage coaching and strengthening.
Reese is a clinical psychotherapist specializing in marriage and family therapy (LMFT). VaLisa is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCP) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) who enjoys working with families and couples. Together, they founded Palmer Counseling where their mission is to provide a safe, affirming, and nurturing therapeutic experience that inspires everyone to live abundant lives and fulfill their God-given purpose.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How the echos of the past impact your present
- The importance of knowing your attachment style in marriage
- Why we get stuck in negative cycles of communication
- And so much more!
We are excited for this conversation all about marriage!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/reese-valisa-palmer-216
Join us during October for our No More Perfect Marriages 4-Week Live Event
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Note for the Listener: As you can probably guess from the title, we talk candidly about sexual intimacy in this episode. We recommend listening to it away from young ears if you have children at home.You may have heard us mention our Date Night Community. Well, we recently did an 8-week deep-dive all about sex and sexual intimacy called “Great Sexpectations.” The content was so good—we wanted to share some of it with everyone!
Mark is joining me for this episode as we explore some of the topics like how to create a better sex life, what may surprise you is okay to do in the bedroom, and shifting how we view sexual intimacy within marriage. This is a candid (and a little bit spicy) conversation all about sex!
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Why sex begins in the kitchen
- A better goal to have for sexual intimacy
- The value of understanding your own body
- And much more!
We hope this conversation inspires you to build deeper sexual intimacy with your spouse!
Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/improving-intimacy-215
Join us during October for our No More Perfect Marriages 4-Week Live Event
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Can you remember your first breakup? Even if you parted ways amicably, you likely questioned if you were good enough, if you made the right choice, or even criticized yourself for not doing enough to try to make it work. When we journey through breakups, infidelity, trauma, or even divorce, the experience tends to stick with us in the form of intrusive thoughts and triggers.
My friend, Leslie Hardie, is an infidelity and trauma expert who has been in private practice since 2003. As a betrayed spouse herself, combined with many years of providing infidelity counseling, she brings meaningful insight and compassion to other betrayed spouses as well as counsels couples. Leslie gives us some tips on what to do when reminders of difficult circumstances we’ve been through pop up.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The opportunity behind the hurt
- How to cope with the aftermath of betrayal
- Identifying thoughts that are from the enemy
- And so much more...
There is hope and healing after infidelity!
Find resource mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/leslie-hardie-214
Join us during October for our No More Perfect Marriages 4-Week Live Event
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Buckle up, this is the episode where we are covering all things sex! You may feel embarrassed to talk about sex candidly or you may even feel like sex is still a dirty word from your childhood. Whether you have a history that includes pornography, an affair, or sex before marriage, there are many things that can impact how you approach sex with your spouse. However, you may be surprised to learn that there are very few “do nots” when it comes to sex within marriage and a whole lot of freedom.
To help us get more comfortable about the topic of sex and to discover God’s instruction on the topic, we have some expert friends joining us. Bill and Pam Farrel are international speakers, authors of 60 books, relationship specialists, and together they co-direct Love-Wise Ministry. Bill and Pam have been happily married for 44 years, and have three grown sons and seven grandchildren. They live on a boat that is docked in Southern California.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How men and women can work together to build intimacy
- Why we should design the sex life we want in marriage
- The importance of having candid conversations with your spouse
- And so much more...
I'm so excited for this episode and I hope you are too! Let's talk about sex!
Find resource mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/bill-pam-farrel-213
(We've been sharing a shoutout at the beginning of each episode. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our listeners, and specifically the transformation and celebrations in your life. Want to reach out to us? You can contact us here on our website or text our new No More Perfect hotline at 309-431-1718.)
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Are there some aspects of your relationship where you often feel worked up, angry, or even like things aren’t fair? This is a prime breeding ground for resentment to take root. This could be a result of something your spouse has done or something they aren’t doing that causes resentment to boil up inside of you. However, resentment often grows as a result of an issue in our own hearts.
In this episode, we are exploring how to untangle resentment in your marriage. Joining me is Chelsea Damon, author of I Thought This Would Make Me Happy. Chelsea is an author, blogger, foster and biological mom, and wife to Josh. She is passionate about cultivating a loving family and helping others do the same.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- What causes resentment to grow in marriage
- Why it is important to examine our hearts regularly
- How to combat resentment with gratitude
- And so much more...
I can’t wait to hear how this conversation has helped you!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/chelsea-damon-212
(As we start into our fifth year of the podcast, you'll start hearing a shoutout at the beginning of each episode. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our listeners, and specifically the transformation and celebrations in your life. Want to reach out to us? You can contact us here on our website or text our new No More Perfect hotline at 309-431-1718.)
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Our phones are often the first thing we interact with when we wake up and the last thing when we go to bed. We check it at all hours of the day to remain connected and fill the empty moments.
There is rarely a moment that goes by in our busy lives when we don’t have access to technology. It’s quite literally in the palm of our hands! But is this 24/7 access to it healthy? Is it doing more harm than good? It’s often not until we start intentionally unplugging from it that we realize how much it was taking from our lives.
My guest, Hannah Brencher, has experience with slowly putting technology back in its place as she has navigated the tug-of-war between staying plugged in and powering down. She is a writer, a TED speaker, and an entrepreneur. Hannah was even named one of the White House’s Women Working to Do Good.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How to cultivate a lifestyle that unplugs
- The power of presence
- Some first steps to striking a balance with technology
- And so much more...
This is a super practical episode that I know you will love!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/hannah-brencher-211
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
A little over a year ago, we shared about how we got invited to go to Africa. In this episode, we are sharing the rest of the story!
This is actually part two of Episode 135 - To Uganda with Love with Pastor Zachariah. If you want to know more about how this all began, be sure to give that one a listen.
There were so many amazing God stories that happened before, during, and after our trip, and we are so excited to share those with you!
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The crazy God story of how this all started
- Why it’s important to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading
- Some of the amazing ways only God can connect our lives
- And much more!
We are so amazed at all the connections God has made as a result of ONE interaction on our way to a coffee shop in Alabama!
Find resources mentioned and more in the Show Notes: jillsavage.org/uganda-again-210
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
What do we do when life seems to fall apart at our very fingertips? Can God still use even the terrible experiences for good in some way?
In this conversation, we are talking about why no experience is ever wasted in God’s economy. And my guest, Davey Blackburn, knows this personally.
In 2015, Davey Blackburn’s life was turned upside down when his pregnant wife, Amanda, was murdered in a home invasion. The unthinkable happened and Davey had to pick up the pieces of their broken life while caring for their 18-month-old son.
As a high-profile criminal case unfolded over the next several years, Davey took on the seemingly impossible task of finding the strength to restore his shattered soul. He is now the founder and director of Nothing is Wasted, a ministry dedicated to helping others navigate trauma, tragedies, and major life transitions.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How God meets us in our pain
- How the work of healing occurs in a process
- The importance of forgiveness being a choice, not a feeling
- And so much more...
I hope you are encouraged by this conversation, especially if you are in the midst of loss or difficult life circumstances.
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/davey-blackburn-209
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
I spent 20 years of my life as a pastor’s wife. The role of a pastor’s wife is a precarious space to occupy as stereotypes, expectations, and pressures abound! Today, I’m talking with three pastor’s wives and they are giving us an inside look at the ins and outs of this role.
Jessica Taylor, Jenna Allen, and Stephanie Gilbert are co-hosts of the Pastors' Wives Tell All podcast and co-authors of Pastors’ Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty and Humor. Collectively, through their Pastors’ Wives Tell All ministry, they are breaking down walls within the Church and crushing the pastor’s wife stereotypes with a little bit of ministry, therapy, and a whole lot of Jesus.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Some of the stereotypes people often carry of a pastor’s wife
- The importance of pastors’ wives finding their own calling
- Ways that we can encourage and support those in this role
- And so much more...
This is an important conversation for all of us to understand better how to love the spouse of our pastor well.
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/pastors-wives-208
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Where is it that you most experience connection? Whether it’s grabbing tea with a friend, sharing a meal with family, or even gathering together for a game night, there’s something so inviting and connecting about a table. It’s a place where community is formed, a meal can be shared, and where people gather to do more than just eat. Throughout the Bible, God uses tables to invite us into His presence.
My guest today is Dr. Lina Abujamra. Lina is a Pediatric Emergency Room doctor who now practices telemedicine full-time. She is also an author, Bible teacher, and oversees the ministry of Living with Power. Lina has made it her mission to ignite a passion for Jesus in the hearts of people and to help them experience His healing and the power of hope. Lina was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but now calls Chicago home (although she is a huge Green Bay Packers fan).
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The interesting significance of tables through Scripture
- How communion is a reminder of our connection with God
- How to connect with God and our community
- And so much more...
I hope this conversation is nourishing for your soul!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/lina-abujamra-207
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
I have my hubby, Mark, with me this week for a conversation on conflict in marriage. Now, conflict is inevitable when you live in close quarters with someone, but even more so when you merge lives together! How you approach life can rub up against the way your spouse approaches life, and this can lead to conflict and even accusations that harm our connection and intimacy.
Accusations and conflict can happen in all kinds of relationships, but we want to focus in on how these can impact the marriage relationship.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The spiritual warfare wrapped up into disconnection
- Accusations to avoid when conflict rises
- How to reduce conflict in your marriage
- And much more!
We hope this episode helps draw you closer to your spouse and strengthens your marriage!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/reduce-conflict
Have you noticed the shoutouts at the beginning of our episodes lately? This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our listeners, and specifically the transformation and celebrations in your life. Want to reach out to us? You can contact us here on our website or text our new No More Perfect hotline at 309-431-1718.
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
I will never forget the day I got a call from my doctor’s office and the words “Jill, you have breast cancer.” turned my world upside down. Suddenly, I was thrust into a new world filled with unfamiliar vocabulary and sometimes more questions than answers.
My guest Beth Wilmes has also had this experience. Beth took her experience walking through breast cancer and founded Faith Through Fire, a nonprofit that exists to reduce the fear and anxiety that breast cancer patients feel and replace it with hope and a path toward thriving. She is also an author and podcast host of Besties with Breasties Podcast.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Beth’s journey through breast cancer
- The physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual toll a diagnosis can have
- Why support needs to be unobtrusive
- And more!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/beth-wilmes-205
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
As we start into our fifth year of the podcast, you'll start hearing a shoutout at the beginning of each episode. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our listeners, and specifically the transformation and celebrations in your life. Want to reach out to us? You can contact us here on our website or text our new No More Perfect hotline at 309-431-1718.
We launched our own non-profit, and we want to tell you about it! The Life 2.0 Foundation is the non-profit arm of JAM Savage Ministries. Our mission is to help others create a 2.0 life in both the U.S. and Africa. We are currently helping several orphanages in Africa, offering training for marriage coaches in Uganda, and funding our scholarship fund for marriage coaching and Marriage 2.0 Intensives here in the USA.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Some of the God-stories that led us to start our own non-profit
- Our vision to have an impact across the world
- How to link arms with others who want to make a difference
- And much more!
We are so excited to share all that God has been doing behind the scenes in this episode!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/nonprofit-foundation-204
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Grief can come over us like crashing waves. We most commonly experience it when we have lost a loved one, but grief is wider than that and can accompany all kinds of circumstances. It can happen at the end of a relationship, the death of a dream, or the shock of a diagnosis that you did not see coming. The loss we feel when we experience grief can feel like too much to bear on our own.
My guest in this episode knows all about grief. Steve Carter is a pastor, speaker, author, podcast host, and the former lead teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. He is also the author of Grieve, Breathe, Receive.
In 2018, Steve announced publicly that he was resigning from his dream job as a lead pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. The next morning as he was taking a walk to process all the thoughts and feelings tumbling around in his mind, he cried out to Jesus in desperation, begging for an answer. "What am I supposed to do now?" He expected nothing, but the silence that had overwhelmed him broke as a gentle whisper impressed three words upon his heart: grieve, breathe, receive.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Steve’s personal journey through grief
- Practical lessons seasons of grief can teach us
- The best way to understand and move forward through grief
- And so much more...
This conversation meant so much to me and I hope it is meaningful for you as well!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/steve-carter-203
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
We see the term "female empowerment" throughout mainstream media and it is referenced often in our culture today. This could be defined as believing in yourself or looking within to find the power to succeed.
But what happens when we grow weary by trying to do it all in our own power? What happens when we come to the end of ourselves? Jesus offers a better way. In this episode, we are talking about being empowered by Christ.
My guest, Becky Beresford, used to believe and even promoted some of society’s lies to women. But in God’s kindness, Becky came to the end of herself and embraced the healing truth found in the Bible. Tired and frustrated with self-dependence, Becky invites us to be God-dependent. In her latest book, She Believed HE Could, So She Did, Becky invites us to join her as she dismantles commonly held misconceptions and lies so we can live in real freedom with confidence in God.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How to navigate life when you "just aren’t measuring up"
- The importance of cultivating belief in God’s faithfulness
- Well-intentioned phrases that don’t speak the truth
- And so much more...
I believe you will be inspired by our conversation today!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/becky-beresford-202
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Content Warning: This episode does discuss challenging topics like child abuse and suicide. Please listen carefully or consider skipping this episode if those topics could be triggering for you.As a parent, we would do almost anything for our children and strive to protect them from the dangers in the world. However, when my guest took their child to the hospital to get a bruise checked out, he never imagined it could end with an arrest and time in prison.
Matt Everly is usually behind the scenes with our podcast, and not behind the microphone. Matt has edited every podcast episode for us for the last two years as part of my son's content marketing agency. We are so grateful for his work and talent! In addition to his editing skills, he has quite the story to tell. He’s walked through hardship after hardship, yet he has remained steady in his faith.
Matt is an inspiration to me and I hope he will be to you as well.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The frightening and unexpected journey Matt walked
- How his faith was tested through this season and what faith looks like for him today
- Why having a strong community made all the difference
- How he and his wife navigated such a challenging season for their marriage
- And so much more...
I hope you are inspired by our conversation today!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/matt-everly-201
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Can you believe it? This episode is not only our 200th episode, but it also marks our four-year anniversary of the podcast! Incredible! I can remember when our kids were pushing us to start a podcast and I could think of numerous reasons not to do the podcast. And I’m so glad I didn’t listen to those reasons!
Today, the No More Perfect Podcast ranks in the top 2% of podcasts globally and we have over 365,000 downloads! It just blows our minds that we would be at this place today!
In this episode, we talk about:
- Some behind-the-scenes on how we decided to start the podcast
- Our most popular episodes and our personal favorite episodes
- Why we’ve focused on relationships in many of our conversations
- Our hope for the podcast going forward
- And much more!
Thank you for being a faithful listener. We can’t wait to bring you more great episodes!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/celebrate-200
Get Details and Register for The Transform Weekend
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you been called shy or quiet before? Or perhaps you’ve considered yourself a “wallflower.” The truth is that we all have felt like we couldn’t find our place at one time or another. We may have even been labeled as one of these things by others and then struggled to overcome that label.
The truth is that labels create limitations. This is why I'm eager to have Cally Logan on the podcast today. She is the author of The Wallflower That Bloomed: Finding Your Place at the Lunch Table of Life and wants to invite you to unleash the God-given potential inside you, step into the fullness of who you are, and embrace the brilliance that is inside of you.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What it means to be a wallflower
- How to break free from the labels that society places on us
- Steps to discover your authentic self
- And so much more!
I hope this conversation inspires you to discard your artificial self and discover the real you!
Show Notes: jillsavage.org/cally-logan-199
Register for the Empty Nest Full Life Retreat September 27-29, 2024
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Most people go through life almost on autopilot, especially when things are going well. We cruise through life and it can be hard to imagine life any other way. However, life can take a sudden left turn when tragedy or the unthinkable happens and our entire world is thrown into crisis. It can be hard to even know how to recover or figure out the next steps.
That is what this episode is all about: preparing for the unthinkable. This is something that my guest, Meredith Flint Sowers Koen, knows about all too well. Meredith has owned and operated Flip-Flop Gymnastics in her hometown of Rolla, Missouri since 2004. But tragically in 2009, her life changed in an instant when her husband, Seth, was in a car accident that left him immobile and nonverbal due to a traumatic brain injury.
Today, Meredith uses her experience to help others avoid the pitfalls of putting emergency planning on the back burner. Most importantly, she wants to show others the kind of love Christ has blessed her with as she navigates those twists and turns of life.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How a normal August day took an unexpected turn
- The age you should begin estate planning
- Helpful topics to discuss with your loved ones
- And so much more!
I hope this conversation helps open your eyes to the importance of planning, even for the worst.
Find resources mentioned and more on the show notes: https://jillsavage.org/meredith-koen-198
Register for the Empty Nest Full Life Retreat September 27-29, 2024
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Mark is back with me on the podcast today to help answer a question we hear often: “What makes the difference in people who are able to overcome difficult things?" This could be in regard to marriages that are restored or lives that experience growth and transformation. Are there elements that make transformation more possible?
In our coaching, we’ve seen some couples turn their entire relationship around for the better while others just can’t seem to find common ground to make progress. While some failures can be traced back to one spouse expecting the other to do all the work or an unrepentant heart, we’ve found there are several elements that can drastically improve the likelihood of successfully transforming relationships, personal growth, and life circumstances.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The common elements of transformation
- The role surrender has in the process of change
- The proper place for our emotions
- And more!
I hope you enjoy our conversation!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/elements-transformation-197
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
What do you do when you are offended? Do you quickly let it go, or do you sit and ruminate on it? If you, like most people, tend to do the latter, it can create bitterness, resentment, and pent-up anger in your life and in your heart.
Living in a place where we are constantly offended is an unhealthy place to be. My guest today knows this all too well. Brant Hansen is an author, nationally syndicated radio host, advocate for life-changing healthcare to children through CURE International, and the writer of Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better.
In his book, Brant explains how giving up your “right” to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, and encouraging things you can do.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How holding on to things can harm us
- Why you should use traffic as forgiveness practice
- The personal benefits of letting things go
- And so much more!
I hope this conversation is helpful as we navigate anger and offenses in our daily lives!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/brant-hansen-196
Join me at the Empty Nest Full Life Retreat: jillsavage.org/retreat
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
There’s nothing better than a story of hope! When we hear of someone who has overcome struggles, it puts things in perspective and inspires us to persevere in the midst of our own challenges.
My guest today has risen above truly desperate circumstances. Peter Mutabazi survived on the streets of Uganda for five years before one man saw potential in him and changed Peter’s life. Today, Peter is a single dad to countless foster children and his three adopted children, Anthony, Ryder, and Skyler. He is the founder of Now I Am Known, an organization that supplies resources to support vulnerable children.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Peter’s experience living on the streets of Uganda
- How the kindness of a stranger changed Peter’s life
- What Peter has learned on his foster care journey
- And so much more!
I hope you find this conversation as inspiring as I did!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/peter-mutabazi-195
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
These days, teen girls are under relentless pressure to measure up to peers and social media influencers. The expectations feel impossible to meet.
Today, I’m partnering with my friends Lee Nienhuis and Shannon Popkin to share a conversation about this important topic. Lee and Shannon are authors and speakers who have teamed up to write a book, Comparison Girl for Teens, that gives help and hope to moms and daughters navigating this challenge. We’re exploring what teen girls need to break free of the comparison trap and how moms can come alongside our daughters to encourage and affirm them.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How comparison follows us through every stage of life
- Dealing with the way social media increases our tendency to compare
- How learning to live “me free” increases our peace
- And more!
I hope you find this conversation as encouraging as I did!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/lee-shannon-194
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Are you frustrated with getting older? As women, it’s easy to feel discouraged as our lives and bodies change. That’s why I’m so grateful for our guest's wisdom today!
Joining me for this conversation is Heather Creekmore, host of the internationally popular Compared to Who? podcast. Heather is a body image coach, former fitness instructor, and author who is devoted to helping women break free of body shame. She has spoken to thousands of women and encouraged them with the truth of the gospel, and her passion is helping women stop comparing and start living.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Practical steps women can take to feel at peace about aging
- How culture lies to women about their value
- Why finding a “second mission” can make us feel alive again
- And more!
I know you will enjoy our conversation!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/heather-creekmore-193
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Do you feel rested and at peace, or do you feel like your soul is all over the place?
These days, many of us struggle with anxiety to some degree, and that’s what we’re talking about in this episode.
Joining me for this conversation is award-winning author and Bible teacher Tessa Afshar. Drawing from lessons she learned while battling anxiety in her own life, Tessa is sharing about a journey that cultivates a well-rested soul. I’m so glad to have her with us today, especially because her historical fiction books are some of my all-time favorite novels!
In this episode, we talk about:
- Tessa’s story of coming to faith from a Muslim background
- The connection between burnout and anxiety
- Tessa’s career as a writer
- And more!
I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/tessa-afshar-192
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
I’m happy to have my husband join me for this episode! It’s been a little while since Mark and I shared a conversation on the podcast, and today we’re talking about the power of our words.
If we fully realized just how dangerous careless words can be, we might take our speech more seriously. Our words can bring destruction or healing depending on how we speak, as Mark and I have learned from personal experience.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The difference between internal processors and external processors
- Specific ways Mark and I each have grown in how we use our words
- Three practical guidelines for using words well
- And more!
I hope you enjoy our conversation!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/power-words-191
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
How do you respond when someone else’s choices wreak havoc on your life?
Sometimes, someone else's choices can turn the lives of those closest to them upside down. I've certainly experienced that in my own life, and yet, even in the most unfair circumstances, God wastes nothing.
Today, my friend Cathy Applington is joining me to help us better understand how hope can be restored even when relationships can't. In 2013, Cathy’s world was shaken to the core as her husband’s actions caused life-changing consequences for her and her family. Cathy was a pastor's wife here in Normal, IL, and today she works with Sanctuary in Trauma, a ministry for women who have suffered from trauma and loss.
In this episode, we talk about:
- A passage in Scripture that held Cathy steady when her world was falling apart
- Allowing family members space to heal from trauma in their own way
- How Cathy’s journey led to the creation of Sanctuary in Trauma
- And more!
I know you’ll appreciate Cathy’s wisdom as much as I do!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/cathy-applington-190
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you ever been in a season of life where you felt trapped in a relentless lifestyle?
Years ago, Mark and I wrote a book called Living with Less so Your Family Has More. One of the key concepts woven throughout that book was the idea of choosing to live with less stress, less money, and less activities than what is the cultural norm. When I read Brenda Yoder’s new book, Uncomplicated, I felt like I had a friend with a similar passion for that message, so I asked her to join me here on the podcast.
Brenda is a counselor, speaker, author, and educator from Shipshewana, Indiana. She is the author of Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind and Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Lessons Brenda has gained from observing the slower-paced Amish culture
- How living an uncomplicated life starts on the inside, not with your calendar
- Why too much information can decrease our self-confidence
- And more!
I know you’ll enjoy this conversation with my friend, Brenda!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/brenda-yoder-189
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
I wish this weren’t the reality we face, but the truth is that anxiety is skyrocketing among people of all ages and stages of life. When you add the whirlwind of teenage hormones into the mix, you’re looking at anxiety amplified to the max.
Joining me for this conversation is Kimberly Sells, a mom of four who lives in Wisconsin near beautiful Lake Michigan. Kim has learned some hard parenting lessons on faith, trust, and surrender during a stormy season of raising an anxious teenage girl. I am so grateful that Kim, with her daughter’s permission, is sharing her story with us today.
Kim’s daughter was a seventh-grader thriving in the world of competitive gymnastics when the pandemic brought ordinary life to a halt, launching her into a three-year journey with debilitating anxiety and depression.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Lessons Kim learned through her daughter’s anxiety journey
- Insights for dealing with our own strong emotions when we see our kids struggle
- Why mentors are so crucial along with practical tips for finding a mentor
- And more!
I hope you find this conversation with Kim as courageous and inspiring as I did!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kimberly-sells-188
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Do you ever find yourself feeling paralyzed when it comes to prayer? You certainly wouldn't be alone! However, what if prayer could be as effortless as chatting with a friend? Many of us struggle to understand prayer because we've only witnessed it modeled in a formal way before meals, at bedtime, or at church.
