Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust, Pt. 1 | Episode 280

*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! “Mom, don’t be foolish. He’s just going to do this again.”Broken trust affects more than just your spouse. There’s a ripple effect that goes out and changes every relationship, from your children to your relatives, close friendships, and even neighbors.We know that, when recovering from infidelity and broken trust, it can be difficult to know how to start mending the fractures that the betrayal has caused within your social circle. That’s why, in this conversation, we will be giving you a structure you can follow to start repairing those relationships that have been damaged. This is part three in our four-part series, Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust. If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to go back and listen to parts one and two here.As you pursue reconciliation, it doesn’t happen all at once. It may take weeks, months, or even years to fully restore all the relationships that have been damaged. However, it’s imperative that you start with your spouse, then your children, and then move out to the “outer circles.”In this episode, you’ll hear:A blueprint for where reconciliation should beginWhat it means to have a “safe conversation”Advice for the spouse who still thinks about their affair partnerAnd more!As we continue in this series, we hope it is an encouragement and resource for anyone who is navigating reconciliation!No More Perfect Marriages: https://amzn.to/4bLuwZZMy Heart is Broken: https://amzn.to/3YQZA32I Really Messed Up: https://amzn.to/4sJ81LgFind resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/recovering-from-infidelity-282Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! We love finding new ways to connect with you, and we hope you enjoy the added experience of watching along as you listen.Have you ever thought:I don’t love my spouse anymore. Marriage should be easier than this. My spouse doesn’t care about me.If so, you are not alone. When relationships become rocky, it’s easy for lies like these to consume our minds.Before someone seriously considers leaving their marriage or cheating on their spouse, there is first a battle in their mind. In our own marriage crisis, Mark thought and believed similar things, which eventually led to him stepping out and leaving our marriage.What we see every day as marriage coaches is that the same thoughts that nearly destroyed our marriage are destroying marriages all over the world. That’s why, in this conversation, we are continuing our Recovering from Infidelity and Broken Trust series. In case you missed it, you can head back and listen to part one here.In this episode, you’ll hear:Some of the lies that drive people to consider leaving their marriageWhy our issues will always follow us to a new relationshipThe essentials of breaking off an affairOur personal story navigating infidelityAnd more!If this topic hit home and you want something practical to dig into, we’ve written three books we want to share with you:No More Perfect Marriages: https://amzn.to/4bLuwZZMy Heart is Broken: https://amzn.to/3YQZA32I Really Messed Up: https://amzn.to/4sJ81LgFind resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/recovering-from-infidelity-281Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

*Note from Mark and Jill: We’re so glad to share that the No More Perfect Podcast is now available on YouTube! We love finding new ways to connect with you, and we hope you enjoy the added experience of watching along as you listen.“Yes, I’m having an affair, and I’m not going to stop.”Hearing these words would be absolutely heartbreaking for anyone. But if you’ve ever navigated infidelity, you’re certainly not alone.The numbers are staggering, really. Statistics indicate that 65% of men and 55% of women cheat before they turn 40, and that both Christians and non-Christians are prone to similar levels of infidelity.Infidelity and broken trust have been a significant part of our story, as well as the stories of the couples we coach on a regular basis. After 14 years on this journey of recovery and repair, our marriage has come out stronger on the other side. Now, we want to share what we’ve learned in the hopes that it helps others who are going through the same thing.This is part one of a four-episode series on recovering from infidelity and broken trust. Even if this doesn’t directly apply to you and your relationship, our hope is that it may help you help someone else.In this episode, you’ll hear:The four phases of infidelityOur personal journey navigating broken trustSome factors that contribute to infidelityAnd more!We hope that this series will be a blessing and encouragement to every couple, regardless of what stage your marriage is in.If this topic hit home and you want something practical to dig into, we’ve written three books we want to share with you:No More Perfect Marriages: https://amzn.to/4bLuwZZMy Heart is Broken: https://amzn.to/3YQZA32I Really Messed Up: https://amzn.to/4sJ81LgFind resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/recovering-from-inJoin us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

Welcome to the first episode of 2026! As we welcome the new year, a time marked by fresh starts and new routines, it’s the perfect opportunity to talk about making over our mornings!I personally needed this conversation because I am not a morning person, and I desperately need to make some changes. (Mark would say that I’m only aware of 6 o’clock happening once a day, and that is in the evenings.)My guest, Tara Beth Leach, is a pastor, speaker, writer, and author. She’s the Senior Pastor at Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. Tara has written four books, including The GREAT Morning Revolution: Daily Spiritual Practices for Meaningful Moments with God.In this episode, you’ll hear:How transforming your mornings can have a deep personal impactAn acronym to have a GREAT morningA framework for lifting up our exaltation to GodAnd more!I hope this conversation has inspired you to make a shift in how you start your day!Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/tara-beth-leach-279Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

Each year around Christmas, we like to do a special episode where we not only celebrate the holiday, but also look back on the last year and all that God has been teaching us. The days and months can often speed by us, and that’s why it’s so nice to take a moment to pause and reflect.We are reviewing the entire year before moving into 2026, including why Mark has been on the podcast more (and why he’ll be returning more next year!), what it was like to start the year off with our Life 2.0 Foundation work in Africa, and more.In this episode, you’ll hear:What we’ve learned in 2025The role that waiting plays in the context of ChristmasSome exciting things that are coming in the new yearAnd more!From our family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/merry-christmas-278Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

We love Christmas! It’s our (and especially Mark’s) favorite time of year. Besides the decorations, presents, cheer, and time with family, Christmas marks a very special event. It’s when God sent His son to earth, which was the greatest expression of His love for us.In our own personal story of redeeming our marriage together, one of the biggest lessons we learned was what love really looks like. It’s not that we were unloving in the 1.0 version of us; it’s just that we didn’t understand how to love each other and receive love well.All of us can benefit from maturing our understanding of love. Instead of falling into the trap of giving and receiving love that’s transactional, we need to practice the kind of love that Jesus showed us.In this episode, you’ll hear:The characteristics of real loveHow Jesus displayed love for usWays we can express sacrificial love for one anotherAnd more!We hope this conversation helps you understand the true love that Jesus exemplified when He laid down His life for us!Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/love-like-jesus-277Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

Are you feeling restless today? Dissatisfied? Sometimes, when we’re feeling these unpleasant emotions, we can struggle to identify their source.What you might not realize is that many of those feelings can come from the false beliefs we hold about the world, ourselves, and those around us. Many of us are believing lies that rob us of contentment and cripple our intimacy with God.For Mark and I, becoming “lie detectors” in our own lives has been a big part of our healing process—both as individuals and as a married couple. That’s why I’m so glad my guest for this conversation is a champion of truth, and he’s here to help us lean away from lies and toward what’s real.Gary Thomas says that the key to the truly abundant new life God promises starts with unlearning falsehoods we may not even realize we believe. Gary is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry seeks to bring people closer to Christ and to others.In this episode, you’ll hear:God’s true purpose for marriageSome of the lies that rob us of joyThe key to having a deep relationship with God and othersAnd more!It was a pleasure to have Gary on the show, as his writing has had such a deep impact on our lives and marriage.Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/gary-thomas-276Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

This week’s episode will look a little bit different, as we are resharing one of our top five episodes of all time with you!With the holiday season beginning, there will be countless opportunities for relationships to be strained. You’ll encounter many situations where you will have to interact with people that you would rather avoid.We were designed to be in relationships. However, even though connecting with others is part of our DNA, navigating relationships can also be one of the most challenging parts of life. Joining me to help us explore this topic is PeggySue Wells.PeggySue is an author, speaker, and coach. She is the best-selling author of 45 books. On top of that, she’s a single mom of 7 kids. PeggySue has a passion for helping people improve their relationships.We first released this conversation four years ago, and it’s still one of our favorite episodes. The information shared continues to be a great resource for all of us as we head into the holidays and are knee-deep in the sometimes messy but always meaningful work of family relationships.In this episode, you’ll hear:The five R’s that destroy relationshipsHow to get out of common unhealthy cyclesThe benefits God has for us in relationshipsAnd more!Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/peggysue-wells-275Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

Can you believe that the holidays are just around the corner? We recently got our first snow in Illinois, and it’s got us in the holiday spirit!Along with the merriment and celebrations of this season come various expectations, obligations, and family gatherings to attend. A few years ago, we started a tradition in our family of giving our children the gift of freedom when it comes to holiday events. While this may be unheard of in some families, this decision has brought our family much relief from the pressures that often come with the holidays. It gives our adult children space to forge their own traditions with their families, and it gives us freedom, too.This year, we’re traveling to Australia to spend Christmas with our son—something we couldn’t do if we’d insisted that all our kids and their families spend the holidays with us locally. If you’re curious about what it could look like to give the gift of freedom to your own family this holiday season, listen in to hear our best advice.In this episode, you’ll hear:How to let go of rigid schedulesThe greatest gift you can give to your adult childrenWhy setting realistic expectations is so importantAnd more!We hope this conversation inspires you to prepare well for the holiday season!Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/preparing-for-holidays-274Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...

Every one of us knows what it’s like to hold prayers that haven’t been answered. That season of waiting can feel like one of the toughest battles of all. I experienced this myself during my marriage crisis, and I can’t tell you the number of times I cried out to the Lord to answer my prayer.My guest knows what it’s like to live with an unanswered prayer. She searched for over 10 years for her biological father, all the while fervently praying that God would lead her to him.Dr. Deanna Shrodes is an ordained minister, an author, speaker, and spiritual life strategist. She has been featured in various media outlets, including CBS News and People Magazine. Her latest book is Uncommon Answers: Partnering with the Holy Spirit to Receive Extraordinarily More, and in it she offers fresh hope and faith for those weary for a breakthrough.In this episode, you’ll hear:An incredible story of a long-awaited prayerHow to persevere in prayerThe importance of continuing to pray even when you don’t receive an answerAnd more!I was so encouraged by Deanna’s incredible story of answered prayer and her insights on what to do in those long seasons of waiting.Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: jillsavage.org/deanna-shrodes-273Join us for 6 weeks of our Great Sexpectations focus in our Date Night membership where we dive deep into intimacy. Sign-up today!Check out our other resources: Mark and Jill’s Marriage Story Marriage Coaching Marriage 2.0 Intensives Speaking Schedule Book Mark and Jill to Speak Online Courses Books Marriage Resources: Infidelity Recovery For Happy Marriages For Hurting Marriages For Marriages Where You’re the Only One Wanting to Get Help Mom Resources: New/Preschool Moms Moms with Gradeschoolers Moms with Teens and Tweens Moms with Kids Who Are Launching Empty Nest...