I know that both Mark and I have struggled to cultivate a heart that can see the good on hard days at various points in our life. This is why I'm honored to welcome Dr. Michelle Bengtson onto the podcast today! Michelle has been through some intense health struggles in her life. Nevertheless, she has held on to God's truth and promises in her work as a podcast host, international speaker, and board-certified clinical neuropsychologist. She’s also the author of a new book called, Today is Going to Be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How we can use God’s truth to stay steady in the midst of hardships.
• Why we have to be careful about how our emotions can change how we relate to God’s truth.
• The importance of having trusted confidants to support and share our hardships with.
• And how consistent presence in someone's life leads to an openness to God's truth.

I hope you are encouraged by this conversation today!

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/michelle-bengtson-91/

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 that there are more ways to break trust in a marriage than infidelity? Today, I have my hubby, Mark, joining me on the show, and we are going to be launching into a topic that we often explore in our marriage coaching: The topic of broken trust.

While infidelity certainly is something that will significantly break trust, it's important that we understand the other ways trust can be broken in a marriage. It's not uncommon in our marriage intensives to help a couple understand that they're dealing with an issue of broken trust, and placing the correct label on what's causing disconnection is such an eye-opener that helps them move closer towards healing.

In today's episode, you’ll hear:

• 12 ways trust can be broken in a marriage (outside of infidelity).
• The impact a loss of trust has on a relationship.
• Practical examples of what this might look like in your marriage.
• And why there is always hope!

We hope this episode helps you identify areas in your own relationship where trust needs to be restored!

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/broken-trust-marriage-90/

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...

What is a crazy dream that God has dropped in your heart? Is there a door that God seems to be opening that you’re afraid to walk through? For many of us, the default answer to dreams or opportunity is, “No.” But today we’re going to explore the question: “What if we say yes?”

My guest calls these opportunities “God dares.” Kate Battistelli and I met at a recent conference we were both speaking at. She is the bestselling author of The God Dare and Growing Great Kids, mom to GRAMMY award-winning artist Francesca Battistelli, and part of the popular Mom to Mom podcast. In her life, she has experienced infertility, miscarriage, an abortion at 18, and four failed adoption attempts, which all wreaked havoc on her life. She and her husband have an incredible story of being dared by God to lay down their successful career on Broadway to pursue a new and unknown direction.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Kate’s story of touring nationally with “The King and I” on Broadway before laying it all down to follow God’s call on her life
• How we see God dare people throughout the Bible
• Why God likes to invite us into the unknown to accomplish His purpose
• Her favorite song her daughter (Francesca Battistelli) has written

I loved getting to connect with Kate, and I’m eager to share this episode with you today!

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/kate-battistelli-89/

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 another bonus episode of the No More Perfect Podcast! We like to bring you some extra podcast goodness every once in a while that's quick to listen to and helpful for your life. Just to say thank you!

In today's episode, we're talking about some really hard things Mark has been walking through recently. From multiple tears and detachments with his retina, a mini-stroke, and poor eyesight due to multiple surgeries, it's been a tough season.

But Mark 2.0 is handling this challenge in a much different way than Mark 1.0 would have handled it. Today we're sharing a little peek into what we've been going through, and Mark is sharing 3 practical ways to stay steady when life gets hard.

Whatever you're going through, we hope this is an encouragement and support to you this week. You truly are not alone!

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/bonus-staying-steady/

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...

Have you ever heard the term “conversational intelligence?” I hadn’t before, but my guest today is an expert in it! Too often, parents of teenagers or young adults miss out on connecting because we aren’t approaching conversations in the right way. We have a tendency to lecture rather than listen, to tell rather than ask, or be controlling rather than curious. I know that last one has often been me as a parent!

My friend, Patti Reed, is joining me today. Patti is a certified coach in Conversational Intelligence®️ and is passionate about helping others improve their relationships through intentional communication. Her new book, Face to Face, helps parents approach conversations with their children with courage and intentionality to forge a healthy relationship with them.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What it means to have Conversational Intelligence®️
• The biggest mistakes parents make when talking to their young adult children
• Why it’s important to trust God with your child’s future
• What to do when your children tell you something you don’t agree with

There is so much wisdom packed in this episode! Listen in!

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/patti-reed-88/

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...

Several years ago, my daughter and I wrote a book called Better Together all about building your “mom tribe.” These are the women you hang with, the ones you care for, and those that care for you. In this book, I talk about sharing our stories and how we all have stories to share.

