The Jess Connolly Podcast

I don’t think you’re lazy. I just think you might be scared.In this episode of Showing Up Scared, Jess sits down with author Jon Acuff to talk about procrastination, fear, and what’s really happening when we feel completely stuck. Jon’s work reframes procrastination as a learned coping mechanism rather than a character flaw - which means beating yourself up might not be the thing that finally gets you moving.Together, Jess and Jon unpack the fears hiding underneath procrastination, the difference between rest and avoidance, and how small actions can help us move again without waiting to feel completely confident or ready. If you’ve been staring at the same dream, decision, project, or next step for months, wondering what is wrong with you, this conversation offers a different question: What if you’re not lazy? What if you’re scared?

Have you ever felt like theology was for other people? In this episode of Showing Up Scared, Jess sits down with Bible teacher, author, and theologian Lisa Harper to talk about why theology isn’t meant to intimidate us - it’s meant to draw us closer to Jesus.Together they explore what happens when women stop believing they’re unqualified to think deeply about God. Jess shares part of her own journey from experiencing theological spaces marked by pride and exclusion to pursuing a master’s degree in biblical studies herself—a journey Lisa personally helped inspire. This conversation is an invitation to discover theology that produces humility instead of pride, confidence instead of intimidation, and ultimately a deeper love for Jesus.

What if the reason you struggle to rest isn’t that you don’t know how, but because you’re actually scared to?In the first episode of Showing Up Scared, Jess Connolly is kicking off the season by talking about a fear many of us don’t realize we’re carrying: the fear of rest. What does rest say about us? What might we have to face when things get quiet? And what happens when we stop striving long enough to trust that God can keep holding everything together without us?Jess walks through some of the fears underneath our resistance to rest. From the fear of what other people think to the fear of ourselves, losing control, and even trusting God, she unpacks why naming our fears is such an important first step toward courage.Rest is trust. And sometimes, choosing to rest is one of the bravest things we can do.

The Church is full of women ready to lead, and Jess believes it's time to actually equip them. In episode three of our Women + The Church summer series, she's getting into the equipping gap: what it is, why it matters, and how to close it.Jess sits down solo this week to name something she's seen over and over again, coaching women for the last six years: women are trusted with real leadership, but never actually trained for it. She walks through the five pillars that Go and Tell Gals is building its work around, and shares how the shift from coaching certification to leadership certification will help equip the women who need it most.It's an honest look at the gap, an invitation to be part of the solution, and a look at how we can partner in this good work together.Let's go.Resources & Links We need YOUR help. Join the Founder's Circle for our non-profit: Support the ministry of Go and Tell Gals.You're called. Now it's time to get equipped. The Go + Tell Gals Leadership Certification trains Kingdom women in the 5 Pillars of Genuine & Effective Leadership. Learn more and get on the waitlist here.

This summer, we're diving into one of the most requested conversations we've ever had.In Part 1 of this four-part series on Women in the Church, Jess and Nick share their journey. From the churches that shaped them to seasons of confusion, wrestling, and healing to the convictions they hold today.This isn't an episode meant to convince anyone or argue a position. It's an honest conversation about following Jesus, loving His Church, taking Scripture seriously, and learning to walk faithfully in the calling God gives each of us.Whether you've wrestled with these questions for years or have never really thought about them before, we hope this conversation encourages you to pursue truth with humility, grace, and courage.Let’s go.Resources & Links:We need YOUR help. Join the Founder's Circle for our non-profit: Support the ministry of Go and Tell Gals.

Not all peace is real peace. Today, Jess sits down with pastor and author Pricelis Dominguez to talk about the kind of “peace" that avoids tension, discourages questions, and keeps everyone the same, as well as the kind of unity that actually reflects the heart of God. This one will stretch you in the best way. Let’s go.Don’t Miss:Preorder Pricelis Dominguez’s new book, False Peace, and dive deeper into today’s conversation about comfort, unity, and the kind of peace that actually changes us.Download the False Peace Inventory Guide, a short reflection resource to help you recognize where you may have settled for comfort instead of true unity.Grab Jess’s favorite bedding and loungewear from Cozy Earth. Head to cozyearth.com and use the code JESS for up to 20% off! And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth here.Preorder Jess’s Book: You Can’t Be Brave Until You’re ScaredJoin us at Brave 2026! A two-day gathering for Kingdom women in Charleston, SC Grab your ticket!

Jess sits down with counselor and author Debra Fileta to talk about her newest book, People Skills, and what it looks like to build healthier, more peaceful relationships. From emotional triggers to communication habits, this honest conversation will help you grow in self-awareness and change the way you show up, so you can experience more peace in every relationship.Let’s go.Don’t Miss:Order Debra Fileta’s Book, People Skills. Grab Jess’s favorite bedding and loungewear from Cozy Earth. Head to cozyearth.com and use the code JESS for up to 20% off! And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth here.Preorder Jess’s Book: You Can’t Be Brave Until You’re ScaredJoin us at Brave 2026! A two-day gathering for Kingdom women in Charleston, SC Grab your ticket!Jess partnered with the Dwell Audio Bible App to create a 5-day devotional, Mothering as a Daughter of God, to help you be filled, held, and rooted in His love. Listen now at dwellbible.com/jess for up to 50% off.

