For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast

Description: We’re revisiting one of our most-loved conversations from this show—an exploration of how transformation takes shape in our lives and how we can bravely meet it, even when it’s terrifying. In this encore episode, we look back on Jen’s conversation with poet and community-builder Joy Sullivan, whose own “chosen change” became a leap toward more sanity, more love, and more joy. After years of living according to scripts written by others, Joy found herself standing at a crossroads, feeling the pull of something deeper and more true. What followed was a radical leap into the unknown—a move that reshaped her life, her faith, and her art, including her book ‘Instructions for Traveling West’ – a collection for anyone flinging themselves into their own fresh starts. Together, she and Jen talk about the “incremental scoots” we make before the big leap, the beauty and ache of reinvention, and how stillness can become a sacred space for clarity. Joy shares her story of walking into the unknown and learning to trust her intuition along the way. In this episode, we reflect on: The difference between a change that happens to us and one we choose Embracing loneliness and stillness as paths to self-discovery Lessons that taught Joy to love herself more deeply Why poetry gives language to what we cannot say aloud If you’re feeling the pull toward something new but uncertain, this encore offers a gentle reminder that change—though often uncomfortable—is where our truest selves begin to emerge. Thought-provoking Quotes: "If the birds know how to migrate, if bears know when to hibernate, if nature knows when to move forward, it doesn't make any sense for us to not know that also." – Joy Sullivan "It's so important to listen and to follow the rhythms that we're pulled to even if we don't know what we're leaping towards." – Amy Hardin “First you must realize you're homesick for all the lives you're not living. Then you must commit to the road and the rising loneliness.” – Joy Sullivan “You have to be careful what you write down—it performs this kind of beautiful, terrifying magic.” – Joy Sullivan “Don’t compare yourself to someone who’s mid-leap. There were probably a lot of scoots to the edge before they launched.” – Joy Sullivan “You don’t have to get the leap right every time. You just have to be willing to innovate midair.” – Joy Sullivan “I had coded into my psyche what it meant to be a good woman. When I fractured those stories, my life expanded into possibility.” – Joy Sullivan “If I take crumbs and call it a meal, if I stay in rooms where I’m not called beloved, then I’m in a cage of my own making.” – Joy Sullivan Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Flinging Ourselves Into Fresh Starts ft. Joy Sullivan – https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-61/flinging-ourselves-into-fresh-starts-ft-joy-sullivan/ Sustenance ((A Community of Poets and Writers founded by Joy Sullivan) - https://joysullivanpoet.com/sustenance Necessary Salt (Joy Sullivan’s Substack Blog) - https://joysullivan.substack.com/ Instructions For Traveling West: Poems by Joy Sullivan - https://amzn.to/4qZTZ7l Guest’s Links: Website - https://joysullivanpoet.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joysullivanpoet/ Twitter - https://x.com/Joy_E_Sullivan Substack - https://joysullivan.substack.com/ Connect with Jen!Jen’s Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/ Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/ Jen’s Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker The For the Love Podcast is presented by Audacy. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tembi Locke, an accomplished author and producer best known for her memoir 'From Scratch,' discusses her latest audio project, 'Someday, Now.' She explores the challenges of motherhood and midlife, reflecting on her emotional journey as she prepares to send her daughter to college. Tembi delves into the significance of Sicily in her healing process, sharing insights on grief, re-nesting, and reconnecting with oneself. With poignant anecdotes, she highlights the importance of community and intentionality in our daily lives.

Jen Hatmaker sits down with Lauren Wein, the Vice President and Editorial Director at Avid Reader Press, who helped bring Jen's book 'Awake' to life. They discuss trusting your intuition in the writing process, the delicate balance between authenticity and privacy in memoir-writing, and the satisfaction of editorial collaboration. Jen shares the transformative advice of 'Don't save anything for the swim home,' emphasizing risk in storytelling. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey and the intimate power of narrative.

