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Jen Thompson joins the podcast to discuss her new book "Return to Jesus" and shares how we can find Jesus in every beautiful, stressful, or tedious moment of our daily lives. Her warm wisdom and authentic storytelling offer practical ways to abide with Christ amidst life's chaos.

• Jen introduces her family life with husband Patrick and their four children
• The book emerged from her own need to find rhythms and habits amidst chaotic family life
• She transparently shares about supporting friends through traumatic circumstances and questioning God
• Even in our darkest moments and biggest regrets, God remains present and compassionate
• Letting go of self-judgment with the reminder that awareness of our shortcomings shows our good intentions
• Navigating divisive cultural climates by returning to Jesus rather than engaging in arguments
• The importance of looking up from our phones to connect with the people God places in our path
• Practical suggestions for digital detox to create space for genuine connection

Find Jen's book "Return to Jesus" wherever books are sold. Connect with Jen at jenthompsonauthor.com and listen to her podcast "Return to Jesus."

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Rachel Taylor, registered nurse and childbirth educator, joins us to discuss her book "After Baby Comes" which bridges the gap between healthcare models and mothers' needs during the critical "fourth trimester." Her practical guidance serves as an essential resource not just for new parents but for anyone seeking to improve their communication skills and relationships.

• The fourth trimester extends beyond the traditional six-week postpartum period, with mothers healing for up to two years after birth
• Distinguishing between baby blues (affecting 80% of mothers in first three weeks) versus postpartum depression and anxiety which typically emerge later
• Modern parents face unrealistic expectations from social media influencers showing seemingly perfect postpartum experiences
• "I feel" statements create vulnerability and connection instead of defensiveness and distance in relationships
• Setting boundaries protects your wellbeing rather than punishing others—and can be done with kindness
• New fathers need space to develop their own parenting style without criticism
• Practical ways to support new parents: focus on the mother's wellbeing, offer specific help, and respect boundaries
• Communication skills from "After Baby Comes" benefit all relationships, not just those involving newborns

Find Rachel at mamadidit.com and on Instagram @mamadiditofficial for evidence-based resources on pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding.

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Mary Marantz joins us to share insights from her new book "Underestimated: The Surprisingly Simple Shift to Quit Playing Small, Name the Fear, and Move Forward," revealing how we can overcome the invisible barriers that keep us from reaching our full potential.

Mary is a Yale Law School graduate and the first in her immediate family to go to college. She is the bestselling author of the book “Dirt” about growing up in West Virginia and the highly-anticipated follow up "Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots." She is also the host of the wildly popular podcast The Mary Marantz Show.

Join our conversation to discuss:

• Fear is a "boring liar" that uses the same broken scripts on everyone
• The "missing handbook for life" concept explains why we constantly second-guess ourselves 
• "Slow growth equals strong roots" - why consistency matters more than overnight success
• Excellence combined with consistency creates an unstoppable formula
• People-pleasing and "making ourselves small" keeps us from our purpose
• Criticism hurts but isn't fatal - most people can't see your vision until it's complete
• You don't need anyone's permission to pursue your unique calling

Visit marymarantz.com to learn more, take the Achiever Quiz at AchieverQuiz.com to discover your achiever type, and pre-order the book at NameTheFear.com where you can also access the first chapter for free.

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What if embracing imperfection is the key to a truly fulfilling marriage? Join us on the Pivotal People podcast as we host the insightful Jill Savage, who shares her  secrets to experiencing genuine relationships through her new book, "No More Perfect Marriages: Experience the Freedom of Being Real Together."

Jill is an author, speaker and host of the "No More Perfect Podcast." She has experienced the challenges of marriage and  the pain of infidelity. Married for 40 years, Mark left Jill for another woman almost a decade ago ... Jill was faced with divorce but through God's grace, they were able to reconcile. Now they've dedicated their lives to helping other families and couples have 2.0 marriages. 

Jill shares her personal anecdotes and heartfelt counseling stories, challenging the dangerous "perfection infection" that plagues many marriages. Discover how understanding your partner beyond superficial stereotypes and addressing deep-seated insecurities can pave the way to a happier, more authentic connection.

Connect with Jill and Mark
https://jillsavage.org/

Order Jill and Mark Savage's book here or find it at any online retailer

Connect with Jill on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillsavage.author/

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Kurt Avery, author of the book "Sawyer Think: How a Small Company Disrupts Markets and Changes the World" and Founder and CEO of Sawyer Products, shares his extraordinary journey from the humble beginnings of his Sawyer Products to their monumental impact on the world. His bold entrepreneurial strategies, faith, perseverance, and a mantra of continuous improvement have driven Sawyer Products to revolutionize clean water access globally, beginning with a critical role during the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Kurt discusses the role of technology and data analysis in making these solutions scalable and the importance of philanthropy in supporting community outreach initiatives. With practical insights from his book "Sawyer Think" and the company's commitment to innovation, Kurt Avery illustrates how Sawyer Products continues to push boundaries, proving that small beginnings can indeed lead to extraordinary change.

