The Jess Connolly Podcast

Summer is quickly approaching, and we want to enter a new season intentionally. In today’s episode, Jess sits down with her sister, Katie Walters, on how we can do just that, no matter what our life stage looks like. Katie is an entrepreneur and CEO of Francis and Benedict, a mom of 7, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a friend. Hear them share their struggles and excitements regarding summer, and the encouragement that this is your summer to thrive. Maybe this summer feels like a struggle with work and routines, maybe you’re dreading this summer because of how you feel about your body, maybe summer is your favorite season ever and you truly can’t wait. However you’re coming into it, this episode is for you. We encourage you to think intentionally about your summer and as you prep and plan, ask yourself: what can I simplify as I head into a new season? We’re grateful for you and we’re cheering you on as you step into your calling right where you are. You can get the free Summer to Thrive Guide preview here and we’ll even text you throughout the summer to check in to see how you are doing! Don’t miss: Are YOU the girl for this job? Team GATG is looking for interns! We’re equipping and encouraging the next generation of women leaders to step into their God-given mission to go and tell. Applications close Sunday, May 22 and you can apply here! Dig in deeper in the Go + Tell Gals Community! We talk about topics shared on the podcast, we share about our products and exclusive discounts, and really - we just connect women on mission with one another. Join here!

Let’s start this week off with some good news. Listen to this Monday Mini podcast episode for some quick and practical encouragement to kick off your week and ground you in your calling. No matter what this upcoming week brings our way, we can start it off by centering ourselves on the good of others and the glory of God. This episode we are talking about imposter syndrome and will give you some tools to fight it. First things first you’re not an imposter if you don’t act like the expert, if you don’t act like you’re the hero. There is no imposter syndrome for you because you aren’t faking it. 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. These 4 tools will help you fight imposter syndrome: Ask questions. Say sorry when you’re wrong. Bless other people. Don’t pretend, ever. We don’t have to pretend that we have it all together, we don’t have to be the hero because God is the hero. God is righteous.  God is the source of life. And His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) You aren’t an imposter, you are a child of God. So continue to declare His goodness and his glory. God is the hero. See you Thursday.

This month on the Go and Tell Gals podcast, we’re focusing our conversations on motherhood for all. Whether that means literal motherhood or spiritual motherhood, we’re talking about it –  because it’s a huge topic of conversation for women on mission. On this episode, GATG team member Henslee joins Jess to talk about the idea of motherhood and balance. This is kind of THE question around motherhood, so we’re looking at it from two different stages and perspectives of motherhood. This episode is wildly encouraging if you are: caught in the comparison game in regards to your stage of motherhood frustrated by your own pace and/or capacity stuck in a place of striving trying to balance motherhood and mission wanting to support the mothers around you We get to be cheerleaders for those around us and we get to speak life into others, right where we’re at. Look around and assess what you have to give, and for the good of others and the glory of God, and go for it. We’re cheering you on! Don’t miss: The Breaking Free from Body Shame Bible Study is here! We’re ready to worship, to fight, and to see as many women as possible walk in the freedom that is there for the taking so grab your women, open the Bible Study, and let's break free. Dig in deeper in the Go + Tell Gals Community! We talk about topics shared on the podcast, we share about our products and exclusive discounts, and really - we just connect women on mission with one another. Join here!

Let’s start this week off with some good news. Listen to this Monday Mini podcast episode for some quick and practical encouragement to kick off your week and ground you in your calling. No matter what this upcoming week brings our way, we can start it off by centering ourselves on the good of others and the glory of God. Do you ever get caught up in your destiny? Your potential? Wondering how you’ll make a mark or what you’re here for? What if we told you you didn’t have to worry about that any longer, it’s absolutely 100% real that you’re going to change the world. Today.  1 Peter 2:9 says, You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. You change the world when: you walk into work when you love your kids when you greet your neighbors.  You change the world when:  you post on social media  when you drive your car Don’t stress over your positioning, your capacity, your destiny - these are God’s. Seek His face. Acknowledge His power and His presence in the spaces where you show up. You are changing the world.

Welcome to May on the GATG podcast! In honor of Mother’s Day this upcoming weekend, we’re talking with the mother of all mothers – Jess’s mom, Deb Hopper. Jess and Deb talk about Spiritual motherhood, literal motherhood, and more. Deb shares about her calling now and where God has placed her to use her gifts for His glory and for the good of others. This episode is for you if: You’re in a season of abundance in regards to spiritual mothering You’re in a season of searching for spiritual mothering You are a spiritual mother to few or many You enjoy hearing from a mother/daughter duo We hope that this episode excites you for the life seasons still ahead and encourages you to step into your calling right where you’re at, in the current season you’re in. Don’t miss: Dig in deeper in the Go + Tell Gals Community! We talk about topics shared on the podcast, we share about our products and exclusive discounts, and really - we just connect women on mission with one another. Join here!