In a deeply moving conversation, singer-songwriter Justin McRoberts and visual artist Scott Erickson explore the intersections of creativity, faith, and depression. Both co-authors of 'In the Low', they share personal experiences with mental health and how art can act as a companion in dark times. Key topics include the importance of identity separate from depression, the process of writing prayers, and how creating can help navigate grief. They offer hope and comfort for anyone facing life's isolating lows, reminding us that there is treasure in the struggle.

Kendra Adachi, the clever mind behind The Lazy Genius, specializes in practical and permission-based productivity strategies. In this discussion, she highlights the importance of distinguishing between activities that energize you and those that replenish you. Kendra dives into the concept of the seven types of rest, emphasizing that true restoration goes beyond mere breaks. She passionately advocates for integration over sheer productivity, encouraging listeners to focus on what makes them feel genuinely themselves. It's a refreshing take on simplifying life and prioritizing joy!

Join witty comedian and broadcaster John Fugelsang as he dives into the heart of modern Christianity. With sharp insights, he challenges the dominance of political Christianity, advocating for a return to Jesus's core message of love. John discusses his book, 'Separation of Church and Hate,' revealing the hypocrisy within some church communities. He also shares practical advice for countering fundamentalist arguments and critiques Christian nationalism, urging listeners to embrace spirituality without the baggage of hate.

Description: For a special treat this week, we’re bringing you some highlights straight from Jen’s recent Awake book tour in a limited series we’ve dubbed “Road Trippin’ with Jen”.  Every tour stop, audience, and special guest brought its own kind of magic, so we’re excited to share some of the best moments with you here on the podcast. On this Road Trippin’ stop, Jen shares the stage with two powerhouses. In Houston, board-certified OBGYN and best-selling author, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, shares her journey and insights into women's health, particularly around menopause and midlife. She unpacks our burning questions—why brain fog shows up before periods change, why sleep matters, and how a “menopause toolkit” can set us up for strength, longevity, and joy. This conversation delves into the complexities of menopause, the importance of nutrition, sleep, and movement, and the power of community and connection.  Together we learn how to thrive in mind, body, and spirit during this transformative phase of life. Then we head to the Music City of Nashville, where comedian and truth-teller Heather Land talks about using humor to survive whatever garbage life throws at us, pivoting careers in midlife, and choosing honesty as a way to create belonging. Heather reminds us that laughter can be holy too, and when every other thing fails, humor has a way of breaking us open just enough to let the light in. Tune in for an evening that was equal parts comedy set, revival, and group therapy. … Thought-provoking Quotes: Perimenopause brain changes show up well before your periods go sideways.” — Dr. Mary Claire “Strength training is non-negotiable if you want to keep bone and muscle.” — Dr. Mary Claire “If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry—and sometimes the laughing saves you.” — Heather Land “Honesty is freedom. If people don’t like it, that’s on them.” — Heather Land “Staying awake isn’t just serious business—it’s about finding delight in unexpected places.” — Jen Hatmaker Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Ultimate Menopause Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3WkYsDo The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Dr. Mary Claire Haver - https://amzn.to/4qBg8bU For the Love Episode 21: Series 64 - Reinventing Yourself with Heather Land - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/reinventing-yourself-with-heather-land/ Dr. Mary Claire Haver — Board-certified OB-GYN, bestselling author, leading voice on perimenopause/menopause care, and educator advocating science-based, compassionate treatment for women in midlife and beyond. Heather Land — Comedian, writer, and speaker whose viral wit opened the door to deeper storytelling. Known for pairing humor with honesty about faith, family, recovery, and midlife reinvention. Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s  Links: Website - https://thepauselife.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drmaryclaire/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@drmaryclaire TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@drmaryclaire Substack - https://drmaryclairehaver.substack.com/ Podcast - https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-unpaused-podcast Heather Land’s Links: Website - https://www.heatherlandofficial.com/ Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/heatherland_iaintdoinit Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/iaintdoinit/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4omp2klYLTOqqY56j-8Ag TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherlandofficial Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/1c9HiacYhJDBWa2UneL7Ae?si=19c9414ec4f74953 Connect with Jen!Jen’s Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/ Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/ Jen’s Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker The For the Love Podcast is presented by Audacy.  Meet the guests To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Elise Loehnen, writer and author of "On Our Best Behavior," dives into the cultural conditioning of women and the patriarchy's impact on behavior expectations. She explores how the seven deadly sins have been weaponized to police women's actions, pushing them towards 'goodness' while men pursue power. Elise discusses the dangers of female envy and internalized policing, the societal implications of male privilege, and the importance of disruption for future generations. Her insights on changing narratives offer a hopeful path toward compassion.

