Ever notice how easy it is to curate a friend group that looks and thinks just like you? We’re flipping that script. 

I share how a single question about my guest list sparked a full rethink of community, why Jesus’ meals are the model for modern friendship, and how widening the table reshaped my heart more than any book, retreat, or productivity hack ever could.

We unpack the shift from distant charity to real proximity—the kind that invites the widow, the single parent, the awkward talker, and the person with fewer resources into our actual routines.

 I talk candidly about the social cost of diversity, the temptation to protect “the vibe,” and the moment I realized people aren’t projects; they’re image-bearers worthy of attention, not just an invite. 

Expect practical language for humility, how to treat triggers as teachers, and simple ways to calm your nervous system so you can stay present without fixing, rescuing, or controlling.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect life-stage match before investing in friendship, it might be idealism keeping you lonely. 

Boundaries still matter, but love asks for a bigger table—one that looks less curated and more like the kingdom. 

You’ll leave with grounded questions to audit your circle, steps to invite difference into your week, and fresh courage to trade comfort for connection. 

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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Friendship Files #4 — Different Flavors of Friendship

Why do some friendships feel easy… and others feel confusing or painful—even when there’s real care?

In this episode, we unpack the idea that friendship isn’t one-size-fits-all. People connect in different “flavors”—and when we turn our personal preference into the standard, difference starts to feel like rejection.

We talk about common contrasts like:

• Frequent texter vs. periodic connector
• Fast-paced life vs. slow-paced life
• One-on-one vs. group connection
• Talker vs. doer
• Spontaneous vs. planned

You’ll learn how pain quietly turns into story, and story turns into judgment—and how to separate personality from personal so you don’t turn difference into a verdict.

This episode will help you:

• Name your own flavor of friendship
• Understand others without moralizing style
• Adjust expectations without shrinking your needs
• Receive love in more than one form

Different doesn’t mean distant.
Different doesn’t mean careless.
Sometimes it just means… they’re a different flavor than you.

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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This season, I’ve been practicing letting go of my consumeristic approach to gift-giving—and learning how to think outside the box instead.

In this episode, I talk through what it’s been like to reimagine generosity without defaulting to buying something new. I share very tangible, unconventional ways I’ve been giving—thrifted finds, hand-me-downs, homemade and repurposed gifts—and the discomfort and awkwardness that can come with giving something that doesn’t follow the usual script.

We talk about sitting with that “this might be weird” feeling, and why communicating value, thoughtfulness, and seeing someone matters more than presentation, price, or how the gift is received.

This is a real-life reflection on choosing intention over autopilot, heart over impressing, and generosity that feels honest, creative, and freeing.

If you’ve been craving a more meaningful (and less pressured) way to give, this episode will give you permission—and plenty of ideas—to reimagine gift-giving this season.

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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What if you could lose your rejection button?
That little trigger that lights up when someone’s cold, distracted, or you don't get invited.

Here’s the truth:
 you don’t have to mirror their mood.
 

You can stay kind, grounded, and unshaken —
 because who you are isn’t up for negotiation.

When your identity is built on Jesus — not on people’s reactions —
 you stop waiting to feel seen before showing up with love.

🎙️ Friendship Files: “Lose Your Rejection Button”
→ How to stay steady when others are off.
→ How to lead with mercy instead of offense.
→ How to show up full instead of waiting to be filled.

Because rejection can’t hit a button that no longer exists.

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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Overwhelm loves to sound wise. It tells us to cut back, protect our energy, and press pause on “nonessentials.” But when friendship gets labeled as optional, we lose the very support that carries us through demanding seasons. In this second installment of the Friendship Files, Jenna Zint digs into the quiet lie that says, “I have nothing to give,” and shows how that belief isolates us right when we most need people, perspective, and prayer.

We explore how growth—new jobs, new babies, new ministries—creates a learning curve that feels like chronic strain. Instead of defaulting to all-or-nothing, Jenna offers a practical reframe: match your friendship habits to your real capacity. Maybe the weekly dinner becomes a monthly park hour. Maybe the two-hour coffee turns into a five-minute voice memo. Those “offensively small” habits keep love flowing and keep you tethered to community. Along the way, we unpack scarcity thinking, how absolutes reveal fear running the show, and why staying near others right-sizes our stress. Friendship isn’t a bonus for calm seasons; it’s essential nourishment for turbulent ones.

Jenna also names a common trap: stale survival patterns that linger after the crisis has passed. If your season has shifted, your habits may need to shift too. Try a 10 percent edit to reflect regained margin. And for those wrestling with the tension between loving your family and loving your neighbor, Jenna points to a better economy: those who refresh others are refreshed. Even two coins count. Small, steady investments in connection will not bankrupt you; they’ll replenish you with strength, joy, and perspective.

If you’re tired of shrinking your world to “what’s manageable,” this conversation is your gentle nudge to re-open the door, even just a crack. Press play, then try one tiny reach-out today. If this helped, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to tell us your 10 percent tweak.

