Ever second-guess whether it’s God talking to you… or just your own inner dialogue?

You’re not alone.

In this episode, Jenilee sits down with anxiety specialist and Christian coach Eric Gilbert to unpack the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways God speaks—and how to tell the difference between faith-led clarity and fear-driven noise.

👀 If you’ve ever asked:

• “Is this really God… or am I making it up?”

• “What if I miss it?”

• “What if it’s just my feelings talking?”

...this episode will clear the fog.

🔍 We dive into:

• A simple 70/30 rule to help you filter spiritual direction

• The key difference between conviction and anxiety

• Why overthinking makes it harder to hear clearly

• Real-life stories of hearing God’s voice (even in emergencies)

• How Eric helped a client break fear by identifying the real root of their struggle

• And Jenilee’s personal example of asking the Holy Spirit to reveal truth—in real time—with her kids

If you want to hear God’s voice with confidence and peace, this episode is your roadmap.

🎯 BONUS: Discover your unique spiritual wiring with Eric’s Courageous Callings Quiz
👉 https://courageouscallings.com

📲 Listen now + share this episode with the friend who keeps asking “How do I know it’s really God?”

-------------------------------------

• Support Jen’s Podcast for her birthday!  Sponsor the new additions to her Studio on Amazon!

• Join me in Greece on a special trip with my listeners!  We will explore, make memories, eat great food, see biblical and historical sites & encounter Jesus.  Take this 2 minute survey to help me start planning it: https://my.trovatrip.com/public/l/survey/jenilee-samuel

• Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon! : ⁠https://a.co/d/6aea4Dg⁠

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💼 Join as a Distributor on Jen's Lifewave team: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen/enrollment/packs⁠

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠

 LEAVE JEN A RATING ⭐️ & REVIEW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-jen-hearing-gods-voice-for-everyday-life/id1257356393?mt=2⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH JEN & SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Thank you for rating, reviewing and sharing the show on social media, this makes such an enormous difference on the reach of this podcast!  

• IG: Instagram.com/javawithjen

• FB: Facebook.com/javawithjenpodcast 

• Treat Jen to Coffee & Help keep the show running:  www.PATREON.COM/JAVAWITHJEN 

• Venmo: @JavawithJen

• Cashapp: $JavawithJen

• Join me in Greece on a special trip with my listeners!  We will explore, make memories, eat great food, see biblical and historical sites & encounter Jesus.  Take this 2 minute survey to help me start planning it: https://my.trovatrip.com/public/l/survey/jenilee-samuel

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Let’s be honest: reading your Bible shouldn’t feel overwhelming—but sometimes it does.

In this episode, I’m joined by Philip Nation, VP and Publisher at Thomas Nelson Bibles, and we’re answering 7 of the most common questions you’ve asked about Bible reading—questions that real women (like you!) are wrestling with.

If you've ever wondered:

• “Which Bible translation is right for me?”

• “Why do I feel dry or disconnected when I read?”

• “Is it okay that I only read a few verses?”

• “How do I help my kids engage with the Bible too?”
  …then this episode is for you.

You’ll hear practical strategies, fresh encouragement, and zero shame. Whether you’re juggling babies, running a business, or rebuilding your spiritual life—this episode will help you make Bible time simple, sacred, and actually enjoyable.

About Today’s Guest:

Philip Nation is the Vice President and Publisher of Thomas Nelson Bibles. He’s a pastor, professor, and author with a passion for making Scripture easy to understand and accessible for everyday life. He’s also a husband, father, and grandfather who understands the pressures of real life and the beauty of grace. Learn more at www.thomasnelsonbibles.com.

7 Listener Questions We Answered in This Episode:

1. Which Bible translation is best for me?

2. What should I read when I feel spiritually dry?

3. How can I fit Bible time into my busy schedule?

4. What tools can help me understand what I’m reading?

5. How do I make Bible reading feel more enjoyable—not just another task?

6. What do I do when I feel guilty about not reading enough?

   7. How can I bring the Bible into my parenting naturally?

🤩 Interested in starting your own podcast?  Join Jen’s next 4-Day Challenge to lock in your Magnetic Podcast Identity for some REAL momentum and clarity!