What if we could learn to engage in regular, honest conversation with God?
In today's episode, we're diving into how we can cultivate a personal prayer life and discover our unique prayer styles. Joining me for this conversation is Janet McHenry, a national speaker and the author of 27 books, including Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style.In this episode, we'll explore:
- The difference between having a "prayer life" and a "praying life"
- Examples we see in the Bible of various styles of prayer
- How understanding your prayer personality can enhance your relationship with God
- And more!
I'm praying you'll find value in this conversation with Janet!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/janet-mchenry-187
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- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
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- Infidelity Recovery
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Conflict…it’s one of our favorite topics in the world. Just kidding! Most of us try to steer clear of conflict, and those of us who embrace it honestly don’t always handle it in the healthiest ways. We’ve certainly all had moments where we looked back at how we handled a conflict and wondered: Why did I handle it that way?In this conversation, we are taking a look at the many aspects of conflict, from how we can honor God when we’ve been hurt, how to communicate when we’d rather retaliate, and how we can move toward others when it seems so much easier to run away.
Joining me for today’s episode is my friend, Donna Jones. Donna is deeply passionate about helping us apply God’s Word so it changes our lives, our relationships, and our world. She is a pastor’s wife and an international speaker. Donna is also the author of four books, including her latest, Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- The single factor that determines success in resolving conflict
- Common mistakes that make conflict worse
- Tips for having hard conversations
- And so much more!
It's a treat to have Donna back on the podcast. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/donna-jones-186
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
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- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
If you’ve heard our marriage story, then you likely know that I believed our marriage could be restored even when Mark had checked out and was pursuing another relationship. This is often referred to as “standing for your marriage,” but it could also be described as a waiting season. While I wouldn’t wish a season like this on anyone, the lessons I learned while waiting were invaluable. Those lessons have become the heart of our online course, The Wait Is Not Wasted.
Several of my friends and coaching clients have also had to endure this season of waiting in their marriage, and my friend Tiarra Atkinson is one of them. Tiarra married her husband, Anthony, in May of 1999, but there was a season when she had to stand for her marriage for nearly two years.
Tiarra Atkinson is a licensed clinical social worker and a self-described “brain science nerd.” She works at a brain health center as a therapist specializing in the intersection of physical and mental health.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Tiarra’s story of standing for her marriage
- Factors that can contribute to your relationship breaking down
- How to utilize a season of waiting
- And so much more!
I’m grateful that Tiarra and Anthony are open about their story! Even if you are not struggling in your marriage, there are so many powerful takeaways you’ll hear in this episode. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/tiarra-atkinson-185
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
We want to talk with you about a question Mark and I get asked often. People really struggle with finding an answer or finding resolve to this question: How do I forgive myself? Many times, they would say, I can’t, or I don’t even understand what I should do with that.
Sometimes, it can feel like you are “unforgivable,” and it would be better if you just locked those feelings away. When we choose not to address it, it can lead to bitterness, self-loathing, self-hatred, and more. Those feelings don’t stay locked away; they leak out all over the relationships that mean the most to you and can eat away at your soul.
If you’ve made a mistake or if you’ve really messed up, you have to walk through the steps of self-forgiveness, which is the topic of this episode.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- Your steps of self-forgiveness
- The power of God’s forgiveness
- What work you likely still have to do after forgiveness
- And more!
Join us for this important conversation!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/forgive-yourself-184
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Life can be a bit messy. Whether that’s a literal mess of toys all over your living room, a kitchen full of dirty dishes, and laundry piled high or an internal mess of feeling behind on work, issues in our relationships, and more!
Whatever mess you are facing in your life I have a truth for you—God is at work even in the mess. We can sometimes struggle to believe that statement! The truth is that God is present in the messiness of life.
I can’t think of a better guest to help us navigate the mess than a woman who wrote a book titled Life Is Messy, God Is Good: Sanity for the Chaos of Everyday Life. Joining me today is Cynthia Yanof. She is a wife, mother, podcaster, blogger, author, and an everyday girl who is committed to not taking herself too seriously. Cynthia is passionate about speaking, writing, foster care, and hanging out with as many friends as possible.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Cynthia’s experience of foster care and adoption
- The inspiration behind her book
- Common lies we believe about the struggle of life
- How to find sanity in the chaois o
- And so much more!
Listen in as we talk about the messy, less-than-perfect parts of life!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/cynthia-yanof-183
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Adversity is a part of life. We can sometimes think that having a relationship with Jesus makes us exempt from hardships that can cause fear, anxiety, and even trauma. While that isn’t the case, it is true that our relationship with Jesus can change how we handle and respond to the adversity that comes into our lives.
Joining me for this conversation is Karen Bettison. Karen served as a Bible translator, a literary specialist, and a medical missionary with Pioneer Bible Translators for 25 years. She currently works as a nurse and has been an educator, author, speaker, and Bible study leader in the US and Africa. Karen is the author of the new book I Will Fear No Evil: A Missionary’s Faith Journey Through Fear, Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma. Karen and her husband, Jim, have raised four children and reside in rural Missouri.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The unique support missionaries need
- Reminders that hardship is a reality for everyone
- How God can use what you’ve been through
- And so much more!
Listen in as Karen shares more about her experiences as a missionary and how she has overcome adversity in her own life.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/karen-bettison-182
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
It's time for another bonus episode! We like to share these bonus episodes every once in a while, and their purpose is to give you some quick encouragement and support that you can apply to your life.
This one might look a little different as I want to share something with you that has been on my heart. The concept for this episode came when our daughter closed her art business this fall. If you are in the entrepreneurial space, you know it can be hard work before your business finally takes off. But even then, there is no guarantee you will be successful.
In life, we often face these hard decisions and we can underestimate the impact an individual has when they support something they love.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/make-difference-181
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
The topic we’re exploring today has been requested many times over the last year. I asked my friend, Sarah, if she would be willing to share her experience and wisdom with us as she has an adult child who is estranged and put up some big boundaries.
Sarah is also a licensed counselor and understands this issue from both a professional and a personal perspective. She has asked that we change her voice to maintain her anonymity. We are so grateful that Sarah has graciously agreed to share her wisdom and knowledge with us on this sensitive topic.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- The reasons estrangement happen
- What our child needs from us
- The importance of doing your own healing work
- And so much more…
If you have adult children, even if they aren’t estranged, you need to hear this episode!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/adult-children-180
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Do you have a book you’ve read that you feel like everyone should read? For us, that book is Enough by Sharon Jaynes.
It was on our shelf 12 years ago when Mark and I were restoring our marriage. Even though it is written for a female reader, Mark read it and was profoundly changed by it. Now, it’s the number one resource we recommend to our coaching clients who struggle with self-worth.
Sharon is a dear friend of mine and although she has been on the podcast a number of times, we have not had an episode that focused on her book Enough. Today, we are going to fix that as we talk about the core message of silencing the lies that steal your confidence.
For 10 years, Sharon served as Vice President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and she also was a co-host for their daily radio feature. She’s a speaker and the author of 26 books.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Sharon’s journey that led her to write Enough
- The root of the lies we believe
- Practical ways we can replace lies with truth
- And so much more!
I know you will love this conversation with Sharon. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/sharon-jaynes-179
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Over 1,100 coaching sessions. 17 marriage intensives. 3 weeks in Africa. 49 podcast episodes. Can you believe this is the final episode of 2023?
Mark and I have gotten in the rhythm of using the final episode of each year to recap all that has happened in the year. Join us today as we take a look back at this year, what God is up to, and what we are looking forward to in the new year! We are so excited to be able to share all this with you!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Stories of what God has done in our lives in the last year
- What has us the most excited about 2024
- Why we are making a point to prioritize rest
- And more!
From our home to yours, we hope you have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/our-home-178
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Have you heard of a “marriage edu-tainer” before? It’s a combination of education and entertainment all around the topic of marriage. When Mark and I do marriage coaching, we like to be sure the advice we give comes with a dose of compassion, honest conversation with occasional humor, and that it helps you know you’re not alone while taking your marriage to the next level.
When we met fellow marriage coaches Jay and Laura Laffoon, we immediately connected with their humorous style and genuine hearts. The Laffoons are self-proclaimed marriage edu-tainers and are real people with real lives walking through a real marriage. Sound familiar?
Jay and Laura host the Celebrate Your Marriage event at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island yearly. Their humorous and entertaining transparency offers couples permission to laugh with each other and the courage to continue growing a future together.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Three issues that consistently show up in marriages
- The role of sex in marriage
- One of the best things you can do for your marriage each day
- And so much more!
We hope you enjoy their witty style and advice as much as we do!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jay-laura-laffoon-177
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Do you ever get the feeling that you are meant for something more? Or maybe you struggle with wanting to do something great, while longing for a simple, ordinary life. We can often feel the tension between these two and wonder if we have to sacrifice one for the other.
My guest today has written a book all about this tension. Kelly Needham knows what it is like to long for a feeling of purpose in the here and now. Kelly and her husband, Jimmy, co-host their podcast, Clearly. She is also the author of a new book titled Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough.
What I want you to know is that you were absolutely meant for something more but the answer isn’t to go bigger or smaller. Listen in to my conversation with Kelly to find out what I mean!
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Kelly’s story of longing for something more
- The importance of shepherding your own heart
- How to find fulfillment today
- And so much more!
Thanks for listening!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kelly-needham-176
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Self-care has become an increasingly popular topic! One of my free ebooks is all about ten self-care strategies to help reduce stress and it just so happens to be the most downloaded.
While most of us can agree that we need to take better care of our mental and physical health, too often we overlook the care of our souls. The truth is that without soul care there is no self-care.That’s why I invited Amber Albee Swenson to join me for a conversation all about taking better care of our souls. Amber is a wife, mother, speaker, and author of seven books including Soul Care: Nurturing Your Spiritual Wellness.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Why soul care makes a difference in our daily lives
- Practical ways we can care for our souls
- Helpful tips to receive nourishment from God
- And so much more!
Thank you for joining in as we discuss how you can better care for your soul!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/amber-swenson-175
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Do you want to make Christmas extra special this year? To do this, things like giving special gifts, gathering the family in a certain way, or even decorating with intentionality may come to mind. But what if making Christmas special wasn’t about anything you did externally but what you did internally?
What if you took your heart on a journey to see Christmas through new eyes? I asked Ocieanna Fleiss to join me in this episode so that we could go on that journey. Ocieanna is a wife, mom, speaker, and author of multiple books, including her Christmas devotional Awaiting the Manger.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Stories from Ocieanna’s Christmas devotional
- Practical ways you can look at Christmas differently this year
- How you can look for Jesus in the Old Testament
- And so much more!
My prayer is that this conversation will deepen your understanding of Christmas!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/ocieanna-fleiss-174
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
As the old saying goes, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. I have the privilege of receiving a lot of newly published books in my mailbox, but rarely do I get truly excited about them. However, when I saw the cover of my friend’s new book, I couldn’t wait to start reading it.
The title of the book is You Have Permission: Developing a Personal Mission Beyond the Walls of Church by Pete Cocco. I love that message! God has a mission for you—a simple, unique, and personal mission that extends beyond the walls of the church. This topic has been a passion of mine for quite a while now and I love that Pete is providing a vision of something we all need to understand.
Pete Cocco loves seeing people reach their God-given potential. In addition to being a campus minister for 25 years, he has served as a pioneer coach in multiple ministries and organizations in over ten countries. It’s his experience outside the walls of the church that has produced in him an unwavering belief that all people need to be activated toward a personal mission.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Why you should give yourself permission to dream big
- Why your mission doesn’t have to occur in the church
- The five permissions to help you understand your personal mission
- And so much more!
Thanks for listening in and learning more about this topic with me!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/pete-cocco-173
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
God is known as “the comforter,” but in times of pain, it can be hard to feel like He is near to us. Those who experience ongoing pain know all too well that it reaches far beyond the physical body. Pain is felt emotionally; it’s felt spiritually, relationally, and even financially for many people. Even when healing seems very far away, the tenderness of God’s love is near to us.
Having personally experienced the trials and hardships of pain, my guest, Dr. Michelle Bengtson, gives hope and help through her podcast, social media channels, and new book, The Hem of His Garment: Reaching out to God When Pain Overwhelms.
As a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, Michelle offers a unique expertise that combines years of clinical study with deep biblical application to give readers a more holistic understanding of their pain and their place in God’s family.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Michelle’s journey through pain
- The things we can learn from experiencing pain
- What to do when we are in the depths of pain
- And so much more!
I hope you benefit from this fresh take on pain and God's faithfulness in times of trouble!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/michelle-bengtson-172/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
We cannot heal what we don’t admit is broken. Yet too many of us pretend, perform, and try to appear perfect which keeps us striving instead of thriving.
That’s a journey that I used to be on myself! I often say that my books are a result of my mistakes and personal growth. That’s why so many of them (and even this podcast!) have “No More Perfect” in the title. Authenticity is freeing and I have come to experience that freedom and so has my guest today.
Justin Davis is the author of a new book titled Being Real > Being Perfect. He’s an author, speaker, and pastor. Justin has dedicated his life to helping people experience life change through the power of authenticity. Along with his wife, Trisha, he founded RefineUs Ministries where he shares his personal story with honesty and transparency. They live in our hometown of Indianapolis, IN.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- How to stop turning to our performance to see our worth
- Why we create “false selves”
- The first step to embracing your authentic self
- And so much more!
This is a very personal topic that I've had to tackle in my own life and I hope it helps you in yours!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/justin-davis-171/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Welcome to another bonus episode of the podcast! Mark and I like to share these bonus episodes every once in a while, and their purpose is to give you some quick encouragement and support that you can apply to your life.
In this episode, we want to share something with you called “Impact Over Intent.” This is a huge issue for relationships that can cause us to communicate defensively instead of empathetically in how we are communicating with our spouse, family member, or anyone in our life.
Whether you have a misunderstanding in your relationship or when communicating with someone is hurting, we often unintentionally focus on our intent, trying to explain why we said what we did. All the while, we miss how those comments landed on that other person’s heart, and we miss the opportunity to be understanding to the hurt they are experiencing as a result of how what we said was received.
Thank you for being part of the No More Perfect community. We hope this episode is helpful!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/intent-impact-170/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
We often talk about restored marriages on this show because that is a core part of Mark and I’s story. However, we recognize this is not the case for every couple. Restoring a marriage takes two willing people, and if there is only one, the marriage may end in an unwanted divorce. My guest, Brandi Wilson, understands this reality all too well.
In 2016, her husband, who pastored a megachurch, walked away from the church and their family. As Brandi’s 20-year marriage dissolved, she also lost her church community, her dreams for the future, and a huge part of her identity. She and her three boys began a new journey marked with deep grief and suffering but also with hope, freedom, and peace.
Today, Brandi thanks God for the redemptive healing in her life and reassures other newly single women that they are not alone and that divorce is not the end of their story.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- Encouragement for life after divorce
- How to support people going through difficult situations
- The importance of learning who you are
- And much more!
Whether your marriage is going through a tough season, you want to support someone who has gone through divorce, or your own marriage has ended, I hope today's episode will encourage you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/brandi-wilson-169
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Are you feeling disconnected? Struggling to know the next steps to find your tribe of people? I was what you might consider a “late bloomer” when it comes to female relationships. I never seemed to click with the whole girlfriend thing and it wasn’t until I became a mom that I had a strong desire to spend time with other women that knew that knew what I was going through.
Now I’m so personally passionate about the topic of friendships and belonging that I spent an entire year writing a book on it! The result was my Better Together book.
My friend, Katy McCown, is joining me today to talk about all things belonging, friendship, and community! Katy recently released her own book about belonging titled She Belongs: Finding Your Place in the Body of Christ. She is an author, speaker, podcaster, mom, and wife to former NFL quarterback Luke McCown.In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- What it means to belong
- The importance of intentionally investing in one another
- The biblical benefits of belonging
- And much more!
This is a topic that is near and dear to me, and I hope you benefit from this conversation!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/katy-mccown-168/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
I am a girl who had a daddy who loved her like Jesus loves us. My dad passed away almost four years ago, and although he wasn’t perfect, he exuded Christ in his daily life and it showed in the way he expressed his love for me.
Not everyone has a good relationship or fond memories of their fathers. Mark’s experience of his father was just the opposite of mine. He carried the pain and impact of his father wounds into adulthood. As a result, he’s had a lot of healing to do.
Today, we are talking about father wounds, and it’s a topic that my guest understands well. Kia Stephens is the founder of Entrusted Women, and a contributing author for iBelieve.com and Proverbs 31 Ministries. She’s also the author of a book titled Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God’s Perfect Love.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- What a father wound looks like
- The different types of father wounds we may carry
- How God the Father is different from our earthly fathers
- And much more!
Whatever kind of relationship you had with your dad, I hope this will be an encouragement to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kia-stephens-167/
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
Prayer is the work of a parent from the moment your child is first placed into your arms all the way through their adult years. In fact, the best thing you can do for your child is to pray for them consistently. If you don’t have any children, we can still have an impact on our friends’ children, neighborhood kids, nieces, and nephews by intentionally praying for them.
My friend, Sharon Jaynes, likes to say that we can’t be perfect parents, but we can be praying parents. For 10 years, Sharon served as Vice President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and co-host for their daily radio feature. She is the author of 25 books, including her newest release Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe. Sharon currently writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries and teaches at their She Speaks Conference.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- How prayer is linked to control
- The importance of praying for your child’s thoughts
- 16 landmarks you can use to pray for your child
- And much more!
I hope these landmarks inspire you to pray more intentionally for your child in whatever season of life they are in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/sharon-jaynes-166
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
When it comes to conflict in relationships, things can get messy. It doesn’t matter if it’s a marriage relationship, a parent-child relationship, or even a friendship. Conflict has a way of dividing and destroying if we don’t have the necessary skills to repair it.
This week we met with a couple that is working through conflict with their adult daughter. As we were discussing the importance of listening skills and how to clean up conflict in a relationship, we realized just how important the information was and decided to share it with you here on the podcast.
Regardless of the conflict or who it is with, we all need to learn both how to handle other people’s hurt and how to respond in a loving way that can help heal it.
Join Mark and I as we share:
- Why we need to focus on impact over intent
- Important principles for handling conflict
- What we can say to communicate empathy and validation
- And more!
We pray this episode is helpful to you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/conflict-165
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
I would be what some people call “fashion-challenged.” I seriously need something like Garanimals for adults. For those that aren’t familiar with Garanimals, it is a mix-and-match clothing brand for children where every piece of clothing matches using animal icons. Finding the right outfit is as easy as matching the animal! Well, my friend Shari Braendel has made it easier than ever for women to dress in a way that complements their God-given features.
Shari started Fashion Meets Faith many years ago and served as a speaker for us multiple times at the Hearts at Home conferences I used to host. Fashion Meets Faith is now known as Style by Color, and it’s been a lifesaver for me! The heart of Style by Color is to help you delight in the way that God designed you.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- How your inner beauty can meet your outer beauty
- Why colors matter
- Quick tips for accessorizing
- And much more!
Shari has helped me so much with my fashion sense over the years, and I know hearing this conversation will benefit you too!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/shari-braendel-164
Check out our other resources:
- Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
- Marriage Coaching
- Marriage 2.0 Intensives
- Speaking Schedule
- Book Mark and Jill to Speak
- Online Courses
- Books
Marriage Resources:
- Infidelity Recovery
- For Happy Marriages
- For Hurting Marriages
- For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help
Mom Resources:
- New/Preschool Moms
- Moms with Gradeschoolers
- Moms with Teens and Tweens
- Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
- Empty Nest...
You have heard me say it before and I’m going to say it again—words matter, a lot! If there is anything Mark and I hear in our marriage coaching time and time again, it’s individual couples misusing their words with each other. It isn’t only couples, though. We all need to learn how to measure our words and experience self-control with our emotions.
Sarah Molitor is joining me this week as we explore the power of our words. She’s a wife and mom to seven kids (you read that right!) and the author of a new book titled Well Said: Choosing Words that Speak Life, Give Grace, and Strengthen Your Faith and Family.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- What our words reveal about our hearts
- Practical ways to be more intentional about your words
- Why taking a break may be the best thing for your communication
- And much more!
Everyone can benefit from this conversation on how to use our words well. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/sarah-molitor-163
Today’s topic is a tough one—addiction. It can tear marriages and families apart and leave loved ones feeling helpless, desperate, and alone. The partners and families of those struggling with addiction can be left grasping for order in the chaos and knowledge in the unknown.
I know this because we have dealt with this in our own family. It’s overwhelming, disorienting, and can even feel hopeless at times. That’s why I’m so glad that Travis Thompson said yes to joining me for this episode.
Travis is a licensed marriage and family therapist with extensive experience in addiction therapy. He has worked at both long-term care and short-term treatment facilities, including intensive outpatient programs for mental health and substance addiction and outpatient clinics with a family-centered focus. His new book, To Those Left Behind: Helping Partners and Families Understand and Heal from Addiction, is a compassionate and practical guide for the partners and families of addicts.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Some reasons why people become addicted
- Why healthy boundaries are vital
- The best step you can take today to support your loved one
- And more!
I pray this conversation gives you hope for the future!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/travis-thompson-162/
In our journey through life, we tend to think of surrender as letting our own will be taken prisoner. Our American culture even teaches us to value our freedom and independence above all else. However, the reality is that surrender is the key to a successful life. If you are a believer, it’s also a vital part of the Christian walk. A lack of surrender can cause us to get stuck in our journey, leading to anger and a desire to control everything around us.
Today, Mark is joining me because surrender is a big part of our story. Surrender is an important thing not only to understand but to recognize the role it should play in our day-to-day.
Join Mark and I as we share:
- How surrender and control are connected
- Why it's okay that God’s plan doesn’t always make sense
- What it looks like to let go of doing things your way
- And more!
We pray this episode is helpful to you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/surrender-161/
When a person suffers a loss, they enter the realm of “used to be.” They used to be married. They used to be employed. They used to be pregnant. They used to be sons, daughters, mothers, or fathers. There can be deep loneliness, sadness, and grief in that “used to be” space. This can be a space where it is necessary to dwell for a while, but it is not a space we are meant to remain.
My guests today are Chuck and Ashley Elliott. Chuck is a pastor, and Ashley is a licensed counselor, and together they have written a book, I Used to Be ___: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward, which they wrote after experiencing recurring miscarriages and broken trust. They also offer consulting services for businesses and Christian life coaching together.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- The losses we can grieve other than a death
- How grief can lie about our faith
- What it looks like to move out of a negative head space
- And much more!
Loss is a part of life that we can’t avoid this side of Heaven, and I greatly appreciated this opportunity to talk with Chuck and Ashley
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/chuck-ashley-elliott-160/
As marriage coaches, one of the things that we see missing from so many significant relationships is kindness. It may seem like a simple thing, but the truth is, the more comfortable we get in a relationship, the more we forget to offer kindness to one another.
That needs to change, but making that shift isn’t always easy. Joining me to help us understand this is bestselling author, speaker, and pastor, Greg Atkinson. In his new book, The Secret Power of Kindness, Greg challenges us to be the change we want to see in the world.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- How it takes intentionality to be kind to others
- The role forgiveness plays in offering kindness
- The importance of choosing to heal
- And much more!
Listen in as we explore how to unlock kindness for yourself and others!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/greg-atkinson-159
Is "happily ever after" a myth or reality? Unfortunately, most couples don't ride off into the sunset after their honeymoon. Marriage is hard, and maybe you are in a place where you feel that today.
Our guests, Bob and Dannah Gresh, have been there. They decided, like Mark and I did, to participate in God's redemption story for their marriage. Together, they discovered something better than romance—a love that endures—and you can too! Whether your relationship is struggling from pornography, addiction, an affair, broken trust, or years of unhappiness, Jesus Christ can help you redeem the broken places in your marriage.
