The Happiest Lives Podcast

This is the eighth episode in our Hormones, Happiness & the Holy Spirit series, where we’re exploring what it really means to live with joy—emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Today we’re talking about desire and drive. God created you with longings—for meaning, connection, and purpose—and the energy to move toward them. But what happens when that drive gets misdirected? When passion turns into pressure or hustle replaces ...

This is the seventh in the series on Hormones, Happiness, and the Holy Spirit.

If you’ve been feeling more anxious, irritable, or just not like yourself, it could be connected to perimenopause or menopause. In this episode, Jill talks with Dawn Valentino, a registered nurse and holistic health practitioner, about what’s really going on in your body, how hormone changes impact your mood, and what you can do to find support—physically...

Part 6 of the Hormones, Happiness & the Holy Spirit Series

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” — John 7:38

In this episode, we’re talking about the Holy Spirit, not as a vague presence or a future reward, but as a real, active, present force living in you right now. If you’ve been feeling dry, stuck, or like you’re chasing breakthrough, this is your reminde...

This is Episode 5 in the series Hormones, Happiness & The Holy Spirit. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things—journaling, praying, renewing your mind—and still feel stuck, discouraged, or just plain off, this episode is for you.

Today I’m joined by my favorite guest (and husband), Dr. Richard Lillard—a clinical psychologist with decades of experience in both therapy and integrated health. We talk about what’s...

In this fourth episode of our Hormones, Happiness & the Holy Spirit series, we’re talking about the thoughts behind your feelings—because the stories you tell yourself are shaping how you feel, how you act, and how close you feel to God.

If your brain is the hardware, your thoughts are the software—and outdated programming rooted in fear, shame, or scarcity can keep you stuck. Today, I’ll walk you through the first step of the H...

In today’s episode of The Happiest Lives Podcast, we’re continuing our Hormones, Happiness, and the Holy Spirit series with a deep dive into brain health. Jill shares insights from her recent certification as a Brain Health Practitioner with the Amen Clinics and introduces six key brain systems that influence how you think, feel, focus, and function.

You’ll learn:

• Why your brain is like the hardware that runs your entire life
• The ...

What if your mood struggles weren’t just in your head—but in your gut, your diet, and even your sun exposure?

In today’s episode of The Happiest Lives Podcast, I’m joined by Christian nutritionist Chelsea Blackbird as we continue our Hormones, Happiness, and the Holy Spirit series. We’re diving into the body-lifestyle-mood connection—how things like amino acids, protein, and sunlight directly impact your neurotransmitters, hormones,...

What really makes us happy—and what gets in the way?

In this kickoff to a new series, Jill Lillard explores happiness from a whole-person, Spirit-led perspective. Drawing on her experience as a therapist, coach, and ministry leader, she unpacks how our thoughts, hormones, and spiritual life all interact to shape our emotional well-being.

You’ll learn:

• Why happiness isn’t about ease or getting what you want
• How biology and belief bo...

Part four of our Loosening Your Grip Series.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Heather Gilion as she shares her family’s journey through her son’s cancer diagnosis and the decision to amputate his leg. This isn’t a teaching. It’s not a step-by-step. It’s a real-life story of loss, faith, and the kind of surrender you don’t plan for—but choose because it’s the only good option.

If you’re holding on tight to something right no...

Part 3 of The Loosening Your Grip Series. 

If they would just change, everything would be better… right?

In this episode, we’re talking about what really happens when we try to manage the people we love—and how to let go without giving up. You’ll learn how to stop living in someone else’s model, how to set boundaries without detaching, and why true peace doesn’t come from controlling others; it comes from staying grounded in your own...

This is part 2 of the Loosening Your Grip Series.

You had a vision for how life would go- the timeline, the outcomes, the relationships. But what happens when reality looks nothing like the dream? In this episode, we’re talking about that gap. About what it means to release the picture you were holding and trust that God is still writing a good story. We’ll unpack Jacob’s striving, our tendency to grip tightly, and how letting go is...

This begins the new series: Loosening Your Grip.

What if the very thing you’re trying to control is what’s actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, I’m sharing a really personal story. Years of chronic pain, self-reliance, and striving brought me face-to-face with a hard truth: I’m not in charge. And that’s a good thing. We’ll talk about why control feels so tempting, what happens when we hit our limit, and how real power begins...

Worry might feel responsible. It might feel productive. But it’s not. It’s just a mental habit—one you’ve rehearsed for years. And today, we’re turning it around.

In this final episode of the Habit Turnaround series, we’re breaking down why worry shows up, how it hooks you, and what to do instead. I’ll teach you a simple, powerful tool—The Four P’s: Panic, Pause, Pray, Praise—to interrupt the spiral and access the peace that’s alrea...

You’re doing all the things—managing the schedule, watching the budget, keeping the peace, trying to eat clean and “be the good one.” But let’s be honest: it’s exhausting. That tight grip? That anxious push to make it all work? That’s white-knuckling.

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the habit of white-knuckling—what it is, why we do it, and why it’s not actually helping. You’ll learn the real reason your efforts leave you ti...

Procrastination might not seem dramatic—but it’s quietly draining your peace, cluttering your mind, and robbing you of forward momentum. In part six of The Habit Turnaround series, we’re talking about how to stop putting things off and start showing up with purpose. 

You’ll learn why procrastination isn’t a time issue—it’s a thought pattern—and how to break the habit loop with simple mindset shifts and practical tools. If you’re tir...

This is Part 5 of The Habit Turnaround series, and today we’re talking about quick thrills—the little dopamine hits we chase to avoid discomfort.

Whether it’s snacks, scrolling, shopping, or staying busy, these habits feel good for a moment but keep you stuck long-term. I’ll show you how to break the cycle with the 10 Minute Habit Turnaround so you can stop buffering and start living with intention.

Clarity + Courage is my monthly co...

Withdrawing might seem like the peaceful, “Christian” alternative to conflict—but it’s not. It’s just another sneaky habit that keeps us stuck. Whether you shut down in conversations, avoid emotions, or silently drift from God, today’s episode will help you see the truth behind the habit of pulling away.

In Part 4 of The Habit Turnaround Series, we’ll uncover:

• What withdrawing really looks like in your relationships, spiritual life...

Arguing feels automatic—but it’s actually a habit. One rooted in fear, frustration, and the need to feel in control. In today’s episode, Part 3 of The Habit Turnaround Series, I’ll show you how to interrupt that habit and build a new pattern rooted in clarity, peace, and connection.

You’ll learn:

• Why arguments keep repeating

• What emotional flooding does to your brain

• How to shift from needing to “win” to listening with love

• The ...

Complaining can feel justified—but is it actually helping? In this episode, we explore how complaining becomes an automatic habit, why it keeps us stuck, and what the Bible teaches about a better way forward. Instead of venting frustration, we’ll look at the biblical practice of lament—how to bring our struggles to God in a way that leads to peace, wisdom, and transformation. If you’re ready to break free from negativity and step i...