Learn more and connect with Kurt at https://www.sawyer.com/

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What if the legacy of your faith journey could inspire generations to come? Meet Dan Jacobsen, a fifth-generation pastor, as he shares his remarkable story of transformation and grace on the Pivotal People podcast. From growing up in a deeply religious family to discovering the gospel at 16, Dan's path is one of profound change and enduring faith. Influenced by his renowned grandfather, Warren Wiersbe, Dan's spiritual journey is a testament to the power of storytelling and the gospel's ability to reshape lives.

Join us as we explore Dan's latest project, the devotional book "Becoming New: 100 Days of Transformation Through God's Word."  Dan edited and published his grandfather's final unpublished manuscript into this new book so these words could be shared with everyone. I have been reading the devotional and not only do I love it, but I'm giving it to family members for Christmas this year. It's a wonderful, inspiring devotional based on Bible stories and verses.

Whether you're seeking to enrich your spiritual life or looking for the perfect gift, this conversation will encourage and inspire you.

You can reach Dan Jacobsen here:

https://djacobsen.com/about

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Join us for an inspiring conversation with Justin Kendrick, founder of Vox Church and the author of the USA Today bestselling book "How to Quiet a Hurricane: Strategies for Christian Endurance in the Midst of Life’s Storms."

This practical guide to reigniting faith helps all of us who feel stuck in our faith journey find inner strength to navigate life’s challenges.
 
The storms of life can leave you feeling exhausted and weak. In How to Quiet a Hurricane, pastor Justin Kendrick helps you develop a spiritual resilience that propels you past your weariness and anxiety and into lasting peace. You will discover: 

• Why weakness is the starting point for spiritual strength
• How lasting endurance comes from understanding the love of God
• Ways to apply God’s promises to your daily life
• A freeing perspective on what it really means to be secure
• Why faith rooted in Jesus can bring you through any trial

When your heart tells you that God is far away, remember that he is the God who enters in. He is the God who uses suffering to conquer suffering. He is the God who empowers you to move beyond survival and into a life of victory.

Connect with Justin and order the book HERE
https://www.justinkendrick.com/

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Author, educator, speaker and counselor Brenda Yoder shares her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a mental health counselor on this episode of Pivotal People. Brenda's new book, "Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life" is thought-provoking and inspiring. She guides readers in understanding how to have balance and fulfillment in spite of life's complexities, finding contentment wherever they are.

Brenda shares her perspective of living in an Amish community, learning how their timeless virtues can lead to a balanced and vibrant life. Throughout the conversation, Brenda emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional values and modern advancements, drawing valuable lessons in wisdom and sustainability that inspired her book, "Uncomplicated."

Connect with Brenda at https://brendayoder.com/

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Join us for a great conversation with Jack Mooring, founding pastor of Celebration of Life Church and former band member of the Grammy-nominated group Leland. Learn about Jack's transformative journey from the music stage to the pulpit, and his latest book, "Portrait of God: Rediscovering the Attributes of God Through the Stories of His People."

"Portrait of God" explored little-known stories about inspiring people of faith from history, which were fascinating. In this episode, we discussed their stories and how we can apply their wisdom in our lives today.  Whether you're a seasoned believer or new to faith, you'll find inspiration in the enduring power of living with integrity.

Order "Portrait of God" here or find it at any online book retailer.

Connect with Jack on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackmooring/

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Meet Vince Miller: Author, speaker and bible study author for men. Vince's website Be Resolute (beresolute.org) is the largest online library of men's bible study resources and is a wealth of useful studies for every format and topic.

In this episode, we discuss the new study "Forging Godly Men" which I did and found it applies to women as well! Vince shares his personal journey of growing up with a single mother post-divorce and his quest to find a father figure, which led him to his grandfather's structured, faith-centered home. This pivotal chapter of his life instilled values of patience and spirituality, leading him to a life of ministry devoted to teaching men about faith.

Vince shares stories that give insights into the challenges men face, emphasizing the importance of seeking internal change and a new identity in God. Vince candidly shares the brokenness of his personal experience to inspire others to seek an authentic relationship with Christ.

For those eager to grow in their faith, Vince Miller offers a wealth of resources tailored for spiritual enrichment. From daily devotionals and Bible studies to engaging speaking engagements, there’s something for everyone, both men and women alike.

Connect with Vince and discover his Bible Study resources at https://beresolute.org/

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