What Julianne Hartman Learned About Healing, Lies We Believe, and Living Free

Are you praying for healing—but still feel stuck, confused, or overlooked? In this powerful episode, Jenilee sits down with Julianne Hartman, co-pastor, YouTuber, and founder of Healing Journeys Today, to unpack the lies many Christians believe about healing and how to finally partner with God for the breakthrough you’ve been praying for.

Julianne shares her raw, honest journey from being an elite Tae Bo instructor—struck down by mysterious symptoms and debilitating chemical sensitivity—to walking in divine healing from fibromyalgia and chronic anxiety. She reveals how emotional pain, spiritual confusion, and even church teachings can quietly sabotage our ability to receive healing.

Whether you’re battling chronic illness, feeling guilty about taking medicine, or wondering if healing is even for you—this episode is the truth bomb your spirit has been craving.

🔥 In This Episode:

• Why some Christians stay sick even after years of praying

• What fear does to your immune system (and how to break it)

• The dangerous belief that “God is teaching me through this”

• When sickness becomes part of your identity—and how to give it back

• How to hear the Holy Spirit about your health decisions

• Breaking generational patterns of sickness

• Can bitterness really cause disease? (What the Bible says)

• How Julianne finally found healing—after spending over $300,000 on doctors

Leave a review or share this episode with a friend who needs healing and hope. You never know—it might be the start of their breakthrough.

----------------------------

🎁 Support Jen’s Podcast for her birthday!  Sponsor the new additions to her Studio on Amazon!

💫 Join me in Greece on a special trip with my listeners!  We will explore, make memories, eat great food, see biblical and historical sites & encounter Jesus.  Take this 2 minute survey to help me start planning it:

💕Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon!

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠

💥 LEAVE JEN A RATING ⭐️ & REVIEW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-jen-hearing-gods-voice-for-everyday-life/id1257356393?mt=2⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Support Jen’s Podcast for her birthday!  Sponsor the new additions to her Studio on Amazon

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🎙In Today's Episode:

Why does being Spirit-led sometimes feel so complicated? In this deep and powerful episode, Jenilee Samuel sits down with Jenny Randle to demystify what it truly means to walk with the Holy Spirit in everyday life.

Whether you’ve grown up around Pentecostal language or are new to the idea of the Holy Spirit, this conversation unpacks the confusion and replaces it with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Together, they explore the beautiful tension between spiritual experience and biblical grounding—offering practical insights for every believer who desires more of God’s presence and power in their life.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in salvation, daily life, and ministry

• The difference between indwelling, baptism, and being filled with the Spirit

• Insight into why personal experiences with the Spirit vary so much

• Clarity on what spiritual gifts are and how they operate today

• The encouragement to overcome fear, confusion, and barriers to walking in step with the Spirit

• A reminder: the Holy Spirit is not an “it”—He’s a person who wants to walk with you

If you’ve ever thought, “I want more of God, but I don’t know where to start…” — this episode is your next step.

• The Holy Spirit is essential for every believer

• Being Spirit-led isn’t about hype — it’s about relationship

• Personal encounters with the Spirit are real, valid, and unique

• Every believer has access to the Spirit’s power and gifts

• Understanding the Holy Spirit is a lifelong, beautiful journey

⏱️ Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Holy Spirit and Personal Journey
03:34 Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit
06:53 Navigating the Spirit-Led Life
09:57 Experiencing the Holy Spirit's Power
12:49 Personal Stories of Encountering the Holy Spirit
15:37 Theological Perspectives on the Holy Spirit
18:43 The Importance of Being Spirit-Filled
26:44 Understanding the Baptism of the Spirit
29:51 The Power of the Holy Spirit in Daily Life
33:56 The Importance of Being Spirit-Led
38:29 Overcoming Barriers to the Holy Spirit
42:09 The Promised Presence: A Deeper Connection
47:06 Living a Spirit-Filled Life
49:58 Resources for Further Exploration
51:23 Closing

💬 Connect With Jenny:

• Jenny Randle’s book & Website, The Promised Presence

------------------------------

• Join me in Greece on a special trip with my listeners!  We will explore, make memories, eat great food, see biblical and historical sites & encounter Jesus.  Take this 2 minute survey to help me start planning it: https://my.trovatrip.com/public/l/survey/jenilee-samuel

🤩 Interested in starting your own podcast?  Join Jen’s next 4-Day Challenge to lock in your Magnetic Podcast Identity for some REAL momentum and clarity! https://jsamuelconsulting.samcart.com/products/4-day-challenge-podcast-identity

• Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon! : : ⁠https://a.co/d/6aea4Dg⁠

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💼 Join as a Distributor on Jen's Lifewave team: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen/enrollment/packs⁠

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠

🇬🇷 Dreaming about coming to Greece with me? Take the survey, no commitment necessary. Just 2 minutes of you dreaming with me.  ⁠https://my.trovatrip.com/public/l/survey/jenilee-samuel⁠

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💥 Have you ever felt like God went silent… right when you needed Him most?What if the silence wasn’t punishment—but the byproduct of guilt, shame, and the lies we’ve believed?

In this raw and redemptive conversation, I sit down with anxiety specialist and Christian coach Eric Gilbert, who shares a deeply personal story about the moment he thought he blew it with God forever… and the healing journey that followed.

We dive into:

• ​The moment Eric told God to “shut up” as a child—and how that fractured his ability to hear God for years
• ​The subtle (but powerful) ways shame rewires your brain to block God’s voice
• ​What guilt really does to your confidence in prayer
• ​The proven tools Eric uses with clients to break free from shame’s grip
• ​How YOU can begin hearing God again with clarity and peace

If you've ever thought:

“I messed up too much for God to want to speak to me...”...this episode was made for you.

✅ Plus: We walk through practical tools you can try today to shift from spiritual silence to soul-level connection.

👉🏼 Find out what's blocking your faith—and get a custom plan to build spiritual confidence.

🔁 Share this episode with a friend who’s struggling to hear God. This might be the message that breaks the silence for them.

A. Name It, Claim It, Tame It, Aim It

B. Hearing God’s voice through Transformation Prayer Ministry

C. Invitation to do ‘burn the memory’ exercise for anyone holding on to past mistakes or hurts

********

📲Access the Free PDF Guide with resources:

https://courageous-calling.com/healingandclarity 

https://www.risingcalm.com

********---------------------------------------

🤩 Interested in starting your own podcast?  Join Jen’s next 4-Day Challenge to lock in your Magnetic Podcast Identity for some REAL momentum and clarity! https://jsamuelconsulting.samcart.com/products/4-day-challenge-podcast-identity

• ​Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon!

Want to help bring the Java with Jen studio to life? 🎥 Send a gift from the Amazon Registry and get a shout-out on the show—plus you’ll see your contribution in future videos! Browse the Registry Here

--------------------------------

We all want our kids to grow up with strong faith—but what happens when the entertainment they consume starts shaping their worldview more than we do?

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Butch Hartman—legendary animator behind The Fairly OddParents and now the creator of The Garden Cartoon, a faith-based animated series for kids. We dive into how media forms our children’s values, why it’s crucial to filter culture without fear, and how the Holy Spirit led Butch to pivot from Hollywood success to a mission that puts God back at the center of kids’ media.

If you're a Christian parent who's ever felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or just plain tired of the garbage in kids’ shows today—this episode will give you hope, tools, and a vision for something better.

🔥 What We Cover

• Butch’s personal journey: From chaos in Detroit to cartoon success in Hollywood

• How God radically transformed his life & career at age 35

• The spiritual responsibility of parenting in a media-saturated culture

• Why today's entertainment is discipling your kids—and what to do about it

• The inspiration behind The Garden Cartoon and upcoming film The Greatest Thing Ever

• The role of the Holy Spirit in creativity, parenting, and content creation

• How faith and wealth can be used to advance Kingdom projects

👉 The Garden Cartoon App
👉 The Garden Movie – Premiering July 1 on Yippee.tv

🙏 Connect with Butch:

• Website: ButchHartman.com

• Instagram: @butchhartman

• YouTube: Butch Hartman

👩‍👧 For Moms Who Want to Raise Spirit-Led Kids…

Subscribe to Java with Jen for more episodes that help you hear God’s voice, parent with purpose, and live out your faith in everyday life.
🔔 Don’t forget to rate & review—your support helps more moms find the show!