We are so glad to have Bob and Dannah Gresh with us! Dannah is a bestselling author and sought-after teacher. She is the co-host of Revive Our Hearts, a daily podcast for women, and the founder of True Girl, which provides mother-and-daughter connection tools. Bob is the founder of a new model in Christian education known as Grace Prep. Dannah has recently released her book, Happily Even After, which is all about their story of battling pornography and lust together.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Hope for finding "happy" after you've experienced hurt
- Why it's vital to include your spouse in repentance and healing
- The importance of improving your skills in marriage
- And much more!
I hope you are encouraged and that this conversation strengthens your marriage!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bob-dannah-gresh-158/
Everyone knows how important it is for a house to have a strong foundation. If a foundation is weak or it has problems, the house will begin to tilt, sag, water might come in, and the house could even collapse if not corrected. A foundation supports and holds everything in place and the same thing happens in our bodies.
Our bodies need to have a strong foundation in order to have good health and this starts with our core, but most of us don’t realize that is far more than our abdominal muscles. Our core is a complex group of muscles that includes nearly every part of our body except for arms and legs. Now that’s new information to me! Your pelvic floor is the foundation that holds up and supports your core.
To help us learn more about this topic is my good friend and very own pelvic floor therapist, Poonam McAllister. Poonam attended school in Bombay, India for a Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. She opened Central Illinois Institute of Balance (CIIB) in 2007 and added pelvic floor to her offerings in 2008.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Some of the symptoms that require pelvic floor therapy
- What pelvic floor therapy may look like
- How your pelvic floor impacts your relationships
- And much more!
This topic is a little different from our normal content but it’s one that has benefitted me personally and it can be beneficial for you too!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/poonam-mcallister-157/
Welcome to another bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! I tend to put these bonus episodes out there once every other month and their purpose is to give you some quick encouragement and wisdom for your life. Thank you for being here!
Usually, when I do a bonus episode I do it on my own or with my husband, but today I’m joined by my friend, Keli Reese! Keli is a married mom of five and the founder and speaker for Ministry in Mothering.
Keli and I are talking about seasons of life, life transitions, and three things you need to consider before making a change!
Thank you for being part of the No More Perfect community!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-life-transition-156
Waiting is a natural part of the human experience. Each and every one of us will experience waiting numerous times throughout our lifetimes. It may be waiting for physical healing, waiting for the prodigal to return home, waiting for relationships to mend or to heal, waiting to trust to be rebuilt, waiting for careers to take off, or waiting for our spouse to engage in the marriage.
Unfortunately, most of us struggle to wait well! We can be more than a little impatient in the waiting and be unsatisfied when the results aren’t what we expected or hoped for.
In this episode, we want to flip the script for you on the topic of waiting. We want to help you think about waiting in a different light. Mark and I invite you to think about waiting not as an uncomfortable process, but as an invitation to grow.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- How waiting is actually a gift
- Why waiting can bring “impurities” to the surface
- The peace that comes from God when we trust Him with the outcome
- And much more!
Thanks for listening in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/waiting-well-155
Every one of us experiences setbacks and disappointments in life, but some of those are harder to come back from than others. Whether that be a season of illness, hardships from life circumstances, or perhaps you are going through issues with your relationship or marriage.
My guest understands this as he faced a life-changing challenge at just six years of age when a severe childhood illness left him profoundly deaf. In spite of that obstacle, John learned how to read lips and speak clearly through speech therapy. Pastor John Meador today preaches weekly at Cross City Church near Dallas-Fort Worth to a congregation of 3,000 people. We have much to learn from John as well as his insight about some of the Bible’s greatest comeback stories.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- How John lost 95% of his hearing
- A few of the greatest comeback stories in the Bible
- Encouragement for when you face difficulties
- And much more!
I hope you enjoy and receive as much encouragement from this episode as I did!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/john-meador-154
In this episode, Mark and I are tackling a unique topic that we’ve never really covered before! It’s the topic of alcohol and specifically how it can affect our lives and our relationships if we aren’t careful.
If you grew up in a conservative Christian household, you may not have had any exposure to alcohol growing up and that may leave you wondering if it has a place in your life at all as an adult. Whatever your background or past experiences with alcohol, this is an important topic as we determine what is good and healthy to have in our daily lives.
To help us unpack this topic, we asked Matt and Amy Edwards to join us. Matt and Amy are the hosts of the podcast, An Alcohol-Free Marriage. Amy is also a certified coach who focuses on one-on-one coaching and offers a group coaching program called The Alcohol Free Experiment.
They happen to live just a few miles from us in central Illinois and we are excited to have them on the podcast talking about this very important discussion around alcohol.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- The circumstances that led each of them to give up alcohol
- Why moderation may not be the answer
- How we condition our brains to turn to alcohol
- And much more!
This is such an important topic and I hope this conversation is an encouragement as we navigate the topic of alcohol.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/matt-amy-edwards-153
Since our marriage crisis 11 years ago, Mark and I refer to ourselves as “Mark & Jill 2.0” and that’s because we are very different people than we were in our 1.0 status. So what was that journey from 1.0 to 2.0 like? Well, we dug in, we found our hidden heart issues, and we realized how much they were sabotaging our lives and relationship. Then, we did the work to heal those issues.
This journey of healing is one that many of us need to take, but few of us understand why or even the huge difference it can make in our lives. I’ve asked my friend, Annette Chesney, to help us unpack this topic. Annette works closely with women to repair their hearts, rediscover their best selves, and reawaken their powerful purpose as they create a beautiful life of their design.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Three hidden heart issues that may be sabotaging your life
- What happens when we have unmet needs
- Some steps you can take to start the process of healing
- And much more!
Listen in as Annette helps us uncover three major hidden heart issues that could be sabotaging your life!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/annette-chesney-152
External success does not mean there are no internal struggles. And yet, we often idolize celebrities and follow people on social media that look like they “have it all together.” If you have ever heard me speak or read any of my books, you’ve probably heard me say that we need to stop comparing our insides to other people’s outsides. Well, today’s conversation is going to illustrate why.
My guest today is Tasha Layton. She is a contemporary Christian musician, Season 9 contestant on American Idol, former backup vocalist for Katy Perry, and named one of Billboard’s Top 5 female Christian artists of 2020. Despite all her success, she couldn’t escape the lies that had taken root early in her life.
In her new book, Look What You’ve Done, Tasha shares the lies she allowed herself to believe as she struggled with comparison, self-image, and the uncertainty of finding her purpose. And most importantly, Tasha shares how God continues to bring her wisdom and truth regarding who He is, and who she is meant to be.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- About Tasha’s journey
- The power in naming your emotions
- The difference between conviction and condemnation
- And much more!
I hope this conversation brings you hope and helps you uncover the lies in your life!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/tasha-layton-151
I have my husband with me today because we are celebrating 40 years of marriage this week! Can you believe it? We were 19 and 23 years old when we got married.
As we were talking about the last 40 years of life spent together, processing, and remembering both the good and the not-so-good times, we realized that there were a few pieces of advice we would give to our younger selves.
As we take a look back, we are uncovering the hidden gems we learned throughout the years of marriage and we want to share them with you! We hope this helps and encourages you whether you have been married for one, five, ten, or even 40 years!
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Some of the principles that made the difference in our marriage
- How our past can have a big impact on our present
- Why asking good questions can help in an argument
- And much more!
Thanks for listening in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/40-years-marriage-150
Welcome to another bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! We like to surprise you every once in a while with some quick and helpful podcast goodness, just for you. Thank you for being here!
In this episode, Mark and I discuss the powerful principle of “Pray, Don’t Say.” This phrase helps us slow down our reactions, be thoughtful about our responses, and seek God’s leadership in our relationships. We started using this phrase about the transition into the empty nest life, making the transition from sharing our opinions about our adult child’s life to holding back our thoughts unless we’re asked for them. However, this principle applies to all areas of life, including marriage, work, and other relationships.
This is a great principle to remind us to talk to Jesus before we talk to our spouse, our child, our coworker, etc. We hope this bonus episode is an encouragement to you this week!
Thank you for being part of the No More Perfect community!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-pray-dont-say-149/
When a little one enters the world, there is a balance that needs to be struck between taking care of baby and taking care of mom. I know each time we added a new little one to our family, I had to figure out that balance all over again.
Whether you are a new mom or a soon-to-be grandma, this episode’s conversation will address all things moms, babies, and how to take care of both. Helping me dive into this topic is Rachael Elmore. She is a licensed therapist and a Christian counselor, as well as the author of A Mom Is Born: Biblical Wisdom and Practical Advice for Taking Care of Yourself and Your New Baby.
11 years ago, Rachael overcame postpartum depression in her own life after she became a new mom. Today, she has a passion for helping other moms do the same through her thriving Christian counseling practice, her book, and social media.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Who is affected by this adjustment period
- How to spot the difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression
- The best way to support new moms
- And much more!
I know everyone can benefit from this conversation about supporting new moms!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/rachael-elmore-148
Would you like to know a little-known fact? Well, one of the most accessed blog posts on my website is a post titled When a Woman is Addicted to Pornography. It was first published in 2017 and it is still one of the most popular posts.
Our world primarily talks about lust and pornography as a “man’s problem” but a 2016 Barna study actually found that 20% of Christian women use porn on a regular basis. These women suffer silently and often feel alone with nowhere to turn.
My guest, Jessica Harris, totally understands that experience. She’s made the journey from being addicted to pornography to being set free. Jessica is recognized as a leading voice talking about female porn use and addiction in the church. Her latest book, Quenched, helps women understand God’s abundant grace when struggling with pornography and sexual shame.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Jessica’s own story of finding freedom from porn
- The three signposts of shame
- How shame keeps us from running to God
- And much more!
This is such an important topic and I hope this episode opens the door to find hope and spark conversations!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jessica-harris-147
Many years ago when I was a young mom, I read two books that I had actually just picked off the shelf at a Christian bookstore. Those two books absolutely changed my life and my mothering—A Mother’s Touch and A Mother’s Time—and the author was Elise Arndt.
To say that this lady has been an influence in my life would be a huge understatement. Elise has now entered the 80th year of her life, but she still has a heart to invest in women and mothers. And in this episode, Elise is taking some time to invest in you!
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- About the importance touch has in our children’s development
- What makes us a “success” at mothering
- The balance between putting our children or our marriage first
- And much more!
Elise’s books meant so much to me as a new mom and I hope you enjoy our conversation in this episode!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/elise-arndt-146
We live in an age of an endless and overwhelming amount of information. Whether or not we realize it, it can start to take a toll on us. It can begin to affect our personal well-being and create depletion, exhaustion, impatience, and it can bring out versions of ourselves that we are not very proud of. When this happens, it means that our heart needs a reset. But how do we find the reset button?
My friend and guest for this episode, Rachel Macy Stafford, says that we need to start by tapping into what delights our hearts and brings peace to our souls. She is a New York Times Best Selling author of five books including her newest book, Soul Shift: The Weary Human's Guide to Getting Unstuck and Reclaiming Your Path to Joy. Rachel invites us to embrace life and cultivate connection despite the distractions around us.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- How “doing it all” doesn’t equate to having everything together
- Why we tend to neglect the things that matter to us
- Practices we can cultivate to make a soul shift
- And much more!
Thanks for listening in to my conversation with Rachel about creating a soul shift that will help you reclaim joy!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/rachel-macy-stafford-145
As I talk to women in the second half of their lives, I often run into the belief that the most meaningful moments of life are behind them. But what if the most meaningful moments of life are really yet to come?
I talk about this in my Empty Nest, Full Life book. This midlife or second half of life is actually where we get to enjoy what I refer to as our “encore season of life.” We have so much to offer the world in this second half of life. We know more than we did in our early years, we’ve done more, we’ve lost more, and we’ve loved more. Because of our experiences in the first part of our lives, we get to leverage all that we have learned and offer it to the world in a fresh, new way.
Helping us unpack this topic is Dawn Barton. Dawn is a speaker, entrepreneur, mentor, and the author of Midlife Battle Cry. She is passionate about helping others find joy through their hardships and in her latest book she is calling women to their “second-half mission.”
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- How your best years are still to come
- Your experiences and lessons learned can benefit others
- Finding joy in writing the next chapter of your life
- And much more!
I hope you enjoy this conversation about finding and redefining your second half of life!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/dawn-barton-144
If there is one principle I have learned in nearly 40 years of marriage, it’s the principle that love is a choice. It’s a decision. It is not a feeling.
Dr. Gary Chapman believes that as well because “choice” is in the name of his newest book. Dr. Gary Chapman is an author, speaker, and counselor who has a passion for helping people form lasting relationships. You may recognize his name from his book, The 5 Love Languages, which is a resource that Mark and I often use in our marriage coaching (Gary also wrote the foreword to our book No More Perfect Marriages). Today, he is going to help us understand even more about love and how it is a conscious choice in our relationships.
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Why love is more than an emotion
- A review of the 5 Love Languages and what they look like in action
- Highlights of a few of the 28 stories featured in his latest book
- The perspective shift Mark took from our last conversation with Dr. Gary Chapman
- And much more!
It is always a pleasure when I get to have a conversation with Dr. Gary Chapman and I'm glad I get to share it with you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/gary-chapman-143
When Mark and I went through the dark season in our marriage, it’s no surprise that we sought out counseling. However, what most people find surprising is that our counselor focused more on untangling our childhoods than our skills as a couple. That was exactly what we needed in order to restore our marriage and move forward!
We all have a past, but what we don’t often realize is how much what happened “then” affects us now. (Even if your "then" wasn't very negative!) This is the topic we are going to dig into in this conversation and it applies to every person, even if you aren't married.
Helping me navigate this is Pastor Elliott Anderson, who is the Assistant Professor of Psychology at Judson University and the Pastor at Solid Rock Church in Elgin, IL. Elliott’s areas of expertise include counseling, identity formation, sexuality, addiction, adoption, foster care, marriage, family, and the integration of faith and psychology. He’s the author of several books and co-host of the podcast Love and Life Media. When I learned about his resources, I couldn't help but notice how similarly he speaks and thinks to Mark and I!
In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Why the key to your future often lies in the past
- The three A's that tear down intimacy
- The importance of making the decision to find healing
- And so much more!
I really enjoyed talking with Elliott and am eager to share this episode with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/elliott-anderson-142
Our marriage when off the tracks in 2011, when Mark was in a full-on midlife crisis, affair included. It would take us two years to move from being on the verge of divorce to a healed and improved Mark & Jill 2.0. I wouldn’t wish anyone to go through infidelity, however, it can be a wake-up call that reveals the places of hurt, pain, and dysfunction that should have been addressed a long time ago.
In this episode, Mark and I are sharing more about recovering from infidelity and the essentials of healing broken trust. We work with many couples who are at different stages of the infidelity journey, which is why we are so open with our own story.
It can be so valuable to have someone walk alongside you as you navigate rebuilding trust and recovering from infidelity, but even more than that, our hope is that this episode will give guidance to anyone no matter where you are on this journey.
Join us as Mark and I share:
- The first step to recovering from infidelity
- The difference between conviction and condemnation
- Why hoarding our hurts damages your marriage
- And more!
Infidelity recovery is absolutely possible! And you can have an even better marriage than what you had before.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/affair-recovery-141
Welcome to another bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! We love surprising you with extra podcast content that's super practical and beneficial for your life – it's our way of saying thank you!
Mark is joining me as we dive into the often challenging world of communication within a marriage, as a result of our Love Styles. Many people experience anxiety or avoidance when it comes to expressing emotions and connecting with their spouse. We're exploring how to handle those moments when we might take things personally and offer an alternative perspective to reframe our responses in those situations.
We hope this bonus episode brings encouragement and support to you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-140/
Are you an innie or an outie? We’re not talking bellybuttons here; we are talking about how you deal with clutter. Innies tend to "file," while outies tend to "pile." I am naturally an outie, so I tend to pile, and that led to some disorganization challenges that took me quite a bit of time to finally overcome.
After 30 years in women’s ministry, I know that home organization is a topic that many of us struggle with. So in this episode, I asked my friend, Crystal, to join me for a conversation about organizing. Crystal Larkin is the owner of Crystal Clear Professional Organizing and former Director of Speakers for Hearts at Home.
Join me as Crystal shares:
- The obstacles that prevent us from clearing clutter
- Strategies to C.L.E.A.R. clutter
- The importance of decluttering before you organize
- And more!
I’m so excited to dive into this topic with her today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/crystal-larkin-139
Trigger Warning: I want to let my listeners know this episode contains mentions of physical abuse, rape, and injury to a child. If you are sensitive to any of these topics, consider skipping this one or at least skipping the story of injury to a child at 11:00 - 11:30.
For those of us who are married, we would testify that there are times when marriage is hard. There are ups and downs and challenges that we face while learning how to blend two lives into one. You may often hear Mark and I talk about that in this space.
Relationships can often hit bumps in the road. This is true of marriages, family relationships, or close friendships. But sometimes those relationships are more than disappointing or difficult. There are times when marriages can be destructive and relationships are toxic. If we are in a destructive relationship, what should we do?
My guest, Leslie Vernick, specializes in this. She helps women walk in truth, find their voice, and invite their partners into healthy change so that destructive patterns can be broken. Leslie is a relationship coach, international speaker, and author of seven books, including The Emotionally Destructive Marriage and The Emotionally Destructive Relationship. She lives in the Phoenix, AZ area and has two children and three grandchildren.
Join me as Leslie shares:
- What the Bible says regarding relationships and wicked people
- The difference between challenging and destructive relationships
- Unhealthy relationship patterns we can bring into marriage
- And more!
I hope you are encouraged and strengthened by this conversation!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/leslie-vernick-138
I’ve got a question for you: What happens when life hits you hard? Do you crawl inside yourself and hide? Do you throw your hands up and give up? Or do you wipe yourself off and get back up again?
In this episode, I am talking about resilience, and to help me do that is my friend, Kelley Tyan. Kelley is a wife, mother of two, as well as the author of the book and host of the podcast, Addicted to the Climb.
Join me for a meaningful and uplifting conversation as Kelley shares her wisdom on:
- What it means to be resilient
- How focusing on fear produces more fear
- The power of setting your mind to do something
- And more!
This is such an important conversation. I hope it is exactly what you need to hear today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kelley-tyan-137
Life transitions can be tricky. There are hard changes that we don’t see coming and then there are welcome changes that we also have to navigate. Change in general can bring a flood of conflicting feelings from joy and delight to vulnerability, fear, and anxiety. As one season closes and another begins, we often find ourselves asking: What on earth am I supposed to do now? That’s what we are going to be talking about in this episode.
My guest, Nicki Koziarz, like so many others, has wondered “what now” during seasons of change. She has often felt lost in the middle spaces of life, including transitioning from working in an office to working from home, raising teenagers on the edge of adulthood, and navigating the painfully slow process of adoption. Nicki recently dug into the middle spaces of life in her latest book, Your New Now: Finding Strength and Wisdom When You Feel Stuck Where You Are. Nicki is an author and speaker at Proverbs 31 Ministries.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The core struggles we face in seasons full of transitions
- The different stages of life
- Why we should dream about our future
- And more!
I know you will be encouraged by what Nicki shares about life and experiencing changes!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/nicki-koziarz-136
Boy, do we have a story for you! It’s a story of how God connects the dots and meets needs even when we can’t see how circumstances could ever connect in that way. This summer, Mark and I are going to minister to marriages in Uganda but to tell you how we end up preparing to minister to hundreds of pastors and their wives, we have to tell you about a road trip to Florida. This episode will look a little different from our regular episodes as we share how a pit stop at a coffee shop led to Mark and me booking a trip to Uganda.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How we decided to put a trip to Uganda on our calendar
- God’s unique ability to connect the dots and cause our lives to intersect
- The importance of being open to what God is doing
- And more!
Listen in to hear how God orchestrated events for us to connect with pastors in Uganda!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/pastor-zachariah-135
In today’s gotta-have-it-all culture, exhaustion and hurry seem to be a badge of honor. We hustle hard, strive even more every day, and believe our “superhuman” tendencies are amazing! But the truth is they are alarming!
So what does it take to rock the boat enough to wake up our soul and address this? My guest today, Christy Boulware, has asked that question of herself. A severe panic and anxiety disorder diagnosis forced her to stare the answer dead in the eyes. Her fast-paced, heavily driven life finally caught up with her.
After taking steps to heal from her nervous breakdown in 2011, Christy turned her pain into purpose and founded Fearless Unite, a nonprofit organization that helps men and women of all ages overcome fear and anxiety by stepping into their God-given purpose and identity. She’s the author of the new book, Nervous Breakthrough: Finding Freedom From Fear and Anxiety in a World That Feeds It.
As a quick warning for my listeners, I want to mention that there will be instances where we talk about suicide in this episode. If you have an aversion to this topic or are around little ones, I recommend skipping this episode.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Christy’s story of overcoming her severe panic and anxiety disorder
- Some of the key factors that cause stress or can trigger anxiety
- The role surrender plays in managing our fear and anxiety
- And more!
I hope this conversation is encouraging to you wherever you listen!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/christy-boulware-134
How do you find peace when you are not in a very peaceful state of mind? And where do you find the words to talk to God about peace when it feels like your whole life is spinning out of control? In a world that is filled with stress and anxiety, it can seem that peace is difficult to find. We often turn to prayer too late and then wonder why it didn’t work.
Helping me dig into this topic is Brooke McGlothlin. She is the co-founder of Million Praying Moms. Brooke is also a podcaster and author of six books. One of her latest books is Everyday Prayers for Peace. She’s a wife of over 21 years and a mom to two teenage boys.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The role that prayer has in our job as moms
- Understanding the difference between our role and God’s
- How to uncover peace in your everyday life
- And more!
I'm praying this conversation is encouraging to you wherever you listen!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/brooke-mcglothlin-133
Today, Mark is joining me to talk about the subject of personal growth. It’s no secret that we did a lot of work on our marriage that we now affectionately refer to as “Mark & Jill 2.0”. But what you might not hear us talk about specifically as much is how much growing we had to do on our own before our marriage could take on new life.
Whether you're feeling like you're stuck in survival mode or you're eager to make a significant change in your relationships, the key is to start with personal growth. Mark and I talk through some practical insights on how to begin your personal growth journey and why it's essential for your well-being and the success of your relationships.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to cultivate a growth mindset
- Strategies for pursuing a thriving life
- The impact of a growth mindset on every area of your life
- And more!
I hope this episode is exactly what you need to hear today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/personal-growth-132
When we were early in our marriage, I often said to Mark, “Sex! I could go the rest of my life without it!” And he totally believed me. True story! Needless to say, we had all kinds of challenges in that area of our marriage, and eventually, we sought out sex therapy. And it was a game-changer for us!
It’s no secret that sex is an important part of any marriage, but we are often hard-pressed to talk about it honestly with one another. It can be hard to find Christian resources to dig into this somewhat taboo topic, and yet it is one of the areas that can drastically impact your marriage for the better!
Today, we are talking about how to get a different perspective on sex. Helping us do that is Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. Michael Sytsma. They are the authors of a new book called Secrets of Sex & Marriage: 8 Surprises That Make All the Difference. Shaunti is a bestselling author, social researcher, speaker, and has a graduate degree from Harvard. She uses her analytical background to help relationships thrive. And Dr. Michael Sytsma is an ordained minister, licensed professional counselor, Certified Sex Therapist, professor, and national speaker.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How they collected information about sex and marriages
- The two primary ways desire works
- What the true gatekeeper to having more sex is
- And more!
I pray this is exactly what you are needing to hear today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/feldhahn-sytsma-131
When Mark and I were raising our five children, there was a wide array of temperaments, personalities, and unique traits in each of them. The truth is, families usually have one child that is more sensitive and intense than the others. Often what worked for your other children might not work with this child. Every child is different and needs intentional leadership from their parents. In fact, Dr. Kathy Koch and I talk about this in our book, No More Perfect Kids: Love Your Kids for Who They Are, because learning new skills and understanding your sensitive and intense child can be a game changer.
