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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...