---------------------------------------------

🤩 Interested in starting your own podcast?  Join Jen’s next 4-Day Challenge to lock in your Magnetic Podcast Identity for some REAL momentum and clarity! https://jsamuelconsulting.samcart.com/products/4-day-challenge-podcast-identity

• Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon! : : ⁠https://a.co/d/6aea4Dg⁠

🌟 Buy LifeWave Stem Cell Patches: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen⁠

💼 Join as a Distributor on Jen's Lifewave team: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen/enrollment/packs⁠

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠

LEAVE JEN A RATING ⭐️ & REVIEW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-jen-hearing-gods-voice-for-everyday-life/id1257356393?mt=2⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH JEN & SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Thank you for rating, reviewing and sharing the show on social media, this makes such an enormous difference on the reach of this podcast!  

• IG: Instagram.com/javawithjen

• FB: Facebook.com/javawithjenpodcast 

• Treat Jen to Coffee & Help keep the show running:  www.PATREON.COM/JAVAWITHJEN 

• Venmo: @JavawithJen

• Cashapp: $JavawithJen

Sponsor Jen's Podcast Studio on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3IUDY7FXVZH2C⁠

-----------------------------------------------

Your Delay Is Not a Detour: It’s a Slingshot for the Calling You Can’t See Yet w/ Author Staci Wallace

Are you stuck in a season that feels like delay, silence, or setback? You're not alone. In this powerful conversation with Staci Wallace—faith-driven CEO, author, and founder of Fueled by Fire—we unpack how God often uses delay as divine preparation.

From overcoming a deadly diagnosis and losing her home, to scaling multimillion-dollar companies and raising world-changers, Staci shares how the slingshot seasons—the suffering, sacrifice, and silence—were actually building momentum for her greatest breakthroughs.

We also dive into:

• How to overcome self-doubt and stop believing the lies holding you back

• Why so many women play small and how to break free

• How to hear God's voice in your business, finances, and calling

• What extravagant generosity really looks like in Kingdom entrepreneurship

If you’ve been waiting on your promise and wondering if God forgot—this episode will remind you: your delay is not a detour. It’s preparation for the calling you can’t yet see.

🎁 Grab Staci’s free gift: ⁠FBFChallenge.com⁠

-----------------------------------------

🤩 Interested in starting your own podcast?  Join Jen’s next 4-Day Challenge to lock in your Magnetic Podcast Identity for some REAL momentum and clarity! https://jsamuelconsulting.samcart.com/products/4-day-challenge-podcast-identity

• Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon! : : ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/6aea4Dg⁠⁠

🌟 Buy LifeWave Stem Cell Patches: ⁠⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen⁠⁠

💼 Join as a Distributor on Jen's Lifewave team: ⁠⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen/enrollment/packs⁠⁠

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠⁠

LEAVE JEN A RATING ⭐️ & REVIEW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-jen-hearing-gods-voice-for-everyday-life/id1257356393?mt=2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH JEN & SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Thank you for rating, reviewing and sharing the show on social media, this makes such an enormous difference on the reach of this podcast!  

• IG: Instagram.com/javawithjen

• FB: Facebook.com/javawithjenpodcast 

• Treat Jen to Coffee & Help keep the show running:  www.PATREON.COM/JAVAWITHJEN 

• Venmo: @JavawithJen

• Cashapp: $JavawithJen

Join Jen's 4-Day Challenge to Create your Magnetic Podcast Identity: https://jsamuelconsulting.samcart.com/products/4-day-challenge-podcast-identity

--------------------------------------

Have you ever felt like you’re waiting on God—but deep down, you know something else is holding you back?In this powerful message, Jenilee Samuel exposes 6 common lies that many Christians believe—lies that sound spiritual but secretly sabotage our obedience, momentum, and fruitfulness. Whether it’s fear of missing God’s will, waiting for a sign, or believing you’re not ready, these lies keep us paralyzed when God is actually calling us to move.Through biblical truth, personal story, and practical tools, you’ll discover how to break free from spiritual-sounding excuses and start walking boldly in your calling. Because faith doesn’t freeze—it moves.Stop over-spiritualizing inaction. Start multiplying what God put in your hands.