Helping me unpack this today is Lynne Jackson. Lynne has 25 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist working with children with a sensory processing disorder, ADHD, OCD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and autism spectrum disorder. Lynne is also an author and founder of Connected Families, a ministry that helps families in the midst of everyday life.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Examples of a sensitive and intense child
- Strategies for decreasing stress for you and your child
- What truly makes us good parents
- And more!
I pray this is exactly what you are needing to hear today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/lynne-jackson-130
I love a good love story. Whether on the pages of a good book or on the big screen, I really do enjoy experiencing a love story unfold. Have you ever considered that you have a love story with God? You do! We’re talking about that and more in today’s episode.
Joining me today is Bob Wheatley. He is an author, podcaster, and former professional athlete. After graduating from the University of Southern California, Bob played four years of minor league baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays and the St. Louis Cardinals. He has a strong desire for helping people discover their passion for God which inspired him to write his first book, Our Hearts’ Desire: How Our Stories Reveal The Thing We Want Most.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How our relationship with God is a love story
- The crucial role we play in this story
- How God has pursued us and His people throughout history
- And more!
I hope that this episode is an encouragement to you wherever you listen!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bob-wheatley-129
Today, Mark is joining me to talk about an important, though often forgotten, topic: listening. Listening is a skill that takes practice, focus, and a willingness to set aside our thoughts and engage with others. It’s not always easy, but when we put in the effort, the benefits to our relationships with loved ones, friends, and coworkers are significant.
We work with people to improve their listening skills all the time in our coaching and have seen firsthand how much of a difference it can make. Whether it’s with our kids, friends, or relatives, when we listen better, we communicate better, and all relationships improve. So, let’s commit to working on this together and seeing the amazing benefits for ourselves!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why it is important that we are quick to listen
- The four principles for becoming a better listener
- How to let people know you care by validating their feelings
- And more!
I hope this is a helpful episode for you today! Listen closely! 😉
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/better-listener-128
Life on this side of heaven can be challenging at times. I know that isn’t breaking news for most of us, but what might surprise you is that a battle is going on around us. There’s an Enemy that comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and we must be aware that this is happening and that we know how to find victory in that battle.
In this episode, I am joined by my friend, Judy Dunagan, for a discussion on spiritual warfare. Judy is an acquisitions editor at Moody Publishers. She is also the author of The Loudest Roar, which covers how we can stand in the unshakable victory Christ has already won despite the battle raging around us.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Who the Enemy is and how he attacks.
- What spiritual warfare looks like in our lives.
- The tools at our disposal as Christians to defend ourselves.
- And more!
I pray this episode encourages you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/judy-dunagan-127
Welcome to another bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! We like to bring you some extra podcast goodness every once in a while that's quick to listen to and helpful for your life. Just to say thank you!
In this bonus episode, Mark and I are talking all about the difference between letting our stories define us and letting our stories refine us. The reality is that when we let our stories define us, we experience shame and become stalled. When we let our stories refine us, we can experience growth.
Using the healing journey from our dark season of marriage as an example, we are sharing how God used our story as a pathway to refine each of us respectively in our faith, emotional health, and our thinking, as well as how He can do the same in your life.
We hope this bonus episode is a support to you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-refine-not-define/
There comes a time when every child steps into adulthood and starts to make their own choices. Some of those choices are ones we agree with, while others are not. How can we reconcile our relationship with our adult children, even in the face of our own heartache? How do we create a space for joy and understanding in our relationships with our adult kids?
Navigating the waters of this new relationship with our children is what I’m talking about today, along with my guest, Mary DeMuth. She is an international speaker, a podcaster, and the author of 40 books, including both fiction and non-fiction. Mary’s most recent book is Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy. She lives in Texas with her husband of 30 years and is mom to three adult children.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The danger of basing your happiness on the choices of your children
- What our adult children need to hear from us the most
- The importance of listening to your adult children
- The power of praying over your children
- And more!
I loved talking with Mary on this topic, and I hope it is an encouragement to you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/mary-demuth-126
It's no secret that mother-daughter relationships can sometimes be complex and challenging. Still, it's also true that these relationships are some of the most important and defining in our lives. Whether your relationship with your mom is strong or strained, it's natural to experience ups and downs. After all, we're all human, and perfection is unattainable. However, with the right tools and understanding, we can work towards improving and strengthening our bond with our mothers.
To help us dive deeper into the mother-daughter relationship, I'd like to introduce Debbie Alsdorf. Debbie is an accomplished author, speaker, and coach for women and writers. She and her husband, Ray, live in Arizona and have raised a blended family of four children, who have blessed them with ten grandchildren. Debbie has written 14 books and curriculums and is well-equipped to offer guidance and insights on this important relationship.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The role a mother has in the development of their children
- What kind of attitude we should have when seeking reconciliation
- How to find healing even if our mother is gone
- And more!
I hope this conversation is an encouragement to you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/debbie-alsdorf-125
It’s hard to believe that this is our final episode for 2022! Mark is joining me on the podcast today to review the year and share what we look forward to in the new year. We are so thankful to you, our faithful listener, and we are so excited about everything coming up in 2023. Thanks for listening to this episode and closing out the year with us!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Our recap of 2022 and the lessons we learned along the way
- What we are looking forward to in 2023
- We close out this episode and the year by reading the Christmas story
- And more!
We hope you have a very Merry Christmas, and we will be back in 2023!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/year-review-124
It’s the holiday season! That means that there is shopping, gift-giving, and decorating that needs to be done. Unfortunately, in the midst of all the doing, we can miss out on having a Christmas heart. When that happens, we miss out on the true reason for the season. Today, we’re diving into how we can have a heart that longs for Jesus and holds tightly to Him by looking at Jesus’ mother, Mary.
Helping me explore this is my friend Jennifer Jackson. Jennifer is an author, speaker, pastor, and radio show host. Jennifer, along with her husband, Doyle, leads The Church Next Door in Columbus, OH.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The characteristics Mary displayed for us
- Practical ways that you can cultivate a Christmas heart
- How to hold tightly to Jesus during the holidays
- And more!
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! I hope this conversation encourages you today.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jennifer-jackson-123
Years ago, way back in the ’90s, Mark and I went through the Experiencing God study by Henry & Richard Blackaby. To say that study changed our lives would be an understatement, and I still recommend it to people today! I learned so much about how God speaks to and guides us, and I still use many concepts from that book in my personal prayer time.
I recently discovered that there is a brand new Experiencing God Study Bible out, and I had to know more about it! That is why I am so excited for today’s conversation with Dr. Richard Blackaby, who served as the editor of the new CSB Experiencing God Bible and is the President of Blackaby Ministries International.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The original inspiration behind Experiencing God
- What it takes to experience God in your own life
- How our reality changes when we see it from God’s perspective
- And so much more!
It was such a privilege to talk with Dr. Blackaby, and I truly hope it encourages you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/richard-blackaby-122
TW: Before we introduce you to my guest and the topic for this episode, I want to let you know that we discuss suicide and the circumstances leading up to it. If this could be a trigger for you, please consider listening with a friend or skipping this episode. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, text or call the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Sometimes life can turn on a dime. Maybe it’s an unexpected diagnosis, a decision a loved one makes, or dreadful news delivered when we least expect it. When this happens, our well-ordered world is suddenly turned upside down. Everything can look dark, and the pain is tangible; you may even wonder if life can ever be beautiful again.
My guest, Kayla Stoecklein, can relate to this better than most. She is an author, speaker, and mental health advocate. Kayla became an unexpected widow in August 2018 when her husband, Andrew who was the pastor of their large church in California, died by suicide. With three young sons also grieving and a heart full of pain, it became her mission to bring hope and help to others who have faced unexpected hardships.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The importance of asking questions when someone shares their struggles
- How embracing your pain is good for you
- Steps you can take to rebuild beautiful
- And more.
My conversation with Kayla was powerful, and I am praying it encourages you no matter what your circumstances may be.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kayla-stoecklein-121
Have you ever struggled to control your thoughts? Our mindsets hold a lot of power in our lives. In fact, what we think affects how we feel, what we believe, and what we do.
My guest, Michelle Nietert, agrees! Michelle is a licensed professional counselor, Christian life coach, and co-author of a new book, Make Up Your Mind. Michelle is passionate about helping people use God's Word to fight the battle of our minds and thoughts.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- How to reframe your thoughts throughout the day
- The power of simple square breathing
- The unhealthy mindsets you may be carrying
- And so much more
This episode is full of wonderful encouragement and truth, and I hope you enjoy it!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/michelle-nietert-120
Has your life gone precisely as you would have chosen? In one way or another, we all would probably answer that question with a resounding “no.” It’s no secret that life can be unpredictable. The plans we dream about and make don’t always become our realities. When that happens, we can feel let down, disappointed, and lost.
My guest, Kristen Clark, understands this better than most people. She believes joy does not come from getting the life you always dreamed of. Instead, it comes from trusting God with the life He has for you and believing that His plans truly are good.
Kristen and her sister, Bethany Beal, are the founders of Girl Defined Ministries. They are also the authors of several books, including Girl Defined: God’s Radical Design for Beauty, Femininity, and Identity, and their most recent book, Not Part of the Plan: Trusting God with the Twists and Turns of Your Story.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Kristen’s journey walking through several miscarriages, unexplained infertility, and overcoming expectations around adoption
- Why it is important to have a clear understanding of God’s character
- The danger and disappointments of expectations
- How we can trust God with the future
- And more!
I loved talking with Kristen, and this conversation is such an important one. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kristen-clark-119
Today, we are talking about a subject many of us struggle with in one way or another—boundaries. We ask ourselves: Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? As Christians, aren’t we called to be long-suffering and grace-giving? If you’ve ever wrestled with these questions and wondered how a boundary fits into your life or your Christian faith, this episode is for you.
My guest today has wrestled with these questions herself during her own relational struggles. After many hours of study (and literally writing the book on boundaries!), she is committed to loving people well without compromising her own well-being. My guest, Lysa TerKeurst, is the president of Proverbs31 Ministries and a New York Times bestselling author. Her latest book is all about boundaries and is titled Good Boundaries and Goodbyes.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The connection between therapy and theology
- Biblical references to placing boundaries in our lives
- Some of the biggest mistakes we tend to make when it comes to boundaries
- And so much more!
This conversation was so fun and full of wisdom. I’m praying you’ll benefit from it!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/lysa-terkeurst-118
Here in "No More Perfect" land, we talk a lot about the many different relationships in life—marriage, parenting, friendships, and even extended family relationships. However, we have never had an episode where we talk about our relationship with ourselves (until today!). As women, we are bombarded with messaging that tells us that we should be confident with very little information on how to actually do it. Thankfully, my guest today is changing that!
Nicole Kalil is a speaker, leadership strategist, and coach who specializes in helping women build internal trust and reclaim confidence. She believes confidence is built from the inside out as we learn to trust ourselves and who we are meant to be.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The connection between your relationship with God and confidence
- The most common confidence derailers
- How to start building confidence
- And more!
I really enjoyed this conversation, and I'm praying it is an encouragement to you today.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/nicole-kalil-117
Welcome to another bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! We like to bring you some extra podcast goodness every once in a while that's quick to listen to and helpful for your life. Just to say thank you!
Do you ever look back at a situation in the past and think, I wish I would have handled that differently? Or do you ever get frustrated with yourself for repeating patterns you've struggled with throughout your life?
Today, Mark is joining me to talk about what it looks like to give yourself the grace of growth. The reality is that you're a different person than you were yesterday, one year ago, twenty years ago, etc. That means that you can forgive yourself for your past, embrace who you are now, and leave shame behind.
We hope this bonus episode is a support to you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/give-grace-growth/
It's no secret that I love to read! I often share what I'm reading on social media, I love to read before bed, and I usually can get through a few books while on vacation. A love of reading can come naturally, but it can also be nurtured and developed at home. No matter your children's ages, as a parent, you are the best person to help them learn and develop a love for books.
My guest today firmly believes that a love of reading starts at home. Sarah Mackenzie has made it her mission to help families create meaningful connections through reading books. She is the author of The Read-Aloud Family and Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace. She is also the host of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- 5 tips on how to create a habit of reading in your home
- How to start reading with your pre-teen and teenage children
- The benefits of reading aloud with your children
- And more!
No matter your relationship with reading, I pray that this episode is an encouragement to you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/sarah-mackenzie-116
Welcome back to another episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! Have you ever struggled to find close girlfriends? Do relationships with your guy friends seem much less complicated? Or have you always felt on the outside of girlfriend groups? If so, then this episode is for you!
If you’ve read any of my books, you know that I was a latecomer to the world of having close friends (can you relate?). I talk about this a lot in my book Better Together, which is all about making friends. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I finally met my group of girlfriends. Those three friends and I have maintained our relationship through the years, but it has taken intentional effort on all our parts. I want to share a conversation all four of us had on our most recent girls’ trip where e talked about what it takes to make and keep friendships. I hope it will encourage you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/keeping-friends-115
Are you too stressed to enjoy life? If so, you will want to listen to this episode. There is a message that I’ve said over and over throughout the years (and that I’ve had to learn myself), and it is that self-care is not selfish. In order to be great moms, it’s important we remember to care for ourselves too.
My guest today, Rachel Norman, is just as passionate as I am about helping overwhelmed and stressed-out moms. She is a mother, parent coach, and certified baby and toddler sleep consultant. Rachel is also the founder of A Mother Far From Home, an online community dedicated to helping mothers create peaceful and enjoyable lives for their families.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why we need to pay attention to our natural limits
- Whether sacrificing our own needs is biblical
- The first step you can take to reduce stress in your home
- And more!
This was a great conversation for moms of all kinds. I hope you enjoy this episode!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/rachel-norman-114
Did you know that, in the Bible, Jesus said it would be "better for us" for Him to leave earth so that we can receive the Holy Spirit? It's true!
It’s no secret that I’ve experienced some challenges in my life over the last 10 years—my marriage went through a very dark season, I battled breast cancer, one of our children has severe mental health challenges, the ministry I led for 24 years closed its doors, and my father, who I was very close with, passed away. I can’t imagine going through all that without God leading, guiding, and comforting me through the person of the Holy Spirit.
As I have helped and counseled others through their own difficult circumstances, it’s become evident to me that not everyone understands the work of the Holy Spirit. So I am welcoming a very special guest on today’s episode to help us better understand who the Holy Spirit is.
Max Lucado is a best-selling, inspirational author with more than 145 million copies of his books sold. (How crazy is that!?) He also is the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. His latest book, Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit, provides some great insight into our topic today.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The role of the Holy Spirit and how that relates to who God is overall
- Where we should turn when feeling stressed and out of control
- What the Holy Spirit’s role is in our lives
- The two primary ways to learn from the Holy Spirit
I hope this episode encourages you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/max-lucado-113/
Today’s episode is a major wisdom download for all of us! If you are like me, you love to learn from others who have walked the path before you and can offer advice from their experience. Well, I was talking with my friend Danna, who turned 70 this year, and she mentioned that she was making a list of the things she wished she had done and known earlier in life. My ears perked up and I asked if we could record a conversation about the lessons she’s learned.
Danna Demetre loves encouraging women toward healthier lives in body, soul, and spirit. She is a retired registered nurse, author of seven books, and a veteran health and weight loss coach.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why we all can learn to love more like a dog loves
- How laundry can be a call to gratitude and mindfulness
- If it matters whether you “go grey” or dye your hair regularly
- The importance of listening to who God says you are
- And so much more!
I know you’ll love this episode, and I’m excited to share it with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/danna-demetre-111/
Join Us Live in Holland, MI for a Marriage Getaway on Sep 30 - Oct 2, 2022: https://markandjill.org/getaway
You know, I can relate to many moms because of my personal experiences. I can relate to adoptive moms, empty nest moms, moms who have had breast cancer, those struggling with marriage issues, and so many other scenarios. However, there is a scenario that I do not personally have experience in: Being a stepmom. This is why today I’m welcoming my friend, Laura Petherbridge, onto the podcast today.
Laura is an author, speaker, and coach who understands what it’s like to be a stepmom, as well as what it’s like to be a stepchild. She is a co-author of The Smart Stepmom: Practical Steps to Help You Thrive, which is a book I have recommended over and over to stepmoms I know!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why it’s not uncommon for children to resent their stepparents (especially after the wedding)
- The #1 thing a child’s stepparent can do to help with a family transition
- Why it’s crucial as a stepparent to process your own childhood pain
- How to learn not to take a child's behaviors personally
- And much more!
Even if you’re not a stepparent, this episode is one to listen to! Laura is such a master at helping us understand the inner lives of both the child and adults navigating this family transition.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/laura-petherbridge-110/
Join Us Live in Holland, MI for a Marriage Getaway on Sep 30 - Oct 2, 2022: https://markandjill.org/getaway
Today’s episode is a convergence of three of my favorite things—I love to talk about marriage, I love to talk about sex in marriage, and I love to talk with my friend Juli Slattery. In this episode, we get to do all three!
Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy. She also hosts a weekly podcast called Java with Juli where she dives into “taboo” questions you’re afraid to ask about intimacy, marriage, singleness, sexual addiction, and more. She’s the author of 12 books including her newest book, titled God, Sex, and Your Marriage.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Some of the “pain points” commonly found related to sex in marriages
- What it looks like to think beyond sexual morality and think about sexual maturity
- How sex is directly connected to God’s covenant love for us
- The four pillars of covenant love and how they can improve your sex life
- Why the valleys of life can often help us increase intimacy in our marriage
This is such an important conversation, and I am eager to share it with you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/juli-slattery-109/
Today’s No More Perfect Podcast episode is one I have been excited to share for quite some time. That’s because the couple Mark and I are talking with have made a huge difference in our lives.
Have you ever heard of Love Styles? This isn’t Love Languages. It’s something very different.
Our Love Styles are formed in primary attachment, like our childhood home and family, and they become more evident in later connections, such as in marriage or parenting. When we understand our Love Style, we can heal from our past wounds, repair painful relating patterns, and rebuild our relationships in healthy ways.
In this episode we talk about love styles in general and in the marriage relationship, but even if you’re not married I want to encourage you to listen in because you have a love style you need to be aware of!
Milan and Kay Yerkovich, experts on attachment and best-selling authors, are our guests today. Our marriage was transformed in large part through their book, How We Love. The book uncovers unhelpful relating patterns formed in childhood that we carry over into our relationships in adulthood.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear:
- How Love Styles work
- What the 5 Love Styles are
- How we can move towards a Secure attachment style
- Why many of the biggest challenges in marriage start in childhood
- And so much more!
This topic is so important, and is a huge part of the marriage coaching and marriage intensives Mark and I do. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/milan-kay-yerkovich-108/
It can be hard to transition from actively parenting your children to doing life alongside them once they become adults. Whether you are quickly approaching this season or are currently in it, I want you to know that you can experience a richer, deeper, more fulfilling life (and relationship with your kids) than ever before.
My guest, Jim Burns, not only writes and speaks on strong marriages, confident parenting, and empowering kids, but he is also the author of Finding Joy in the Empty Nest and Doing Life With Your Adult Children. Jim is passionate about combining his personal experience of becoming an empty-nester with extensive research to help others navigate their own journey into this new stage of life.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to support and accept your kids even if they don’t embrace your values.
- The importance of having new experiences in the empty nest season of life
- Tips for handling “boomerang” children
- Why you have to let your kids make mistakes
- How to use this season to rediscover your passions
This topic is SO important, and Jim does such a great job speaking to the heart of parents in this season of life. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jim-burns-107/
Did you know that “mom brain” is a real thing? It’s true! On an even deeper level, mom fatigue syndrome is real, it’s pervasive, and it creeps into every facet of a mom’s life.
My guest, Hannah Keeley, has spent over 2 decades studying "mom brain" and discovered that researchers have literally found differences in brain scans of women before and after they had children. However, moms continue to use coping methods that do not work with the way their brain is now wired. Hannah has discovered a path to get out of the “mom fog” and she is here to lead the way!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What it means for “mom brain” to kick in after having children
- The importance of leveraging your newly-wired brain rather than fighting it
- Why experience deeper joy as a mom is more about what we believe than the strategies we try to implement
What we talk through in this episode is so important, and I hope it’s an encouragement to you today. You are not in this alone, my friend!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/hannah-keeley-106/
If you have been following us for any length of time, then you know Mark and I are passionate about marriage. Our own marriage went through a dark crisis about 10 years ago, which is an experience we are really open about. However, it is often hard to find other couples who are open about their own story and struggles. That’s why I’m honored to share today’s episode.
This is a conversation that Mark and I had with Ryan and Kristin Eller. They aren’t speakers or authors; they are everyday folks that have been through something hard and came out the other side of it together. Whether or not your own marriage has been affected by infidelity, I know everyone can benefit from the wisdom Ryan and Kristin have learned through their journey.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The importance of building intimacy in marriage
- How your community has a vital role in supporting your marriage
- Why you should care about sports teams, office drama, and hobbies
- Why there is still hope in your situation
I am so grateful for Ryan and Kristin’s openness in this episode. Take some time to listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/ryan-kristin-eller-105/
One of the things Mark and I talk about quite a bit are the Marriage 2.0 Intensives we have the opportunity to host at our home in Normal, IL. However, one of the questions we often get is, What happens at a marriage intensive?
That’s what we want to share with you on today’s episode! A marriage intensive is intentional time that you set aside to be focused on the growth you would like to make in your relationship (we work with people in happy marriages, hurting marriages, separated marriages, people who are divorced, and you’ll hear today about some others we’ve hosted!). I have Mark with me to help answer all your frequently asked questions about our intensives.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What you can expect from a marriage intensive
- How to prepare in advance for an intensive
- Why intensives can often help you make connections more quickly
- Some of our favorite stories from hosting intensives
Intensives are one of our favorite parts of our ministry, so we’re excited to share more about them with you in this episode!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/marriage-intensive-104/
Marriage 2.0 Intensive: https://jillsavage.org/hope-renewed-intensive-retreat/
Something that isn't often talked about is the experience where you will never have an “empty nest.” The never-empty nest occurs when we have a child that is not able to leave the home or a child that needs care for the rest of their life. This reality can be so challenging to adjust to when you have to process (and grieve) that life may look different than you expected.
For this episode, I’m joined by two moms, Connie DeRosa and Kim Cusimano, who both have children that need long-term care. If you are someone who has just learned that your child will need long-term care, have been living this out for a while, or someone who wants to know how they can best help families who have experienced this, today's conversation is one you don't want to miss.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How we can care for ourselves while being a caregiver to others
- Where faith fits into this journey
- The challenges that come with caring for your child long-term
- What it looks like to grieve the loss of a life journey you were expecting
- How the church can step in and serve families navigating long-term care for their children
This episode was such an encouragement to me as I navigate supporting my own child who is on disability. I hope it encourages you as well!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/nest-wont-be-empty-103/
Our past, our upbringing, and our experiences in life don’t stay in the past. They are carried into our marriages and affect how we operate in our relationships. This is a topic that Mark and I cover a lot in our book No More Perfect Marriages and in our coaching with other couples. The good news is that you are not powerless or stuck in the past! You can move beyond it and experience true intimacy in your marriage and relationships.
In this episode, I’m joined by my husband, Mark, and our friends, Joe & Tara Buchanan. They are the hosts of the Behind Our Smiles podcast, in which they talk openly about their marriage journey and how their past has affected their marriage.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Joe & Tara’s marriage journey
- The importance of loving your spouse where they are at right now
- How to surrender the work of restoring your marriage to God
- Why we have to watch for pride in our own hearts
Mark and I really appreciated Joe and Tara’s openness in this episode. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/joe-tara-buchanan-102/
I have my hubby, Mark, on the podcast with me today! We are tackling an important topic, not just for married couples, but for any relationship. What’s the topic? Communication. (Can we get an amen!?) Learning how to stop assuming and start communicating was at the heart of making over our marriage after our crisis. Through communication, we changed how we talked and listened to each other, which we have found is key to healing, changing the dynamics in your relationships, and understanding each other better.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Communication pitfalls that are so easy to fall into
- The different C’s you can bring to a conversation
- How to ask for what you need the right way
- Why expecting people will “just know” simply isn’t realistic.
