Are you your own harshest critic? What if gentleness—not perfection—was the path to purpose?

Welcome to The Collide Podcast Summer Highlight Series!

All summer long, we’re bringing back some of our most impactful episodes — powerful conversations centered around life-changing collisions with Jesus. Whether this is your first time hearing the episode or you’re revisiting an old favorite, each story is filled with hope, healing, and purpose.

This episode originally aired in November 2024 and quickly became a listener favorite. In this episode, life and leadership coach Jillian DeBritz shares her journey from burnout and perfectionism to gentleness and grace. If you’ve ever struggled with shame, self-criticism, or the pressure to do it all, this conversation is for you.

Jillian invites us into a powerful conversation about self-compassion, shame, and the importance of paying attention to our inner world. Drawing from her personal experiences and coaching work, she offers practical ways to challenge self-critical thoughts, embrace gentleness, and reflect God’s heart in how we treat ourselves.

Jillian is a certified life and leadership coach, writer, speaker, and host of the Permission Slips Podcast. A former educator and self-described recovering perfectionist, Jillian has personally experienced the toll of burnout. Today, she’s passionate about helping women silence shame and embrace a gentler way of living as they step into their God-given purpose. Her message is filled with encouragement, grace, and practical wisdom for women who long to thrive without sacrificing their well-being.

• How embracing self-compassion helps silence shame
• Why gentleness with ourselves reflects God’s own heart
• The importance of paying attention to your thoughts, emotions, and needs
• How asking the right questions can guide personal growth
• What Jesus teaches us about treating ourselves with kindness

This conversation will help you take a deep breath and release the pressure to be perfect. You’ll be reminded that God is not harsh with you—and you don’t have to be, either. Walk away with hope, renewed compassion for yourself, and practical tools for healing and purpose.

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