Let’s Get Real with Jena Burris

Welcome to Let’s Get Real, the podcast for women who feel like they’re holding it all together on the outside… but falling apart on the inside. If you’re exhausted from pretending, overwhelmed by the pressure to be everything for everyone, or unsure who you even are anymore—you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy. Let’s Get Real is where we have honest conversations about the struggles most people avoid—healing emotional wounds, losing yourself in motherhood, rebuilding your identity, and learning how to live whole again. I’m Jena Burris—wife, mom, and your host. With a background in marriage and family therapy, life coaching, and years spent navigating life behind the scenes of the NFL and Hollywood, I’m passionate about creating a space where real conversations lead to real healing. Each week, you’ll hear real stories, practical tools, and the reminder that freedom is closer than you think. Because I believe that i

Let’s Get Real with Jena Burris is a health podcast hosted by Jena Burris, with 62 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Jena Burris hosts Let’s Get Real with Jena Burris, a health show with 62 episodes published.

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  Episode #62

  When Getting Lost Becomes Your Turning Point with Tracy Smith

  Sep 8, 202649 min

  Free Resource for Moms Feeling overwhelmed and like you’ve lost yourself in the chaos of motherhood? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep feeling this way. I created this FREE guide for you: The Overwhelmed Mom’s Guide: 10 Small Changes to Start Feeling Like You Again Simple, realistic shifts you can start making today without adding more to your plate. https://jenaburris.kit.com/ecc29b3801 Episode 62: When Getting Lost Becomes Your Turning Point with Tracy Smith Sometimes the biggest transformation doesn't begin with having a perfect plan. It begins with saying yes to something that feels exciting, even if you don't know exactly how it will unfold. In this episode, Jena sits down with author and traveler Tracy Smith to talk about the one-way ticket to Iceland that unexpectedly changed the course of her life. After years of putting everyone else's needs first, Tracy found herself entering a new season where her children no longer needed her in the same ways. What started as an impulsive decision to join friends on a trip eventually became a journey of self-discovery, courage, and learning who she was beyond the roles of mom, employee, and caregiver. Their conversation is a powerful reminder that rediscovering yourself rarely happens overnight. It's often built through small, intentional decisions that slowly reconnect you with the person you've always been. Learning to Say Yes to Yourself Again For years, Tracy's life revolved around caring for everyone else. Like many women, every decision first went through the filter of, "What do my kids need?" As her children became more independent, she realized she finally had space to consider what she wanted. Rather than jumping straight into a completely different life, Tracy explains how learning to say yes started with small decisions—reading a book before doing the dishes, taking a weekend trip, or allowing herself to make plans without guilt. Those small moments eventually built the confidence to book a one-way ticket across the world. Why Travel Changed More Than Her Passport While the destinations were beautiful, the greatest transformation happened within. Travel exposed Tracy to different cultures, perspectives, foods, and ways of living. More importantly, it challenged the fears and patterns she didn't even realize she carried. Over time, she became more confident, more curious, and more willing to step outside her comfort zone. One of the biggest surprises wasn't becoming fearless—it was realizing she no longer depended on someone else to create happiness for her. The change happened so gradually that she didn't fully recognize it until she looked back months later. You Are More Than the Roles You Carry One of the most meaningful parts of this conversation is the reminder that we are more than the titles we hold. Yes, you're a mom, a spouse, an employee, a caregiver—but underneath every role is still you. Tracy shares how rediscovering herself helped her build healthier boundaries, strengthen her relations Nhip with her children, and make intentional choices that reflected who she truly wanted to be. If you've been waiting for the "right time" to pursue a dream, this episode offers hope that your dreams don't disappear just because life gets busy. Sometimes they simply wait patiently until you're ready to answer them. Whether your next step is booking a trip, trying something new, or simply saying yes to yourself in one small way today, this conversation will encourage you to believe that it's never too late to rediscover who you are. Connect with Tracy https://www.instagram.com/tracytravelseverywhere/ https://www.tracysmithauthor.com/ P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please reach out. I truly want to hear your story. You can DM me on Instagram @jenaburris or email me at jena@jenaburris.com. Your voice matters — and I’m here for you.

