I can’t imagine a more perfect way to kick off our second season (huzzah!) than to chat with the intrepid and generous Jess Connolly. Jess is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, church leader, podcaster, team builder, and here’s the thing: She is as real a deal as they come. I’m talking unicorn. I loved hearing about her steadfast work, even when her own emotions run wild, her newest book Breaking Free From Body Shame, and her personal battle with anxiety. Have a pen and paper ready—this episode is chock full of good things to take with you on your stretch of road.

As Jess tells it, when she was 15, you would have voted her least likely to succeed and definitely least likely to grow up and talk about the Bible. These days she’s just obsessed with leaving her generation more in awe of God than she found them. Jesus grabbed her heart, gripped it with grace, and she finds deep purpose + passion in His presence.

She spends her days writing books, coaching women, leading their church, and trying to make her kids laugh. Go + Tell Gals is where she coaches + leads women and she and her husband, Nick, have the honor of leading Bright City Church. Find her online at jessconnolly.com and on socials @JessaConnolly.