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

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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

You're invited to our Transform Weekend October 24-26, 2025. Learn more and register here.

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• Marriage Coaching
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• Infidelity Recovery
• For Happy Marriages
• For Hurting Marriages
• For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help

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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

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

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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

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
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• For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help

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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

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

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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

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

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• New/Preschool Moms
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• 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

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
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• Speaking Schedule
• Book Mark and Jill to Speak
• Online Courses
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Marriage Resources:

• Infidelity Recovery
• For Happy Marriages
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• For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help

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• New/Preschool Moms
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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

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...

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

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 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

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...