This is so important, and we hope this episode helps you learn to ask for what you need!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/ask-what-you-need-101/
Do you feel like you are lacking friends? Do you have moments of loneliness? Have you felt like you want to grow your friendships but don’t know how? Well, that is exactly what we are talking about on the podcast today.
In this episode, I’m joined by Craig Cooper. Craig and his friend, Walker Hayes (yes, the Walker Hayes who sings “Fancy Like”), wrote a book on friendship called Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences. It is a story about the unlikely journey of friendship between a pastor and an atheist. God often uses unlikely friendships to work in incredible ways and today Craig shares the value of face-to-face friendships in our lives.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How God designed us for transformative relationships
- The importance of safety in our relationships
- The difference between table connection and tablet connection
- Some of the barriers to real connection our culture promotes
- How Craig’s friendship with Walker Hayes led to transformation in both of their lives
This conversation really challenged me, and I know it will challenge you too. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/craig-cooper-100/
Today’s episode is not coming to you from two women who are authors and speakers. Today’s episode is coming to you from two women who have had at least one parent pass away, sharing openly about our experience and the details we wish we would have known before they passed.
Losing a loved one is an experience that all of us will experience at some point in our lives. As I was recently talking with my friend Wendy Pope, we really connected over our experiences, and we felt it was important to share what we learned in a podcast episode that can support others so they might be able to be better prepared. That’s our hope for you. We hope this conversation is a practical support to you so you can have conversations, put together details, and be more prepared for a loved one’s move to heaven (or preparing your own family for your move to heaven).
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Details that you should try to know before you care for and lose a parent
- Logistical details you should get in order now to make it easier on your loved ones before your own move to heaven
- Unexpected things we learned after losing our parent(s)
- What an “everything book” is and how you can create one
- Practical information like how many death certificates you should plan to have
- How to proactively prepare your own kids before your passing
This is one of the longer episodes I’ll share on the podcast, as it’s very important to us that we provided an in-depth resource for you on such an important topic. I hope this is a practical support for you! This also may be an episode that’s good to bookmark and revisit in the future.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/wendy-pope-99/
Raising a daughter in today’s social-media-oriented, crazy world can be challenging! As our daughters grow up, we actually have some growing to do too. What does it look like for us to grow up and to love our daughters well? How can we grow ourselves to remain an emotionally-safe place for our girls? How can we lead them well through the hormone-charged pre-teen and teen years?
Joining me to help tackle these questions is Kari Kampakis, an author, speaker, and podcaster from Birmingham, Alabama. She firmly believes that mothers can love well by improving the foundation, habits, and dynamics of their relationship with their children.
I do want to note that this conversation may be directed at moms of daughters, but if you are a dad, please listen in because these principles apply to either parent’s relationship with their daughter.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How to prioritize connecting with your daughter over correcting her
- The importance of finding your source of security and love outside of your relationship with your child
- Why your actions during the pre-teen and teenage years will set the tone for your future relationship with your daughter
- How to become your daughter’s emotional coach
This conversation was full of SO much practical advice and examples, and I am grateful to share it with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kari-kampakis-98/
Let’s be honest: life can be really hard sometimes this side of Heaven. I know in my own life I think of my breast cancer, the dark season of Mark and I's marriage, losing my dad recently, deep challenges my children have experienced, and much more. I imagine you can think of many situations in your own life as well.
Along with those hardships come emotions that can feel like a rollercoaster that takes us on twists and turns, and often our first reaction is to just try to make the rollercoaster stop so we can experience joy and peace again. However, what if we could find joy even while we are riding the rollercoaster of life? What if joy isn't about a feeling, but rather about a knowing?
Joining me today is my long-time friend Suzie Eller, who is a podcast co-host, speaker, and ECPA bestselling author. She has written several books including her most recent book, Joykeeper: 6 Truths That Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Joy. She has also navigated some incredibly challenging circumstances in her life, and in this episode she openly walks us through the journey God has led her and her family on, and what she's learned as a result.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why circumstances so often steal our joy
- The lessons Suzie has personally learned from walking through hardship
- Practical ways you can find joy on the hard days
- Why we can let God do His work without getting in His way
This was such a beautiful and honest conversation. I hope it speaks to your heart in a powerful way today.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/suzie-eller-97/
Today’s episode is probably one of my favorite interviews I’ve ever done, and it was honestly pretty emotional for me. During Mark and I’s dark season of marriage, Cheri Keaggy’s music was a comfort to my heart.
You see, music is a powerful delivery truck for truth for me. When I listen to the truth of God’s Word set to music, it helps that truth to reside in my soul and stay there. In today’s episode, I’m chatting openly with Cheri about navigating the complicated mix of beauty and pain we experience in life.
Cheri has been ministering through music for over 30 years. She’s an incredible songwriter and I think you’ll appreciate this conversation I had with her about how she has navigated deep loss, what it looks like to trust God in hard seasons, and the role music has played in her life journey.
TW: I do want to let you know that this episode contains discussions about suicide, specifically Cheri losing her father to suicide. If this topic could be triggering to you, please listen carefully, with someone else, or consider skipping this episode if necessary.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- A clip of one of my favorite songs Cheri has written
- The role music played in Cheri’s healing journey
- How God can bring purpose to our pain
- Encouragement for the hard seasons of life
I hope this episode is an encouragement to your heart this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/cheri-keaggy-96/
Zig Ziglar, author and motivational speaker, says, “If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.” Too often that’s what we do with relationships and our marriage; we don’t have a plan or a goal set to make our relationships better and we end up aiming at nothing. This causes us to drift away from our partner and into an unhealthy, unintentional relationship.
My guests today believe that intentionally designing your marriage is a vital concept for a strong relationship. Ashley and Dino Petrone have been married for 16 years and they live in Florida with their four children. Dino is a Senior Engineer while Ashley is a full-time mom, blogger, and interior designer. Together they have authored a new book called Designed to Last: Our Journey of Building an Intentional Home, Growing in Faith, and Finding Joy in the In-Between.
Let me tell you, they have quite a story! From selling everything they owned and living in a trailer as a family for a period of time to purchasing and redesigning an inn to coming to terms with where their true identity lies, Ashley and Dino have a lot of wisdom to share.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How challenging experiences can be the seasons where we experience the deepest intimacy
- Why intentionality is one of the most important aspects of a thriving marriage
- What it looks like to be marriage-centered rather than child-centered
- How to live a life that's focused on what truly matters.
I loved my conversation with Ashley and Dino, and I hope you do as well!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/ashley-dino-petrone-95/
Most of us have experienced being misunderstood at some point in our lives. Honestly, it has happened to me more times than I can count and each time it is simply heartbreaking. This often looks like being misheard, mischaracterized, or misrepresented by family, friends, or even strangers.
Even worse than a single instance of being misunderstood is when we go through a whole season of misunderstanding in which the people around us either question or judge our motives or actions. You may have found yourself asking, How do I correct these misconceptions? Should I try to defend myself? Will that make me look guilty? How can I find joy if somebody believes something about me that isn’t true?
My guest today dug deep into this extensively in her own life and in God’s Word to bring us hope. Mary DeMuth is an author of over 40 books including her most recent book, The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible. She is also a podcaster, literary agent, artist, and speaker.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The women of the Bible who were misunderstood
- Why you don’t have to feel pressure to jump to defend yourself
- How to find the right balance between speaking the truth and being loving through our words
- The importance of learning to recover our curiosity
It was such an honor to have this conversation with Mary. I hope it's a support to you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/mary-demuth-94/
Too many of us are paralyzed by the fear of “what if.” Have you ever felt that way? We feel God calling and want to go forward with His plans, but fear often stops us in our tracks. Today we are going to declare no more! Instead of letting fear stop you short, you can let faith call you forward. My guest, Jennifer Hand, calls this “putting your yes on the table.” When you do that, you watch God do more in your life than you could have ever imagined.
Jennifer is the Founder and Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries. She uses her Master’s Degree in Trauma Counseling and her experience living overseas to extend the invitation to come alive in Christ at conferences, retreats, counseling, and through her books. Beyond that, she’s a friend!
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
- The different fears that often prevent us from following God’s plan
- Practical ways to move from fear to faith
- Specific examples from both Jennifer’s life and my life of how we’ve seen God use our yes
- How to remember God’s faithfulness in your life to help you trust him today
Jennifer has an incredible story, and I loved this conversation. I’m excited to share it with you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jennifer-hand-93/
Several years ago, Mark and I started hosting “cousins’ weekends” for our grandkids. This is when all the grandkids come to our home for 24 hours to have a fun time with their cousins and we get to enjoy time with all of them. As an added bonus, their parents get a nice break too! In addition, three years ago we started “Cousins Camp.” This is an extended time together that we offer to our older grandchildren. Mark and I love our time together with them!
I’ve had so many people ask about how we do a cousins’ weekend and Cousins Camp that I thought it was time to do a podcast episode about it! So I’ve decided to invite two friends to join in on the conversation: My friend, Julie Pichon, who first introduced me to the idea of a Cousins Camp after hosting her Grammy Camp for years, and Roxy Wiley, the author of the book DIY Camp Grandma: A Handbook to Create an Extraordinary Experience for Grandchildren.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Some great resources to start your own Grandma Camp
- Unique ways to plan your Grandma Camp activities
- What to do when grandkids start getting “too old” for Grandma Camp
- Creative ways to keep Grandma Camp going when family doesn’t live close
I hope this episode sparks ideas for your own intentional time with your grandkids!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/grandma-camp-92/
I know that both Mark and I have struggled to cultivate a heart that can see the good on hard days at various points in our life. This is why I'm honored to welcome Dr. Michelle Bengtson onto the podcast today! Michelle has been through some intense health struggles in her life. Nevertheless, she has held on to God's truth and promises in her work as a podcast host, international speaker, and board-certified clinical neuropsychologist. She’s also the author of a new book called, Today is Going to Be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How we can use God’s truth to stay steady in the midst of hardships.
- Why we have to be careful about how our emotions can change how we relate to God’s truth.
- The importance of having trusted confidants to support and share our hardships with.
- And how consistent presence in someone's life leads to an openness to God's truth.
I hope you are encouraged by this conversation today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/michelle-bengtson-91/
Did you know that there are more ways to break trust in a marriage than infidelity? Today, I have my hubby, Mark, joining me on the show, and we are going to be launching into a topic that we often explore in our marriage coaching: The topic of broken trust.
While infidelity certainly is something that will significantly break trust, it's important that we understand the other ways trust can be broken in a marriage. It's not uncommon in our marriage intensives to help a couple understand that they're dealing with an issue of broken trust, and placing the correct label on what's causing disconnection is such an eye-opener that helps them move closer towards healing.
In today's episode, you’ll hear:
- 12 ways trust can be broken in a marriage (outside of infidelity).
- The impact a loss of trust has on a relationship.
- Practical examples of what this might look like in your marriage.
- And why there is always hope!
We hope this episode helps you identify areas in your own relationship where trust needs to be restored!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/broken-trust-marriage-90/
What is a crazy dream that God has dropped in your heart? Is there a door that God seems to be opening that you’re afraid to walk through? For many of us, the default answer to dreams or opportunity is, “No.” But today we’re going to explore the question: “What if we say yes?”
My guest calls these opportunities “God dares.” Kate Battistelli and I met at a recent conference we were both speaking at. She is the bestselling author of The God Dare and Growing Great Kids, mom to GRAMMY award-winning artist Francesca Battistelli, and part of the popular Mom to Mom podcast. In her life, she has experienced infertility, miscarriage, an abortion at 18, and four failed adoption attempts, which all wreaked havoc on her life. She and her husband have an incredible story of being dared by God to lay down their successful career on Broadway to pursue a new and unknown direction.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Kate’s story of touring nationally with “The King and I” on Broadway before laying it all down to follow God’s call on her life
- How we see God dare people throughout the Bible
- Why God likes to invite us into the unknown to accomplish His purpose
- Her favorite song her daughter (Francesca Battistelli) has written
I loved getting to connect with Kate, and I’m eager to share this episode with you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kate-battistelli-89/
Welcome to another bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! We like to bring you some extra podcast goodness every once in a while that's quick to listen to and helpful for your life. Just to say thank you!
In today's episode, we're talking about some really hard things Mark has been walking through recently. From multiple tears and detachments with his retina, a mini-stroke, and poor eyesight due to multiple surgeries, it's been a tough season.
But Mark 2.0 is handling this challenge in a much different way than Mark 1.0 would have handled it. Today we're sharing a little peek into what we've been going through, and Mark is sharing 3 practical ways to stay steady when life gets hard.
Whatever you're going through, we hope this is an encouragement and support to you this week. You truly are not alone!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-staying-steady/
Have you ever heard the term “conversational intelligence?” I hadn’t before, but my guest today is an expert in it! Too often, parents of teenagers or young adults miss out on connecting because we aren’t approaching conversations in the right way. We have a tendency to lecture rather than listen, to tell rather than ask, or be controlling rather than curious. I know that last one has often been me as a parent!
My friend, Patti Reed, is joining me today. Patti is a certified coach in Conversational Intelligence®️ and is passionate about helping others improve their relationships through intentional communication. Her new book, Face to Face, helps parents approach conversations with their children with courage and intentionality to forge a healthy relationship with them.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What it means to have Conversational Intelligence®️
- The biggest mistakes parents make when talking to their young adult children
- Why it’s important to trust God with your child’s future
- What to do when your children tell you something you don’t agree with
There is so much wisdom packed in this episode! Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/patti-reed-88/
Several years ago, my daughter and I wrote a book called Better Together all about building your “mom tribe.” These are the women you hang with, the ones you care for, and those that care for you. In this book, I talk about sharing our stories and how we all have stories to share.
Today, I am inviting two women who are in my own mom tribe to share their stories with us. They have both been on my podcast before sharing their expertise. My friend, Susan Seay, a speaker, podcast host, mom of 7 kids, and mom coach extraordinaire, was on an episode titled “How to Increase Your Energy.” My friend, Barb Roose, is a speaker, author, mom, teaching pastor, and a literary agent, and was on an episode titled “When Life Feels Like More Than You Can Handle.”
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How we can listen to understand rather than listen to defend or debate.
- A continuation of a conversation Barb, Susan, and I started three years ago.
- Barb and Susan’s personal stories and experiences of race throughout their life.
- Why Barb and Susan rarely have these conversations with white friends or acquaintances.
Friend, I know for some of us, there is a voice in us that tells us that a podcast about race isn’t worth our time. I truly hope you won’t listen to that voice today. It means so much to me that my friends were willing to share their stories with us today, and I hope it’s the spark of many more conversations in your own life.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/barb-roose-susan-seay-87/
We all have a story, and that large story of our lives is made up of smaller stories that all make up who we are and what we believe. Each of us has smaller stories about our past experiences, stories of how our faith in God has been shaped, and stories about where our life is headed now.
Today on the podcast, my guest is Robyn Dykstra, and she has quite the story to share with us! From her time as a Playboy bunny to a miraculous experience with God to unexpectedly losing her husband, Robyn has been through a lot. Through it all, God has shown Himself faithful.
For over 25 years, Robyn’s joy has been teaching thousands of people simple ways of becoming more like Jesus. I actually first heard about her many years ago when I read her book, The Widow Wore Pink.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Robyn’s incredible life journey that led her to Jesus
- How to survive when tragedy hits our life like a ton of bricks
- The importance of having a close community
- Why it's never too late for a fresh start
Robyn has such a powerful story and she is so much fun to listen to. I hope this episode is an encouragement to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/robyn-dykstra-86/
If someone asked if you wanted to make a difference in the world, I imagine your answer would be an enthusiastic, “Yes!” However, the truth is we often get caught up in work demands, home responsibilities, cranky attitudes, challenging people, and exhaustion. All of these things keep us from seeing opportunities to show love to others.
But what if living and loving well weren’t accomplished in the big things but rather in the smallest acts of kindness? What if we were able to make small tweaks to our routine that would make a big impact? That’s what we are talking about today with my friend, Becky Kopitzke! Becky is a wife, mother, and author of three books including Love Because: How to Change the World One Blessing at a Time.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- What stops us from noticing opportunities to show kindness to others
- Why what we are full of is what will come out of us
- Some practical steps you can take to cultivate kindness on a daily basis
I loved this practical conversation with Becky, and I know you will too! Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/becky-kopitzke-85/
Do you ever find yourself feeling jealous of other people? Or feel like you don’t measure up? Or like everyone else has it together, but you don’t? These feelings are so common and if you have ever felt any of these, today’s conversation is for you.
My friend, Donna Jones, and I were recently talking about the many ways that insecurities show up in real life. We had such a good conversation that I knew we had to record a podcast about it! I first met Donna when she spoke at Hearts at Home. She is a pastor’s wife, host of the That’s Just What I Needed podcast, and author of three books including a book called Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God, which I had the privilege of endorsing.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The definition of insecurity and how this is likely showing up in your life
- How social media perpetuates comparison culture
- What steps to take to address a lack of confidence in your life
- How understanding what God believes about us can help us change our beliefs about ourselves
When we lack confidence, it bleeds over into every area of our life. This conversation is one you don't want to miss.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/donna-jones-84/
Addictions are on the rise, from food to prescription drugs to social media. Many people are struggling to say no to the things that ultimately harm themselves and their loved ones. So in this episode, we are talking about life-controlling issues. My own family has dealt with addictions and I believe we need to talk about these issues far more openly in Christian circles than we do now!
My guest is Dr. Gregory Jantz and he is the founder of The Center • A Place of HOPE. He’s a world-renowned expert on depression, anxiety, eating disorders, technology addiction, and abuse. But most importantly, Dr. Jantz believes there is hope because God is truly bigger than any addiction.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How coping habits transform into an addiction
- What addiction really is
- The first step to take if you are struggling with any addiction
- A special message to those who have a loved one with an addiction
- How to move forward after a relapse in addiction
This episode is so important. This topic matters, and I hope it’s a support to you this week.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/gregory-jantz-83/
If you are anything like me, then you long to see Jesus working in the day-to-day, mundane parts of life. But let’s be honest: Oftentimes we are so busy and so anxious that it’s hard to see His work around us. While He is at work, the Enemy is at work to keep us blind to God’s activity.
In this episode, I am talking with Wendy Pope, an author and a speaker as well as the founder of Word Up Ministries. Through her ministry, she invites women to live experientially with Jesus to rediscover His beautiful character. Today we’re exploring how to see God at work in our lives, and how we can connect with Him in the daily and mundane.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The importance of connecting with Jesus in our everyday life
- Why we need to move towards being self-feeders spiritually
- Why God wants us to choose to be His friend
- How we can be confident God is at work even when it doesn’t feel like it
I hope this conversation is an encouragement to you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/wendy-pope-82/
Trigger / Content Warning: I want to be sure my listeners are aware that in this episode we will be talking (in general terms) about sexual abuse. If this could be a trigger for you, I want to recommend that you listen carefully, listen with someone else, or consider skipping this episode if necessary.
This week's episode will be a little different. My guest is not an author or a speaker, but instead is an everyday mom who attended one of my Empty Nest, Full Life Retreats. It was at the retreat that she shared her story with me, and I was so touched by it that I asked if she would share her story here on the podcast.
My guest is Katrina Cowen, a mom to five adult children, and a counselor with a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling. But as she shares today, her pursuit of counseling was actually unexpected, and came through her own journey of processing events she had miscategorized from her childhood.
In this episode, you'll hear:
- The importance of digging into the depths of your story
- How shame clouds the lens we look at life through
- Why we can be confident that God's faithfulness remains through the highs and lows of life
- That it is never too late for you to pursue a new calling or a life-long passion
Katrina truly has so much wisdom to share, and I am eager to share this episode with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/katrina-cowen-81/
I have a question for you today: How do you do with incorporating play into your life?
If I were to ask myself that question, my honest answer is I don’t do a very good job of making play a part of my life. Sure, when my grandkids are over at my house, I do a pretty good job of that, but outside of those times, this is an area that I need to grow in. I think many of us feel the same: We often don’t even consider the role of play as adults.
Today, my guest is Courtney Ellis, who says, “Play helps our faith stick.” In our conversation, she’s breaking down why that is!
Courtney is a speaker, pastor, and the author of Happy Now: Let Playfulness Lift Your Load and Renew Your Spirit. She invites people to let go of their most serious selves and grant them permission to engage in curiosity and wonder of all kinds.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- The science of unlocking happiness
- What often stops us from engaging in play as adults
- How play helps us more deeply connect to God
- Why useless things aren’t really all that useless
- And so much more!
This episode really gave me so much to think about. I hope it does the same for you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/courtney-ellis-80/
“Especially when grief is fresh, it is going to sneak up on you.” – Chrystal Evans HurstI have such an important episode to share with you today. We are talking about times when life gets hard. And specifically, we are talking about how to hold on to faith when life breaks your heart.
To help us dive into this topic is my guest, Chrystal Evans Hurst. She is the daughter of Dr. Tony Evans, a preacher whose sermons were aired across the country in the ’80s and today airs on more than 1,400 radio outlets in over 130 countries. In the last few years, their family has dealt with eight deaths, disappointment, and struggles.
As a result of walking through this, Chrystal’s heart is to share their journey openly to help others navigate their own journey of grief and struggle. Chrystal is a speaker and best-selling author of the books She’s Still There and Kingdom Woman, and recently wrote a book with her family called Divine Disruption.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The impact of experiencing multiple hard things in life
- How to acknowledge what you need while you’re grieving
- Why emotions are there to inform us but not to guide us
- How to respond when we feel like God has disappointed us
Whether you are currently in the middle of something hard or not, this is a conversation full of truth that you really don’t want to miss.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/chrystal-evans-hurst-79/
We’re back with another bonus episode! These shorter episodes are always a fun way to bring you some extra podcast goodness as a way to say thank you for your support of this show.
After recording this week’s episode with Tim Shoemaker (such a good one if you haven’t listened yet!), we started having a conversation about the power of Christian fiction on our faith, and I just had to hit record! Honestly, this is something I’d never been able to articulate before, but Tim broke it down so clearly.
Nonfiction is written to our heads, with the hopes that part of it will trickle down to our hearts. Fiction is actually written to go straight to our heart. As we are looking to deepen both our faith and our children’s faith, it’s important that we consider the important role that Christian fiction can play.
In this bonus episode, Mark and I are sharing the fiction books that have been most impactful on our faith, as well as sharing the bonus conversation with Tim Shoemaker!
This one was a lot of fun and I found it really helpful, so I hope you do as well. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-fiction-faith/
What if your family devotions looked less like sitting in the living room listening to someone read and more like electrocuting a pickle? Or converting a leaf blower into a toilet paper launcher? Or lighting toothpaste on fire? That sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But I’m actually not kidding!
My guest today, Tim Shoemaker, is the author of The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions. And let me tell you, he is SO much fun to talk to and has an inspiring heart to equip parents in teaching their kids about Jesus.
In this episode, you’ll:
- Discover ideas to help you think outside the box in teaching your kids spiritual truths
- Learn how creative teaching mirrors the way that Jesus taught in the Bible
- Identify the ways you need to shift your perspective as a parent
- Hear how you can keep the respect of your children and remain a meaningful voice in their lives
This conversation was so refreshing to me. It is one you really don’t want to miss. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/tim-shoemaker-78/
Are you a “do-er?” Are you someone that just loves to check things off of their to-do list? I know I am! I survive off of my to-do list and it often begins to control my life. If that is you as well, this episode is just for you. We are going to dig into a story in the Bible that may be familiar to you, but that we need to reframe our perspective on.
