The Jess Connolly Podcast

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.

This month, we’re centering our conversations around being in the world and evangelism. In this episode, falling on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week, Jess is telling the story of Go + Tell Gals – we think for the very first time publicly! You’ll hear Jess share from John 20, the commissioning of our resurrected Jesus to Mary Magdalene to Go and Tell – and how that pertains to you today. If you’re a woman going after God right where you’re at, then this episode is for you. You are, we are, the women of the resurrection. We’re called to go and tell. 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!

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. Do you ever feel like your life is a mess? One of Jess’ favorite verses is about oxen, ‘“Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but increase comes by the strength of an ox.” Proverbs 14:4. it essentially says: your stable is clean when there’s not a lot going on, but to see a strong harvest - you’re going to have a messy space. So we will ask you again, do you feel like your life is a mess? A lot of times and a lot of days we get to have the option to have a tidy life or a fruitful one. We get to choose to spend our days using our gifts for the good of others and the glory of God which doesn’t always look as tidy as we hoped. For a life of abundant mission, you should expect a bit of a mess. And we get to expect that God is bringing harvest and He is bringing fruit. We’d encourage you as you start your week, to throw off the feeling of shame or frustration and put your eyes on the hope of harvest. We give you the gift of Proverbs 14:4 and the reminder that God has placed you where you’re at on purpose. And we give you the gift of this question: Do you want a tidy life or a fruitful one? We pray peace and blessings over you as you go throughout your week! We’ll see you Thursday!

Welcome to April on the GATG podcast! This month, we’re centering our conversations around being in the world and evangelism. We’re kicking things off with a fun conversation between Jess and Anna, Director of GATG, about Christian clichés. This episode is both funny and insightful, going behind the scenes of commonly used Christian clichés. We give our candid opinion and share potential biblical meaning of phrases like: Doing life together Everything happens for a reason Fearless leader God won’t give you more than you can handle Getting ahead of God Choose joy I feel stuck We hope this episode makes you laugh, but more than that, makes you think a little bit deeper about the words we use everyday. Think we missed some? Share the Christian clichés you hear often with us! PS: Check out the Go + Tell Gals Community! Have you joined our community Facebook group? We dive deeper into 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. You can hear from God. Let’s turn to Genesis: Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 Satan was placing doubt in Eve’s mind about God, but also – about her capacity to hear from Him. What if fear and insecurity are keeping us from declaring what we’re hearing God say? Here are 3 questions to ask to discern if you’re hearing from God: Does it line up with scripture? Is it good for other people? Does it bring God glory? And, it can be wildly freeing when you realize that you actually cannot avoid getting it wrong. Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22-MSG God wants to talk to you, through you. You can be humble without speaking doubt + disbelief. He is mighty in you. We’ll see you Thursday!

This is our last conversation of March, which has been centered around running our race. This week, while Jess is out of town, you get to hear from the other members of Team Go + Tell Gals! In this episode, you’ll hear about how each of us got started out in our roles, our favorite (and hardest) parts of what we all do here at Go + Tell Gals, what keeps each of us running our race, and one thing we’d say to each of you to encourage you as you go. If you’ve listened to this series and wondered what running your own race looks like, and even asked if it’s okay if it looks different than someone else’s – this episode is for you. Anna, Henslee, Caroline, and Emily candidly share what running each of their races looks like, and we hope that you’re encouraged by how different their answers are. We pray this episode encourages you to keep going in whatever God has called you to. You were placed right where you’re at, running the race you’re in, on purpose. God is mighty in you and your mission. Don’t miss: FREE ‘RUN YOUR RACE’ GUIDE: Download our free guide to encourage you to keep going while you run your own race, whatever that looks like for you. GO + TELL GALS COMMUNITY: Have you joined our community Facebook group? We dive deeper into 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. Last week we talked about our weaknesses. Today, we’re going to talk about our strengths. We’ve noticed that women (ourselves included) are hesitant to name and stand in our strengths. We’ve been conditioned to be scared of our God-given strength. But – God isn’t afraid of making us strong. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31 You have inherent strength, if by grace through faith you walk with God. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is alive and at work in and through you. We’ve confused glorifying God for the strengths He’s given us with pride – and nothing could be further from the truth. We’re not prideful for giving glory to the One who gave us our strengths. By failing to acknowledge areas where He has strengthened us, we’re missing out on claiming some healing and hope for our own lives AND missing out on serving others by using that strength for good. You don’t have to live in the narrative that you are a victim and life is happening to you. Life is hard. Eternity is real. The kingdom of heaven is on your side and in Jesus’ name, you are strong. God is mighty in you – and we mean that. We’ll see you Thursday!