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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What if the problem isn’t your friends—but the way you measure friendship? We dive into an honest, practical reset on how to build relationships that actually form us, not just flatter us. 

We explore the subtle consumer mindset that creeps into our closest bonds—keeping score, expecting equitableness on our terms, and treating people like faucets for our needs. 

Then we turn the lens: friendship as spiritual formation. 

That means discomfort isn’t a red flag to quit; it’s the wind that strengthens the tree. From listening to pain without slipping into courtroom roles, to inviting third-party feedback when we get called out, we map simple, doable practices that help us repair quickly and grow deeper trust.

You’ll hear vivid metaphors to anchor the change: friends as targets to aim love at, not sources to drain; living like a river instead of a reservoir; and the Johnny Appleseed approach to generously sowing encouragement wherever you go. 

We also spotlight the “Brittany principle”: the people most loved- often love the most—reminding us that popularity isn’t the point, presence is. 

If you’re ready to move from “Do I get enough here?” to “How can I give first without keeping score?”, this conversation will meet you right where you are and nudge you forward with grace.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a hopeful nudge, and leave a quick review so more people can find Habit Lab. Want help applying this? Book a coaching with me—we’ll build offensively small habits that create big impact.

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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What if the words you speak are quietly rewiring your brain—and sabotaging your progress? 

In this episode, Jenna unpacks the surprising difference between saying “I can’t” and “I don’t.” 

Neuroscience shows that these tiny shifts in language light up different parts of the brain: “I can’t” creates resistance and triggers rebellion, while “I don’t” builds identity and self-control.

You’ll even hear about the famous brownie experiment, where people who said “I can’t eat dessert” gave in far more often than those who said “I don’t eat dessert.” 

Why? Because “I can’t” feels like a restriction from the outside, but “I don’t” is a choice rooted in empowerment.

If you’ve ever wondered why you sabotage yourself with good intentions, this episode will show you how a few words can change everything—from your habits to your mindset to the way you carry your identity.

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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Are you stuck in cycles of shame and people-pleasing—either defensively arguing or over-apologizing when you disappoint someone?

In this episode, Jenna shares a personal breakthrough sparked by a friend’s spiritual dream about the fear of punishment. Through a real-life story of running late, she unpacks how punishment fuels shame and self-focus, while natural consequences can teach and free us to connect authentically.

The turning point comes when she shifts from spiraling from fear of being punished (by their disappointment) to having the emotional space to see the other person’s perspective—transforming the moment into one of empathy, vulnerability, and connection.

If you’re ready to trade shame-based reactions for genuine connection and spiritual growth, this episode will give you practical tools and fresh hope.

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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You're probably already using a calendar—you log everything in your phone app, set reminders, maybe even color-code. 

And yet… you still feel behind. 

You’re often late, overwhelmed, or bracing yourself for the big thing you might be forgetting.

You’re not alone—and you’re not broken or lazy.

But you might be missing a few key shifts in how you approach time management. Because it’s not just about logging things—it’s about how you study, reflect on, and lead your schedule.

In this episode of The Habit Lab, Jenna unpacks what it looks like to become a student of your schedule instead of just an observer, so your calendar actually supports your life instead of draining it.

We’ll talk about:

• Why passive scheduling doesn’t work (and what to do instead)
• The difference between an employee mindset vs. a CEO mindset with your time
• How to move from obligation-filled calendars to value-driven priorities
• Practical questions to ask each week that can transform how you plan

Click here to Book a coaching with Jenna 

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Breaking the habit of mind reading could transform your relationships forever. We've all done it—someone speaks with a certain tone or gives us a look, and suddenly we're convinced we know exactly what they're thinking. But what if our assumptions are completely wrong?

When we respond to what we think people mean rather than what they actually say, we create an invisible dance of disconnect that spirals relationships downward. I've caught myself countless times filling in blanks with someone's tone, energy, or our history together, only to discover later I was completely off-base. This episode unpacks how these assumptions create needless conflict and offers practical ways to interrupt this damaging pattern.

The solution begins with awareness. Notice how often you're responding not to someone's words but to what you believe they're implying. Then practice pulling the emergency brake on those assumptions with phrases like "I'm wondering if I hurt your feelings" or "Did I miss something?" These vulnerable questions create space for honest dialogue rather than defensiveness.

What's been most transformative in my own journey is realizing the spiritual dimension of mind reading. When I claim to know with certainty what someone else means or intends, I'm essentially placing myself in God's position—the only one who truly knows the heart. This perspective has helped me approach interactions with genuine humility and curiosity rather than presumption.

Ready to transform your relationships? Start noticing your mind reading habits today and practice replacing assumptions with questions. Your connections will grow stronger through vulnerability and honest communication. And if you're looking for more support, check out my new time management course or book a one-on-one coaching session to work through these relationship patterns together.

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