Welcome back to another episode of the Jinger & Jeremy Podcast!

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Do you ever feel like you're never doing enough as a parent? In this episode, we're getting honest about the anxiety and mom guilt that come with raising our three kids; from the comparison trap of social media "perfect parent" content, to the exhaustion of newborn sleep schedules, to the surprise stress of dental appointments and scheduling overload.

We talk about:

✨ Why social media makes our parenting anxiety worse (and how we try to unplug)

✨ The mental load we carry as parents: appointments, food choices, schooling decisions

✨ How sleep deprivation with our one-year-old and five-year-old is really going for us

✨ The communication tension we've had around late-night scheduling talks

✨ Why we try to model humility and ask our kids for forgiveness, instead of chasing "perfect" parenting

✨ Trusting God in the middle of our own parenting overwhelmIf you've ever laid awake at 10pm running through your kids' schedules in your head, or felt like you failed because of an Instagram post... we get it, and we're in this with you.

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Jeremy put his phone in "dumb mode" and it sparked a full conversation about screen time, doomscrolling, and phone addiction.

Jinger and Jeremy share the hacks they're actually trying (grayscale mode, app blockers, flip phone Sundays) and get honest about how much time they're really losing to their phones.

They also talk about social media and comparison culture, why it's especially tough for parents and kids, and how to use your phone without letting it use you.

Plus a summer life update... wedding season is here, Jeremy was a groomsman, and their daughter Felicity took over the dance floor!

Topics covered:

- Screen time stats & phone addiction

- How to put your phone in grayscale / dumb phone mode

- Apps to reduce screen time (Blank app + others)

- Social media comparison culture & parenting

- Simon Sinek on dopamine and phone design

- Wedding season 2025 family update

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🎉 100 EPISODES?! We're celebrating our 100th episode of the Jinger and Jeremy Podcast with a special look back at the moments, guests, and lessons that got us here! From our very first recording mishaps in our old house's storage room to the guests who completely surprised us, we're reminiscing on everything that's made this show what it is.

In this episode, we play a few fun superlative games... most competitive guest, who we'd trust to babysit our kids, who we'd want with us during a zombie apocalypse and reflect on the conversations that turned into something more like therapy than a podcast.

We talk about the guest who shocked us with how deeply their story resonated with listeners, revisit our episode with Dean McMahon, and look back on our chat with Olympic sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. Plus, a few behind-the-scenes confessions about our home decor (or lack thereof) and how this podcast almost didn't survive its first few recordings.

Thank you for 100 episodes of laughs, hard conversations, and life with us. Here's to the next 100!

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:42 - Podcast Beginnings

00:01:21 - Early Challenges

00:07:17 - Remembering Notable Guests

00:11:46 - Understanding Podcast Audience

00:15:50 - Memorable Guest: Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East

00:16:48 - Interviewing Victim of California Wildfires

00:23:07 - Memorable Guest: Stephen McWhirter

00:28:49 - Reflecting on Podcast Conversations

00:30:40 - Podcast Production Insights

00:31:34 - Challenges of Recording at Home

00:35:15 - Reflecting on Past Episodes

00:43:00 - Podcast Awards Segment

00:45:48 - Closing Thoughts

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Were you nervous before your wedding day? 😬💍 In this episode of the Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, Jinger and Jeremy open up about the nerves, fears, and unexpected emotions they each felt leading up to their wedding... and what it actually took to find peace before saying "I do." Jeremy shares how he always wanted to be married but feared he'd never truly "know" and Jinger reveals the surprising thing that actually scared her most about him.

They get real about how much of who they were came out AFTER marriage, the pressure to perform and have it all together, and the sincerity they found in each other that gave them the safety to move forward. Plus, a fun summer life update! They recap their San Diego trip, the San Diego Zoo, panda sightings, a hilarious Airbnb balcony ball game with Grandpa, and adjusting to the slower rhythms of summer with their kids. Whether you're engaged, married, or just dreaming about it, this honest, heartfelt conversation about pre-wedding jitters, choosing your partner with confidence, and the beauty of growing together is one you don't want to miss. 

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👍 Like this video if it encouraged you!

💬 Comment below: Were YOU nervous before your wedding? 

00:00:47 - Podcast Introduction

00:01:17 - Summer Discussion

00:01:38 - Sleeping Patterns

00:02:43 - Summer Activities

00:03:48 - San Diego Trip

00:07:58 - Airbnb Experience

00:11:57 - Continuation of Airbnb Experience

00:14:31 - Legoland Experience

00:15:37 - Legoland Experience Continued

00:19:23 - Miniland at Legoland

00:21:15 - San Diego Zoo Experience

00:23:14 - Marriage Reflections

00:31:24 - Fear and Excitement Before Marriage

00:32:31 - The Importance of Realness and Honesty

00:34:45 - The Fear of Perfection

00:35:44 - The Facade of Perfection

00:35:48 - The Performance Mindset

00:37:07 - The Value of Vulnerability

00:38:30 - The Uncertainty of the Future

00:38:43 - Making Decisions with the Information You Have

00:39:29 - Sincerity Leading to Safety

00:40:22 - Looking Forward to Future Adventures

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COZY EARTH: Luxury Shouldn’t Be Out of Reach. Visit https://CozyEarth.com/jinger/ and use my exclusive code JINGER for 20% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more.

