The Happiest Lives Podcast

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...

Most of our habits aren’t intentional—we just fall into them. But what if the habits shaping your life aren’t actually serving you? In this episode, we’re diving into The Habit Turnaround—how to recognize unhelpful patterns, understand why they stick, and intentionally create habits that align with the life God is calling you to.

We’ll break down the Habit Loop, uncover the sneaky rewards keeping bad habits in place, and explore wha...

In this episode, we’re wrapping up our Genesis Takeaway series with a powerful reflection on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. At first glance, it’s a story of judgment, but when we slow down and look deeper, it reveals profound lessons about hesitation, obedience, and trust.

Are you struggling to move forward in faith? Do you find yourself looking back at what’s familiar, even when you know God is calling you into something new? Tod...

In this special 100th episode of The Happiest Lives Podcast, Jill Lillard dives into the lessons of waiting from the first 25 chapters of Genesis. She explores how God uses waiting as a powerful, active process that binds our hearts to His. Jill shares how waiting isn’t passive, but a season of building faith, patience, and trust. Using the stories of Noah and Abraham, she reflects on how waiting strengthens us and prepares us for ...

In this episode, Jill Lillard dives into the messy side of relationships through her study of Genesis. She shares how God continues to work even in our mistakes to bring about his purposes, urging us to shift our focus from who’s right and who’s wrong to how God is working and what he is calling us to do. With practical questions and biblical wisdom, Jill helps you see how God’s redemptive work can transform your heart and relation...

Ever feel like you—or others—need to be perfect? In this episode, Jill explores how Genesis reveals the beauty of God’s grace amid human weakness. From Adam and Eve’s fall to Cain’s destructive choices, see how God’s promises remain steady, even when we fall short. Tune in and be reminded that His strength meets you right where you are.

Check out all my resources and ways to work together at www.thehappiestlives.com. 

Discover w...

This week, we begin a new series, Genesis Takeaways, where Jill shares what God has revealed to her in the first 25 chapters of Genesis. In this episode, she explores the beauty of God’s covenant, the patterns of human weakness, and how His faithfulness remains steadfast. From Adam and Eve to Abraham and Sarah, discover how God’s love story has been unfolding since the very beginning.

Check out all my resources and ways to work toge...

In this episode of The Happiest Lives Podcast, Jill Lillard wraps up the month’s series on Spirit-Led Planning and Execution by exploring how to be a finisher. She reveals why we lose momentum on our goals and the role of the prefrontal cortex in follow-through. She shares ten practical strategies to overcome obstacles and finish strong. Discover how perseverance, accountability, and trusting God’s guidance can help you achieve you...