When trials befall us, we’re often tempted to question God’s goodness or power, and because we want an end to our pain, we try to figure out why God has allowed particular trials into our lives. We reason that if we can just understand what God is doing, we can work towards a way out of our suffering. I am so excited to share with you guys my conversation today with Pastor Matt Howell, as we discuss some profound questions about suffering. Pastor Matt grew up in Dallas, TX and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2003. After graduation, he served as an intern with RUF at LSU for two years where he developed a heart for pastoral ministry and met and married his wife, Kathryn. After 11 years of being a campus minister with RUF, Matt now serves as a pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, in Memphis, Tennessee. While we can’t know God’s specific reasons for the trials that he allows into our lives, we do know that He has a big-picture purpose for the sufferings we endure.

Suggested Resources

• Redeemer Memphis
• Joni Eareckson Tada
• How to Build a Non-Anxious Life with John Delony

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

If you’ve ever struggled with fear, doubt, insecurity, or impostor syndrome, this episode is for you. Join me as I sit down with one of my new favorite people, Mary Marantz, whose story will inspire you to rise above and pursue your dreams. 

Having grown up in a single-wide trailer in West Virginia and being the first in her family to graduate college before attending Yale Law School, Mary Marantz knows what it’s like to be underestimated. She understands the drive to prove others wrong and show everyone just how far you've come, while also doubting yourself at every turn. 

This conversation will help you realize that you can do that new hard thing you’ve been wanting to do—because guess what? You can. I’m so thankful for Mary and her work. 

Suggested Resources:

• Mary Marantz Website | Instagram
• The Mary Marantz Show
• Mary's first book - Dirt
• Underestimated 
• What's your achiever type quiz

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

You might believe that a happier life comes from more money, a dream job, or picture-perfect vacations—but think again. According to best-selling author, Yale lecturer, and international keynote speaker, Dr. Emma Seppala, PhD says that the science of happiness tells a different story. Through her groundbreaking research, Emma uncovers why so many of us chase the wrong things and what truly leads to lasting well-being. In this episode, Emma and I discuss some eye-opening studies and inspiring stories that will completely shift how you think about happiness. We also discuss the neuroscience of emotion regulation, the latest evidence for the benefits of silence, and how to cultivate our inner sovereignty to help foster creativity and build resilience.

Suggested Resources:

• Emma Seppälä | Website | Instagram | Youtube
• Emma's Books
• Free the Mind Documentary
• Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators
• Sattva Meditation App

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

Today I’m joined by author, artist, and GraceLaced founder Ruth Chou Simons to talk about trusting God in seasons that feel slow, hidden, or uncertain. Ruth shares how some of the most meaningful work of her life was formed during the ordinary years of raising six boys, creating art during nap times, and learning to recognize God’s faithfulness in everyday moments. We talk about navigating waiting seasons, quieting anxious thoughts, discerning God’s timing, and what it looks like to live faithfully without rushing ahead. This conversation is a grounded reminder that even when life feels slow or unclear, God is still at work — forming, preparing, and doing things beneath the surface that we don’t always see right away.

Suggested Resources:

• Ruth Chou Simons | Website | Instagram
• The Way of the Wildflower
• How to Stop Worrying & Start Living Dale Carnegie
• Now and Not Yet
• Beholding and Becoming
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

Creatine used to be something people mainly associated with athletes or bodybuilders—but lately it’s been having a major moment in the wellness space. And it turns out the benefits may go far beyond muscle. In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Dan Pardi, PhD to explore what creatine actually is, how it works in the body, and why researchers are now studying its role in brain health, energy production, and cognitive performance.

Dr. Pardi is the Chief Health Officer at Qualia Life Sciences, where he leads education around healthspan and human performance. He holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Leiden University and Stanford, and has advised elite military units, Fortune 500 companies, and startups through his consultancy, Vivendi Health. If you’ve been hearing about creatine everywhere lately and wondering whether it’s worth adding to your routine, this episode will give you the science and context to understand why it’s getting so much attention.

Suggested Resources:

• Qualia creatine (use the code wellnstrong for a special discount)
• Creatine before vs after workouts

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Follow Jacqueline:

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

If you’ve ever hit 6 p.m. and thought, what am I even making for dinner?—or saved a “healthy” recipe that looked amazing… then skipped it because it had 27 ingredients - this episode is for you.