We talk about peace a lot. But what does it actually look like to live with it?In this conversation, Jess sits down with pastor and author Alex Seeley to talk about her newest book, The Divine Counselor, and what it looks like to truly walk with the Holy Spirit as our counselor, companion, and constant guide.Let’s go.Don’t Miss:Order Alex Seeleys Book, The Divine Counselor.Grab Jess’s favorite bedding and loungewear from Cozy Earth. Head to cozyearth.com and use the code JESS for up to 20% off! And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth here.Preorder Jess’s Book: You Can’t Be Brave Until You’re ScaredJoin us at Brave 2026! A two-day gathering for Kingdom women in Charleston, SC Grab your ticket!

We say we want peace. We pray for it. We look for it. We try to build lives that might finally give it to us.But if we’re honest? Peace can feel just out of reach.This week in Shalom Season, Jess sits down with theologian and friend Dr. Joel Muddamalle to talk about something we don’t often connect with peace, but should: spiritual warfare.Together, they explore how the unseen battle impacts our everyday lives, our fears, and our ability to live in true, lasting shalom.Don’t Miss:Enjoy luxury bedding and loungewear from Cozy Earth. Head to cozyearth.com and use the code JESS for up to 20% off! And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth here.Order Dr. Joel Muddamalle’s book, The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers. Preorder Jess’s upcoming book, You Can’t Be Brave Until You’re Scared, and then follow the directions to receive a special discount to join us at Brave 2026.

We’re back! The Jess Connolly Podcast is kicking off a brand new season, and this time, you can watch along too. That’s right, the podcast is now available on video as well as audio, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.Welcome to Shalom Season.In this first episode, Jess introduces the heart of the season and explores the deeper meaning of biblical peace… shalom. While the world often defines peace as comfort or the absence of conflict, the Bible describes something far richer: wholeness, restoration, and right relationship with God.If you’ve been longing for more peace in your mind, body, relationships, or everyday life, this episode lays the foundation for the conversations ahead.Throughout Shalom Season, we’ll explore what it looks like to experience God’s peace in our homes, marriages, motherhood, community, and more.Follow along and subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode this season.Let’s go.Don’t Miss:Enjoy luxury bedding and loungewear from Cozy Earth. Head to cozyearth.com and use the code JESS for up to 20% off! And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth here.Spend time in Scripture this Lent with Dwell, the audio Bible app designed to help you listen to and meditate on God’s Word. You can head to dwellbible.com/jess for up to 50% off your subscription.Preorder Jess’s upcoming book, You Can’t Be Brave Until You’re Scared, and then follow the directions to receive a special discount to join us at Brave 2026.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, body image, and fertility loss. Please listen with care.In this double-feature episode, Jess talks with Jordan Lee Dooley about her new book Be Good to Your Body, a biblical and sustainable vision for caring for the body without obsession or shame. Then she sits down with Erica Gwynn, author of That’s Just Not True, to expose the subtle lies women believe and replace them with God’s unchanging truth. Two timely books, one powerful conversation.Let’s go.Don’t Miss:Grab Be Good to Your Body and That’s Just Not True for a powerful pair of books that will reshape how you see your body, your health, and the truth you live by.⁠Signed books on sale 📚Interested in having Jess come to speak at your event? Book Jess today!Connect further with Jess:https://jessconnolly.com | Instagram | [email protected]

Today, Jess is joined by her daughter, Glory, to walk through James 4 & 5 and talk about studying Scripture in real life. They share simple ways to stay rooted in the Word, surrender our plans to God, and trust Him with what’s ahead, even in busy or changing seasons.In This Episode: • Simple Bible study tools • Holding plans with open hands • Money, desire, and trust in James 4-5Let’s go.Don’t Miss:This fall, let Scripture move with you! Listen on the go with the Dwell Bible App and save 25% on a one-year or 50% on a lifetime subscription: www.dwellapp.io/jess.What Comes Next is out now, and you’re invited to join our next 40 Days Reading Group! We’ll read through the book together, share prayers and prompts, and encourage one another along the way. This starts Monday, November 10th. Grab a copy, join us, and take steps toward what comes next! Join the group here.So many of you asked how to love on Glory as she heads to college (😭), here’s her dorm wishlist if you’d like to bless her! Interested in having Jess come to speak at your event? Book Jess today!Connect further with Jess:https://jessconnolly.com | Instagram | [email protected]

What does it look like to walk wisely through Halloween? Jess shares how to honor God, love your neighbors, and stand firm in the truth that darkness is real, but already defeated.Let’s go. Don’t Miss:Jess’s newest book, What Comes Next, is now out!Interested in having Jess come to speak at your event? Book Jess today!Connect further with Jess:https://jessconnolly.com | Instagram | [email protected]