TRUST & WILL: Protect what matters most. Trust & Will makes it simple and affordable to create your will or trust online in minutes. Visit https://trustandwill.com/JINGER and get 20% off when you use the code JINGER.

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In this episode, Shawn and Andrew open up about life behind the highlight reel: the thousands of hours of grueling practice before Beijing, Andrew getting cut from NFL roster after roster and choosing to keep going anyway, and what it actually looks like to build a life of meaning when the world is constantly throwing new options, distractions, and noise at you.

They get into the real stuff... parenting three kids with completely opposite personalities, navigating the chaos of mid-30s marriage, and the moment their Type-A daughter discovered rock climbing and transformed overnight. They talk about the nature vs. nurture debate playing out in real time as their four-year-old son races motocross and their two-year-old refuses to be tamed.

Shawn pulls back the curtain on her Olympic mental training, including the little-known technique her coach used where she'd sit on each apparatus the day before competition and visualize five perfect routines in a row, and how reciting Newton's Law mid-backflip on a four-inch beam kept her brain too busy to be afraid.

At the heart of it all is the message of their book: in an age of infinite scroll, swipe culture, and decision fatigue, commitment isn't a cage... it's the path to freedom. They argue that you don't wait for the best option to present itself. You choose a good one and make it the best.

00:00:00 - Podcast Introduction

00:01:18 - Guests Introduction

00:01:34 - Family and Parenting

00:01:47 - Discussing Kids' Personalities

00:02:34 - Parenting Challenges

00:07:50 - Discussing Kids' Interests

00:12:59 - Shawn's Gymnastics Career

00:14:06 - Andrew's Football Career

00:15:24 - Resilience and Mental Strength

00:17:19 - Discussing the Journey and Attitude

00:21:29 - Overcoming Rejection and the Role of Mentorship

00:22:28 - The Role of Failure in Success

00:23:35 - The Importance of Perseverance

00:25:58 - The Kip Story and Persistence

00:28:08 - Parenting and Encouraging Kids' Interests

00:30:00 - The Challenges and Rewards of Parenting

00:31:14 - Discussing Commitment in Sports

00:32:07 - Passion and Commitment

00:33:02 - Discussing Kids' Exposure to Various Activities

00:34:04 - Discipline and Priorities

00:34:07 - Physical Training and Spirituality

00:36:26 - Confidence Building in Kids

00:40:23 - 'The Courage to Commit'

00:40:35 - Commitment and Freedom

00:46:48 - Distractions and Depth of Knowledge

00:48:14 - The Role of Boredom and Failure in Passion

00:48:55 - Discussing the Importance of Beautiful Obsessions

00:51:21 - Discussing the Role of Gamification in Motivation

00:52:15 - Discussing Shawn's Mental Process during Olympics

00:56:10 - Discussing Mental Strength Training and Visualization

00:57:23 - Discussing the Role of Music in Difficult Situations

00:58:35 - Conclusion and Gratitude

OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS:

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PONCHO: This season, skip the guesswork and give him something he’ll actually wear. Whether it’s for your husband, dad, or son — Poncho makes clothes built for the men who do it all.Go to ⁠https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/SHOWCODE and enter your email for $10 off your first order.

BROOKLYN BEDDING: Brooklyn Bedding has been around for over 25 years, known for top-of-the-line comfort and quality without the luxury price tag. Go to ⁠https://brooklynbedding.com⁠ and use my promo code JINGER at checkout to get 30% off sitewide.

ARTICLE: If you’re looking to upgrade your space, we’ve been loving Article. Their furniture is modern, high-quality, and easy to style. Go to article.com/JINGER for $50 off your first purchase.

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Jeremy's away, so Joy is stepping in as co-host and we might need to make this a regular thing.

In this episode, Jinger and Joy sit down for a raw and real catch-up on life lately, including navigating one of the hardest seasons either of them has faced, finding small pockets of joy in the midst of it, and leaning on faith when things feel impossibly heavy. Joy opens up about how getting outside, staying close to her kids, and the song "Pillars of Praise" have been anchoring her through it all.

If you've been in a hard season, need a good laugh, or just want to feel like you're catching up with two sisters over coffee, this one's for you.

