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  • Receiving grace starts by being in community, by belonging, and connecting. How does grace show up when producing a podcast? Take a listen for this behind-the-scenes look.

    Before I launched the podcast, I knew I needed a team around me—people to pray for me and the podcast, give insight and ideas, offer suggestions for guests and questions to ask those guests, help me write a title that would appeal most to my listeners, and come alongside me to determine if a guest was in theological and doctrinal alignment with the podcast’s statement of faith.

    And the women you are about to meet rose to that challenge to love Jesus, love me, love Grace In Real Life, and love you, my sweet listener. This team has helped me with branding and graphic design decisions along with editing scripts and voting on series ideas. If you’ve loved this podcast, it’s because Amy, Angi, Eileen, Kira, Lauren, and Nina made it so good.

    Together, we break down:

    What the podcast team did and how I curated this team, What God taught me through the podcast, Podcasting surprises, How I select guests and how I ask them to be on the show, How I planned content and how I handled unexpected global events, like the pandemic and social unrest, AND SO MUCH MORE.

    If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes here and how community has shaped what the podcast is today, listen in.

  • Being who you are, being who God created you to be, is the most free way to live. So how do we live in the wide open space God offers? Listen in.

    Living in God’s wide open spaces means there is no condemnation in Christ. God certainly convicts and corrects, but He never assaults your identity. If the Lord has set you free, you are free indeed.

    It is a grace to accept the fearful and wonderful way God designed you, not to wish you were more like someone else, not to feel confined by the belief that there’s only one way to live your life.

    Friend, our God takes us away from tight spots and places us in wide-open, green pastures. We no longer need to feel as if we must contort ourselves to fit and conform to someone else’s standards or life or expectations of what we “should” be doing.

    We no longer need to play the comparison game. We no longer need to feel the shame of legalism. We are free to run, dance, live, and rest in the grace of the wide open spaces of God’s provision and goodness.

    In this episode, we’ll unpack how our God is a God of wide open spaces. So, how is this grace, and what do we even mean?

    Mentioned in the podcast

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    #194: What I Want You To Know: Grace and truth #195: What I Want You To Know: It all counts Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway Lauren Gaines Twyla Franz Amber Palmer Katie Scott Mandy Pallock Marnie Hammar Kirk Freeman Jen Babakhan Yohonna Smith Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • It all counts. Every act the Lord asks you to do is valuable. He sees it all. It all matters. All the work given to you by God and done in love is meaningful.

    I’m really good at discounting or downplaying the good ways God wired me, how He’s forming me through trials, and the work I do, the roles I hold, and how I show up in the world. And y’all, I believe that discounting is an effective - but totally flimsy - tactic of our enemy, who wants us quiet and isolated and stuck because we’re questioning our value and the goodness of God.

    Y’all, Jesus sees it all. He delights in all the good you do in His name and out of love. He sees your sacrifice right now. He sees your heart trying to figure out life and how to love your people well. He knows your intentions, and God desires to help you every step of the way. All the work given to you by God and done in love is meaningful.

    Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

    Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway Safe People by Drs. Townsend and Cloud #194: What I Want You To Know: Grace and truth Lauren Gaines Twyla Franz Amber Palmer Katie Scott Mandy Pallock Marnie Hammar Kirk Freeman Jen Babakhan Yohonna Smith Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • Our God is a God of grace and truth. But what does this mean for us in our busy and full lives? Listen to what it means for our God to be a God of AND.

    If you’ve been around the Grace In Real Life podcast long enough, you’ve heard me share that our God is a God of AND:

    He’s grace AND truth

    Mercy AND holy justice

    Love AND perfect judgment

    Man of Sorrows AND Prince of Peace

    Offensive AND attractive

    What does this concept of God’s AND-ness mean for our everyday, walking-around lives? This is good and true, but what do we do with it?

    The reality that we love and worship our God of AND coupled with the truth that we are people of AND impacts three areas:

    How we work out our salvation How we live How we embrace our humanity In today’s episode, you’ll learn about the grace and truth of our God, that: The grace of salvation is to be received AND lived. Christ-followers are not individualistic islands to ourselves but interwoven parts that create a whole. Grace calls us higher; to see that life and that our own selves are more nuanced than we ever thought possible. To see that God’s ways are higher and bigger than we could ever imagine. Mentioned in the podcast

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    Four Years of Podcasting Giveaway The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • What is disciple-making? How do we do it? What does it look like to make disciples when your schedule is full? And how can you possibly disciple your teenagers?

    When I really stop and think about it, going and making disciples sounds intimidating. How do I do it? What does it even look like? Is it One More Thing to add to my already full schedule?

    But as today’s guest points out, disciple-making is as easy and light as enjoying and following Jesus and helping others enjoy and follow Jesus. Discipleship is a gift from Jesus that we get to receive. It’s not a “have to” situation; it’s a “look what I get to do with my Father” situation.

    Because making disciples can feel big and weighty, I invited pastor and author Kirk Freeman to the show.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn about how disciple-making relates to spiritual health. You’ll learn: Starting points for disciple-making, How to make disciples when you’re low on time, And how to spiritually lead your teenager. Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

    A Holy Hush Threads by Kirk Freeman #70: Helping your kids enjoy Jesus with Kirk + Debbie Freeman [Grace in Parenting series] #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi #190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor #191: Spiritual Health: The benefits of studying theology with Jen Wilkin #192: Spiritual Health: The power of questions with Mandy Pallock Here’s how to connect with Kirk Freeman Instagram Website Threads by Kirk Freeman Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • When we were in college, Ryan gave me the nickname “The Interrogator” because I love asking questions. People are truly fascinating to me, and God gave us such an incredible world to discover, it seems impossible for me to not ask eleventybillion questions in a day.

    But as today’s guest points out, if all we do is ask questions, we’re just delving into trivia instead of a person's heart.

    Because asking and responding to questions is an art in which many of us would like to grow, I invited Mandy Pallock to the show.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you use the power of questions to cultivate spiritual health. You’ll learn: How questions draw you into deep community, Why questions are powerful, One pro tip on how to ask questions your kids will actually answer, And a sure-fire question to kick-start any conversation. Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

    #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi #190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor #191: Spiritual Health: The benefits of studying theology with Jen Wilkin The Question Habit by Mandy Pallock A Holy Hush Here’s how to connect with Mandy Pallock Instagram Website Podcast Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • What are the benefits of studying theology? Isn’t theology for those in seminary or pastors? Do you need to study it? The truth is this: You are a theologian.

    If you’re like me, you’re like, “Am I a theologian? I’m pretty sure theologians went to seminary and read ancient texts and write papers about abstract attributes of God. I’m pretty sure I’m not one.”

    Through this conversation, Jen Wilkin will convince you of how you really, truly are a theologian in your right-now life and why that’s important for today’s world and generations to come. (Y’all, some of the stats Jen shares about what current evangelicals believe about basic Christian doctrine are shocking.)

    If you’ve ever doubted that you’re a theologian, that it’s above your pay grade, that it’s all head-knowledge and no experience, or that it’s too academic for your liking, please listen to Jen’s wisdom on why theology matters in your everyday, busy and full life.

    Theology may feel like a big topic, so I’m thankful Jen is here to walk us through the importance of it.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to honor God. You’ll learn: What theology is, What are first-tier theological issues, What to do (and not do!) when you disagree with someone on a theological point, And the value of having theological conversations with our brothers in Christ. Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

    You Are a Theologian by J.T. English and Jen Wilkin Inductive Bible Study Knowing Faith podcast R.C. Sproul Systemic Theology by Louis Berkof #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi ​​#190: Spiritual Health: How to honor God with Jordan Raynor Here’s how to connect with Jen Wilkin Instagram Website Podcast Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • We’re talking about becoming spiritually healthy by recognizing how sacred our work is – no matter what we do – and how our work matters for eternity.

    Some of you might hear that and think, “But I’m not in full-time ministry. I’m not a missionary or on a church’s staff or recording a worship album. How is my work sacred?” Or maybe you think, “Well, maybe my work is important because it’s where I get to share the gospel.”

    I hope you receive the light Jordan sheds on how important your work is – whether you’re a spiritual director or a teacher’s aide, whether you’re a women’s ministry leader or a hairstylist, whether you’re a speaker or a marketing coordinator.

    Work – done in partnership with God – is the oldest spiritual discipline there is, and it’s one we don’t talk much about. I deeply want you to know that God created the concept of work before sin ever entered the world and that your work is tied to the redemptive power of the gospel of Jesus. I hope you are freed from feeling as if your work is only important if you’re sharing the gospel and fulfilling the Great Commission.

    Friends, Jordan and I believe in the power and importance of the Great Commission. People come to a relationship with Jesus because someone who knows Jesus tells them about Jesus.

    And also, so often, we feel the weight or obligation or guilt because we don’t share the gospel in every interaction we have.

    What would it be like to know that God designed you to participate in the Great Commission AND His command to us to fill and subdue the earth, to participate in creating good and useful and beautiful things with Him?

    How free would you feel to know that the work you’re doing right now matters for all eternity, and it makes God smile when you partner with Him in that work – whether you evangelized today or not?

    What would it be like to only feel free to do the good works God prepared in advance for you to do before the creation of the world?

    How loud would you exhale if you remembered the beautiful gift that is Sabbath rest?

    Jordan and I talk about the beauty, sacredness, and eternal value of our work, whether it’s prosecuting human traffickers, teaching at cosmetology school, writing grants, or selling real estate.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to honor God. You’ll learn: four ways your work matters for eternity, what to do when the Great Commission feels heavy, and why Sabbath is good for your soul and goals. Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

    Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor The Sacredness of Secular Work by Jordan Raynor Enneagram Three Sabbath #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson #189: Spiritual Health: How to be compassionate to yourself with Kendra Adachi Here’s how to connect with Jordan Raynor Instagram Website Podcast Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • Have you ever wondered how to be compassionate to yourself? What would it look like to live in grace? Listen to Kendra Adachi on Grace In Real Life.

    This entire podcast is predicated on answering the question, “How do we live in and give out grace in our busy and full lives?” And one of the most generous, practical, action-oriented grace-girls I know is The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.

    Kendra believes and practices self-compassion, contentedness, rest, and grace. Because living in grace and from grace is a bit tricky for those of us who love a to-do list and efficiency, Kendra joins the show.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as you learn how to be compassionate to yourself. You’ll learn: how to be compassionate to yourself while getting stuff done, one simple way to halt comparison and naming what matters Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

    The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi The Lazy Genius Kitchen by Kendra Adachi Enneagram One #188: Spiritual Health: Moving from head to heart: How to experience God’s love with Dr. Curt Thompson Here’s how to connect with Kendra Adachi Instagram Website Podcast Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • If we do not know Jesus' love on a deeply personal level and encounter His love in our busy and full, real lives, then the spiritual disciplines devolve into legalism and empty works. Without recognizing how much we are loved and cared for, everything else we do in that relationship is a striving attempt to be loved.

    Because experiencing God’s love for us is a gift we want to receive AND struggle with experiencing, I’ve invited Dr. Curt Thompson to join the show.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths as we process moving God’s love from head to heart. You’ll learn: How to move Jesus’s love for you from your head down to your heart How to experience grace in your real life, How solitude soothes your soul. And one simple exercise to help you pay attention to what you’re paying attention to. Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you!

    The Chosen Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird The Deepest Place by Dr. Curt Thompson Anatomy of the Soul by Dr. Curt Thompson #97: Spiritual Health: Studying the Bible with Amber Palmer #98: Spiritual Health: Praying to connect with the heart of Christ with Kimberly Coyle #99: Spiritual Health: Celebrating Sabbath with Mark Buchanan #100: Spiritual Health: Imitating Christ as we suffer with author K.J. Ramsey #101: Spiritual Health: Hearing from God for freedom with Jennifer Barnett #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall #145: Spiritual Health: Spending time with Jesus with Arabah Joy and Jen Evangelista #146: Spiritual Health: Embracing a lifestyle of rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith #147: One ridiculously easy way to spread the gospel with Twyla Franz #148: Easy ways to study the Word of God every woman can use w/Portia Collins #149: How to find community: 3 easy places to find it with Rachael Wade #150: Questions to ask God, yourself, and others w/Lore Ferguson Wilbert #151: Cultivating a life of prayer with Asheritah Ciuciu #152: Pouring out your heart to the Lord with Jennifer Dukes Lee Here’s how to connect with Dr. Curt Thompson Instagram Website Podcast The Center for Being Known Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • How can you start the new year with grace? What does that look like? Whether you’re starting a new year, a new job, or a new season, listen in.

    May we not be women who squash or silence this gift, but may we be women who partner with Christ to become new in the ways He wants to shape and form us.

    To that end, I’ve curated past Grace In Real Life episodes and resources in one place just for you. When you want to embrace newness in practical and actionable ways, come here and find what you need.

    We’re breaking down how to give yourself grace in the new year into three categories:

    Let’s get back to the fundamentals When you’re ready to set goals When you walk into the new year tired

    Let’s get back to the fundamentals

    Episode 153: What is Grace? Episode 50: Preparing Your Heart for the New Year Episode 64: How to Declutter Your Soul and Renew Your Heart with author and interior designer Valerie Griffin

    When you’re ready to set goals

    What if you weren’t bullied by your goals? Episode #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want Episode #52: How your Enneagram type impacts your goals

    When you walk into the new year tired

    Episode #46: When you just want to put on your comfy pants and disengage with people Episode #48: Kind words and truth for the woman tired at the end of the year Episode #55: Productivity, Exhaustion, and Balancing Your Passions with Christa Hutchins

    Bonus resources for how to start the new year with grace

    Episode #79: Grief, grace, and hope when you enter a new season Gentle questions to ask yourself as you end the year + start anew Five resources to help you assess you

    Here’s how to connect with Jill

    Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • Have you ever wondered how to have peace with God? Or how you can live in peace with others? If your life lacks peace and you’re looking for encouragement, listen in.

    In today’s Advent episode, we take a look at what it means to be at peace with God and others.

    How to have peace with God

    Once sin entered the world, we humans were at war with God. Not that God was at war with us, but that we chose our way over His, our thoughts over His, our agenda over His. And there was no peace in the hearts of people.

    So, God, in His goodness, made a way for peace to be restored between us. The Lord’s plan since Genesis 3:15 is to reconcile us to Himself through His Son. His Son, Jesus, came at just the right time in history. He was born to the right parents In the right town with just the right visitors: shepherds and wise men.

    Our Savior was placed in a cradle by His mother and sent to the cross by His Father at just the perfect time.

    Jesus’s birth is tied to blessing. His blessing is found in His death and resurrection. And in His salvation, we find our peace. For those who know Jesus as their Savior, we are now at peace with God.

    As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #144: Spiritual Health: Paying attention with Anjuli Paschall #183: Advent: We have hope #184: Advent: Faith: How do we exercise our faith? #185: Advent: Joy: Finding joy in the little things Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • In today’s Advent episode, we take a look at how the shepherds found joy in the middle of their everyday, right now lives.

    How to find joy in the little things

    For there to always remain in your life some place for the singing of angels, you do not need an angelic visit.

    Perhaps to make space for the singing of angels means to do the work God specifically created you to do, at the time He gave you to do it, to be open to the possibility of wonder and miracle, to go and see Jesus for yourself, to tell others about what you’ve experienced, and to return to your real life, making much of Jesus.

    As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #183: Advent: We have hope #184: Advent: Faith: How do we exercise our faith? Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • How do we exercise our faith? What does it look like to have embodied faith? What does living out our faith look like in real life? Listen in.

    In today’s Advent episode, we take a look at Mary’s faith journey.

    How do we exercise our faith?

    Faith starts in the mind with knowledge about God, facts about His character and understanding who He is and what He can do.

    Then faith moves into consent: We intellectually agree with the facts we know and the reality we understand, and then consent takes root in the soil of our hearts.

    Finally, faith takes the form of commitment, of application, of action, of obedience.

    Faith is always fruitful, and faith will not be quiet. For Mary, her faith produced the fruit of a firstborn Son. Her faith could not be quiet as she screamed in the night at the delivery of her Son.

    As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #89: Reduce Christmas stress with these sanity-saving tips customized for your Enneagram type #90: When all doesn’t feel merry + bright #91: How to slow down without opting out with Jodi Grubbs #92: Our God of tables and togetherness #93: Navigating family dynamics during the holidays with Licensed Professional Counselor Wendy Barnes #138: Gift ideas for every Enneagram type #139: ‘Tis the Season: Ask a Counselor: Holiday Gatherings Edition with LPC Sara Peters Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • We have hope because God is the Author of our story, and we are not. We have hope because we are not alone. We have hope because Jesus is the protagonist of our story.

    We have hope because God is the Author

    The Author and Finisher of our faith is the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word is Jesus, and the language the Author speaks is Christ.

    When God spoke and wrote the story of redemption, His speech wasn’t in the mode of sentences or nouns or verbs or articles or predicates. The language He spoke in the New Covenant was Jesus.

    We have hope because we are not alone

    God. Is writing. Your. Story. And in the story God writes for you, you are not the only character in your story. You do not walk alone. Heaven is cheering you on right now. Can you hear it? Listen to the great crowd of witnesses who surround you right now.

    We have hope because Jesus is the protagonist of our story

    But perhaps the best part of your story is that you are not the protagonist of it. Jesus is. Jesus is the protagonist. The victor. The firstborn. And this is our hope.

    As Mentioned in the Podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry, there's no added cost to you! #94: Advent: The Lord is coming! #95: Advent: The story of Mary + Joseph #96: Advent: The shepherds + the wise men #140: Advent: Hope #141: Advent: Faith #142: Advent: Joy #143: Advent: Peace Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • What does it mean to take up space? Do you have a fear of taking up space? Do you want to be seen as low maintenance? Listen in.

    Taking up space means to be more than furniture; to be human. In the words of Pinocchio to be “a real boy.” It means to kindly and directly – without apology or embarrassment – share needs, wants, preferences, and dreams.

    Friends, God created you to take up space.

    We are allowed to take up space. To be human means that our physical body, emotions, thoughts, and spirit take up space.

    It is impossible to be a human and not take up square footage. Taking up space is part of God’s design.

    So when you fear taking up space, it means you fear sharing what troubles and worries rumble in your heart, or what gifts and work light you up.

    Fearing taking up space might come out in phrases like, “Whatever is easiest for you” or “Oh, I don’t care” when you really do care.

    In terms of how we feel about taking up space, we fall into one of three buckets.

    “It’s natural” bucket “It’s uncomfortable” bucket “It’s totally fine, but then when I do, I regret it” bucket No matter what bucket you fall into, you may fear taking up space because: You’ve done it in the past; it didn’t go well, so you vowed never to do it again. Or you’ve misunderstood scripture about what it means to deny and die to self, Or you desperately do not want to be seen as selfish.

    Our enemy has done a heck of a job convincing God’s girls that taking up space is a bad thing.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for remembering grace overcomes fear and that you do not need to fear taking up space. You’ll learn: what it means to take up space, how you feel about taking up space, why you fear taking up space, and what God says. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! #135: When you worry you’re selfish #168: Grace is forgiving yourself and others with Jen Barnett #179: Grace Over Fear: When you feel embarrassed by your tears #180: Grace Over Fear: When you avoid the discomfort of grief with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young #181: Grace Over Fear: When you fear being vulnerable with Jamie Ivey The Deepest Place by Dr. Curt Thompson Resources that weren’t directly quoted but influenced this episode First Freedoms by Jen Barnett This Instagram post How we tragically misunderstand Jesus’ command to deny ourselves by Jill E. McCormick The high cost of being low maintenance by Jill E. McCormick Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • Why is it hard to be vulnerable? What are the characteristics of a safe person? If you fear being vulnerable but want to try, listen to Jamie Ivey.

    Being vulnerable with safe people in the midst of your mess is a sacred space. Saying “I’m struggling too” is a saint’s cry.

    Wherever you struggle today, Whether it’s struggling with sin and temptation, a hard season in your marriage, or doubting God’s goodness and sovereignty in the midst of a cancer diagnosis, God longs for you to tell Him about it – to be vulnerable with Him and to share it with a sister in Christ.

    But many of us – for very valid reasons – are skittish and reticent to be vulnerable.

    I can think of no one better to cheer us on toward vulnerability than today’s guest, Jamie Ivey.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths to answer the question, “Why is it hard to be vulnerable?”. You’ll learn: why we don’t want to be vulnerable, six characteristics of a safe person, what to do when you suffer from a vulnerability hangover, and three questions to ask when you’re ready to be vulnerable. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! #179: Grace Over Fear: When you feel embarrassed by your tears ​​#180: Grace Over Fear: What is grief? with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Netlix’s Quarterback If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey Here’s how to connect with Jamie Ivey Instagram Website Podcast YouTube
    Facebook Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • Even today, I imagine you experienced grief.

    Perhaps you’re back at work, even though you loved staying at home Or you miss your daughter, who’s off at college Or a friend has stood you up and blocked you out, and you feel unsettled by the loss. Or you are so sad about your pet who has passed away, Or maybe you’re grieving your spouse or parent who is slowly slipping away because of a diagnosis.

    Today, I’m grieving that the rhythms and routines I once held dear are met with sighs or a jam-packed schedule. (For any parent of a marching band or club sport kid, you know what I’m talking about!)

    Whatever you grieve today, God meets you there. As the God of all comfort, He longs to comfort you. But many of us feel squeamish about grief. We don’t want to talk about our loss. Or what hurts.

    We prefer to get busy, push down, numb out, or power through. Are we even allowed to be sad when God promised He’d work all things out for good? As Americans and as Christian women, many of us have an aversion to grief. Most of us don’t want to have anything to do with it.

    And also, this side of heaven, grief is a part of daily life.

    I can think of no one better to speak about entering into grief despite our fear than today’s guest, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for navigating grief. You’ll learn: What we fear about grief, Why we avoid it, Where God meets us in our sadness and sorrow, And four ways to be a grace-giving friend to someone who is grieving. Mentioned in the podcast The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! #44: Real-life grace for the Enneagram Seven with Dorina Gilmore #179: Grace Over Fear: When you feel embarrassed by your tears Breathing Through Grief by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Chasing God’s Glory by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Here’s how to connect with Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young Website Instagram Pinterest Facebook Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • Have you ever felt embarrassed by your tears? What is going on when we do not like to cry in front of others? Listen in.

    If Jesus wept, if Jesus calls us to suffer with those who suffer and weep with those who weep, why do we fear crying so much?

    The reality is that as much as we hate crying, most of us cry relatively often. As image-bearers, we resonate deeply with Jesus as the Man of Sorrows. We cry because we feel so deeply that words cannot convey our grief and heartbreak.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for remembering grace overcomes fear and that you do not need to be embarrassed by your tears. You’ll learn:

    what we do when we cry in front of others, why many of us are so averse to crying, how our enemy leverages our fear of this vulnerability, and what God says.

    Mentioned in the podcast

    The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you!

    #86: Your Enneagram type’s biggest fear and God-centered habits for peace #87: Navigating the fear that your kids will miss out #88: What to do when you fear naming what you want #135: When you worry you’re selfish #136: When you believe you’re messing up your kids #137: When asking for help feels like The Worst

    Here’s how to connect with Jill

    Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email
  • How happy is your marriage? How can you have a happier marriage? Listen to Arlene Pellicane as she shares how to be a happier wife.

    You’re listening to this episode because you want a happier marriage. Your marriage may be super happy and full of joy, and you want to increase it. Or, your marriage may feel like it’s on its last breath, and you are so ready for Jesus to breathe laughter and smiling and hope back into your relationship.

    You and Jesus and your spouse know where you are in your marriage. And here’s what I know: I know that God’s heart for your marriage is for it to be a reflection of how Christ loves the church.

    As children of God, our inheritance includes peace, hope, joy, and life. Not just for when you get to heaven, but for right now, in your real life.

    God wants these gifts for you as an individual and also for marriage. So, how do we tap into these God-given gifts? What do we do if we are more interested in investing in our marriage than our husbands? How can we become happier wives with happier husbands?

    I can think of no one better to speak about becoming happier in marriage than today’s guest, Arlene Pellicane.

    In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for offering grace in your marriage by learning how to have a happier marriage. You’ll learn: How to determine if you have a happy marriage, One way to become a happier wife TODAY, And what to do when you want to improve your marriage but your husband has checked out. Mentioned in the podcast for how to have a happier marriage The FCC requires that I tell you that I'm an Amazon Affiliate, which means I earn a bit of commission on each sale. But don't worry there's no added cost to you! 31 Days to a Happy Husband by Arlene Pellicane 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife by Arlene Pellicane Twelve Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe by Sharon Jaynes Atomic Habits by James Clear Here’s how to connect with Arlene Pellicane Website Podcast Instagram YouTube Facebook Here’s how to connect with Jill Website GraceInRealLifePodcast.com Instagram Subscribe to Jill’s weekly “the good + the grace” email