---------------------------------------

• Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon! : : ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/6aea4Dg⁠⁠

🌟 Buy LifeWave Patches: ⁠⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen⁠⁠

💼 Join as a Distributor on Jen's Lifewave team: ⁠⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen/enrollment/packs⁠⁠

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

💫 Feel called to ministry of some kind but don’t feel equipped?  Find out more about Jen & Stephen’s School of Ministry online: ⁠⁠www.calendly.com/javawithjenpodcast/meet⁠⁠

🥳 Get my FREE New Year Planner to set your resolutions in partnership with the Holy Spirit! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribepage.io/NewYearPlanner⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

☕️ Want to try Jen's coffee and support missions 🌎 too? Do that here! ⁠⁠⁠https://javawithjenmerch.square.site/coffee⁠⁠⁠

🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠⁠

LEAVE JEN A RATING ⭐️ & REVIEW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-jen-hearing-gods-voice-for-everyday-life/id1257356393?mt=2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH JEN & SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Thank you for rating, reviewing and sharing the show on social media, this makes such an enormous difference on the reach of this podcast!  

• Follow and tag me on Instagram @javawithjen or

• Facebook @javawithjenpodcast , and
• Share when you’re listening to a show!   I love seeing your posts👏🏼😍!  

• Treat Jen to Coffee www.PATREON.COM/JAVAWITHJEN 

• www.Patreon.com/javawithjen 

• Venmo: @JavawithJen

• Cashapp: $JavawithJen

Ever felt like your faith was hanging by a thread—but you were too afraid to say it out loud?

In this episode, I sit down with author, speaker, and spiritual guide Niki Hardy to talk about her newest book, God, Can We Chat?, and the freedom we find when we stop pretending everything’s fine and bring our real questions to God.

After walking through deep grief, spiritual burnout, and what she calls “death by a thousand paper cuts,” Niki realized that asking hard questions didn’t mean she was losing her faith—it meant she was fighting for it.

Together, we unpack:

• Why your doubts aren’t dangerous—but actually essential to real faith

• How to ask God hard questions without fear, guilt, or shame

• The 5 lies we believe that keep us from honest conversations with God

• The CHAT framework to help you process pain with God (and not just about Him)

• Why Jesus gives you permission to wrestle, grieve, and not have it all figured out

Whether you're grieving, burnt out, or secretly scared you're losing your faith—this conversation will remind you that God welcomes your questions and walks with you through the mess.

✨ Quote to Remember:
“God isn’t intimidated by your questions—He’s already holding space for them.”

🛎 Links + Resources:

• Preorder God, Can We Chat? ➡️ NikiHardy.com

• Connect with Jenilee: www.javawithjenpodcast.com

📱 Share the Love:
If this episode gave you hope or freedom, share it on your IG stories and tag me @javawithjenpodcast. Let’s remind more women they’re not alone in their questions.

Would you like a 15-second intro script or Instagram post carousel text for promoting this episode?

---------------------------------------

• Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon! : : ⁠https://a.co/d/6aea4Dg⁠

🌟 Buy LifeWave Patches: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen⁠

💼 Join as a Distributor on Jen's team: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen/enrollment/packs⁠

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

• 💫 Feel called to ministry of some kind but don’t feel equipped?  Find out more about Jen & Stephen’s School of Ministry online: ⁠www.calendly.com/javawithjenpodcast/meet⁠

• 🥳 Get my FREE New Year Planner to set your resolutions in partnership with the Holy Spirit! ⁠⁠⁠⁠subscribepage.io/NewYearPlanner⁠⁠⁠⁠

• ☕️ Want to try Jen's coffee and support missions 🌎 too? Do that here! ⁠⁠https://javawithjenmerch.square.site/coffee⁠⁠

•🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠

• LEAVE JEN A RATING ⭐️ & REVIEW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-jen-hearing-gods-voice-for-everyday-life/id1257356393?mt=2⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH JEN & SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Thank you for rating, reviewing and sharing the show on social media, this makes such an enormous difference on the reach of this podcast!  