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  Episode #61

  Smart, Successful and Still Not Fulfilled? Let's Talk About It with Zerina Derveni

  Sep 1, 202638 min

  Free Resource for Moms Feeling overwhelmed and like you’ve lost yourself in the chaos of motherhood? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep feeling this way. I created this FREE guide for you: The Overwhelmed Mom’s Guide: 10 Small Changes to Start Feeling Like You Again Simple, realistic shifts you can start making today without adding more to your plate. https://jenaburris.kit.com/ecc29b3801 Episode 61: Smart, Successful and Still Not Fulfilled? Let's Talk About It with Zerina Derveni What happens when you've done everything "right"—built a successful career, reached impressive milestones, and created a life that looks successful from the outside—but internally, something feels off? For many high-achieving women, success becomes a cycle of striving, proving, and chasing the next accomplishment. Yet even after reaching the goals they once dreamed of, they're left wondering why they still feel disconnected, exhausted, or unfulfilled. In this episode of Let's Get Real, Jena sits down with executive and life coach Zerina Derveni to explore why so many ambitious women experience burnout despite outward success. Zerina shares her own story of repeatedly feeling the quiet nudge that she was meant for something different—and how learning to listen to that inner voice completely changed the trajectory of her life. The Courage to Rediscover Yourself Rather than making impulsive decisions, Zerina explains why lasting change begins with slowing down and becoming curious. Together, Jena and Zerina discuss the limiting beliefs that often keep women stuck, the importance of questioning old definitions of success, and why discovering your purpose is a process rather than a single moment. Zerina also introduces her five-stage framework—awakening, unlearning, exploration, integration, and authentic living—which helps women navigate seasons of uncertainty while building greater confidence, clarity, and self-trust. Living Authentically Instead of Performing One of the most powerful themes throughout this conversation is the difference between performing and truly living. Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and learning to trust your intuition become essential tools for creating a life that feels aligned—not just impressive. If you've been feeling disconnected, questioning your next chapter, or sensing that there's more to life than simply checking boxes, this episode will remind you that those quiet inner nudges aren't something to ignore. They may be the invitation to rediscover who you really are and begin living with greater purpose, peace, and authenticity. Connect with Zerina https://www.zerinalifecoach.com/ https://www.instagram.com/zerinalifecoach/?igshid=YjNmNGQ3MDY%3D P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please reach out. I truly want to hear your story. You can DM me on Instagram @jenaburris or email me at jena@jenaburris.com. Your voice matters — and I’m here for you.

