This is Episode 5 in the series Hormones, Happiness & The Holy Spirit. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things—journaling, praying, renewing your mind—and still feel stuck, discouraged, or just plain off, this episode is for you.

Today I’m joined by my favorite guest (and husband), Dr. Richard Lillard—a clinical psychologist with decades of experience in both therapy and integrated health. We talk about what’s actually going on when emotional tools aren’t working, the difference between situational struggles and clinical mood disorders, and how to know when it’s time to consider extra support—whether that’s therapy, medication, or both.

We also unpack the difference between coaching and counseling, how our biology impacts our emotional and spiritual lives, and why you don’t have to figure this out alone.

This episode is full of wisdom, humor, and deep compassion for anyone who’s ever wondered, “Why can’t I just feel better?”

Clarity + Courage is my monthly coaching membership for Christian women who want to become the woman God says they already are—and finally think clearly, feel better, and move forward.

Join HERE for less than $2 a day!

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

In this fourth episode of our Hormones, Happiness & the Holy Spirit series, we’re talking about the thoughts behind your feelings—because the stories you tell yourself are shaping how you feel, how you act, and how close you feel to God.

If your brain is the hardware, your thoughts are the software—and outdated programming rooted in fear, shame, or scarcity can keep you stuck. Today, I’ll walk you through the first step of the Heart Scan process, show you how to separate fact from interpretation, and guide you toward thoughts that bear better fruit.

We’ll talk about brain science, emotional honesty, and how renewing your mind isn’t about forced positivity—it’s about inviting the Holy Spirit to lead your thinking so you can live with peace, clarity, and grace.

Let’s get started.

Clarity + Courage is my monthly coaching membership for Christian women who want to become the woman God says they already are—and finally think clearly, feel better, and move forward.

Join HERE for less than $2 a day!

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

In today’s episode of The Happiest Lives Podcast, we’re continuing our Hormones, Happiness, and the Holy Spirit series with a deep dive into brain health. Jill shares insights from her recent certification as a Brain Health Practitioner with the Amen Clinics and introduces six key brain systems that influence how you think, feel, focus, and function.

You’ll learn:

• Why your brain is like the hardware that runs your entire life
• The six core brain systems and how they relate to anxiety, depression, and attention
• Why traditional mental health diagnoses sometimes miss the mark—and what to do instead
• How food, movement, supplements, thought work, and (sometimes) medication can all work together to support your mental and emotional well-being
• Dr. Daniel Amen’s simple three-step formula for improving brain health—without needing a brain scan

If you’ve ever felt stuck, foggy, anxious, or just off—you’re not broken, and you’re not alone. Your brain can change. And that means your life can too.

🧠 Learn more about Dr. Amen’s work and discover your brain type at brainhealthassessment.com

📘 Want to go deeper? Join Jill’s Clarity + Courage coaching program for more support, worksheets, and real transformation.

Clarity + Courage is my monthly coaching membership for Christian women who want to become the woman God says they already are—and finally think clearly, feel better, and move forward.

Join HERE for less than $2 a day!

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

What if your mood struggles weren’t just in your head—but in your gut, your diet, and even your sun exposure?

In today’s episode of The Happiest Lives Podcast, I’m joined by Christian nutritionist Chelsea Blackbird as we continue our Hormones, Happiness, and the Holy Spirit series. We’re diving into the body-lifestyle-mood connection—how things like amino acids, protein, and sunlight directly impact your neurotransmitters, hormones, and overall well-being.

You’ll learn:

• Why your first meal of the day is crucial for your mood
• The surprising role sunshine plays in your brain chemistry
• What amino acids are—and why you can’t make neurotransmitters without them
• The overlooked foundation to feeling better in your body, mind, and spirit

Whether you’re curious about how faith and food intersect, or you’ve just been feeling off and can’t figure out why—this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Connect with Chelsea and learn more about her resources at thechristiannutritionist.com

Clarity + Courage is my monthly coaching membership for Christian women who want to become the woman God says they already are—and finally think clearly, feel better, and move forward.

Join HERE for less than $2 a day!

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

What really makes us happy—and what gets in the way?

In this kickoff to a new series, Jill Lillard explores happiness from a whole-person, Spirit-led perspective. Drawing on her experience as a therapist, coach, and ministry leader, she unpacks how our thoughts, hormones, and spiritual life all interact to shape our emotional well-being.

You’ll learn:

• Why happiness isn’t about ease or getting what you want
• How biology and belief both impact your mood
• What the Holy Spirit has to do with joy—even on hard days

If you’ve ever said, “I just want to be happy,” this episode is for you.

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

Part four of our Loosening Your Grip Series.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Heather Gilion as she shares her family’s journey through her son’s cancer diagnosis and the decision to amputate his leg. This isn’t a teaching. It’s not a step-by-step. It’s a real-life story of loss, faith, and the kind of surrender you don’t plan for—but choose because it’s the only good option.

If you’re holding on tight to something right now, afraid of what will happen if you let go, I pray this conversation softens your grip.

Let’s get into it.

Connect with Heather Gilion:

You can find Heather’s beautiful artwork at StoryDesigns.org

Her book Dancing On My Ashes is available on Amazon

Clarity + Courage is my monthly coaching membership for Christian women who want to become the woman God says they already are—and finally think clearly, feel better, and move forward.

Join HERE for less than $2 a day!

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

Part 3 of The Loosening Your Grip Series. 

If they would just change, everything would be better… right?

In this episode, we’re talking about what really happens when we try to manage the people we love—and how to let go without giving up. You’ll learn how to stop living in someone else’s model, how to set boundaries without detaching, and why true peace doesn’t come from controlling others; it comes from staying grounded in your own work.

This episode will help you shift from frustration to freedom—and get honest about what’s actually yours to carry.

Check out all my resources and ways to work together at www.thehappiestlives.com. 

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

This isn’t a real episode—just a quick update! I’ve got something fun to share (a new website!) and something frustrating to explain (email drama 🙃). If you’re on my email list but haven’t seen anything from me lately, this will help you know why—and what to do so you don’t miss out. Plus, come check out the new site at www.thehappiestlives.com.

Check out all my resources and ways to work together at www.thehappiestlives.com. 

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

This is part 2 of the Loosening Your Grip Series.

You had a vision for how life would go- the timeline, the outcomes, the relationships. But what happens when reality looks nothing like the dream? In this episode, we’re talking about that gap. About what it means to release the picture you were holding and trust that God is still writing a good story. We’ll unpack Jacob’s striving, our tendency to grip tightly, and how letting go isn’t failure, rather  faith. If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through disappointment, or wondering where God is in the detours, this conversation is for you.

Clarity + Courage is my monthly coaching membership for Christian women who want to become the woman God says they already are—and finally think clearly, feel better, and move forward.

Join HERE for less than $2 a day!

Check out all my resources and ways to work together at www.thehappiestlives.com. 

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]

This begins the new series: Loosening Your Grip.

What if the very thing you’re trying to control is what’s actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, I’m sharing a really personal story. Years of chronic pain, self-reliance, and striving brought me face-to-face with a hard truth: I’m not in charge. And that’s a good thing. We’ll talk about why control feels so tempting, what happens when we hit our limit, and how real power begins when we stop white-knuckling life and start clinging to God. This is about loosening your grip, not giving up. You’ll walk away with a new perspective on what it means to trust and why the limp you’re walking with might just be the very evidence that God is blessing you.

Clarity + Courage is my monthly coaching membership for Christian women who want to become the woman God says they already are—and finally think clearly, feel better, and move forward.

Join HERE for less than $2 a day!

Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.com
Questions? Email Jill directly at [email protected]