Soul Stories With Jill

In this episode of Soul Stories with Jill, Jill explores love as a lived experience that begins with self love and expands into compassion and grace for others. Through gentle reflection and insight, she shares why change can be so difficult and how understanding our own resistance helps soften judgment toward those around us.

This conversation invites listeners to consider the difference between love and control, the importance of honoring boundaries without self abandonment, and the power of patience in both personal growth and relationships. It is a reminder that when we stop rushing ourselves, we naturally extend more grace to others.

This episode is for anyone navigating change, healing, or learning how to love more gently. Settle in, take a breath, and allow this message to meet you where you are.

Past Episodes around love…

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000691405903

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000645298349

In this episode, Jill sits down with her friend Michelle, a hairdresser, for an honest and relatable conversation about hormones, aging, and the changes so many women are experiencing, often without clear answers. Between the massage table and the salon chair, Jill and Michelle are hearing the same concerns from women every day: low energy, stubborn weight, sleep issues, mood changes, brain fog, and that feeling that something just isn’t right.

They talk about how common these conversations have become, why so many women were never taught what to expect as their hormones shift, and the importance of getting your hormones checked instead of dismissing symptoms as “just part of getting older.” This episode is a reminder that women aren’t imagining these changes, and they don’t have to navigate them alone.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who needs to know she’s not alone. These conversations matter, and the more we have them, the more empowered we become.

This episode is a thank you.

It is a thank you to the women who show up, to the women who say yes to themselves before they know where it will lead, and to the women whose courage quietly gives others permission to do the same.

In this conversation, I sit down with Vaughn Pierro, someone who has been pivotal in changing the trajectory of my life.

Vaughn and I begin this episode simply showering each other with love and gratitude, reflecting on how our paths crossed at a retreat where neither of us knew anyone. We talk about what it meant to show up for ourselves in those moments, to take a step into the unknown, and then to do it again.

That second yes mattered.

Seeing each other again at another retreat gave me the courage to reach out when I saw Vaughn hosting her own retreat. I remember thinking, I’m close, I can help, maybe I’m supposed to reach out. That simple act of showing up and offering support completely changed the direction of my life starting in 2022.

Since then, I’ve worked alongside Vaughn at every one of her retreats, and together we’ve been able to witness each other grow, stretch, and step more fully into our callings. That kind of shared growth is a rare and beautiful blessing.

This conversation is about how fear never truly leaves us. It is about how courage is built by taking the step anyway. How consistency in showing up creates trust within yourself. And how one woman’s willingness to move through fear can give others the green light to do the same in their own lives.

If you’ve ever felt the nudge to attend a retreat, reach out to someone, or take a step that feels scary but aligned, this episode is for you.

Sometimes all it takes is showing up once.

And then having the courage to show up again.

Previous Episodes With Vaughn…

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000638431348

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000641168074

In this episode, Jill sits down with Godiss Amanita for a powerful and expansive conversation about faith, astrology, human design, and divine purpose.

With a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Direction from Portland Seminary, Amanita brings a deep understanding of scripture and biblical wisdom into her work. Together, Jill and Amanita explore how faith and astrology can coexist, and how the stars reflect a divine order rather than oppose it.

They discuss how the exact date, time, and location of your birth create a unique energetic blueprint, offering insight into who you are and how you move through the world. The conversation also touches on human design and the many ways Amanita supports others through her gifts.

Throughout the episode, Amanita weaves together theology, intuition, and spiritual insight, offering a grounded and reverent perspective on astrology and divine design. She closes the conversation with a deeply powerful prayer that reflects her faith, wisdom, and connection to God.

This episode invites listeners to release fear, trust discernment, and remain open to the many ways faith can be understood and experienced.

They can reach me on insta @Godiss.Amanita

Website: www.GodissSpot.com

In this episode, Jill sits down with Dana Whitby for an honest and grounded conversation about faith, intuition, and trusting the gifts we’re given.

Raised in the South and brought up in church, Jill and Dana explore how their faith backgrounds shaped them. Jill growing up Southern Baptist and Dana experiencing a less rigid, yet still faith centered upbringing. Together, they discuss curiosity, discernment, and how faith does not have to be confined to one expression.

Dana shares her connection to Louise Hay through a family member who worked closely with her, and how that influence helped open her understanding of healing, mindset, and intuition.

The conversation then moves into Dana’s personal journey with oracle cards and tarot, how she began offering intuitive readings, and eventually developed her own oracle deck. Throughout it all, Dana speaks openly about her strong belief in God and her understanding that her intuitive abilities are a gift meant to be used with prayer, intention, and integrity.

This episode invites listeners to move beyond labels, release fear, and listen with discernment, trusting both faith and intuition to guide the way.

In this opening episode of a new series, Jill reflects on the strong Southern women who shaped her — women rooted in faith, resilience, love, and quiet strength.

From grandmothers and aunts to a young mother who returned to school to provide for her family, Jill shares how being surrounded by devoted, prayerful women laid the foundation for her life, her faith, and her curiosity.

Raised in a small Southern Baptist church, Jill speaks honestly about gratitude for her upbringing while also honoring the questions and openness that have always lived alongside her faith. This episode is not about changing beliefs, but about understanding where curiosity comes from — and how faith and intuition can coexist.