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00:00:48 - Welcome to the Podcast

00:01:36 - Life Update from Joy

00:03:29 - Coping with Difficult Times

00:04:39 - Finding Joy in Difficult Times

00:05:55 - Finding Balance Online

00:06:37 - Finding Joy in Little Things

00:07:24 - Outdoor Activities and Family Time

00:11:49 - Enjoying Coffee and Tea

00:15:23 - Coffee Shop Preferences

00:22:45 - Things We've Been Loving

00:30:22 - Cooking Experiences and Preferences

00:30:58 - Hot Sauce Stories

00:31:35 - Jeremy's Hot Sauce Adventure

00:32:57 - Hot Sauce Preferences

00:35:29 - Meal Routines and Cooking Rut

00:36:29 - Favorite Veggies and Cooking Methods

00:40:00 - Kids and Food Preferences

00:40:19 - Entertainment Choices for Kids

00:42:14 - Wrapping Up

COZY EARTH: Luxury Shouldn’t Be Out of Reach. Visit https://CozyEarth.com/jinger/ and use my exclusive code JINGER for 20% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more.

POCKET HOSE: Upgrade your outdoor setup with the Pocket Hose, the world’s #1 expanding garden hose. It’s lightweight, durable, and expands as you use it, then shrinks back down for easy storage. Text JJ to 64000 for a free pocket pivot and a 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of any size copper head hose.

TRUST & WILL: Protect what matters most. Trust & Will makes it simple and affordable to create your will or trust online in minutes. Visit https://trustandwill.com/JINGER and get 20% off when you use the code JINGER.

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What happens when you grow up in a closed, communal community, speaking your own language, wearing homemade clothes, owning nothing, and needing permission just to leave for a dentist appointment?

This week, Jinger and Jeremy sit down with their friend Michael Wurtz, who was raised inside a Hutterite colony in South Dakota and made a daring midnight escape at just 18 years old.

Michael opens up about life inside one of America's most secretive communities, from colony politics and strict dress codes to shared bank accounts, no back pockets, and a world almost entirely cut off from the outside. He traces the Hutterites' fascinating roots in the Anabaptist Reformation, their migration through Ukraine and Ellis Island, and how a community built on Scripture slowly drifted from the gospel into control and conformity.

But this isn't just a story of escape, it's a story of answered prayer, God's providence, and life on the other side of freedom.

Michael shares the prayer he prayed three days before his brother-in-law called, the flashlight signal in the field at 11pm, and what it looked like to walk away from everything he'd ever known with just $20 in his front pocket.

Today, Michael is a seminary graduate serving at his local church, a husband, and a father of two little girls and he calls himself the richest man alive.

00:00:47 - Introduction

00:02:35 - Michael's Background

00:08:16 - Hutterite Community Structure

00:14:01 - Understanding the Hutterite Language

00:16:04 - Education and Schooling in the Hutterite Community

00:17:30 - Music and Secrecy in the Hutterite Community

00:24:45 - Hutterite Community Politics

00:25:07 - Personal Experiences in the Hutterite Community

00:26:44 - Subculture and Side Hustles in the Hutterite Community

00:31:59 - Identity and Beliefs in the Hutterite Community

00:32:28 - Questioning the Hutterite Community

00:33:11 - Views on Non-Hutterites and Apostates

00:36:41 - Hutterite Community as a Cult

00:37:42 - Escaping the Hutterite Community

00:39:26 - Introduction to the Gospel

00:43:38 - Becoming a Believer and the Role of Radio

00:46:18 - Leaving the Hutterite Community

00:47:23 - Religious Pressure and Suppression in the Hutterite Community

00:49:31 - The Hidden Reality of Sin in the Hutterite Community

00:50:54 - Understanding the Gospel Outside the Hutterite Community

00:51:45 - Planning the Escape from the Hutterite Community

00:51:48 - The Night of the Escape

00:57:33 - Life After Leaving the Hutterite Community

OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS:

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POCKET HOSE: Upgrade your outdoor setup with the Pocket Hose, the world’s #1 expanding garden hose. It’s lightweight, durable, and expands as you use it, then shrinks back down for easy storage. Text JJ to 64000 for a free pocket pivot and a 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of any size copper head hose.

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Is your summer actually restful or just busy in a different place?

Jinger & Jeremy get real about planning a truly restorative summer with little kids, sharing their own vacation wins and fails, why they're staying in California this year, and the honest truth about traveling with young children.

But this episode goes deeper than travel tips.

They dive into a theology of rest... what Scripture says about why we crave vacations, what the Sabbath really points to, and how Jesus' promise of rest connects to our everyday longing to slow down.