This month, our conversations on the podcast have been centered around the idea of Running our Race. That continues this week, as Jess sits down with Nicole Zasowski to talk about how we can create a rhythm of celebration in our lives. In her latest book, What if it’s Wonderful?, Nicole speaks into the act of celebrating while running our race and what it means to celebrate no matter the season. This episode is for you if you’ve ever wondered: Am I celebrating my steps along the way? Who or what am I celebrating today? How can I celebrate, even when I don’t feel like it? What would an ongoing, consistent rhythm of celebration look like in my life? We pray this episode (and the rest of this series) encourages you to keep going in whatever God has called you to. You were placed right where you’re at, running the race you’re in, on purpose. God is mighty in you and your mission. Also in this episode: GO TEAMS: Have you heard about Go Teams? In this episode, you’ll hear from some of our past Go Teams gals: Liz Cox, Ogy Tayo, Liz LaVoie, and Nicci Morelli, on how Go Teams equipped and encouraged them to take their next steps. Go Teams are open for registration now, for the only time in 2022. Learn more or join at this link, and don’t forget to use the code ONYOURTEAM for $100 off your registration! Don’t miss: FREE ‘RUN YOUR RACE’ GUIDE: Download our free guide to encourage you to keep going while you run your own race, whatever that looks like for you. GO + TELL GALS COMMUNITY: Have you joined our community Facebook group? We dive deeper into 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. Here’s the deal, right off the bat: your weakness is not a liability. How can we know? Let’s turn to 2 Corinthians 12:9. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. Here are some questions to ask when you feel tempted to hide or discount your weaknesses: Is this a kingdom weakness or a cultural weakness? What is God building in you through this weakness? Is there a big picture, and how can you trust in that? Owning your weaknesses takes power away from the enemy and gives it to God. Confessing your weaknesses brings the refreshment that many of us are desperate for. Refusing to apologize for kingdom strengths that may be cultural weaknesses helps you – and every woman around you. Wherever you feel weak right now, God is not surprised or taken aback. God is mighty in you and your weaknesses are not a liability. We’ll see you Thursday!

We're continuing on our podcast series about running our race with a conversation with Bob Goff all about staying the course of what God has called us to without distractions. Bob is known for balloons, life-changing books, and publicly sharing his phone number. In this conversation, Jess and Bob talk about the latter two and what exactly living undistracted means in regard to our mission. If you ever wonder: How to live undistracted as a hardworking, multitasking woman of mission What living undistracted may cost us How comparison distracts us What are some practical strategies for living undistracted …then this episode is for you. We pray this episode (and the rest of this series) encourages you to keep going in whatever God has called you to. You were placed right where you’re at, running the race you’re in, on purpose. God is mighty in you and your mission. Also in this episode: Books by Bob: Undistracted (just released!) | Dream Big | Love Does | Everybody Always CALL-IN COACHING: Don’t miss this call-in coaching segment that gives real-life, practical advice for multi-missional women who REALLY feel distracted. Jess coaches Go and Tell Gals coach, Heather Gage, on how she can implement strategies to live life less distracted. We love a practical strategy, and this podcast segment gives just that! Abide, the #1 Christian meditation app. Get started now with 25% off a premium subscription by downloading the Abide app at abide.co/gals. You’ll get additional stories and meditations, premium music, soothing sounds, and more. GO TEAMS: Have you heard about Go Teams? If you want to start a podcast, write a book, teach the Bible, or start a small business, then our group coaching program Go Teams is for you. The waitlist is open now – join here for a discount and first chance to register! Don’t miss: FREE ‘RUN YOUR RACE’ GUIDE: Download our free guide to encourage you to keep going while you run your own race, whatever that looks like for you. GO + TELL GALS COMMUNITY: Have you joined our community Facebook group? We dive deeper into 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!