Today I’m joined by recipe developer and content creator Jazz Leaf (who I jokingly call the Air Fryer Queen). She’s known for 30-minute meals with 10 ingredients or less, and her approach is simple, protein-forward, and genuinely doable in real life- especially if you want to feel better without cooking becoming a second job.

In this conversation, we break down what a protein-forward day of eating can actually look like, how to simplify meal prep without overhauling your whole routine, and what to look for when choosing protein powders (including how to spot common hidden sugars). We also talk gluten and dairy, why bio-individuality matters, and practical ways to build balanced meals that support steady energy and stable blood sugar.

If you want meals that support your body and your life, this episode will show you what that can look like - without the overwhelm.

Suggested Resources:

• Jazz Leaf Instagram | Website
• Cookbooks
• High-protein Desserts eBook

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.

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Today we’re talking about how understanding your personality type can help you grow in your relationships. If you’re not familiar with this assessment, it’s a tool designed to help you better understand your core motivations, emotions, and patterns at a deeper level. It also equips you to connect more intentionally with the people you love — whether that’s friends, family, coworkers, or your spouse. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome my new friend Meredith Boggs to the show today. Meredith is an expert on this framework and the author of The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith and Relationships. In this episode, Meredith walks through each personality type, including their core emotions, stress and security patterns, and primary defense mechanisms. She also clarifies what this framework is — and what it’s not — and shares how it can be a powerful tool for emotional health, empathy, and discipleship.

Suggested Resources:

• Meredith’s book: The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith and Relationships
• Meredith’s podcast: The Other Half
• The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Follow Jacqueline:

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

In today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome back my wonderful friend Stephanie May Wilson to talk about her new book, Create a Life You Love—and this conversation couldn’t have come at a better time. We unpack why “one right answer” is often a myth and how to make big decisions without feeling like you’re about to ruin your life. Stephanie shares how to tell the difference between a closed door and normal fear, how to build a wise “cabinet” (because not everyone gets a vote on your life), and why confidence is really about trusting yourself to pivot when things don’t go as planned. We also talk about navigating big transitions—marriage, motherhood, moving to Spain—and what it looks like to stop living in the future and fully invest in the season you’re in, even without perfect clarity. If you’re at a crossroads or afraid of getting it wrong, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Grab a journal for this one. 

Suggested Resources:

• Stephanie May Wilson Website | Instagram 
• Create a Life You Love
• Love Your Single Life
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
• Discerning the Voice of God

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Follow Jacqueline:

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

I’m so excited to throw it back to one of my favorite and most encouraging episodes with my friend Nicole Zasowski — a Marriage & Family Therapist and the author of What If It’s Wonderful?, From Lost to Found, and Daring Joy.

In this conversation, we talk about why joy can feel so vulnerable, why our minds often jump to worst-case scenarios, and how to find the courage to fully receive the good in our lives instead of bracing for what might go wrong. So many of us feel safer preparing for disappointment than letting ourselves experience joy — but that habit quietly steals the very moments we’re longing for. Nicole shares powerful insights and practical tools to help us shift our perspective, calm our thoughts, and truly celebrate both the small and big moments that make life meaningful.

Suggested Resources: 

• Nicole E. Zasowski | Website | Podcast
• Daring Joy | What if it's wonderful
• Jo Hargreaves Managing Your Mind Podcast Episode

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Follow Jacqueline:

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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page

Have you ever noticed how much the words you hear — and the ones you repeat to yourself — shape the way you live? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Sharon Jaynes, author of The Power of a Woman’s Words. We talk about what it really means to take your thoughts captive, how to recognize the lies you’ve been carrying, and how to gently replace them with truth that brings peace instead of pressure. Sharon also shares how one voice of encouragement changed the direction of her life, and offers simple, faith-rooted ways to start speaking to yourself with more clarity, kindness, and intention. If you’ve been stuck in negative thought patterns, this conversation will feel like a deep breath.

Suggested Resources:

• Sharon Jaynes | Website | Instagram | Facebook
• The Power of a Woman's Words
• When You Don’t Like Your Story
• “70 Common Lies & Truth” download

Send me a text!

This episode is proudly sponsored by: Sizzlefish

Let’s talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you’re looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you’re going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!

Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!

Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Follow Jacqueline:

• Instagram 
• Pinterest
• TikTok
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• To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page