This conversation sets the tone for a series honoring the women who shaped Jill’s story and those who continue to expand her understanding of faith, connection, and discernment.

As you listen, Jill invites you to bring an open heart and your own discernment. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and trust your intuition as you move through these stories.

As we step into a new calendar year, there is a powerful and often overlooked window of time between January 1st and the Chinese New Year. This sacred pause invites reflection, release, and conscious intention.

In today’s episode, I invite you to slow down and use this space wisely. Before rushing forward, we take time to look back, not with judgment, but with awareness. This is a moment to ask yourself what you are no longer willing to carry into 2026.

We explore the importance of purging emotionally, energetically, mentally, and physically, and why writing down what you are ready to release is just as important as setting goals. Clarity comes when we make space.

Numerologically, 2026 is a Year One. It is a year of beginnings, fresh starts, leadership, and new cycles. True beginnings require conscious endings. I share what a Year One represents and how to align yourself with its energy so you are not dragging old patterns into a brand new chapter.

We also dive into the upcoming Chinese New Year on February 17th, when we move from the wisdom and shedding energy of the Snake into the bold, passionate, and action oriented Fire Horse. This shift marks a powerful change in momentum, from introspection to movement and from quiet knowing to courageous action.

I share how these energies correlate, what they may stir within you, and how to prepare yourself so you can meet the Fire Horse grounded, clear, and aligned rather than scattered or burned out.

This episode is an invitation to honor the in between, to reflect, release, reset, and step forward intentionally. You do not have to rush. You simply have to be honest.

The holiday season invites us to slow down, reflect, and remember what truly matters. In this special Christmas and New Year combination episode, Jill offers a gentle reminder to return to the heart of the season connection, presence, gratitude, and compassion.

Christmas can be a beautiful time filled with love, tradition, and time spent with friends and family. But it can also be a tender and challenging season for many. Loss, strained relationships, loneliness, and old family dynamics can surface, making the holidays feel heavy. In this episode, Jill honors both the joy and the complexity of this time of year, inviting listeners to hold space not only for gratitude, but also for empathy for ourselves and for others who may be struggling.

As the year comes to a close, Jill encourages reflection on what no longer serves us emotionally, mentally, physically, and energetically. From releasing old patterns and resentments to decluttering our homes and schedules, this episode explores how letting go creates space for peace and clarity.

Jill also shares insight into the energetic shift we are experiencing as we move from a nine year and the Year of the Snake, a time of completion and shedding, into a one year and the Year of the Horse, symbolizing fresh beginnings, forward movement, and renewed energy.

This episode is an invitation to pause, soften, and intentionally step into the New Year with a lighter heart, clearer vision, and deeper awareness. A gentle reminder that you do not have to have it all figured out, just a willingness to begin again.

Re-Release: Navigating The Holiday’s With Grace 

Today’s podcast is all about navigating the holidays with grace.

The holiday season often brings added stress, as our already busy schedules get even busier. It’s a time when extending grace—to others and to ourselves—is more important than ever. Grace allows us to manage the unexpected: tasks may not get done exactly when or how we want, and that’s okay.

We’ll also explore how to handle challenging family dynamics. Whether it’s relatives who push our buttons or bring up past issues, this episode offers strategies to approach these situations with patience and understanding.

Our guest is Carletta Smelcer, a counselor and educator in the field of counseling. Carletta shares her beautiful guidance and wisdom to help us navigate this season with more skills, peace, and of course, grace.

I hope you enjoy the episode! Wishing everyone Happy Holiday’s & New Year!

Dr. Carletta Smelcer

Lyons View Counseling

⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://lyonsviewcounseling.com/about/⁠

Prior Episodes with Carletta:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000659513235⁠

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000652726750

In this short and uplifting episode of Soul Stories with Jill, I’m sharing a handful of simple wellness habits that can make a surprisingly big impact on your daily life. These are practices I’ve learned through massage therapy, holistic healing, and nearly two decades of working with the body — and they’re beautifully easy to start right away.

I talk about why sleeping on your back can protect your joints and support deeper rest, and how side-sleeping can put unnecessary pressure on four major areas of the body. From there, I walk you through the benefits of dry brushing, a quick and energizing way to support your lymphatic system and exfoliate the skin. I also share why rebounding, even just a few minutes on a mini trampoline, can boost lymph flow, elevate your mood, and strengthen your core without stressing your joints.

To wrap up, I cover one of the most overlooked daily habits, brushing or scraping your tongue. It’s a simple practice with powerful effects on detoxification, immunity, and oral health.

This is a gentle, wellness-filled grab bag of tiny habits that make your body feel loved, supported, and energized. If you try any of these, I’d love to hear how they help you. Thank you for tuning in and for being a part of Soul Stories with Jill. I’ll be back next week with a deeper conversation as we move closer to the holiday season.

Links for some of these wellness tools:

https://a.co/d/2JAGj4F - Mini Trampoline

https://a.co/d/eoKZTun - Tongue Scraper

https://a.co/d/8lZmeX9 - Compression Socks

https://a.co/d/7qIiEQO - Dry Brush Set