Hilary Jacobs Hendel, a psychotherapist and emotions educator, dives into the emotional landscape of parenting. She introduces the Change Triangle model, emphasizing the importance of understanding core emotions to foster calmer family interactions. Hilary discusses how open-hearted parenting can transform responses to children's behavior. She highlights the significance of self-awareness and repairing after emotional outbursts, reminding us that tending to our emotions isn't selfish—it's crucial for nurturing healthier future generations.

Description: In this moving episode, listeners share their own tender and personal stories inspired by Jen's bestselling book, "Awake," which debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list. The touching and heartrending voicemails coming in from readers of “Awake” highlight our yearning to build our lives on solid foundations, our propensity to reach for community and friendship, and the shared human experience we feel around suffering and pain. In this deeply emotional episode, listeners recount overcoming stories of adversity and finding hope, often describing "Awake" as a "life raft" during their own challenging times and Jen gets to hear the profound impact that “Awake” is having on readers everywhere. Tune in for an inspiring journey through the voices of those touched by "Awake." Thought-provoking Quotes: “These listener voicemail episodes are so resonant. I love them. Y'all always say the truest, most beautiful, hardest things. Honestly, I'm always grateful for your courage to come on this show and say your thing out loud.” – Jen Hatmaker “I didn’t know Jen was about to curl up in my cave and hold me close. I didn’t know her story, which I expected to be irrelevant to mine, would tell me that I am okay, normal, and I won’t stay this way.” – Anonymous reader/listener “The best teachers don’t tell, they show. Although you say this book is not prescriptive and you’re not telling us what to do, you’ve shown us how to live a life and get through hard things with integrity, honesty, discretion, and strength. You’ve shown us how to take responsibility and ownership of our own shit. Your friends have shown us how to show up fully and unconditionally. Beautiful examples of love and friendship. Your family has shown us how to be there as an unwavering and loving presence to get through their hardest things.” Reader/listener, Denise “My life broke apart too and thankfully I had friendships to fall back on. It wasn’t a thing where I was grateful in hindsight. I was able to be grateful for it in the moment, which is not typically how stories unfold.” – Anonymous reader/listener Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Awake: A Memoir by Jen Hatmaker - https://amzn.to/3KDAalt 107 Days by Kamala Harris - https://amzn.to/47aZ6tb Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey - https://amzn.to/473gy1Q Fierce, Free and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker - https://amzn.to/48jrtXg Emily P. Freeman Podcast episode 374: Tell the Whole Truth with Jen Hatmaker - https://emilypfreeman.com/podcast/374/ For the Love Podcast: A Lantern for Others in Dark Spaces: Jen Hatmaker on Sharing Her Most Tender Story - https://jenhatmaker.com/podcasts/series-64/a-lantern-for-others-in-dark-spaces-jen-hatmaker-on-sharing-her-most-tender-story/ 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker - https://amzn.to/4mTSzrM Connect with Jen!Jen’s Website - https://jenhatmaker.com/ Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmakerJen’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/jenHatmaker/ Jen’s Facebook - https://facebook.com/jenhatmakerJen’s YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JenHatmaker The For the Love Podcast is presented by Audacy.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices