No More Perfect Podcast with Jill Savage
Join Jill Savage on the No More Perfect Podcast as she discusses the messy, real stuff of life. Featuring hard-earned wisdom, well-known authors, and inspiring stories, the podcast aims to be both inspirational and practical. Jill is the founder of Hearts at Home and author of multiple books.
Episodes
How to Negotiate in Relationships with Scott Tillema | Episode 319
When you hear “hostage negotiation,” the first thing to come to mind probably isn’t relationship advice. But you may be surprised to learn that the same skills professionals use to talk someone down in a crisis situation are precisely what a marriage or parenting relationship needs on its hardest days. While this conversation may be a little different from my usual guests and topics, it was incre
Creating a Soul that is More Secure with Dr. Alison Cook | Episode 318
If you’ve been listening to our show for a while, you probably already know what a crucial role attachment styles played in us becoming our “2.0 selves.” This concept was so transformative for our marriage that we created a complete guide to the different attachment styles and how they play a role in relationships. For this conversation, we are focusing on how to become more securely attached with
Applying God's Word in One-On-One Bible Studies with Eileen De Sando & Debby Gossett | Episode 317
Bible studies of all kinds are a cornerstone of many Christians’ personal faith practices. Whether you’re walking through a book of the Bible, reflecting on a devotional, or going deeper into Sunday’s sermon, the right study can help you connect with God in meaningful ways beyond your daily prayers.And while there are plenty of ways to study the Bible on your own, there’s something special about l
What to Do When Somebody Doesn't Respond to Your Efforts | Episode 316
What just happened? I came into that scenario with the best intentions, and yet somehow they still snapped at me!Doing the right thing is not a guarantee that we will get the right response in return. There are many reasons why we might receive a negative reaction from someone despite our efforts. These can include our own heart attitude, the kind of day the other person had, and even the lens thr
Becoming a Grand-Partner with Lori Wildenberg | Episode 315
Did you know that grandparents who babysit their grandchildren were found to live 37% longer? As grandparents ourselves, this stat is impressive, but not surprising! We’ve experienced firsthand how investing in the lives of our grandchildren brings so much joy and purpose. Taking on this role has truly been one of our greatest gifts during this season of life.Even so, we know that the shift from “
The Value of Stepping Outside Your Normal | Episode 314
With summer coming to an end, many people are thinking back fondly of the time spent on vacation.Whether it’s road-tripping to see a new city, hiking and taking in the natural beauty around us, or sitting on the beach to soak up the sun, we can all benefit from a break from our usual schedules and routines.When we get away, we often experience a sense of peace and even gain new clarity about our l
How to Take Care of Your Soul with Becky McCoy | Episode 313
Have you ever walked through a season of life when finding the time to open your Bible seemed impossible? When the busyness of life—or perhaps struggles with your mental health—become overwhelming, it can be hard to slow down, quiet your mind, and spend meaningful time with God.Through many dark seasons of my own life, I’ve struggled to read Scripture and pray. Perhaps you, like me, have longed fo
Finding Peace and Hope with Adult Children with Dr. Kathy Koch | Episode 312
Most parents hope to maintain a close, loving relationship with their children as they grow into adulthood. Unfortunately, the relationship they imagined doesn’t always become reality. When that happens, the disappointment can run deep, leaving parents wondering what went wrong and how to bridge the growing distance.Many of these relationships are marked by complex emotions like tension, grief, hu
An Interview with My Mom: Patsy Fleener | Episode 311
My mom, Patsy Fleener, showed me what it looks like to have a beautiful, full life. I’ve always strived to be more like her, and I can only hope to have a life as full as hers when I’m her age!Mom came to town recently to see one of her grandchildren in a show, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to record a conversation with her while she was around.It’s always a treat to get to spend quality
Moving Beyond Betrayal with Danna Demetre | Episode 310
“I’ve been seeing someone. It started a while ago. I tried to stop it, but…I didn’t.”“Do you love her?”“I don’t know. I think I might.”The words above will resonate with many who have walked through betrayal and its aftermath.If you’ve been part of our community for a while, then you’ll know that Mark and I have written many books about our experience healing from infidelity.My guest for this epis
How Your Story Can Help Others | Episode 309
When we’re trying to help others, it’s natural to offer advice, share practical strategies, or point people toward helpful resources. Those things are valuable and often necessary—but they’re also one step removed from your own experience.Sometimes, the most impactful thing you can offer is your story.It’s not easy to share your journey, with all its imperfections, hardships, and lessons learned a
Our Favorite God Stories (Part 2) | Episode 308
It’s time for even more God stories! When we started recording part one of this series, we quickly realized we would need more time to share our favorite God stories with you! If you haven’t done so yet, we strongly recommend going back and listening to part one here.A God story is one in which only he could connect the dots in surprising and even miraculous ways to provide answers to prayers and
Finding Hope in Grief with Dennis and Debbie Jordan | Episode 307
Trigger / Content Warning: I want to be sure my listeners are aware that in this episode we will be talking about the loss of a child and brief mentions of suicidal ideation. If these kinds of topics are hard for you to hear about, we recommend skipping this conversation.Dealing with grief can feel like being plunged into a terrible darkness and not knowing if or when you will get out. It’s a heav
Our Favorite God Stories (Part 1) | Episode 306
There are several instances in the Old Testament that reference setting up stones as a remembrance to God’s people of what He accomplished in that location. While we don’t often mark God’s work with piles of stone today, He is still at work all around us, in ways both big and small. Want to see His goodness? Look at the lives He is touching.When we catch glimpses of ways that He is working, usuall
Discovering Courage For Life with Ann White | Episode 305
As you walk through life, are you feeling stuck in relationships or frozen by fear? Perhaps you even feel unsure of how to draw closer to God. We certainly felt that way in the past, which is why Mark and I faced our fears, mustered up some courage, and did the hard work to move from the 1.0 versions of ourselves to the 2.0 life and 2.0 relationship we enjoy now.I know my guest for today’s convers
Why "I'm Sorry" Isn't Enough in Relationships | Episode 304
Everything in life requires repair: homes, cars, computers, and most importantly, relationships. When we don’t appropriately repair our relationships from a rupture, big or small, then those hurts begin to pile up and create resentment.At our marriage intensives, we often help couples clean up accumulated hurt that never got repaired simply because they didn’t have the tools to do so.This is an im
Finding Peace in the Chaos with Alli Worthington | Episode 303
Are you chronically stressed? Do you often scroll on your phone to “numb out?” At the end of each day, do you feel wired and tired, just barely getting by?In a survey of over 2,000 Christian women, 91% admitted that they were tired of pushing through every day. 87% said they regularly felt overwhelmed, but only 11% reported having any way to reset in real time.My latest guest says that the data sh
What to Do When Your Adult Child Has Life-Controlling Issues | Episode 302
When we adopted our fifth child, Nicolai, at the age of nine, we never imagined we would end up battling circumstances that would lead to over 100 hospital visits.Today, as an adult, Nicolai has several issues that prevent him from having a normal life. Before we go any further, we do want to let you know that Nicolai gave his permission to share his story. He struggles to manage money and lives p
Why Is It So Hard to Rest? with Scott and Myndee Anderson | Episode 301
I don’t have time for rest! My schedule is too full. I’m too stressed out. I will fall too far behind if I take a break.Do any of these sound familiar to you? Rest is essential for our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. It’s so important that God gave us an example of rest in the creation story at the beginning of the Bible. Yet, it’s so easy to let this basic human need fall by th
When You're the Only One Doing the Work in Marriage | Episode 300
Are you feeling worn out from doing all the heavy lifting in your marriage? You are the only spouse who is putting in the effort to listen to podcasts, read the books, and initiate thoughtful conversations—or at least it feels that way.Resentment is slowly starting to build as you think to yourself over and over, “Why am I the only one doing the work to improve our marriage?”The topic for this con
How To Personalize Love So Someone Feels It with Les and Leslie Parrott | Episode 299
Real connection happens when you master the personal, powerful way your partner uniquely receives love. That’s when love moves from routine to remarkable.If you are one of the 20 million readers of Dr. Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages®, you already know that love isn’t one-size-fits-all. This framework provides us with a great place to start, but many couples have found there’s still more to le
Tackling Selfishness | Episode 298
Have you ever noticed a tendency in yourself to put your own wants before the needs of others?If we’re honest, that’s not an easy thing to admit. Most people don’t naturally think of themselves as selfish. And yet, when we slow down and truly examine our hearts, selfishness is something we all wrestle with at times.Recently, Mark has felt God directing his attention to this area in his own life. W
Letting Go of the Emotional Stuff that Keeps You Stuck with Laurie Davies | Episode 297
What emotions are clogging your heart? Is it worry? Panic? Regret? Guilt? Anger? Is there deep pain you don’t talk about because it’s buried under bitterness, worthlessness, or loneliness? Do you long for relief?All of these feelings can keep us “stuck” for far too long. It’s time to unburden your heart and clear out the emotional baggage that has been hindering you from fully living free in Chris
The Power of Prayer in Your Marriage with Brad and Heidi Mitchell | Episode 296
Many couples believe in the power of prayer, but they struggle to practice it consistently—us included! In fact, 95% of Christian couples do not pray together.There are times when we struggle to make prayer a priority like it needs to be. Whether it’s because of busy schedules, not knowing how to begin, or feeling uncomfortable praying with another person, there are so many factors that can keep h
Marriage Through the Ups and Downs of Life with Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman | Episode 295
Vulnerability is very important to us. We share the dirt and the difficulties of our own marriage openly when telling our story.So when we had the opportunity to read the book, Still Here, by Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman, we resonated with their honesty about the challenges of marriage. This intimate memoir takes you inside the Chapmans’ real-life marriage, spanning four decades of
Untangling Anger from Your Life | Episode 294
We had a record number of Marriage Intensives at the beginning of this year! For each intensive, we host a couple at our home for a whole weekend so that we can give them our undivided attention and really dive deep. As we worked with these couples, we were reminded of some of the themes that pop up over and over in relationships.One of the biggest ones? Anger. Anger is a normal part of life, but
Why a Business Leader Mindset is Hurting Your Marriage with Lantz Howard | Episode 293
In the business world, the ones who make it to the top are often high-achieving, ruthless, and confident. They’re calculated risk-takers. All of these characteristics can help professionals move up the ladder—but they don’t always translate well in those same people’s personal lives. In fact, when people try to take the strategies that bring them workplace success and apply them at home, they can
How To Launch Your Kids Well with Cristina Wright | Episode 292
A mother’s job is to teach her children to not need her anymore. The hardest part of that job is accepting success.We pour our lives into our kids. We sacrifice, lose sleep, and make sure they have everything they need, only to have them one day leave to live on their own without us. My guest understands this feeling as a parent with one foot in and the other foot out of the launching phase.Cristi
The Hard and Holy Journey of Understanding Death with Yvette Maher | Episode 291
Talking about death can be a tender and uncomfortable subject, but our time on earth is temporary. Someday we will all leave this world, and many of us won’t get a warning of when that will occur.While fear may want to push us away from this topic, conversations like this one help us begin to normalize talking about death. When we bring something hard like this into the light, it starts to feel le
God Stories from Uganda | Episode 290
Roosters, candy canes, thermometers, and antifungal cream. These are just a few of the ordinary items we saw God use in extraordinary ways during our time in Uganda this February. This journey of our ministry in Africa, which began with an untied shoelace on an Alabama sidewalk, continues to unfold in ways Mark and I never could have imagined. To hear how it all began, you can listen to Episode 13
What is a Father Wound—and How Can We Heal It? with Rachelle Starr | Episode 289
A dad is foundational in every person’s life, but not everyone has a solid, stable father figure to rely on. When Mark and I work with couples and individuals in our coaching sessions, we are often able to trace a person’s current challenges back to father wounds. So many people are still being negatively affected by the difficult relationship they had with their father growing up—many of them wit
3 Things That Get Confused for Forgiveness with Tim Tedder | Episode 288
Forgiveness.It’s one of the most powerful tools God gives us in marriage. Yet, when infidelity shatters trust, the path forward can feel confusing. What does real forgiveness actually look like? And how do you know if you’re doing it in a healthy way?My guest today, Tim Tedder, is a licensed counselor and coach who has spent more than 20 years helping individuals and couples recover after infideli
The Healing Journey of Marriage After Betrayal with Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith | Episode 287
The chaos that betrayal can cause in a marriage is unlike almost anything else we experience as humans. When trust is shattered, everything feels unstable. Questions swirl. Emotions run high. And the path forward can feel confusing and painfully slow.Mark and I know what that broken place feels like. And so does the couple joining us today.Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith—known as The Raabsmith Team—a
Let the Biscuits Burn: Embracing Imperfect Hospitality with Abby Kuykendall | Episode 286
In a culture that is obsessed with perfection, it’s easy to believe that hospitality requires a spotless home, a carefully planned menu, and a seamless itinerary. But the truth is, connection has never required perfection.Sometimes, the most meaningful moments in life happen with dishes in the sink and pillows on the floor. Deep down, most of us already know this to be true. And yet, inviting peop
Facing the Fear of Vulnerability | Episode 285
Vulnerability can feel like a high-stakes poker game where your only option is to go “all in” and either win big or lose everything. Many of us carry the painful memories of when opening up has gone wrong in the past, and these can keep us from opening up again.However, when we dare to be vulnerable in spite of our fears, we can find intimacy, connection, and safety on the other side.While it may
The Power of Surrender with Mary DeMuth | Episode 284
Letting go is hard. It goes against our natural human urge to cling on tightly to the things we care about so we can maintain a sense of control. This internal game of tug-of-war is something we all struggle with. Even if you aren’t a self-proclaimed “control freak,” you can probably think of at least one area of your life in which you are being called to release control.Surrender is an invitation
Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust, Pt. 4 | Episode 283
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! Experiencing infidelity or broken trust in your marriage is one of the hardest challenges a couple can face, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the end your relationship. In this conversation, we are wrapping up our series on what it looks like to heal from betrayal in marriage, and this
Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust, Pt. 3 | Episode 282
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! “Mom, don’t be foolish. He’s just going to do this again.”Broken trust affects more than just your spouse. There’s a ripple effect that goes out and changes every relationship, from your children to your relatives, close friendships, and even neighbors.We know that, when recovering from i
Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust, Pt. 2 | Episode 281
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! We love finding new ways to connect with you, and we hope you enjoy the added experience of watching along as you listen.Have you ever thought:I don’t love my spouse anymore. Marriage should be easier than this. My spouse doesn’t care about me.If so, you are not alone. When relationships
Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust, Pt. 1 | Episode 280
*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! We love finding new ways to connect with you, and we hope you enjoy the added experience of watching along as you listen.“Yes, I’m having an affair, and I’m not going to stop.”Hearing these words would be absolutely heartbreaking for anyone. But if you’ve ever navigated infidelity, you’re
Makeover Your Mornings with Tara Beth Leach | Episode 279
Welcome to the first episode of 2026! As we welcome the new year, a time marked by fresh starts and new routines, it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about making over our mornings!I personally needed this conversation because I am not a morning person, and I desperately need to make some changes. (Mark would say that I’m only aware of 6 o’clock happening once a day, and that is in the evenings.)
Have Yourself a Merry Christmas | Episode 278
Each year around Christmas, we like to do a special episode where we not only celebrate the holiday, but also look back on the last year and all that God has been teaching us. The days and months can often speed by us, and that’s why it’s so nice to take a moment to pause and reflect.We are reviewing the entire year before moving into 2026, including why Mark has been on the podcast more (and why
Love Like Jesus | Episode 277
We love Christmas! It’s our (and especially Mark’s) favorite time of year. Besides the decorations, presents, cheer, and time with family, Christmas marks a very special event. It’s when God sent His son to earth, which was the greatest expression of His love for us.In our own personal story of redeeming our marriage together, one of the biggest lessons we learned was what love really looks like.
Understanding the Lies that Hold You Back with Gary Thomas | Episode 276
Are you feeling restless today? Dissatisfied? Sometimes, when we’re feeling these unpleasant emotions, we can struggle to identify their source.What you might not realize is that many of those feelings can come from the false beliefs we hold about the world, ourselves, and those around us. Many of us are believing lies that rob us of contentment and cripple our intimacy with God.For Mark and I, be
How to Avoid the 5 R’s that Destroy Relationships with PeggySue Wells | Episode 275
This week’s episode will look a little bit different, as we are resharing one of our top five episodes of all time with you!With the holiday season beginning, there will be countless opportunities for relationships to be strained. You’ll encounter many situations where you will have to interact with people that you would rather avoid.We were designed to be in relationships. However, even though co
Preparing for the Holidays | Episode 274
Can you believe that the holidays are just around the corner? We recently got our first snow in Illinois, and it’s got us in the holiday spirit!Along with the merriment and celebrations of this season come various expectations, obligations, and family gatherings to attend. A few years ago, we started a tradition in our family of giving our children the gift of freedom when it comes to holiday even
Finding Breakthrough in Prayer with Dr. Deanna Shrodes | Episode 273
Every one of us knows what it’s like to hold prayers that haven’t been answered. That season of waiting can feel like one of the toughest battles of all. I experienced this myself during my marriage crisis, and I can’t tell you the number of times I cried out to the Lord to answer my prayer.My guest knows what it’s like to live with an unanswered prayer. She searched for over 10 years for her biol
How Men Can Transform Their Marriages with Roy Wooten | Episode 272
When we stand at the altar and say “I do,” our eyes are filled with stars. We’re certain we have found happily ever after.After the wedding day, we find out that this marriage stuff is way more complicated than we initially thought. Once we are living out our day-to-day routine with another person, we find that challenges abound.We talk about marriage a lot on this podcast, but today, we are going
The Dog and Cat Marriage | Episode 271
Have you heard about the dog and cat marriage? It might sound like a crazy concept, but it’s one that has helped us not only understand each other, but also help other couples understand how attachment styles are impacting their marriage.We created this idea of “dogs” and “cats” to explain the different attachment styles, and we’ve discovered that applying this concept is one of the top ways we se
Caring for Someone Whose Spouse Has Passed Away with Amy Graves Boyd | Episode 270
One of the most beautiful gifts we can give to others is our presence in their pain. Knowing you are not alone when you are walking through something hard is so important, especially when it involves the death of a spouse.When you lose your teammate in life, it’s disorienting, overwhelming, and traumatic. Here to help us understand the difficult circumstances that arise from the passing of a spous
The Next Day Principle | Episode 269
What is the Next Day Principle?It’s a practice that we have not only implemented in our own marriage and family, but it’s also something we recommend to other couples in our coaching all the time.It helps to slow down reactivity, giving you time to clarify your feelings and determine what you still need to take to your spouse. The Next Day Principle is simply this: instead of reacting in the momen
Surrendered Sexuality with Dr. Juli Slattery | Episode 268
As Christians, we are often unclear about God’s views on sex and intimacy. It can be a struggle to make sense of our temptations, shame, brokenness, longings, or desires. What is more, Christian churches and families are often divided in the nuances of sexuality, neglecting Jesus’ most important call to be unified as His body.Mark and I often talk about the significance of surrender, but how shoul
Finding Community in the Midst of Your Pain with Toni Collier | Episode 267
When brokenness strikes, it can feel impossible to know what to say or how to ask for help. Whether that brokenness is due to hard circumstances, an unexpected diagnosis, or the pain of a relationship ending, when we are hurting, all we want to do is retreat.But it’s in these dark seasons when we need a community to lean on the most. How do we find the strength to reach out when we are battling so
How to Think About Differences Differently | Episode 266
Have you ever met someone who was not at all like you? Maybe their thinking, mannerisms, or outlook was so different from your own that you clashed or struggled to connect with them?The old proverb, “birds of a feather flock together” is a classic because it’s true! Building relationships with people who share your interests, hobbies, opinions, and goals often feels easier than stepping outside yo
I Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen with Kate Strickler | Episode 265
We have all experienced moments when we wanted more than anything to “keep up with the Joneses.” This comparison trap is nothing new—our parents dealt with it, their parents dealt with it, and so on and so forth.The only difference? Fifty years ago, the “Joneses” were just the folks down the street. Now, social media lets us keep tabs on hundreds of Joneses from all over the world—morning, noon, a
The Power of Presence | Episode 264
Unexpected news, traumatic events, and unfortunate but common stressors in life—such as a fender bender or learning that you’ve lost your job—can hit us in unexpected ways. While we may not be able to verbalize exactly how we feel in the moment, having a family member, spouse, or close friend be there for us during a hard season can make all the difference in the world.That’s what we are talking a
Help for Women Navigating Mismatched Sex Drives with J. Parker | Episode 263
For today’s conversation, we are talking very openly about the physical relationship within marriage. (If you have little ears around, consider listening on headphones or waiting until you are alone.)Many marriage resources presume that the husband has a higher sex drive, but in about 25% of marriages, it’s actually the wife who experiences more feelings of desire.When women have the higher level
How to Make Connections in a New Group | Episode 262
This is a special episode with just me (Jill)! For this one, I’m opening up about a topic that is very close to my heart. I wanted to share it this time of year because the end of August is when school starts back up, and as such, many groups such as Bible studies, moms’ groups, and more, are all kicking off. Through my years of parenting, I’ve found that it can be challenging to integrate into a
How to Speak Life to Your Husband with Ann Wilson | Episode 261
Our words have the power to encourage and inspire others. They also have the power to put down, shame, and discourage. In this conversation, we are looking at the power of our words. Joining me for this discussion is someone who has personal experience with the impact our words can have in relationships—especially within marriage.Ann Wilson spent more than a decade longing for a better marriage. E
What Does It Mean to "Hold Space" For Someone? | Episode 260
“What does it mean to hold space for someone?”A listener recently sent us this question—and it’s such a good one.Simply put, holding space means being emotionally and physically present with someone’s feelings—without judging, making it about you, trying to fix it, or getting defensive.The beauty of this practice is that it works in almost any relationship. You can hold space for your spouse, frie
The Neurodivergent Marriage with Shawna Meek | Episode 259
We all know marriage isn’t easy. Bringing together two people with different life experiences, opinions, and family backgrounds takes a whole lot of intentionality, grace, and growth.When neurological differences enter this complex equation, you need an additional set of tools in order to maintain a healthy marriage.My guest, Shawna Meek, is here to help us understand what it can look like to navi
Finding Joy in Distractions with Peg Arnold | Episode 258
We live in a world full of distractions. Technology is always with us, pulling our focus away from the present with notifications that ping at all hours of the day and night. On top of that, many of us deal with internal distractions like insecurity, the desire for perfection, or the stress of trying to do it all. These distractions can often crowd out the still, small voice of God—if we let them.
I'm the Only One Engaging in My Marriage... Help! | Episode 257
We are excited to have another listener-submitted question to discuss! This question really hit home with us because it resonated with obstacles we’ve recently overcome in our own lives. It reminded us of the powerful emotional growth and healing that can be achieved in a marriage.The question was: “Is the woman in the marriage relationship the one who does most of the heavy lifting as far as prom
Making Wise Decisions in Uncertain Times with Katie Reid | Episode 256
Life can be full of uncertainty. Whether it’s moving to a new city, starting a new job, or walking through a difficult time, we don’t always know how things will work out in the end. When that happens, we can feel frozen by fear and unsure of what our next step should be.Thankfully, my friend Katie Reid knows what it’s like to face uncertainty and has some helpful encouragement for us. Katie is a
What Does It Mean to Push Accountability? | Episode 255
We’re back for another special conversation, this time about the topic of accountability. When most people think of accountability, they imagine someone asking them tough questions—almost like it’s a police interrogation and they’re in the hot seat. The problem with that mindset is, if the other person doesn’t ask us the “right” questions, then we think we’re off the hook. We don’t have to offer u
Stronger Than Stress with Barb Roose | Episode 254
Whether you are experiencing a prolonged period of stress or just having a bad day, everyone experiences times of emotional strain. Our jobs can often overwhelm us with pressure-filled deadlines. Our family budget may be tight, which causes us to worry about making ends meet. Sometimes, our family relationships are tense and filled with conflict—whether that be with our spouse or extended family.T
Are You Hinting and Hoping? | Episode 253
If you’re listening on the day this releases, then tomorrow (6/25/2025) is our 42nd wedding anniversary! We can’t believe that it’s already been more than four decades since we walked down the aisle to say our “I do’s”. Would you believe that our first big argument occurred on our honeymoon? We had a lot of good times in those early years, but they were also the beginning of some recurring conflic
How to Build Connection as a Blended Family with Paul and Jeannette Savage | Episode 252
An estimated 100 million people in the United States have some sort of “step” relationship. This could be a stepchild, a stepparent, or even a stepsibling. These relationships are often part of what’s known as a “blended” family, where individuals come together from previous relationships to form a new, unique family unit.Blended families face many challenges and difficulties that other families d
Moving from Mark 1.0 to Mark 2.0 | Episode 251
We are doing another episode to answer your questions! Last time we did this, a listener asked to hear more about “Jill 1.0”. For this conversation, we have received a question for Mark! Here’s the message that came in via email:Dear Mark, I listen to every episode that you and Jill put out there. In one of the episodes, you described a “chaos” going on inside your brain and how you’ve experienced
Standing for Your Marriage with Jason Carver | Episode 250
If you’re familiar with the journey Mark and I have walked together, then you know that I spent a year “standing for my marriage” while Mark had an affair and separated. (You can explore more about our story here.) It was the darkest season of my life—and also the season that produced the most personal, emotional, and spiritual growth I’ve ever experienced.My guest for this conversation has a simi
How to Have Less Arguments in Your Marriage | Episode 249
Over the years, we’ve had our fair share of expectations that ended in disappointment—sometimes around big moments like birthdays, and other times over something as simple as how we spend a Saturday.It’s taken us a while to discover that what caused many of these conflicts was a lack of proactive communication, or as we like to say, a failure to “push information.” Pushing information is simply ta
The Deep-Rooted Marriage with Dan Allender | Episode 248
Every marriage is an ongoing story with its own highs and lows, joys and difficulties. Depending on which season we are in, we may start to see marriage as the best thing that has ever happened to us or the source of our angst. If you’ve been following our journey for a while, you know that my husband Mark and I share openly about the struggles as well as the victories in our marriage. God has use
Managing Expectations in Marriage | Episode 247
©2025 FamilyLife. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.If we’re being completely honest, many of us enter into marriage with stars in our eyes and the hope that our spouse will live up to our every expectation. Isn’t it funny how we can spend months preparing every last detail for our marriage ceremony—yet we spend little, if any, time preparing our mindsets for what our marriage will actuall
Making Marriage Easier with Arlene Pellicane | Episode 246
Have you heard some variation of this before? “Marriage is hard. It’s unfair. One of you will always pull more weight. Marriage doesn’t make you happy; it makes you miserable.” I'd like to push back against that pessimistic mindset. Yes, it’s true that marriage can be challenging—but it can also be one of the greatest relationships you will experience!Marriage is certainly not easy, but it ca
When a Loved One Hurts | Episode 245
When a loved one hurts, it can be hard to know how to respond and support them through the crisis or pain they feel.Our first response is often to jump straight into “fix it” mode or lighten the mood by offering platitudes. However, the key to true comfort lies in a few key areas that Mark and I are going to talk about in this conversation. In our story, we’ve had quite the journey of learning how
One Choice Away from Change with Justin and Trish Davis | Episode 244
If you know my husband Mark and I, then you know we are passionate about moving people from a 1.0 version of themselves to a new-and-improved 2.0 version. We’ve taken this journey ourselves and know the difference it can make in your relationships, as well as how you view yourself.We want you to know that whether you are navigating a life transition, experiencing a relationship crisis, trying to r
How to Uncover Your Baggage | Episode 243
Everyone has baggage. We carry it around with us everywhere–into marriage, adulthood, and every aspect of our lives. It’s part of being human, and while there’s no shame in having baggage, it’s important to take the time to consider how the behaviors we’ve picked up over the years could be potentially harmful to ourselves and others.The question we are addressing in today’s conversation is: how do
Sitting With Jesus with Tera Elness | Episode 242
What does your morning routine look like? A typical morning may look like rolling out of bed, getting ready, and grabbing breakfast to feed your body before you tackle the day. But how often do you prioritize feeding your soul as well as your physical body?My guest for this conversation discovered that there is no better way to start her day than by sitting with Jesus. Tera Elness is a writer and
Safe Conversations with Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen Hunt | Episode 241
Have you ever had a conversation where it seemed like you and the other person kept misunderstanding one another? At some point, it may have even felt like you were speaking two different languages. This is a challenge that pops up in many marriages—after all, there’s a reason why people say men and women could be from different planets!Teaching others how to have safe conversations is a passion o
Moving from Jill 1.0 to Jill 2.0 | Episode 240
Dear Mark & Jill,I listen to your podcast every week and I love it. It seems like when you are talking together, we hear a lot more about what Mark did wrong before and during your marriage crisis. I identify more with Jill’s personality before your marriage crisis. I would love to hear more about “Jill 1.0” when you are discussing problems in your marriage. What were some of the things you (J
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