Let’s start this week off with some good news. Listen to this Monday Mini podcast episode for some quick and practical encouragement to kick off your week and ground you in your calling. No matter what this upcoming week brings our way, we can start it off by centering ourselves on the good of others and the glory of God. For this Monday, this week, this year, this life you just might need the reminder that just because it's hard, doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. Or that you’re in the wrong spot. Or that you are a failure. Remind yourself that everything that’s worth doing is hard and here are some prompts you can run through when it does feel really hard: It could be hard because you need help. It could be hard because of spiritual warfare. It could be hard because you need rest. It could be hard because you need a shift in how you’re doing it. It could be hard just because it’s hard. We’d encourage you today to keep stewarding your God-given gifts. Keep stepping out in obedience. Continue on with this hope: “And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Luke 1:45 He is leading you. He will fulfill every promise He has made to you. This reminder is simple, but it's everything: keep going. See you Thursday!

As April comes to a close, we’re wrapping up this month’s conversions on being in the world with a conversation on being present right where we’re at. This episode with our friend Jeanne Stevens shares about her experience of both living in the past and rehearsing the future – and how neither helps us find abundance in the here and now God has given us. If you’ve ever missed out on living in the present because of worry, shame, or guilt, this episode is for you. (And so is Jeanne’s new book, What’s Here Now, launching May 17th!) Also on this episode, Jess interviews Cecilia Anyango with Compassion International. Cecilia was chosen as a child to be sponsored with Compassion and her life was changed because of it. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, you can do that here! Don’t miss: Dig in deeper in the Go + Tell Gals Community! We talk about topics shared on the podcast, we share about our products and exclusive discounts, and really - we just connect women on mission with one another. Join here!

Let’s start this week off with some good news. Listen to this Monday Mini podcast episode for some quick and practical encouragement to kick off your week and ground you in your calling. No matter what this upcoming week brings our way, we can start it off centering ourselves on the good of others and the glory of God. We’ve been telling you our story behind the name of Go and Tell Gals and the commissioning of Jesus to go and tell. While we all are commissioned to go and tell, first you have to come and see. But how? What rhythms help us come and see Jesus in our lives? We encourage you to reflect in these ways: Come and see the fruit He’s grown. Come and see the vision. Come and see the character of God. Come and see who you are when it’s quiet. Come and see what God is doing in the lives of others. Come and see to go and tell! We pray peace and blessings over you as you go throughout your week! We’ll see you Thursday!

This month, we’re centering our conversations around being in the world and evangelism. In this episode, Jess sits down with her friend Mimi Striplin, owner of The Tiny Tassel, a jewelry, clothing, and accessory brand located here in Charleston, SC. Mimi is a kingdom-minded woman who stepped into her calling as a businesswoman and shop owner for the good of others and the glory of God. In this episode, she shares with you her personal story of getting started and where she is now. While she cultivates a culture of joyfulness in her shop, she also spends time coaching other business owners and teams. If you’re a woman living out your calling, Mimi shares encouragement to: Believe in what you are doing Be confident in your work Validate your calling We hope this episode encourages you to live out your calling, wherever that is, knowing that you are placed right where you’re at on purpose – for the good of others and the glory of God. Don’t miss: Dig in deeper in the Go + Tell Gals Community! We talk about topics shared on the podcast, we share about our products and exclusive discounts, and really - we just connect women on mission with one another. Join here!

What do you do this Monday morning if you don’t feel free? What do you do this Monday morning if you don’t feel brave? If you don’t feel like you’re making a difference? If you don’t feel like a leader? I know that I’m free because Jesus did the work to make me so, but I don’t feel free - so I act like I’m still in bondage rather than living free. I’m talking about freedom a lot lately, I can’t get enough. But here’s the deal - I think we often first have to know how and why we’re  free, and THEN the feelings come. But it takes patience, faith, and perseverance to press in past the not-so-free feelings. Like Romans 12:2 tells us - the renewing of our mind will transform us. So what do we do with our feelings in the meantime? I’m so glad you asked: we give them to God and talk to Him about them. He doesn’t want us to stuff them or hide them; He’s eager and ready to encourage our hearts. If you are in Christ, you have been set free. If you don't feel free - that's ok. You’re in the right spot, and no matter what: freedom is for you. Make space for your feelings, but make moves and actions that agree with the truth about your life, the feeling comes later. But it does come.