My friend, Katie Reid, joins me for this conversation. She is the author of both Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done and A Very Bavarian Christmas, co-host of The Martha + Mary Show, and a singer-songwriter. Most importantly, she loves to inspire others to live out their God-given purpose with tenacity and grace so that they can stand on truth and walk in freedom.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- When we need to let our to-do lists go
- That the way you are wired is not a mistake
- What it looks like when we strive for things that God has already given to us
- When we need to say “yes,” say “no,” and ask for help.
There were SO MANY helpful nuggets of wisdom in this conversation. It was such a refreshment to me. I’m grateful to be sharing it with you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/katie-reid-77/
Mark and I often get the opportunity to speak on marriage topics, but rarely do we get the opportunity to preach a Sunday morning message together. In today’s episode, we are sharing a unique message that Mark and I have actually given internationally, but had the privilege of delivering at The Church Next Door in Columbus, OH called “Where’s Jesus in Your Car?”
In this message, we are sharing our marriage journey and how both Mark and I had to learn what surrender looks like by allowing Jesus to sit in the driver’s seat of our life (and stay there). It can be difficult to continually give up control and trust God to guide our lives, especially when it doesn’t make sense to us, but that is the journey of trusting God that we are called to.
In this message, you’ll hear:
- What it looks like to surrender control.
- An incredible God story of how God showed up during a financially hard season of our life.
- The common ways we put Jesus anywhere else in our life but the driver’s seat.
- How surrender allows God to transform us.
This message really looks at Jesus’ leadership in our life and I look forward to hearing what stands out most to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/wheres-jesus-your-car-76/
Have you found yourself spending a lot more time with your spouse than you’re used to? You’re not alone! And today’s episode is for you.
In the last few years, we have all found ourselves experiencing a lot more togetherness due to one or both spouses beginning to work from home. But you may also be experiencing more togetherness with your spouse due to retirement or running a business together. Whatever the case may be, the reality is that we don’t always do “togetherness” well.
So what do we do when all the time that we spend together feels challenging?
Joining me today is my friend Cynthia Ruchti. She is the author of over 30 books (that makes me tired to just think about!), including her book Spouse in the House, where she looks at how we can better handle increased togetherness. The conversation in this podcast was actually taken from a video interview that we did for our No More Perfect Marriages Date Night members, but it was such a rich conversation that I wanted to share it with you as well!
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How we can rearrange our attitudes to make room for each other.
- Why increased togetherness can be so difficult on a marriage.
- How to be honest with our spouse without being rude.
- Some real-life examples about how Cynthia has navigated this in her own marriage.
I hope this episode is an encouragement to you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/cynthia-ruchti-75/
“I asked God, ‘What does it mean for me to trust my husband’s leadership when I feel like I’m more equipped to lead than he is?'” – Dr. Juli Slattery
Whew! I am so excited to share today’s conversation to kick off 2022.
In this episode, we are talking about marriage and, specifically, about what we as women bring to our marriage. I’ve shared a lot over the years about my own marriage crisis. Something I’ve often said is that I did not cause Mark’s affair; however, I did contribute to the dysfunction in our marriage. One of the ways I did that is by misusing my strength.
Over the years of counseling couples, Mark and I have learned that we aren’t the only people who struggle with that dynamic. (We often call this the “Strong Woman, Silent Man” dynamic.)
Joining me today to tackle this topic is Dr. Juli Slattery, a psychologist, author, and speaker with over 25 years of experience counseling, discipling, and teaching women. She is also the president and co-founder of Authentic Intimacy, a unique ministry that is devoted to teaching God’s design for intimacy and sexuality.
We’re talking about how women can use their strength for good in their marriage, the reason many men step back from a leadership role in marriage, how God designed men and women to support one another, how unhealthy dynamics in a marriage affect sex, and how addressing these things builds intimacy in a marriage. I hope this conversation is an encouragement to you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/juli-slattery-74/
Welcome to the very first Christmas episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! This was so much fun to record, and we’re eager to share it with you today.
Christmas holds a special place in most of our hearts in some way or another. And that’s true for Mark and I as well! So today’s episode isn’t one filled with “key takeaways” or “next steps,” but is one of reflection and reminder for the holiday season.
In this Christmas episode, Mark and I are reflecting on some of our favorite Christmas memories, traditions, food, music, and more! You’ll find that it’s filled with laughs as we look back on some of our favorite memories and share about how we’ve shifted some of our favorite traditions as we’ve become empty-nesters. And to close, we’re reading the most important story that truly is the reason for the season!
We hope this not only warms your heart to reflect on your own Christmas traditions, but also holds some good reminders as you head into the holiday celebrations this year.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/christmas-special-73/
All too often, we look at the future and are full of ideas, plans, and dreams for what we want to accomplish. But if we fail to make advanced decisions about those goals, they likely will never actually happen.
As we approach the end of the year, this is the perfect time to start thinking about some advanced decisions that you want to consider in the new year. How do you want 2022 to go? What decisions do you need to make now to ensure you get closer to your goals in your life?
Today, Mark is joining me and we are diving deep into advanced decision-making! This is something both of us are really passionate about, as it affects every aspect of our lives, from our finances to our time to our calendar. We hope this episode gives you some direction on how to get started!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/advanced-decision-making-72/
Reading the Bible is such an important part of getting to know Who our God is and carry His truth through our daily lives. But do you ever struggle to make sense of how the Bible applies to your story? Do you ever have a challenging time finding the truth in Scripture that you can carry throughout your life?
In today’s podcast episode, we are talking with Dr. Marina Hofman, a Bible and Theology Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Marina has a specific passion: Highlighting the incredible stories of truth, courage, and faith seen in women throughout the Bible. Today, Marina shares this passion with us, along with her own incredible story of God’s faithfulness in saving her after a life-threatening event.
In this episode, you’ll hear some stories you may not have known were in the Bible, the incredible truth we can pull from those stories for our own lives, why it’s so important to read Scripture consistently, some encouragement for all of us in our day-to-day lives, and more. I loved this conversation and I know you will, too!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/marina-hofman-71/
Something you may not know about me is that I'm a foster care Nana! My youngest son and his wife have been foster parents for about two years now, and seeing them walk this journey has helped me learn so much about the foster care community. A lot of us are aware of foster care overall, but most of us don't really understand what happens in foster care and the dynamics that occur when a family says "yes" to this journey.
That's why I'm excited to share my conversation today with my friend Jami Kaeb, Founder and Executive Director of The Forgotten Initiative, a ministry that exists to see people everywhere supporting the foster care community and experiencing Jesus together. I love that! Adoption, foster care, and advocacy were not actually part of Jami’s dreams for her life, but God changed her heart when He made her aware, and now she is passionate about helping others become aware too! Jami also is mom to seven children (five through adoption).
In this episode, Jami shares about the unique journey God led her on to discover the importance of foster care, how that led to a door being opened for The Forgotten Initiative to begin, how each of us can take a first step to supporting foster parents and the foster care community overall, a powerful story of when a friend showed up when she and her husband needed it most, and a whole lot more. This was such a great conversation and I hope this episode helps you become aware because, in Jami's words, awareness leads to action!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jami-kaeb-70/
Are you ever overwhelmed by others’ expectations of you? Do you often feel torn in a million different directions as you try to make everyone around you happy? Would you like to live with less overwhelm and more peace and purpose? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this episode is for you!
Joining me today is my long-time friend, Karen Ehman. She is a speaker, New York Times bestselling author, and a recovering people-pleaser. And let me tell you, this conversation is timely with the holidays approaching, and I know it will hit home for a lot of us.
In this episode, we’re discussing why it’s so easy to become trapped in a prison of people-pleasing, why it’s important to actually reset the expectations others have learned to hold of you, how to recognize if you are the one that is expecting people to meet your needs, and a ton of hope. I’m so excited to share this episode with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/karen-ehman-69/
"You have breast cancer."
I heard those words on a Wednesday morning when I got a phone call that turned my world upside down. This week marks eight years since I heard the words that no woman wants to hear. It’s honestly hard to believe that phone call was so long ago.
Today on the podcast, I want to walk you through my breast cancer journey, share two ways you can help someone that has cancer, and then share six things someone that is going through cancer needs to know.
Everyone’s journey is a little different but I think it helps when we get to hear someone else’s journey. I hope that whether you are walking though your own cancer journey or if you know someone in your life that is, this episode would be an encouragement to you and help you feel even more equipped for the journey ahead.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/my-breast-cancer-journey-68/
Mark and I often get asked a lot of personal questions over social media, through email, or sometimes even in-person. They range from our relationship, marriage, parenting, hobbies, to the more personal side of our lives. So today we are going to do something we've never done before! I have my husband, Mark, with me and we are going to answer some frequently asked questions we get about our life. We hope this not only answers a question or two that you may have, but also gives you a glimpse into our world.
In this episode, you'll hear about how Mark and I have been growing in our lives recently, where our kids are at, some insight into why we find our marriage intensives so energizing, Mark's recent eye surgery, and what we're excited for in 2022! Excited to share this with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/life-update-67/
Welcome to our fourth bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! I like to surprise you with a little extra, bite-size podcast goodness every once in a while that's quick to listen to and helpful for your life. Just to say thank you!
And today's episode is only about 7-minutes long total, making it a really easy listen.
Defensiveness is not uncommon for a lot of us, but we don't realize how hurtful it is over time. Today we're talking all about moving from being defensive to being reassuring. This isn't just a helpful strategy for marriage, but is also valuable for all the relationships throughout your life!
So friend, here's a short and sweet episode with some practical insight for the relationship(s) that matter most to you. I hope it's a great reminder today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-be-reassuring/
Join Date Night: https://nomoreperfectdatenight.com/
Here on the podcast, one of my favorite topics to talk about is relationships! Did you know that we were designed to be in relationships? Really! It’s the way that God intended us to do life, something Jesus modeled in His time here on Earth. But even though how we connect with others is so important, relationships can also be the most challenging part of life. Can you relate?
While we can’t control others, there is always room for us to grow and improve how we approach the relationships in our life. That's what we're talking about today!
Helping me explore this topic is PeggySue Wells, an author, speaker, and coach. She is the best-selling author of 30 books that have been translated into eight languages. On top of that, she's a single mom of 7 kids! Whew! Like me, PeggySue has a passion for helping people improve their relationships.
In today's practical conversation, we talk about the five R's that destroy relationships, how to get out of common unhealthy cycles, the untrue stories we often tell ourselves, the benefits God has for us in relationship with others, and more!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/peggysue-wells-66/
If we've been connected for any amount of time, then you likely know how passionate I am about emotional health. As a “thinker” and a former “avoider,” I have learned the value of feelings and emotion. Being married to someone that is a full-on “feeler,” I have also watched him learn to embrace his emotions without letting his feelings call the shots in his life. My husband Mark and I are always helping others find the balance between feeling and faith, and that is why I am so excited about today’s conversation!
My guest today is Jessica Hottle, who is passionate about helping us discover that when our soul is well, we can be well! Jessica is an author of a new book, Face Off with Your Feelings: Break Up with the Lies From Your Past and Embrace the Truth for Your Future, and is a faith-based fitness coach, podcast host, and has a heart for teaching others how to dismantle lies that are preventing them from healing and wholeness.
In this conversation, Jessica shares the five steps for processing through our emotions, our tendency to put a “faith band-aid” over how we feel, what it means for our feelings to point us to Jesus, common mistakes when it comes to navigating emotions, and a whole lot more. This is such an important topic and I can't wait to hear what stands out most to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jessica-hottle-65/
I grew up in a loving, Christian home. However, learning about Jesus was primarily done at church. Because of this, I had a foundation of faith, but I really didn’t understand what it meant to have a living faith. When I got to college, my faith moved from a religion to a relationship with God. Several years later when I became a mom, I knew that I didn’t want the church to be the primary place my kids learned about God; I wanted our home to be the primary place where my kids’ faith was nurtured. But I wasn’t sure where to start!
Today we’re talking all about how to teach our kids about Jesus, and I’m not going to tackle it alone. Joining me today is my friend Dannah Gresh, who is the founder of True Girl, author of over 20 books including “Lies Young Women Believe,” and the host of an online Bible study for tweens, teens, and their moms.
Dannah definitely understands what children need from their parents to develop a strong faith and in this episode we cover how to nurture your child’s faith, the crucial role being connected to our children plays, two essential tools you need for the journey, and the importance of being consistent. I hope this episode is a huge encouragement for you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/dannah-gresh-64/
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have to work through a process to make peace with my past. I have to ask myself, “How can I make sure I don’t get stuck here? How can I move forward?”
Maybe you’ve even felt like parts of your past are looming over you and that heartbreak is a part of your story. Do you feel like you are stuck? Well, that’s what we are going to talk about today with my friend Pat Layton. (By the way, if you haven't listened to my previous episode with Pat, titled "When Abortion is Part of Your Story," I encourage you to also listen here.)
In this episode, we are talking about how we can break free from our past, how to find and feel purpose in your life, how to find the right people to support us as we're navigating the healing journey, Pat’s new book titled “Healing a Woman’s Heart,” and much more. I always enjoy my conversations with Pat, and I believe you'll find a lot of support and hope in today's episode.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/pat-layton-63/
Has the “mommy monster” ever shown up at your house? Do you sometimes find that frustration causes you to blow up? And afterward do you struggle with the guilt that often follows that mommy anger? If so, I want you to know that you are not alone and today’s episode is going to help you better understand what’s happening in those moments and how you can learn to respond rather than react in the future.
Today I’m talking about how we use our anger as a signal to respond rather than an emotion that causes us to react. With some stories from my own life, some key truths from the book of Proverbs, and a clip from a recent conversation I had with Natalie Hixson, I hope you find hope and practical support.
Above all, the biggest thing I hope you takeaway is this: Let’s make sure that the words we use in the relationships that mean the most to us are words that bring life.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/taming-anger-monster/
This week on the podcast, Mark and I get to dive deep into our own story in an incredible conversation with Shivonne Davis.
Recently, Shivonne asked if my husband, Mark, and I would be willing to speak on her online Masterclass summit called The Vow Renewal. Shivonne is a Relationship Strategist, Life Coach, and transformational speaker that helps purpose-driven millennials restore their marriages through God’s word. Now, this woman is on a mission!
I loved our conversation so much! It had so much depth and energy to it that I knew I needed to share it with you. I hope you get as much from this conversation as Mark and I did as we cover how we went from a 1.0 marriage to a 2.0 marriage after the darkest season in our marriage, how slow fades can pull our hearts apart in marriage, the difference between offering forgiveness and rebuilding trust, and practical ways you can deepen your relationship with your spouse.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/shivonne-davis-61/
What if we could become experts at seeing joy in the mundane?
Think about it. We’d likely learn to see the silver lining in the clouds. We’d identify blessings even in hard seasons. We’d view life through the possibilities rather than through the liabilities.
I started thinking about this after I read Brooke and Todd Tilghman’s book, Every Little Win. Todd Tilghman was the winner of Season 18 of “The Voice.” He has the distinction of being known as the oldest winner in the history of “The Voice” at the age of 42. Before that he was the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Meridian, Mississippi.
Todd and Brooke are the parents of 8 children and have experienced a lot in their marriage and ministry. They share about this in their book as they focus not so much on Todd winning “The Voice,” but rather on the wins we all can experience in the mundane, everyday parts of life. I’m thrilled to be able to share this conversation with you as we talk through challenges in marriage, advice for walking through difficult seasons of life, navigating the very real struggles with mental health, keeping their marriage a priority as parents, finding joy through real freedom, and more.
I’m so grateful for this episode, and I hope it’s a big encouragement for you this week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/todd-brooke-tilghman-60/
When my husband and I moved away from our hometown, my parents worried that their relationship with my kids wouldn’t be what they imagined. But my parents did a fabulous job of staying connected to their grandkids despite the distance. Today we’re going to talk about how you can do that, too!
My guest today is Mark Gregston. Mark began his work with teens forty years ago when he was a youth minister and then an area director with Young Life. In 1989, Mark and his wife Jan started Heartlight, a residential counseling center for struggling teens and families in crisis. Today, Mark has four grandchildren and is the author of a brand new book, Grandparenting Teens.
In this episode, we talk about how grandparents can connect with the heart of their teen grandchildren, how we can stay engaged and involved in our grandchildren’s lives no matter if we live near or far from them, how we can become better listeners than answer-givers, providing wisdom rather than knowledge, and so much more!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/mark-gregston-59/
Welcome back to the No More Perfect Podcast! Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to author 14 books (still kind of crazy to think about, honestly!) and learn quite a few lessons along the way.
There is rarely a week that goes by where I don’t get an email that says, “I want to write a book but I don’t know how to get started. Help!” I usually send a couple of suggestions their way, but today we are going to cover this question in a more robust way that just isn’t possible over email.
In this episode, we’re talking all about how to know if you’re ready to write a book, how to define your why, what it looks like to go the traditional and self-publishing route, why having a platform before you write a book is crucial, and so much more!
If you have been wondering how to write a book or how to get a book published, then this episode is for you! If you’ve never thought about writing a book, maybe this is an episode you could send to a hopeful author you know! Or maybe this will just be a helpful tool to learn all about what goes into becoming a published author.
This is such an exciting topic, but there are a lot of facets to consider. So excited to share this with you and hear what stands out most to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/writing-books-58/
Your kids are spreading their wings and starting to head out on their own... Are you ready? Do you struggle to know how to parent teens at home and young adults away from home at the same time? Is it a challenge to find a good balance between boundaries and freedom?
Well today we are talking all about this season of parenting and how you can influence, lead, and pray for your kids who are on their way to independence. To help me with this topic is my friend Brenda Yoder, author of the book Fledge, as well as a counselor, educator, mother, and grandmother. She calls this season of life “fledging,” which means to prepare for independence.
In this conversation, Brenda and I talk about why we have to parent young adults differently than teens, the importance of not "stealing the struggle" from our children, relationship-based parenting versus performance-based parenting, learning to let go of the desire to control behavior, shame, and so much more. This is a must-listen, and I can't wait to share this with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/brenda-yoder-57/
"I had cashed in all of these blessings, all of this protection, this institution and community that God had given me to be safe in. And I exchanged that for what I wanted, for my selfishness.” - Chris Teague
You know, there is nothing better than a story of redemption. A story where God takes something that is broken and puts it back together to use it for His purposes. He transforms pain into purpose. And that is what today's podcast episode is all about.
Several months ago, Mark and I did a video interview for our No More Perfect Date Night with Chris and Steph Teague, who make up the musical group Out of the Dust. Their story is a powerful story of redemption. It is one that, if you had witnessed it, you would have never guessed how it would end or how God would redeem it. And I know it's a story that will not only encourage you in marriage, but also in life! Life is hard and we don’t always know where God can be at work behind-the-scenes.
In this episode, Chris and Steph openly and honestly share their story, how God redeemed their marriage after divorce, the process of rebuilding trust, and so much more. This is a powerful conversation, and I can't wait to share it with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/chris-steph-teague-56/
Have you ever met someone and felt like you could talk for hours and hours, and especially if you lived closer, would be great friends? Well, that’s what I experienced in this conversation I had with Maggie Graham. Maggie asked if she could interview me for her online event for homeschool moms as I homeschooled off and on when my kids were at home. However, in the interview, we ended up talking about so many things in addition to homeschooling -- motherhood, navigating the perfection infection, developing strong relationships with our kids, handling imperfection in marriage, and learning to let go. Whether you homeschool or not, I believe this conversation will speak directly to your heart!
So after the event was over, I reached out to see if I could share our conversation with you. And she said yes! I’m so grateful that you get to be a part of this conversation and, if you are a mom in any season of life, I look forward to hearing what stands out most to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/maggie-graham-55/
Do you and your spouse struggle to find the time to invest in each other? Does it seem like cleaning the house, getting your kids ready for bed, or work always get in the way? If that has been you at any point in your marriage, this episode is for you!
To help me talk about this, I have my husband, Mark, back on the show! We are going to share some fun stories and talk about why we actually prefer the word “connection” over “date,” how “date nights” are more than just going out for a fancy dinner without any kids, why it’s absolutely essential to view our marriage as the foundation of the family, and more. There are actually three kinds of dates that every couple needs to be intentional about having in their marriage. We have found these to be important in all seasons of our lives and we know you’ll find them helpful too!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/dates-marriage-54/
"We have to rehearse God's greatness."
If this is a hard season or even just a hard day, I want you to know that we are talking about hope in this episode. And we all need hope, don't we?
Today, I am truly honored for the conversation I'm sharing with you. Blind since age three, Ginny Owens became a household name when she won the Gospel Music Association New Artist of the Year award a little over 20 years ago. Her music has impacted both Christian and mainstream audiences from the Sundance Music Festival to the White House. She is also the author of a new book called Singing in the Dark: Finding Hope in the Songs of Scripture.
Ginny believes that we are all a little blind this side of Heaven, and as a result, our stories don’t always feel like they make sense. In this conversation, we talk about how to hold on to the truth of who God is when it feels like our world is falling apart, how parents are leaders, where to start in the Bible if you're new to it, how to combat the negative voices with songs of truth, and more.
I've wanted to meet Ginny for quite some time and I had dreamed of getting her to do music for one of our conferences when I was leading Hearts at Home. So it was an honor to chat with her for this episode, and I hope it encourages your heart today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/ginny-owens-53/
Welcome to our third bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! I like to surprise you with a little extra, bite-size podcast goodness every once in a while that's quick to listen to and helpful for your life. Just to say thank you!
Today we're sharing a really funny story that happened a couple months ago when I got REALLY close to committing "assumicide," making an assumption about something and beginning to respond based off that assumption, but I caught myself. 🙂
So friend, here's a short and sweet episode with some practical insight for the relationship(s) that matter most to you! I hope it's a great reminder today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-assumptions/
Today we’re going to talk about how things that happened in the past sometimes can put a cloud over the future. You may sometimes wonder, can I really heal? Can I move forward without shame? Can God really use me?
My guest today really understands these questions. She has not only answered them for herself, but she has built a life and a ministry helping others answer those questions for themselves. Pat Layton is a speaker, author, and coach who loves to help women make peace with the past, find purpose in the present, and passion for the future!
In this conversation, Pat shares about her past abortion, the personal journey of healing she experienced, how you can heal your heart, and so much more. I am so grateful for this episode, and I pray it’s an encouragement for you today.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/pat-layton-52/
I’m really excited for the episode I have to share with you today! One of the things I enjoy the most is the opportunities I get to speak at live events. It's so fun to hang with the people that I love to encourage – and that’s you! So today’s episode is a little different because what I am going to share with you is the audio from a message I delivered live at the Ignite the Family Hearts 2 Moms Conference last year. At this conference, I got to speak on something that affects us all… our thoughts.
I used to think that feelings led to thoughts, but it’s actually the other way around.
At worst our thoughts indict us, accuse us, misinform us, hold us hostage, and criticize us. At best, they actually point us in the right direction, support us, and affirm who we are. However, we have to do the work to put that information in our minds so our thoughts lead us in the right direction.
Are you held captive by what you are thinking? Do you struggle with disappointment? Is it affecting what you believe about yourself, relationships, or your circumstances? I think you will find this episode very helpful!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/hearts2-51/
So do you have boys? I have three. I have two girls and three boys, and I will tell you that raising boys is definitely different than raising girls. Have you struggled to relate to your sons? Is it difficult to know what to do with their “rough house” energy? If you’ve ever felt frustrated or at a loss when it comes to your boys, this episode is for you!
My guest today understands how boys are different and has some tips to help! Dr. Rob Currie is an award-winning author and speaker. His background for the subject of parenting boys though goes beyond his PhD in Psychology and his 20 years of teaching child psychology at Judson University. After all, he and his wife, Kay, raised two sons themselves!
In this episode, we talk about why it’s not always a negative for boys to be more aggressive, how boys often prefer to communicate differently than girls do, how we can help boys navigate their increased sex drive with puberty, how some of these insights can impact marriages, and more. I really think this one will be helpful, and I look forward to hearing what stands out most to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/rob-currie-50/
Every year millions of men and women stand in front of their friends and families and pledge a life-long love for each other. The question is, do they know what they’re getting themselves into? The answer is often a resounding “Nope!” Mark and I sure didn’t know what we were getting into at the time we got married. Unfortunately, many people enter into marriage with unrealistic expectations and huge ideas of what their love, relationship, and marriage is going to be like. And in the end, they end up frustrated, or even divorced.