What we cover:

- How to plan a family vacation that's actually restful (not just survived)

- Hotels vs. Airbnbs with kids and what works and what doesn't

- Why they're exploring California instead of flying cross-country this summer

- The biblical concept of Sabbath and what it means for modern life

- Why Jesus promises rest for weary souls and what that has to do with your summer

- Childhood vacation memories and why making them for your kids matters

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00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:14 - Theology of Rest

00:00:50 - Summer Vacation Plans

00:01:33 - Challenges of Vacationing with Kids

00:02:24 - Choosing Family-Friendly Vacation Spots

00:03:29 - The Struggles of Staying in Hotels

00:04:09 - Staying Local for Vacation

00:04:54 - The Benefits of Airbnb

00:05:22 - Exploring California

00:09:46 - Planning for Future Travels

00:15:06 - Different Types of Vacation

00:15:50 - Personal Preferences for Vacation

00:17:44 - The Need for Rest

00:20:55 - Reflections on Work and Rest

00:27:00 - Childhood Vacation Memories

00:30:16 - Creating Memories for Children

00:30:17 - Summer Plans

OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS:

COZY EARTH: Luxury Shouldn’t Be Out of Reach. Visit https://CozyEarth.com/jinger/ and use my exclusive code JINGER for 20% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more.

FUNCTION HEALTH: Function because it’s the only health platform that gives you access to the kind of data most people never see—and the insights to actually take action. Learn more and join using our code JINGER at https://functionhealth.com/JINGER/ for $25 off your membership!

TRUST & WILL: Protect what matters most. Trust & Will makes it simple and affordable to create your will or trust online in minutes. Visit https://trustandwill.com/JINGER and get 20% off when you use the code JINGER.

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What happens when tragedy strips everything away and leaves something far greater behind? In this powerful episode, Jinger and Jeremy sit down with country music star-turned-pastor Granger Smith and his wife, author Amber Smith, for one of the most moving conversations about grief, marriage, and genuine faith you'll hear this year.

Granger opens up about walking away from a wildly successful music career, including his viral alter ego Earl Dibbles Jr. and how the devastating loss of their 3-year-old son, River, in 2019 became the catalyst for real, saving faith. Amber shares what it was like to rebuild their marriage in the wake of unimaginable grief, the pact they made to stay together, and her journey to writing her deeply hopeful book The Girl on the Bathroom Floor.

Together, they discuss the River Kelly Fund, water safety, finding purpose through pain, and what they'd say to anyone sitting on a bathroom floor with no hope left.

In this episode:

- Granger's decade-long grind in Nashville & the Earl Dibbles Jr. viral moment

- How Amber went from acting in his music video to becoming his wife

- The tragic loss of their son River and how it transformed their faith

- How they kept their marriage intact through catastrophic grief

- Amber's book The Girl on the Bathroom Floor and why it has a hopeful ending

- The River Kelly Fund and giving back globally in River's honor

- Granger's upcoming book on cultural Christianity

- What true saving faith looks like vs. cultural Christianity

Perfect for fans of: Christian podcasts, faith and grief, marriage and relationships, country music, Granger Smith, redemption stories, parenting, loss, and hope.

Don't forget to like, comment and SUBSCRIBE.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:51 - Life in Texas

00:03:01 - Current Season of Life

00:04:22 - Testimony of God's Faithfulness

00:05:07 - Granger's Music Career

00:07:00 - Meeting and Falling in Love

00:12:13 - The Break in Music Career

00:12:17 - Creation of Earl Dibbles Jr.

00:14:31 - Impact of Earl Dibbles Jr.

00:16:10 - Passion Shift: From Soccer to Ministry

00:18:53 - The Tragic Loss of Their Son, River

00:19:09 - The Catalyst of Their Faith: Grief

00:21:52 - Amber's Perspective on the Tragic Loss

00:23:18 - Finding God in the Midst of Grief

00:24:09 - The Power of Scripture in Healing

00:25:49 - Granger's Personal Transformation and Encounter with God

00:29:17 - The Revelation of God's Love and Identity

00:31:11 - Recognizing God's Presence

00:31:34 - The Journey of Faith

00:31:52 - Shared Grief and Faith

00:32:29 - The Girl on the Bathroom Floor

00:33:50 - Wrestling with God's Presence in Suffering

00:38:40 - The Pact to Stay Together

00:42:49 - The River Kelly Fund

00:45:07 - Hope for Those on the Bathroom Floor

OUR INCREDIBLE SPONSORS:

BROOKLYN BEDDING: Brooklyn Bedding has been around for over 25 years, known for top-of-the-line comfort and quality without the luxury price tag. Go to ⁠https://brooklynbedding.com⁠ and use my promo code JINGER at checkout to get 30% off sitewide.

ARTICLE: If you’re looking to upgrade your space, we’ve been loving Article. Their furniture is modern, high-quality, and easy to style. Go to article.com/JINGER for $50 off your first purchase.

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