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 new group. Meeting new people, finding those who will be closer friends, and discovering your place in the collective takes skill and perseverance.

I know how intimidating it can feel to be the newbie in a group of established friends, and how discouraging it can feel when friendships don’t immediately blossom the way you hoped they would. However, I want to encourage you to keep trying—it’s by no means an easy task to make deep and lasting connections, but it is so worth it.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Helpful principles for making connections
• The importance of having the right mindset
• Why you should make the first move
• And more!

I hope these tips will help you make better connections in groups and find friends who speak to your heart. This episode also features helpful guidance for group leaders who want to make sure they’re cultivating environments that are warm and welcoming!

Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/group-connection-262

Check out our other resources:

• Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
• Marriage Coaching
• Marriage 2.0 Intensives
• Speaking Schedule
• Book Mark and Jill to Speak
• Online Courses
• Books

Marriage Resources:

• Infidelity Recovery
• For Happy Marriages
• For Hurting Marriages
• For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help

Mom Resources:

• New/Preschool Moms
• Moms with Gradeschoolers
• Moms with Teens and Tweens
• Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
• Empty Nest...

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. Every chance she got, Ann told her husband how much she wished he were more attentive, more helpful, and just all around better. While she thought she was being helpful, in reality, her words were badgering him with constant critiques that nearly broke their marriage.

No matter how long you’ve been married, you won’t want to skip this episode on how our words can make the difference between merely wishing things were different in our relationship and actually changing it for the better.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Practical ways to speak life to your husband
• A powerful prayer to recite
• Why you should talk to Jesus BEFORE talking to your spouse
• And more!

Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/ann-wilson-episode-261

Check out our other resources:

• Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
• Marriage Coaching
• Marriage 2.0 Intensives
• Speaking Schedule
• Book Mark and Jill to Speak
• Online Courses
• Books

Marriage Resources:

• Infidelity Recovery
• For Happy Marriages
• For Hurting Marriages
• For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help

Mom Resources:

• New/Preschool Moms
• Moms with Gradeschoolers
• Moms with Teens and Tweens
• Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
• Empty Nest...

“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, friends, family, neighbors, coworkers—you name it!

We don’t know about you, but we’ve noticed the phrase “holding space” showing up everywhere lately. Still, even with its growing popularity, many people aren’t entirely sure what it really means. So whether it’s brand new to you or you’ve heard it before but want to gain a deeper understanding of why it’s valuable and how you can use it to support the people you love, we’re here to unpack what it looks like in action.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why it’s important to hold space for one another
• How to set yourself up to listen well
• Practical tips for holding space for someone
• And more!

We hope this conversation is helpful as you begin to practice holding space for the people in your life!

Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/hold-space-260

Check out our other resources:

• Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story
• Marriage Coaching
• Marriage 2.0 Intensives
• Speaking Schedule
• Book Mark and Jill to Speak
• Online Courses
• Books

Marriage Resources:

• Infidelity Recovery
• For Happy Marriages
• For Hurting Marriages
• For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help

Mom Resources:

• New/Preschool Moms
• Moms with Gradeschoolers
• Moms with Teens and Tweens
• Moms with Kids Who Are Launching
• Empty Nest...