THRIVE with Cheryle

Regret is one of the most universal human experiences — and one of the least talked about honestly. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque helps us explore what regret actually is, why we hold onto it so stubbornly, and what it means to truly renegotiate your relationship with the past rather than just "let it go." We look at the difference between regret that stunts our growth and regret that teaches us, and offer a framework for turning your hardest moments into the foundation for a more intentional future. Because the goal was never to have no regrets — it's to stop letting them run the show.

About our Guest: Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque is a pastor, writer, and longtime leader in spaces dedicated to dialogue, dignity, and belonging. She has built two impactful careers—first in higher education, then in ministry—both rooted in service and leadership. For over 20 years, she worked in student affairs at institutions such as Northwestern, the University of Chicago, and the University of California. After answering a call to ministry, she earned an M.Div. (Summa Cum Laude) and Ph.D. in Theology from Boston University and went on to serve churches of all sizes. A recipient of numerous honors and awards, Dr. Jacque is widely regarded as a voice of grace, wisdom, and hope.

0:00 Episode Teaser

1:18 Welcome Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque

2:50 Rev. Dr. Jacque's Bio & Call to Ministry

18:08 What does it mean to thrive?

20:00 Turning complaints into blessings

21:15 Defining regret

23:11 How to turn regret Into lessons

23:41 "I was not an easy child to raise"

26:13 Remember the lesson, forget the incident

28:32 How do I get past big, painful regrets?

32:23 Feeling & releasing the pain of regret

35:31 The steps to releasing regret

37:20 Failure is the greatest teacher

37:57 Rev. Dr. Jacque's biggest regret

43:26 Perception of regret changing as we age

45:30 Practice for renegotiating regret

49:58 The difference between grace and mercy

54:40 Facing mortality while living with regret

59:45 You are enough

61:10 Where to find Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque Online

62:10 Thanks to Dr. Jacque

63:11 Outro / Where to find the Thrive with Cheryle podcast