Today, Mark and I are so excited to share a conversation with Bob Lepine to unpack a biblical understanding of what real love looks like. For years, Bob was a voice on The Family Life Today radio program and podcast, and he also is a marriage and family expert and the author of the book Love Like You Mean It. They had me on their show a few times, and now we get to flip roles! Bob’s book was transformational for Mark, and today he shares SO much practical wisdom about how to love like we really mean it.
This conversation was originally recorded as a video interview for our No More Perfect Date Night members. Each month we send out a video interview with a marriage expert to those in our Date Night family. Because this one was so impactful, we decided we wanted to share this interview with you on the podcast as well! We hope it’s an encouragement for you this week!
Show Notes: www.jillsavage.org/bob-lepine-49/
“This is what it comes down to: Do we trust Him?”
I love that quote from today’s conversation… Have you experienced worry, anxiety, or fear in this last year? Are those things taking up entirely too much space in your heart? For most of us, the uncertainty around so many things has only fed our anxiety and fears more.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:6 to not be anxious about anything, but how do we really do that? Is it truly possible to calm our anxious hearts?
My friend, Julie Gillies, has had her own experiences with anxiety. By the age of 17, she was on her own and had dropped out of high school to earn a living. At the age of 21, she was a divorced, single mom working two jobs to provide for her son. But in all of the uncertainty in her life, God worked it together to bring her to a place of healing and wholeness. Julie is passionate about helping people know God, know Scripture, and know how to pray, and she’s the author of three books including Prayers to Calm Your Anxious Heart.
In this episode, Julie openly shares about the importance of knowing Scripture if we want to truly know God, common origins of anxiety, what it looks like to pray and trust God with the results, why it’s okay to pray for ourselves, and so much more. I hope this encourages your heart today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/julie-gillies-48/
This podcast is for everyone. Even if separation or divorce isn’t a part of your story, there is likely someone you love that is walking through divorce and you need to know what’s going on in the heart of that person to support them.
It takes two people to make a marriage, but just one person to make divorce happen. Mark and I have committed our lives to helping marriages in crisis. We often have a front row seat at watching God work in those relationships, but the reality is that not all marriages make it. If you’ve experienced separation or divorce, I’m so very sorry. I know the pain is tangible.
My guest, Tracie Miles is the author of five best-selling books with her most recent release being Living Unbroken: Reclaiming Your Life and Your Heart After Divorce. In this conversation, we dig into what happens to your heart when divorce is a part of your story, how to navigate life when the future is uncertain, where God is in all of this, and how we can help someone that is walking through an unwanted divorce. I hope this conversation is an encouragement to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/tracie-miles-83/
The Wait is Not Wasted Webinar: https://jillsavage.org/the-wait-is-not-wasted-webinar-registration/
Friends, today is the 1-YEAR PODCASTVERSARY of the No More Perfect Podcast! What an incredible journey this has been, and I can’t thank you enough for the support you’ve given me as I’ve jumped into the podcast world. If you would have told me this podcast would rank in the top 5% of podcasts globally, I wouldn’t have believed you!
The shutdown has led to the start-up of a number of things. And I wanted to share the lessons learned during this unexpected start-up season! So listen in as I share a little behind-the-scenes of the podcast (did you know most of our family helps us out in this ministry!?), share the top 5 most popular episodes of the podcast so far (it’s no surprise what topic sits at #1 ), and share the top 3 lessons I’ve learned since starting the show.
I’m so grateful for you, friend! And I want to commit to you that the next year will be filled with even more conversations about the real stuff of life right here on the podcast. We’re in this together!
(ALSO, I’ll be sharing a little gift to celebrate throughout the day over on my Instagram and Facebook. You’ll definitely want to head over there so you don’t miss it!)
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/podcastversary-46/
Do you ever feel fear when you look towards uncertainty in the future? Your childrens' futures? Stepping out into a new vocation? Schools opening back up? Your marriage?
Many of us live with anticipation but also great anxiety about what the future might bring. So we work hard to stay one step ahead of our worst case scenarios. And while we are focused on arranging a secure tomorrow, our fear strangles the peace, the joy, and the purpose of today. If you’re ready to put fear in its place, then this episode is for you!
My friend, Katy McCown, is an author, speaker, and the president of She Laughs Ministries. Katy's husband, Luke, was a former NFL quarterback, and during their time in the NFL, they had to move so many times, sometimes the day after they found out! Katy understands fear and she’s learned so much about how to put it in its place. Join me for this conversation with Katy about where uncertainty pops up in our lives, how to work through our fears, where fear really comes from, and how we can filter the fear we feel with the truth of who God is!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/katy-mccown-45/
As a parent, do you wonder if you are really making a difference? Does it feel like your words go in one ear and out the other? Do you feel like all you do is dole out consequences? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you are really going to appreciate today’s conversation!
My guests are Jim and Lynne Jackson, founders of Connected Families. I actually met Jim and Lynne for the first time back when they spoke at a Hearts at Home conference, and have loved following along with them ever since. I just love their hearts and wisdom and I know you will too!
In this conversation, we discuss the unintentional messages our child may be hearing by how we communicate, Jim and Lynne’s connection-driven framework for parenting, some common parenting styles that actually limit connection, and we even get to see how all this works in a role-playing exercise!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/jim-lynne-jackson-44/
Welcome to our second bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! I like to surprise you with a little extra, bite-size podcast goodness every once and a while that's quick to listen to and helpful for your life. Just to say thank you!
And today we're talking all about how we think about ourselves, which determines how we show up for the people we love the most. This was originally recorded a little while back as what we call a "Double Date" inside No More Perfect Date Night, so I'm excited to share it with you today as well!
The script that goes on inside our heads often begins developing in childhood. It can sound a lot like pride. Or a lot like shame. And most of the time, it goes unrecognized for most of our lives. But today, Mark and I want to share some insights we've learned over the years, and some truths we can repeat to ourselves to replace the false narratives that live in our minds.
I hope this is an encouragement to you as we close out the week!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-episode-2/
Parenting is messy. It’s also incredible, challenging, and difficult as well! In this episode, we are talking about when parenting is EXTREMELY messy, like prodigal child messy. My guest Lori Wildenberg understands this and I asked her to come back this week to share her story and the wisdom she has learned walking out her story.
As a licensed family and parent educator and parent coach, Lori is the author of five (soon to be 6) books. She and I both have walked down this path before with one or more of our children. It isn’t easy and sometimes you are consumed with the feeling that you failed as a parent. If you are in that place right now, this is the episode for you.
Join us as we dig into one of the toughest situations you can encounter in parenting and learn how to love your child through it all. Lori and I share our experiences with parenting children who walk a different path than we anticipated, what our children often fear the most, and some tips for parents with a prodigal child. I pray this is an encouragement to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/lori-wildenberg-43/
Parenting is messy. It’s challenging, it’s difficult, and just when you think you have it figured out, your kids move to a new stage and what worked last week doesn’t work this week. It can make you crazy!
My guest today understands the challenge of parenting, and has SO much wisdom to help us navigate it. Lori Wildenberg’s passion is helping families build connections that last. She is a mom to four adult children, a licensed family and parent educator, parent coach, and the author of five (soon to be six) books. After we reminisce about a Colorado hike gone wrong, Lori shares her “Spillage Parenting Philosophy,” how to reinforce positive behaviors in your kids, how we can empower our kids without enabling them, along with some cultural wisdom many of us accept that’s simply not true.
I learned a lot from this one, and I know it will encourage you today!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/lori-wildenberg-42/
(Fun Fact: Lori took me up on my offer to have her back next week to talk about parenting when your children make choices you disagree with. I look forward to sharing that conversation with you!)
Do you sometimes feel yourself struggling with low energy? Do you often feel overwhelmed with all that needs to be done? Are you lacking motivation or feeling unproductive? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Susan Seay is an international speaker, certified life coach, and the host of the popular Mentor 4 Moms podcast (seriously, it’s in the top 2% of all podcasts!). But most importantly, Susan is my good friend and she’s blessed my life in SO many ways and I know she will bless yours! In this episode, she walks us through what it takes to master new habits, what it is that really affects our capacity, why she’s so passionate about utilizing business principles in her role as a homemaker, and the best way to increase our capacity (this one surprised me!).
Susan is the right person to lead us to better understand what to do when the energy is low, the motivation is missing, and the productivity seems to have gone right out the window. So excited to share this conversation with you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/susan-seay-41/
3 Free eBooks: https://jillsavage.org/free
Take a minute to look around your house. How many items in the room represent something on your “to do” list? Every time you pass by that pile of mail are you reminded that you have bills to pay? Do you have a basket of laundry from last week still waiting to be folded?
When it comes to home organization, I tend to be a “piler.” Clutter is my default and sticky notes are my friend, but sometimes even those add to my clutter! Are you in the same boat? I’ve been there before! And honestly, I’ve had to learn quite a few new strategies over the years to organize my stuff.
Today’s guest, Kathi Lipp, can understand our struggle to keep things in their place! Growing up in the house of a hoarder, she’s had to learn the hard way how to organize and manage all her “stuff.” Since home organization is one of the most requested topics for the podcast, I wanted to bring Kathi back to the show! In this episode, she shares the impact clutter has on us, how to get the basics right, and the three reasons why we struggle to get rid of things we no longer need.
Now the podcast host of the Clutter Free Academy, Kathi is a national speaker, and the bestselling author of The Husband Project, Clutter Free, and Ready for Anything. I know you’ll love this conversation and I can’t wait to hear what you take away!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kathi-lipp-40/
I’m not enough. I’m unlovable. I can never get it right. I’m not wanted. I’m better off alone. I’m better off dead. I deserve this. It’s my fault.All of these phrases are statements that many of us struggle with to some degree. And they are fueled by something called shame. And that’s what we are going to talk about in today’s episode.
If you’ve ever thought one of these statements or if they are deeply embedded into who you believe you are, there is hope! My husband, Mark, and I share our own battle with shame and the path to overcome the messages that shame gives us. In this episode, we dig into the roots of shame, how shame has played out in our marriage, how we see it play out in other marriages we support, how you can find hope, and the most effective way to move towards living in truth.
Most of all, I hope you walk away knowing that you are loved by God and He alone has the answer for who you really are: His precious, beloved child. I look forward to hearing what stands out to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/released-shame-39/
Do you struggle to know how to pray? Do you struggle to fill the time you set aside for prayer? Do you trust God but can’t help but worry? Or when you pray in a group setting, is it difficult to come up with the right words to say?
I’ve been right there with you!
The first day my daughter, Anne, went to school, I was so anxious. Letting go of your kids can be difficult. Around this time, my husband brought home a brochure for a group called Moms in Prayer. It’s an organization that brings moms together to pray for their kids and their schools. Little did I know then how much that group would truly change my life!
This is why I’m so excited to share today’s conversation with Sally Burke, the president of Moms in Prayer International and author of several books. In this episode, she shares how moms can lift each other’s kids up in prayer, the impact moms’ prayers have all over the world, and how the Four Steps of Prayer can guide your prayer life!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/sally-burke-38/
Welcome to our first bonus episode! I just wanted to express my gratitude for your support of this podcast with a little extra, bite-size podcast goodness that's quick to listen to and helpful for loving your life. I hope you enjoy!!
In a previous episode, we chatted about professionalizing motherhood. But what about when your co-workers only come up to your knee and ask for snacks all day? Or when suddenly, they’re off at school all day and don’t need you in the same ways they used to? Or when they're all out of the nest? As moms, we need community. We need each other!
Let’s talk about a practical fix for this: A mom’s group! And before you write this off, say its not for you, or think you don’t have time, stick with me. When I became a mom, there was so much value in doing life with other moms. I needed to learn from them. I needed to know if what my kid was doing was normal. I needed to know if my feelings were okay. More than anything, I needed to know I wasn’t alone! Looking back over the past thirty(ish) years of mothering five children, I can truly say I am who I am because of the women who have been in my life. I know the same can be true for you.
Now, over many years of motherhood, one of the most commonly asked questions I get is, “How do I start a moms group?” Glad you asked! On this bonus episode, I have three tips for starting your own mom’s group. Come listen while you’re doing dishes or folding laundry, and I’ll tell you what they are!
We’re stronger, wiser, and even healthier when we have a mom community around us. Let’s get started!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/forming-moms-group-bonus/
So what happens when you come face-to-face with imperfection in your own life? Do you beat yourself up? Grow defensive? Maybe feel insecure?
We all have a story, and today I’m excited to share the story of my guest, Cindy Bultema. Once a young mom who suffered from alcohol and drug addiction, Cindy now is a passionate speaker, author, and Bible teacher of two Bible studies for women. She also is the Executive Director of GEMS, a non-profit ministry impacting the lives of thousands of girls worldwide.
She truly has a life that has been transformed by God!
Today, Cindy shares openly about her story and we explore God’s purpose for us and our kids, the challenge of accepting imperfections in motherhood (and life overall!), how we can eternally impact people in the routine of our day-to-day life, and the very real power of God’s Truth.
This is such a good one, and I’m so excited to share it with you! Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/cindy-bultema-37/
Sometimes life is hard. It seems like one challenge follows another. And if we don’t keep our head and our heart in the right place, it’s so easy to slip into living a discouraged and defeated life.
Today, I get to share a conversation with someone who truly inspires me by the way she has navigated the most difficult parts of life.
My friend Rachel Wojo is joining me today. Rachel has experienced divorce and miscarriage. She’s lost her mother to leukemia, her special needs daughter to a rare syndrome after watching her suffer daily for many years, and recently her husband lost his job for no fault of his own. It’s not been an easy journey. Yet, she has found that God’s Word is where we find real and life-giving solutions to all of the difficulties we experience.
In this episode, Rachel shares openly about the challenges of navigating loss, myths about grief we all should stop believing, why God’s Word really does contain all we need for each day, and so much more. This is one I’m simply grateful to share, and I hope it is validating as you process your own experience, inspiring in your walk with Christ, and refreshing as you move forward.
As Rachel says in today’s episode, “We don’t necessarily move on, but we can move forward.” Friends, let’s move forward in confidence and assurance of the true Source of our strength, especially when we simply feel like giving up.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/rachel-wojo-36/
I’ll never forget the groans I heard from my kids on the “screen-free” days we had while they were growing up. In today’s day and age, it’s no secret that most kids have a lot more screen time than they used to. And even as a result of COVID-19, this has been exacerbated even further.
Though technology certainly has its benefits, it also has its harms. So what are the effects of all this screen time? Is it helping bring families closer together or is it driving us further apart? Whether you’re a parent or a grandparent, you’re going to appreciate this conversation.
My guest today is Arlene Pellicane, who recently partnered with Dr. Gary Chapman to write the book Screen Kids and an accompanying book, Grandparenting Screen Kids. Featured on the Today Show, Fox & Friends, the Wall Street Journal, and Focus on the Family, Arlene is a speaker, author, and host of the Happy Home podcast.
In this conversation, Arlene addresses the warnings signs of screen addiction for children (and we might not like it, but adults too!), practical ways we can lead our children to live balanced and intentional lives, why the level of screen time we allow can often be directly correlated with discipleship, and much more. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/arlene-pellicane-35/
So many of us don’t like the story God is writing in our lives. Circumstances that are out of our control often take over our thinking and hold us back. So how do we come to grips with the pieces of our story we wish weren’t there? How do we silence the pain of what’s been done to us and the shame of what we’ve allowed to be done through us?
These are tough questions that my guest today is not afraid to tackle.
Sharon Jaynes is a conference speaker and the author of 25 books (seriously!). She served as vice president and radio cohost of Proverbs 31 Ministries for ten years and is the cofounder of Girlfriends in God, which strives to cross generational, racial, and denominational boundaries to bring the body of Christ together as believers.
This is such a powerful episode. Opening up about her abusive home growing up and challenges throughout her life, Sharon guides us through how we navigate the painful parts of our story to find true healing. I’ve known her newest book, When You Don’t Like Your Story, was coming out for some time now, and I have a long list of people I want to get a copy to!
I believe this episode will be such an encouragement to you, and I look forward to hearing what stands out most to you. You are not alone, friend.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/sharon-jaynes-33/
Are you parenting a rebellious teenager? Feeling overwhelmed with the challenges you face every day? Not sure what really is the best way to lead and respond? Then friend, this episode is for you.
Ginger Hubbard is the bestselling author of Don’t Make Me Count to Three, Wise Words for Moms, and I Can’t Believe You Just Said That. She speaks at women’s events, parenting conferences and homeschool conventions across the country, and co-hosts the Parenting with Ginger Hubbard podcast.
In this episode, we get to hear such an honest recount of Ginger’s personal story of rebellion as a teenager to how her parents’ obedience to God ultimately led her to Jesus. She so openly shares about her decision to leave home, the depression she experienced after her abortion, and the pivotal moment where she made the decision to leave her old life and move towards her new life in Christ.
In this episode, you’ll find practical support for your own parenting, inspiration in your walk with Christ, and the hope of redemption that God is doing in lives each and every day. I can’t wait to hear what stands out most to you!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/ginger-hubbard-32/
So how well do you know your kids? I don’t mean their likes or dislikes… I’m talking about how well you know what’s going on inside their head and their heart. No matter their personality, it’s so important to create a relationship that allows our kids to feel important and understood.
But I’ll be the first to admit: That’s not always easy.
Today on the podcast, I have a fun conversation to share with you with Becky Harling, a popular speaker and best-selling author of 11 books. We had such a fun time swapping some funny parenting stories, and Becky shares some practical wisdom about how she learned to love her kids without trying to control them, how parents can validate emotions without validating negative behavior, and what it looks like to parent from a place of humility.
Above all else: Both Becky and I want you to know that it truly is possible to build a meaningful and lasting relationship with your kids. It’s not always easy, it requires intention (and patience and grace and so much more!), but it’s so possible. I hope this conversation equips you to take one step in the direction of helping your kids feel heard, understood, and valued. You’re not alone!
Show Notes: www.jillsavage.org/how-to-listen-so-your-kids-will-talk-becky-harling-31/
Would you like to have a marriage that goes the distance? Are you looking for ways to deepen your connection with your spouse? Or maybe you're just feeling distance in your marriage, but you're not quite sure what to do about it?
Too many marriages experience hundreds, if not thousands, of really small moments of disconnection. We call these the Slow Fades, and if they aren't addressed, one day we'll look at each other and find ourselves miles apart, confused about how we got there.
It's been a little since I had my husband, Mark, on the podcast, and I'm excited to have him back today! We start the episode off talking about what we've been reading, and then we jump into exactly what the Slow Fades are, and how they can slowly feed bitterness, pride, and frustration in marriage.
You see, slow fades are small ruptures in connection that gather over years, or even decades, pulling our hearts apart one quarter inch at a time. This is so common in most marriages. Interestingly, between 20 and 30 years of marriages is when we tend to see a lot of people finally feel the weight of how far the distance has become (which is what happened to Mark and I in 2012).
I really hope this episode equips you in practical ways today to invest in your marriage. These truths were so important for Mark and I to recognize, and I trust they'll bring your marriage value as well. Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/slow-fade-marriage-episode-30/
Have you missed the workshops at Hearts at Home Conferences? (For those of you who were part of those!) That's one thing I hear all the time, and to be honest, I do as well. But friends, today's conversation will feel like a full-blown parenting workshop packed into 50 minutes. So much wisdom!
If you've noticed that all this togetherness at home has increased family conflict instead of connection, this conversation is for you. Even if you only have one child, this is one you'll get a ton of value from.
Dr. Todd Cartmell is a long-time friend of mine and a child psychologist who received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of six faith-based parenting books, has been married for over 30 years, and has two sons. He's so knowledgable and is passionate about equipping parents to lead their kids well.
Like I said above, today's episode is PACKED with wisdom. Todd shares about what he's seeing from kids during COVID-19, how to actively listen to our kids, practices we can put in place to increase connection with them, practical ways to promote positive behavior instead of constantly calling out bad behavior, creating intentional family time, and so much more. Parents, listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/sibling-rivarly-todd-cartmell-episode-29/
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: @JillSavage.author
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Does reading the Bible excite you or intimidate you? Is it something you look forward to or feel obligated to do? Do you struggle to find the time to make it a consistent priority? Honestly, I've felt all those things and more! There are seasons of life when I can't wait to dig into God's Word and other seasons when it's hard to find the motivation.
That rollercoaster of emotions is why I'm so excited to introduce you to today's guest, Brittany Ann.
After seeing how many people wanted to read the Bible more but struggled to actually do it, Brittany founded EquippingGodlyWomen.com, where she challenges, encourages, and equips Christian women to be ALL IN in faith and family. She's also the author of the brand new book, Fall in Love with God's Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women.
In today's episode, Brittany shares why many women struggle to make reading the Bible a priority, what limiting beliefs are often in the way of getting in God's Word, the best place to start in the Bible if you're new to it, and what we'll see in our lives when we're consistently making time with God and His Word.
Brittany is a steady presence with a lot of practical wisdom to share! I look forward to hearing what you take away from this conversation!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/fall-in-love-gods-word-brittany-ann-episode-28/
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: @JillSavage.author
Follow me on Twitter: @jillsavage
Are you feeling like you’re at the end of yourself? Does it feel like there’s not enough of you to go around? Do you sometimes feel like you’re not able to find success in each area of your life? You are not alone! And here’s the good news: Today’s guest knows the way out of burnout.
Friends, this conversation is incredible. Deanna Mason is the host of the Refreshed Moms Podcast and Creator of the Refreshed Moms App, where she helps mom entrepreneurs exchange an over-committed lifestyle with one filled with rest.
And in 2014, Deanna had her own experience with burnout.
She had built an incredibly successful business (while she was homeschooling her young children!) before she started to experience extreme exhaustion, forgetfulness, and fatigue. She would lock her keys out of her car. She never had enough energy. She struggled to focus. And this experience ultimately led her to close the business so she could step back and stay at home with her kids.
In this episode, we talk about what leads to burnout, how to cope with performance-orientation, prioritizing rest in our lives, how to effectively be a mom and an entrepreneur, and why women struggle with over-functioning in each area of our lives.
This one will refresh your soul, and I can’t wait to hear what your takeaways are! Listen in!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/way-out-burnout-deanna-mason-episode-27/
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: @JillSavage.author
Follow me on Twitter: @jillsavage
Do love and money clash in your marriage? Is this just a subject you tend to avoid? If so, you're not alone! It's actually rather common for couples to experience frustrations around this topic.
Today on the podcast, I'm so excited to welcome my friend Shaunti Feldhahn, bestselling author of For Women Only, for a conversation about how we can honestly discuss money in marriage without the fear of conflict.
And let me tell you, this one is a game-changer.
She and her husband Jeff are fresh off a 3-year national research project on love and money that, in many ways, startled them. Through the study, they discovered that conflict around money issues usually isn’t about money at all. The core issue is actually about how money makes us feel.
Shaunti shares honestly in today's podcast about how, despite working together for more than half of their 25-year marriage, Jeff and her simply could not talk about money. They essentially handled everything separately (something many of us may relate with!). This research project was a crucial step for them to understand what was really behind their money conflicts and to choose unity rather than arguments or avoidance.
You're going to love Shaunti's candor as we talk about why money is such a difficult topic, what frustrations with money are most commonly about for men and women, how we can move from conflict to unity, why being a "spender" doesn't have to be a bad trait, and a whole lot more.
Listen in and let me know what your biggest takeaway is! This one is so good!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/thriving-in-love-money-shaunti-feldhahn-episode-26/
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: @JillSavage.author
Follow me on Twitter: @jillsavage
A heads-up: As the title of the episode suggest, we’ll be talking openly about sex in this conversation. If you’re around little ears in any way, you’ll probably want to use headphones.
Are you and your husband at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to sexual desire? Do you argue over the frequency of sex? Is physical intimacy the last thing on your priority list but you don’t know how to even start making a change? If so, today’s conversation is for you.
Last year I did a Facebook study of my book, Is There Really Sex After Kids? We had several hundred women in the study and to supplement what we were reading, I invited a few experts to do some Facebook LIVE interviews in the group. And wow…did we have some INCREDIBLE conversations!
Today’s episode features the conversation I had with Dr. Jennifer Degler, one of our “sexperts.” Dr. Jennifer’s interview was a favorite one in the study so I’m sharing it here on the podcast so you can benefit from it too!
I love the practical, open, and honest approach Dr. Jennifer brings to the topic of sex, and I look forward to hearing what your takeaways from this conversation are!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/honest-conversation-about-sex-jennifer-degler-episode-25/
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: @JillSavage.author
Follow me on Twitter: @jillsavage
There are some gifts that we need to be giving each other all year round! These don't have to be wrapped in red and green and placed under a Christmas tree during the holiday season. In fact, these can be given every single day of the year. They are delivered in person. They cost not one penny. Yet, they make a HUGE difference in the relationships that mean the most to us.
These are the gifts that I'm talking about in Episode 24 of the No More Perfect Podcast! If you listen before Christmas, it will help your Christmas go smoother. If you listen after Christmas, it will make every day of your life better!
Take a listen and then give some gifts that will REALLY make a difference this year!
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/the-gifts-you-need-to-give-all-year-episode-24/
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: @JillSavage.author
Follow me on Twitter: @jillsavage
Is it possible to have a restful holiday season?
It is if you learn to give yourself and others the gift of mental health.
Too often mental health is viewed from a negative perspective instead of a positive one. In the same way that we need to pursue physical health, we also need to pursue mental health.
In this episode licensed professional counselor Michelle Nietert and I talk about what it looks like to take mental health seriously during the holiday season (as well as throughout the year.) We dig into boundaries, self-care, and what it looks like to prioritize people in a season that's filled with projects.
Michele's honesty is refreshing and her wisdom is equipping. Even if you have a million things to do to get ready for Christmas, don't skip over this episode. It will provide powerful perspective that will allow you to celebrate the birth of Jesus from a place of peace, hope, and joy.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/the-gift-of-mental-health-with-michelle-nietert-episode-23/
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Connect with Michelle on Facebook and Instagram: @michellenietert
In the past ten years I've walked through a breast cancer diagnosis and 8 months of treatment, my husband's infidelity, and our adopted son's mental health issues which included several suicide attempts. There were many days I just wanted to pull the covers up over my head in an attempt to make the world go away.
But God.
He held me in my pain. His Word gave me direction when I didn't know what to do. His Spirit showed me the next right step I needed to take. I'd been nurturing my relationship with God for many years before crisis hit. When life got hard, I leaned into God and trusted Him because my relationship with Him was established.
When you want to be healthier, you tend to make some lifestyle changes. This could be eating healthier or working out more. When we do these healthy habits, we tend to see results. When we're physically fit we have better immunity and better stamina that serve us well when life gets hard.
The same principle happens in our spiritual life. We need to know God, His truth, and how to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we nurture our relationship with God outside of crisis, we can lean into Him when life gets hard. If we're spiritually fit, we have better perspective and better strength that serves us well when life gets hard.
In this episode of the No More Perfect Podcast, I share practical tips on being intentional with our spiritual fitness so that we experience a supernatural strength and steadiness in our life. Spiritual fitness will help you stay more grounded and navigate the hard seasons better!
You can find the show notes for this episode here: https://jillsavage.org/are-you-spiritually-fit-episode-22/
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“Enjoy every minute because the time goes so fast!” Every mother of young children has been offered this advice. Yet for moms in the thick of it, this advice is neither realistic nor attainable. A tired, overwhelmed mom can easily internalize these well-intentioned words into guilt-laced, negative self-talk.
“What is wrong with me?”
“Why aren’t I enjoying my kids more?”
“Why do I feel so overwhelmed when other moms seem so normal?”
“I should be more patient and joyful. I’m a Christian—I shouldn’t be struggling so much.”
If you’ve said those things, you’re normal!
We will not enjoy every minute of this journey, but we can find joy in each season. In this episode, Becky Baudouin, author of Enjoy Every Moment and Other Ridiculous Things We Say to Moms, and I talk about how much guilt and shame moms unknowingly take on.
We dig into common myths such as, “God will never give you more than you can handle,” and “The most important thing is that your kids are happy.” My prayer is that this conversation helps crush the mom clichés so you can experience freedom from the guilt and shame that rob you of joy.
Show notes: https://jillsavage.org/crushing-the-mom-cliches-with-becky-baudouin-episode-21/
Jill's website: www.JillSavage.org
Becky's website: www.beckybaudouin.com
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Connect with Becky on Facebook: @Becky.Baudouin.Author.Speaker
Connect with Becky on Instagram: @BeckyBaudouin
Do you have someone in your life who's difficult to love?
It might be a sister-in-law, a sibling, a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. It could be a hard family season and your hard-to-love person is your spouse or even one of your children.
When our marriage went through a terrible crisis and my husband was unfaithful, God took me on a journey to love deeper than I'd ever loved before. You see, I knew how to love someone who was loving me but I didn’t know how to love someone who being unkind and wasn’t loving me back.
When I begged God for direction in how to handle my relationship with my husband, he initially gave me one marching order: I want you to love him.
I protested to God that He didn't know what He was asking! Of course, He reminded me that He had gone first. He loves us when we're unlovable.
God eventually led me to Romans 12: 9-21 and that truth became the direction I needed. In this episode, I walk through Romans 12 and what I learned from it. Romans 12 shows us how to be unoffendable and how to give what I call "unhumanable" love.
Ready to love deeper? Listen in and expand your understanding of love!
Show notes can be found here: https://jillsavage.org/how-to-love-someone-whos-hard-to-love-episode-20/
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Life is not perfect.
Because of this reality, married couples will come face to face with the imperfect parts of life. Whether it’s a child’s rebellion, infertility, chronic illness, or a financial tragedy, even couples who have been together for decades must be able to weather these storms. These outside circumstances and stressors, if not handled with care, can deteriorate and weaken, if not destroy, a marriage.
Carol and Gene Kent and Cindy and David Lambert, authors of Staying Power: Building A Stronger Marriage When Life Sends Its Worst, understand this well. You see Dave and Cindy raised their grandchild and Gene and Carol’s only son is serving a life-sentence for murder. Life sent its worst and they stayed together.
On this episode of the No More Perfect Podcast episode, Mark and I talk with Carol, Gene, Cindy, and Dave to better understand the principles they’ve used to create “staying power” in their marriages through such difficult life circumstances.
Listen in to not only hear their stories but also to learn the choices, practices, and principles that can make a marriage stronger even when faced with the types of crises that come from outside the marriage through no choice of the husband or wife — life crises that we all are hit with at some point.
This episode is honest, raw, and filled with the wisdom you will likely need at some point in your imperfect life journey.
Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/staying-together-when-life-sends-its-worse-with-carol-and-gene-kent-cindy-and-david-lambert/
Jill's website: www.MarkandJill.org
Carol Kent's website: www.CarolKent.org
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Connect with Carol on Facebook: @authorcarolkent
Connect with Carol on Instagram: @carolkentspeaks
Understanding ourselves and understanding the way our children and grandchildren learn and process the world is so important. We're all unique and interact with the world and others the way God made us.
The question isn’t, "Am I smart?" but rather, "How am I smart?" That's what we're discussing on this week's episode of the No More Perfect Podcast. Dr. Kathy Koch is my guest and we're discussing something she's passionate about called the 8 Great Smarts.
With remote learning, an increase in homeschooling, and parents more involved in their children's education than ever before, this is a timely subject. We talk through all eight smarts and how to engage a child in context of the smarts!
When I learned this, it was a game-changer for me as a parent. I'm now a better grandparent because I understand it!
Dr. Kathy was my co-author of No More Perfect Kids. She's a wealth of wisdom for parents, grandparents, and anyone who works with children!
You can find the show notes here: https://www.jillsavage.org/how-are-you-smart-with-dr-kathy-koch-episode-18/
Jill's website: www.MarkandJill.org
Kathy's website: https://celebratekids.com/
Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Facebook and Instagram: @celebratekidsinc
When it comes to hospitality, my friend Karen Ehman says it doesn’t matter what size your house is, how it’s decorated, whether or not it’s spotless, or what you cook or don’t cook. The secret to making guests feel comfortable is more about the condition of your heart than the condition of your home.
In this episode of the No More Perfect Podcast, Karen and I explore how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. We also discuss what it looks like to be hospitable to our own families--which is sooooooo important!
Karen has a knack for inspiring you to make others feel refreshed, rather than impressed. She redefines hospitality in a way that anyone can make it happen!
In our conversation, we explore and answer these questions:
- What does it look like to have the goal of "refreshing others?"
- How can we really see people and focus on what really matters?
- How do we practically reach out to those around us?
- How can we "take hospitality on the road" if we truly can't host people in our home for some reason?
Listen in as Karen and I talk about the fact that hospitality is not so much about being organized, but more about being purposeful and intentional.
Show Notes: https://www.jillsavage.org/how-to-reach-out/
Connect with Jill online: www.JillSavage.org
Connect with Karen online: www.KarenEhman.com
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram @jillsavage.author
Connect with Karen on Facebook @OfficialKarenEhman
Connect with Karen on Instagram @karenehman
At times, life is unfair.
Sometimes we go through pain--physical, emotional, and relational. Loss and grief become real. Life unravels and comes "undone" in a way we never imagined.
There's no one better to talk about the undone life than my friend Michele Cushatt. A three-time head and neck cancer survivor and parent of “children from hard places,” Michele is a (reluctant) expert of trauma, pain and the deep human need for authentic connection.
In this episode of the No More Perfect Podcast Michele and I talk about the hard stuff of life, the reality of suffering, and where God is in it all. We talk about how to find your footing in the suffering and how to sit with others when they are experiencing painful seasons.
This is the real stuff of life we all experience at one time or another. It's the stuff our loved ones experience. Michele's understanding of how God uses suffering in our life is a concept we all desperately need to understand.
You can find the show notes here: https://www.jillsavage.org/hope-for-the-undone-life-with-michele-cushatt-episode-16/
Connect with Jill online: www.JillSavage.org
Connect with Michele online: www.MicheleCushatt.com
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram @jillsavage.author
Connect with Michele on Facebook and Instagram @michelecushatt
Are you looking for a way to better understand yourself and better understand your spouse? If so, Episode 15 of the No More Perfect Podcast is for you!
If you're familiar with the Enneagram but want to better understand how it plays out in your marriage, this episode is for you. If you've never heard of the Enneagram but are looking for a way to better understand how your different personalities can work together better in marriage, this episode is also for you!
My guests are Beth and Jeff McCord of YourEnneagramCoach.com. Authors of Becoming Us: Using the Enneagram to Create a Thriving Gospel-Centered Marriage the McCords help couples better understand the dynamics, both good and frustrating, they experience in their marriage. Their mission is to help people see themselves with astonishing clarity, so they can break free from self-condemnation, fear, and shame through the unconditional love, forgiveness, and freedom in Christ.
In this episode, Jeff and Beth McCord help us explore exactly what the Enneagram is and how it can help us in relationships. Their perspective is that when we pair the introspection that the Enneagram can bring with the transformation of the Gospel, we have the ability to grow in new ways! Through powerful personal stories, Beth and Jeff share their journey from conflict to connection and their wisdom helps us do the same!
Listen in to gain powerful insight that will help you navigate the relationships that mean the most to you!
Beth and Jeff's Website: YourEnneagramCoach.com
Follow Beth on Facebook and Instagram: @yourenneagramcoach
Jill's website: www.JillSavage.org
Follow Jill Savage on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Do you have trouble saying no? Do you hate letting others down and feel guilty if you can't say yes?
If so, you're not alone...but you're probably also over-committed and maybe even nursing resentment in your heart that comes when we lack boundaries.
It can be so hard to say no, but its important to learn how to have boundaries without guilt.
In this episode of the No More Perfect Podcast, I share twelve strategies that will help you say no. These can help you manage every day "asks" as well as long term commitments.
Saying no can enhance your relationships, your soul care, and your self-care. Saying no creates the margin we desperately need in our lives. Saying no gives us time for the things that bring us life so we do not face burnout.
If you struggle saying no, make sure you say YES to this episode!
Show notes with links to the resources mentioned can be found here: https://www.jillsavage.org/12-ways-to-say-no-and-find-the-balance-you-need-episode-14/
Follow Jill on Instagram and Facebook: @jillsavage.author
Do you find yourself constantly tired and your life doesn't seem to allow for rest? If so, you aren't the only one.
A great night's sleep or a nap isn't always the key to great rest. According to Dr. Saundra-Dalton-Smith, there are seven different areas that we need to find rest in so that we can fully operate. God does not want us to earn our rest but to work from a place of rest. We must learn to incorporate these different types of rest for ourselves and also for our children.
In this episode of the No More Perfect Podcast, Dr. Saundra Dalton- Smith, author of Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity, and I tackle what rest looks like. She shares her personal burnout story and we talk about the different types of rest we all need. We talk about the different types of rest and practical ways to practice those types of rest. We also dig into different ways to model this for our children and grandchildren.
Bottom line, if you're human, this episode is for you!
You can find the show notes for this episode here: https://www.jillsavage.org/simple-ways-to-find-rest-in-the-middle-of-a-chaotic-life-with-saundra-dalton-smith-episode-13/
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith on Instagram: @drdaltonsmith
Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith on Facebook: @DrSaundraDaltonSmith
Do you feel like you’re always falling short? Struggle feeling like you’re not enough? Wondering why others have some of the things in life that you really want? If so, you just might be comparing.
Comparison breeds discontentment. It robs us of peace. It steals our hope.
This is what we tackle on Episode 12 of the No More Perfect Podcast and the conversation is richer because Shannon Popkin, author of Comparison Girl, joined me!
I first wrote about comparison in No More Perfect Moms. It’s a subject I’m passionate about. That’s why when I learned that Shannon had some unique things to say about the topic, I knew we had to have a conversation! It was an important one you don’t want to miss.
We talked about the fact that we can compare in two directions–one where we come out better than someone else and one where we come out worse than someone else. When we compare “up,” we experience jealousy. When we compare “down,” we experience disgust.
Shannon reminds us that Jesus was always interacting with people comparing themselves, but he never said, “Just stop comparing!” Instead He turns it upside down and changes the focus to serving. Imagine two glass measuring cups sitting side by side. When we look at what’s inside each cup and how it relates to the lines, we compare. When we forget the lines and look at the spout–pouring out what’s inside, we serve.
Challenging us to “Me-free living,” Shannon casts a vision that we can learn to live in a world that allows people to have more than I do. She reminds us that comparison divides. She helps us learn how to recognize that when the quiet voice telling us to compare, or telling us that we are not enough is there, we can actually start changing it’s power.
This is a rich conversation that promises to change your perspective and help you experience a freedom you might not even realize you need.
You can find the show notes for this episode here: https://www.jillsavage.org/is-comparison-robbing-you-of-contentment-with-shannon-popkin-episode-12/
Connect with Jill at www.JillSavage.org
Connect with Shannon at www.ShannonPopkin.com
Instagram: @jillsavage.author @shannonpopkin
Facebook: @jillsavage.author @shanpopkin
Twitter: @jillsavage @ShannonPopkin
What happens when the Perfection Infection invades your parenting?
Your kids feel they can never live up to your expectations. They're worried about disappointing you and keeping you happy. They feel corrected by you a lot but not connected to you like they long for.
This is a weight no one should carry.
The Perfection Infection can invade your parenting at any stage of the game--when your kids are under your roof and even when they're grown and gone.
However, it's never too late to kick the perfection infection out of your parenting...and if you do, you'll find yourself more connected and tuned into your child's heart and dreams.
In this episode, I share how I kicked the Perfection Infection out of my parenting by applying the antidotes of compassion, love, acceptance, and perception.
I share mistakes made and changes that have transformed my relationship with my kids.
If you are a parent--no matter the age of your child--this episode is for you!
You can find the show notes for this episode here: https://www.jillsavage.org/how-i-kicked-the-perfection-infection-out-of-my-parenting-episode-11/
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook: @jillsavage.author
Website: www.JillSavage.org
Do you find yourself giving up more often than you like? Have you ever gotten to the place where you just couldn’t take it anymore?
Dreams. Programs. Jobs. Relationships. There are so many different areas where we feel like calling it quits.
Episode #10 of the No More Perfect Podcast is an honest conversation about resisting the temptation to give up.
My guest is Nicki Koziarz, an author, speaker, and a woman who has thrown in the towel a time or two. In fact, she’s quit just about everything in her life. But with God’s help, she’s discovered a few habits that have helped her and others conquer the choice to quit.
This is a rich conversation that will give you a fresh dose of perspective from the Bible that will help you develop perseverance.
Whether you're a Quitzilla who is furious, fed up, and fast to walk away or a Quiet Quitter who allows doubt to settle in and quietly slides into quitting, this conversation will help you keep going no matter what challenges come your way!
You can find the show notes here: https://www.jillsavage.org/when-you-want-to-quit-with-nicki-koziarz-episode-10/
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Connect with Nicki on Facebook: @nickikoziarz.ministry
Connect with Nicki on Instagram: @nickikoziarz
Have you ever learned the value of forgiving in real time? It can be a game-changer for your relationships.
Most of the time we think of forgiveness as something needed for big things that break trust. On this episode of the No More Perfect Podcast my husband and I talk about why forgiveness is so important to use multiple times a day.
You read that right! Multiple times a day!
After all, you bump into other people's imperfect every single day. How do you handle that? With forgiveness!
Do you know that when we are unable to forgive we demonize someone in our head? However, when we are able to forgive, we humanize them.
In this episode we dig into that PLUS we talk about:
- How to forgive.
- What forgiveness is and what it is not.
- How forgiveness doesn't rebuild trust but lays the foundation for trust to be rebuilt.
- What happens inside our head and heart when we don't forgive.
- Why forgiving in real-time is so important for relationships!
Understanding the power of forgiveness will affect every relationship you have! This is a must-listen-to episode!
You can find the show notes for this episode at https://www.jillsavage.org/why-you-need-to-forgive-every-single-day/
Connect with Mark and Jill online: www.MarkandJill.org
Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Is the empty nest on the horizon? A little closer than you’re ready for?
Are you in the throes of letting go and trying to navigate a new normal?
Do you have some out of the nest and some still at home?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you'll want to listen to Episode 8 of the No More Perfect Podcast!
Letting go is one of the hardest parts of parenting. We're so accustomed to calling the shots in our kids lives--after all we've done that for 18 years--that letting them go is particularly difficult.
In this episode we explore six things every empty nest parent needs to let go of:
- Expectations
- Opinions
- Traditions
- Our child's problems
- Our own idols
- Guilt
If you're an "empty nest" or "close to the empty nest" parent, listen in!
If you're not an empty nest parent, can you share this with someone who is?
Show notes can be found here:
https://www.jillsavage.org/six-things-every-empty-nest-parent-needs-to-let-go-of-episode-8/
Connect with Jill on Instagram and Facebook: @jillsavage.author
Check out www.EmptyNestBook.com for more empty nest resources!
Does life ever feel like it’s more than you can handle? Do you realize that hard seasons tend to be where we fight to maintain control? Do you know that learning to “let go” will actually bring about better blessings in the midst of difficult circumstances?
When life gets hard, aspects of the future are uncertain, and we’re at the mercy of other’s decisions, we want more power over the situation. This is actually when we need to learn to let go which is opposite of what we feel like doing!
Let’s face it, sometimes there are problems in life that can’t be fixed no matter what we do. The more we learn to surrender control, the more peace we’ll experience.
In this episode, author and speaker Barb Roose and I talk about how to replace control with surrender which is something we ALL need to learn how to do!
It's an episode you don't want to miss!
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Connect with Barb on Facebook @barbararoose and Instagram @barbroose
www.JillSavage.org/podcast
www.BarbRoose.com
How do you rebuild trust when it’s broken? In this episode, Mark and I tackle the question we’re asked ALL. THE. TIME.
We’re digging into rebuilding trust in a variety of relationships…not just marriage. After all, we deal with broken trust in parent/child relationships, friendships, extended family, and, of course, marriage.
The formula for rebuilding trust is this: changed behavior over time rebuilds trust. What does that practically look like, though? Join us in this episode where we dig into seven practical steps to rebuild trust and a whole new way of looking at accountability.
You can find the show notes here: https://www.jillsavage.org/how-to-rebuild-trust-in-a-relationship-episode-6/
Follow Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Have you ever felt like you aren't enough as a mom? Have you ever struggled comparing yourself to others? On this podcast episode Keli Reese joins me to talk about overcoming mom guilt, the power of surrender in motherhood, and the concept of the "ministry of motherhood." It's a conversation filled with wisdom, laughter, and valuable takeaways for every mom!
Keli is the founder and speaker for Ministry in Mothering. Ministry in Mothering is designed to encourage and equip moms to live out Biblical truths, while in the throes of motherhood. Keli uses humor, transparency, and the Word of God to expose the ongoing reality of anxiety and guilt and to help moms replace it with fulfillment and joy.
Keli has been married to her husband Ken for 14 years. Together, they are raising their 5 children – Kenneth III, Kameron, Kenedi, Kylan, and Khloe – who are, as Keli calls them, her primary Ministry in Mothering.
Show notes: https://www.jillsavage.org/overcoming-mom-guilt-with-keli-reese/
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Connect with Keli on Facebook and Instagram: @ministryinmothering
Do you ever feel that you need to be better prepared for the crazy things life brings to you? Today I am joined by Kathi Lipp as we discuss the importance of planning ahead and being ready for anything that comes your way.
Kathi Lipp is the podcast host of the Clutter Free Academy, and the bestselling author of The Husband Project, Clutter Free and Ready for Anything. She and her husband, Roger, live in the mountains of northern California run the Red House Writing Retreats. Using humor and wisdom, Kathi offers hope paired with practical steps to women looking to live with meaning.
You can find the show notes here: https://www.jillsavage.org/are-you-prepared-for-anything-with-kathy-lipp-episode-4/
Follow Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Every marriage has a story. Join Mark and I as we share a bit about our journey through marriage, children, surviving infidelity, and more! Tune in to find out how we went from Mark and Jill 1.0 to Mark and Jill 2.0.
Check out this episode's show notes: https://www.jillsavage.org/lessons-learned-from-an-imperfect-marriage-episode-3/
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Do you know someone who feels very deeply? They might even be affected by bright lights, strong scents, itchy clothing, and loud sounds. It's possible they sense other people's feelings before they ever say a word. They may even have a rich and complex inner life. This might be someone you know or it might even describe you! If you're not an HSP, you most certainly know an HSP, so listen in on this conversation with Cheri Gregory, the author of Sensitive and Strong so you better understand yourself or the HSP's in your life!
You can find the show notes for this episode here: https://www.jillsavage.org/what-is-an-hsp-and-why-does-it-matter-with-cheri-gregory-episode-2/
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Have you ever felt like you want to connect better with your spouse or child? The next right step might be a simple, but important, tweak. Join me in this episode as I look at a place where I've experienced tremendous growth as a wife, a mother, and a friend. Listen in as I share about how I stopped being a buck up wife and mom and started choosing to respond with compassion and empathy.
Check out this episode's show notes: https://www.jillsavage.org/stop-being-a-buck-up-mom/
Connect with Jill on Facebook and Instagram: @jillsavage.author
Take a moment to hear as Jill Savage talks about the exciting things you can expect on the No More Perfect Podcast. Have ideas for subjects you need to hear about or guests you'd love to see? Send all your suggestions to resources@jillsavage.org!
Join the conversation with Jill on FB or IG @jillsavage.author
Find out more at www.jillsavage.org/podcast