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  Episode #60

  When Faith is Misused & Healing From Abuse with Rev. Cheryl Kincaid

  Aug 25, 202641 min

  Free Resource for Moms Feeling overwhelmed and like you’ve lost yourself in the chaos of motherhood? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep feeling this way. I created this FREE guide for you: The Overwhelmed Mom’s Guide: 10 Small Changes to Start Feeling Like You Again Simple, realistic shifts you can start making today without adding more to your plate. https://jenaburris.kit.com/ecc29b3801 Episode 60: When Faith Is Misused & Healing From Abuse With Rev. Cheryl Kincaid There are few things more confusing than being hurt by someone while also being told your faith requires you to stay silent. For many women, spiritual language becomes tangled with fear, guilt, and shame. Scriptures about forgiveness are used to excuse abuse. Submission is misunderstood as enduring harm. And instead of finding safety, many women are left wondering where God is in the middle of their pain. In this episode of Let's Get Real, I sit down with Rev. Cheryl Kincaid to have an honest conversation about faith, abuse, trauma, and healing. Cheryl shares her own journey of surviving childhood abuse, navigating unhealthy relationships, and discovering that true biblical healing required more than simply trying harder or hiding her pain behind Scripture. It required telling the truth. When Faith Is Used to Silence Instead of Heal Cheryl opens up about how she once believed that if she stayed faithful enough, disciplined enough, and only dated Christian men, she would automatically break unhealthy patterns. Instead, she found herself repeatedly drawn into abusive relationships and unhealthy ministry environments. Everything began to change when she sought trauma-informed counseling and started reading Scripture through a different lens. We talk about why counseling is not a lack of faith, the importance of finding safe people to process trauma with, and how confession, honesty, and healing have always been deeply biblical. Cheryl explains the difference between forgiveness and denial, showing how minimizing abuse or pretending it "wasn't that bad" actually keeps women trapped in harmful cycles. God's Heart Is Never Abuse One of the most powerful parts of our conversation centers on righteous anger. Cheryl explains that anger is not the enemy—it can be God's gift that alerts us when injustice has occurred. Healing isn't about pretending we aren't hurt; it's about acknowledging the truth, releasing vengeance to God, and learning healthy boundaries. We also discuss how spiritual language can sometimes be misused to pressure women into staying in unsafe situations. Cheryl challenges common misconceptions about forgiveness, submission, and unconditional trust, reminding us that Jesus Himself modeled wisdom, caution, and healthy boundaries. If you've ever questioned whether protecting yourself is biblical... if you've struggled to separate forgiveness from reconciliation... or if you've wondered whether God truly sees the pain you've carried, this conversation offers both compassion and hope. Healing begins when we stop denying what happened and start telling the truth. If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who may need this reminder today: God never asks you to ignore abuse in the name of faith. He invites you into truth, healing, and freedom. Connect with Rev.Cheryl https://www.instagram.com/pastorcherylkincaid/ https://www.youtube.com/@cherylkincaid5643/podcasts P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please reach out. I truly want to hear your story. You can DM me on Instagram @jenaburris or email me at jena@jenaburris.com. Your voice matters — and I’m here for you.

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  Episode #59

  The Difference Between Real Faith and Avoiding Your Pain With Laura Bratton

  Jun 23, 202639 min

  Free Resource for Moms Feeling overwhelmed and like you’ve lost yourself in the chaos of motherhood? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep feeling this way. I created this FREE guide for you: 🎁 The Overwhelmed Mom’s Guide: 10 Small Changes to Start Feeling Like You Again Simple, realistic shifts you can start making today without adding more to your plate. 👉 https://jenaburris.kit.com/ecc29b3801 Episode 59: The Difference Between Real Faith and Avoiding Your Pain With Laura Bratton Faith can be powerful. But sometimes what we call faith is actually avoidance. In this episode, I sit down with Laura Bratton to talk about the subtle, and often invisible — difference between trusting God and bypassing our pain. Because there’s a version of “faith” that sounds spiritual… but keeps us disconnected from our hearts. And there’s a version of faith that requires us to feel everything. When Faith Becomes a Shield For many women, especially in faith communities, we’re taught to: “Give it to God.” “Trust the process.” “Count it all joy.” And while those truths hold weight, they can sometimes become shields we hide behind. Laura shares how easy it is to spiritually explain away grief, anger, disappointment, or trauma instead of actually processing it. We quote scripture. We pray harder. We smile through it. But underneath? The pain is still there. Real faith isn’t pretending we’re okay. It isn’t minimizing heartbreak. It isn’t rushing ourselves to the lesson. Real faith is bringing our full, messy, human selves to God — without editing. The Courage to Feel One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is the reminder that avoidance delays healing. When we suppress grief, it doesn’t disappear. When we silence anger, it doesn’t dissolve. When we rush past disappointment, it doesn’t transform. It just goes underground. Laura talks about how true healing begins when we allow ourselves to name what we’re actually feeling, even when those feelings feel “unspiritual.” Sad. Angry. Confused. Disillusioned. Tired. God isn’t afraid of those emotions. And neither should we be. Faith That Holds Both Faith isn’t the absence of pain. It’s the willingness to stay present inside it. This episode invites you to consider: Where am I using spiritual language to avoid emotional work? Where am I rushing myself to gratitude instead of sitting in grief? What would it look like to trust God while still honoring my pain? Because the deepest faith isn’t shiny. It’s honest. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re trusting God or just avoiding something hard… this conversation will gently help you untangle the difference. And if you’ve felt pressure to “be strong” in your faith while quietly hurting inside — you are not alone. Connect with Laura Bratton You can learn more about Laura’s work, her book Harnessing Courage , and her coaching and speaking at LauraBratton.com. Her work is a powerful reminder that grief, fear, faith, and gratitude can exist together and that moving forward doesn’t require having everything figured out. P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please reach out. I truly want to hear your story. You can DM me on Instagram @jenaburris or email me at jena@jenaburris.com. Your voice matters — and I’m here for you.

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  Episode #58

  Moving Through Grief One Small Step at a Time With Lisa Espinoza

  Jun 23, 202638 min

  Free Resource for Moms Feeling overwhelmed and like you’ve lost yourself in the chaos of motherhood? You’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep feeling this way. I created this FREE guide for you: 🎁 The Overwhelmed Mom’s Guide: 10 Small Changes to Start Feeling Like You Again Simple, realistic shifts you can start making today without adding more to your plate. 👉 https://jenaburris.kit.com/ecc29b3801 Episode 58: Moving Through Grief One Small Step at a Time With Lisa Espinoza Grief has a way of freezing time. The world keeps moving. The calendar keeps turning. Holidays still come. But the person grieving can feel stuck, suspended between what was and what will never be again. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Espinoza, author of First Brush Your Teeth: Grief and Hope in Real Time , to talk about what it actually looks like to move through devastating loss, not years later, but day by day. On January 1, 2019, Lisa lost her youngest son, Chandler, after 18 days in the hospital following a traumatic brain injury. What began as cautious hope during those hospital days ultimately became unimaginable loss. And in the middle of it all, she wrote. Grief in Real Time Just days after Chandler was hit, Lisa began journaling daily updates on CaringBridge. What started as a way to keep family and friends informed became something deeper, a way to process the unthinkable. After losing Chandler, Lisa committed to writing every single day for an entire year. Not polished reflections from a distance. Not tidy lessons learned. But real-time grief. She wrote through: The first Mother’s Day The first birthday The first holidays The ordinary Tuesdays that felt impossible Her book is a collection of those entries, raw, honest, and unfiltered. Because when you’re grieving, you don’t want a bow on top. You don’t want clichés. You want someone who understands what the first “everything” feels like. As Lisa shares, sometimes the most helpful words aren’t explanations. They’re simply: “God, this hurts. I hate this for you.” Grief, Identity & the Possibility of Joy Loss reshapes identity in ways we don’t anticipate. Lisa describes the moment someone asked her how many children she had — and realizing she would always be a mother of four, even though one of her sons now lives in heaven. Grief doesn’t erase identity. It reshapes it. And yet, in the middle of heartbreak, Lisa discovered something surprising: Joy can coexist with grief. Not in a forced, “everything happens for a reason” way. But in small, honest steps. She offers this gentle starting point: “I’m willing to become willing to be open to the idea of joy.” Not today’s big breakthrough. Not pretending you’re fine. Just a crack in the door. Grief isn’t something we fix. It’s something we move through, one breath, one page, one small step at a time. If you are grieving, or walking alongside someone who is, this conversation will remind you that you are not crazy, not weak, and not alone. And if you’ve ever wondered what to say to someone in deep loss, Lisa offers simple wisdom: don’t minimize. Don’t compare. Just be present. Connect with Lisa You can connect with Lisa at lisaspinoza.com and find her free resource, A Gentle Guide for Getting Through the Day When You’re Grieving the Loss of Your Child. P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please reach out. I truly want to hear your story. You can DM me on Instagram @jenaburris or email me at jena@jenaburris.com. Your voice matters — and I’m here for you.

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