Today, I am inviting two women who are in my own mom tribe to share their stories with us. They have both been on my podcast before sharing their expertise. My friend, Susan Seay, a speaker, podcast host, mom of 7 kids, and mom coach extraordinaire, was on an episode titled “How to Increase Your Energy.” My friend, Barb Roose, is a speaker, author, mom, teaching pastor, and a literary agent, and was on an episode titled “When Life Feels Like More Than You Can Handle.”

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How we can listen to understand rather than listen to defend or debate.
• A continuation of a conversation Barb, Susan, and I started three years ago.
• Barb and Susan’s personal stories and experiences of race throughout their life.
• Why Barb and Susan rarely have these conversations with white friends or acquaintances.

Friend, I know for some of us, there is a voice in us that tells us that a podcast about race isn’t worth our time. I truly hope you won’t listen to that voice today. It means so much to me that my friends were willing to share their stories with us today, and I hope it’s the spark of many more conversations in your own life.

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/barb-roose-susan-seay-87/

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...

We all have a story, and that large story of our lives is made up of smaller stories that all make up who we are and what we believe. Each of us has smaller stories about our past experiences, stories of how our faith in God has been shaped, and stories about where our life is headed now.

Today on the podcast, my guest is Robyn Dykstra, and she has quite the story to share with us! From her time as a Playboy bunny to a miraculous experience with God to unexpectedly losing her husband, Robyn has been through a lot. Through it all, God has shown Himself faithful.

For over 25 years, Robyn’s joy has been teaching thousands of people simple ways of becoming more like Jesus. I actually first heard about her many years ago when I read her book, The Widow Wore Pink.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Robyn’s incredible life journey that led her to Jesus
• How to survive when tragedy hits our life like a ton of bricks
• The importance of having a close community
• Why it's never too late for a fresh start

Robyn has such a powerful story and she is so much fun to listen to. I hope this episode is an encouragement to you!

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/robyn-dykstra-86/

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...

If someone asked if you wanted to make a difference in the world, I imagine your answer would be an enthusiastic, “Yes!” However, the truth is we often get caught up in work demands, home responsibilities, cranky attitudes, challenging people, and exhaustion. All of these things keep us from seeing opportunities to show love to others.

But what if living and loving well weren’t accomplished in the big things but rather in the smallest acts of kindness? What if we were able to make small tweaks to our routine that would make a big impact? That’s what we are talking about today with my friend, Becky Kopitzke! Becky is a wife, mother, and author of three books including Love Because: How to Change the World One Blessing at a Time.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What stops us from noticing opportunities to show kindness to others
• Why what we are full of is what will come out of us
• Some practical steps you can take to cultivate kindness on a daily basis

I loved this practical conversation with Becky, and I know you will too! Listen in!

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/becky-kopitzke-85/

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 ever find yourself feeling jealous of other people? Or feel like you don’t measure up? Or like everyone else has it together, but you don’t? These feelings are so common and if you have ever felt any of these, today’s conversation is for you.

My friend, Donna Jones, and I were recently talking about the many ways that insecurities show up in real life. We had such a good conversation that I knew we had to record a podcast about it! I first met Donna when she spoke at Hearts at Home. She is a pastor’s wife, host of the That’s Just What I Needed podcast, and author of three books including a book called Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God, which I had the privilege of endorsing.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The definition of insecurity and how this is likely showing up in your life
• How social media perpetuates comparison culture
• What steps to take to address a lack of confidence in your life
• How understanding what God believes about us can help us change our beliefs about ourselves

When we lack confidence, it bleeds over into every area of our life. This conversation is one you don't want to miss.

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/donna-jones-84/

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...

Addictions are on the rise, from food to prescription drugs to social media. Many people are struggling to say no to the things that ultimately harm themselves and their loved ones. So in this episode, we are talking about life-controlling issues. My own family has dealt with addictions and I believe we need to talk about these issues far more openly in Christian circles than we do now!

My guest is Dr. Gregory Jantz and he is the founder of The Center • A Place of HOPE. He’s a world-renowned expert on depression, anxiety, eating disorders, technology addiction, and abuse. But most importantly, Dr. Jantz believes there is hope because God is truly bigger than any addiction.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How coping habits transform into an addiction
• What addiction really is
• The first step to take if you are struggling with any addiction
• A special message to those who have a loved one with an addiction
• How to move forward after a relapse in addiction

This episode is so important. This topic matters, and I hope it’s a support to you this week.

Show Notes: https://jillsavage.org/gregory-jantz-83/

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...