• Follow and tag me on Instagram @javawithjen or

• Facebook @javawithjenpodcast , and
• Share when you’re listening to a show!   I love seeing your posts👏🏼😍!  

• Treat Jen to Coffee www.PATREON.COM/JAVAWITHJEN 

• www.Patreon.com/javawithjen 

• Venmo: @JavawithJen

• Cashapp: $JavawithJen

Motherhood is full of joy, but it can also be incredibly isolating. In this heartfelt conversation, Jenilee Samuel and author Kristen Strong dive deep into the challenges of adult friendships—especially for mothers who often feel lonely and disconnected. Kristen shares practical advice from her book, In Desperate Woman Seeks Friends, helping women build lasting, meaningful friendships despite life’s complexities.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re giving everything to your family and have nothing left to offer your friends—or if you’ve struggled to find real, supportive connections—you’re not alone. Kristen and Jenilee tackle the pain points of friendship in this episode, offering real solutions to help you build a supportive community that uplifts you as much as you uplift others.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why many mothers feel isolated, especially in the postpartum season.

• How to intentionally nurture friendships, just like any other important relationship.

• The power of vulnerability in forming deep, lasting connections.

• How to balance the demands of family with maintaining meaningful friendships.

• Why church and serving others can be powerful pathways to connection.

• How to set healthy boundaries in friendships and recognize when they’ve become one-sided.

• Why faith plays a crucial role in strengthening relationships with friends.

Kristen’s personal journey and wisdom will encourage you to embrace vulnerability, set boundaries, and prioritize your friendships—without guilt. Whether you’re navigating mom guilt, postpartum loneliness, or just the challenge of making time for friends, this episode has the tools you need to cultivate the authentic, meaningful friendships you deserve.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - The Importance of Friendship in Motherhood

• 02:53 - Kristen Strong's Journey and Insights

• 04:55 - Challenges of Making Friends as Adults

• 08:06 - The Role of Vulnerability in Friendships

• 10:49 - Navigating One-Sided Friendships

• 13:47 - The Impact of Church on Friendships

• 16:14 - Research Findings on Friendship Dynamics

• 16:29 - Serving as a Pathway to Friendship

• 20:20 - Small Gestures, Big Impact

• 21:58 - Cultivating Meaningful Friendships

• 24:02 - The Importance of Showing Up

• 26:21 - Navigating Mom Guilt

• 29:39 - Overcoming Social Barriers

• 33:37 - The Heart Behind Friendship

• 37:16 - Friendship for All Seasons

Join the conversation and learn how to break through the loneliness of motherhood by creating friendships that bring joy, support, and balance into your life. You don’t have to do it alone.

Hit play to listen now!

---------------------------------------

• Get Jen’s "Hearing God's Voice for Everyday Life" 30-day Journal that was created for YOU on Amazon! : : ⁠https://a.co/d/6aea4Dg⁠

🌟 Buy LifeWave Patches: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen⁠

💼 Join as a Distributor on Jen's team: ⁠www.lifewave.com/javawithjen/enrollment/packs⁠

📩 Have Questions? Email Me: ⁠[email protected]⁠

• 💫 Feel called to ministry of some kind but don’t feel equipped?  Find out more about Jen & Stephen’s School of Ministry online: ⁠www.calendly.com/javawithjenpodcast/meet⁠

• ☕️ Want to try Jen's coffee and support missions 🌎 too? Do that here! ⁠⁠https://javawithjenmerch.square.site/coffee⁠⁠

•🤩 You're more of a merch junkie? Head to Jen's merch store for hoodies, tees, mugs and more! ⁠⁠www.javawithjenmerch.com⁠⁠

• LEAVE JEN A RATING ⭐️ & REVIEW: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/java-with-jen-hearing-gods-voice-for-everyday-life/id1257356393?mt=2⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH JEN & SUPPORT THE SHOW:

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