The SavvyCast

Jamie Tarence
  • 4.8 (132)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

The SavvyCast is a podcast of the Family Savvy blog, where Jamie Tarence will host savvy guests to discuss real life topics that affect us all. Food and family. Marriage and divorce. Fitness and health. The Enneagram and relationships. Each episode is designed to entertain, educate and inspire all who listen. Everyone is welcome at the table! So grab a cup of coffee, and let's talk.

  1. 1d ago

    The Marriage Check-In That Reveals More Than You Expect (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats)

    What if the same framework that helps CEOs find their competitive advantage could help you see exactly where your marriage stands? In this episode of The SavvyCast, I sit down with my husband Zane for another marriage SWOT analysis. The last time we recorded a SWOT analysis on the podcast was six years ago, so we wanted to do an updated marriage self-assessment of our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. From navigating Zane's conversion to Catholicism and my aversion to travel, to the joy of grandchildren and the goal of expanding our marriage ministry, this conversation is an invitation for any couple to do a marriage self-assessment and actually take action on what they find.   LINKS & RESOURCES SWOT Analysis Outline JH Ranch   WHERE TO LISTEN The SavvyCast is available on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review--I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, my friends!   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! Let's Talk: How to Use SWOT to Improve Your Marriage Apple Podcasts Spotify   38 Years of Marriage: What We Got Right (& What We'd Do Differently) Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube   My Husband Converted to Catholicism: How We Navigate Faith Differences in Marriage Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

    46 min

  2. Jun 19

    A Candid Conversation with my Family: The Truth About Zane as a Dad

    With Father's Day this weekend, we are revisiting one of the most meaningful conversations we have ever recorded on The SavvyCast. My husband Zane sat down with our three daughters, Ellie, Jud, and Emma, for an honest, candid conversation about what it was really like to grow up with him as their dad. What did he get right? What would he change? And what do our girls treasure most? Whether you are hearing this for the first time or coming back for a second listen, I hope it blesses you this Father's Day! GET TO KNOW MY HUSBAND ZANE Zane is originally from Montgomery, Alabama, and as of 2026, Zane and I have been married for 38 years. In addition to being an incredible husband and father, Zane works as the managing partner with Founders Advisors. He is also the author of 17 Reasons Your Company is Not Investment Grade & What to Do About It. Zane is an Enneagram 3 wing 2.  WHO ARE THE TARENCE GIRLS? Ellie is our firstborn and the typical first child. She is an Enneagram 3, driven, goal-oriented, and independent. She is married to Sean Hiller, and since we first recorded this episode, she has become a mother to my first grandgirl, Anne Parker. Jud is our second daughter and an Enneagram 2. She is joyful, a peacemaker, deceptively competitive, and a mother to all. Since this episode first released, Jud has married Owen Carr and become a mother to my second grandgirl, Mary Owen. She is also expecting a baby boy this fall! Emma is our youngest and our "unicorn" daughter. She is an Enneagram 4, relational, fun-loving, candid, and direct. Since filming this episode, she graduated from Auburn University, lived out her dream of moving to California, and now calls Nashville home, where she works as a Partnerships Manager for Logo Brands.   WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: What Zane was truly like as a dad, in our daughters' own words The things Zane got right that our girls remember and treasure most An honest conversation about what he would do differently Favorite family memories and the moments that shaped who our girls are today What Zane himself wishes he had done differently as a father LINKS & RESOURCES The SavvyCast Mother's Day Episode Zane's Book: 17 Reasons Your Company is Not Investment Grade JH Ranch Vulcan Nutrition   WHERE TO LISTEN Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! A Candid Conversation with the Tarence Girls on Having Jamie as a Mom Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube   38 Years of Marriage: What We Got Right (and What We'd Do Differently) Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

    49 min

  3. Jun 12

    My Catholic Son-in-Law Answers Your Tough Questions About the Catholic Faith

    If you've ever wondered why Catholics pray to Mary, what purgatory is, or whether Protestants are considered Christians, this episode is for you.  I'm joined again by my son-in-law, Sean Hiller, as we tackle listener-submitted questions and dive into Catholic faith questions answered through Scripture and official Church teaching. From salvation and sin to the personal cost of Sean's conversion to Catholicism, this conversation provides thoughtful insight into some of the most common questions about the Catholic faith.   WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: Do Catholics worship the same God as Muslims? Sean explains what the Catholic Church actually teaches about other faiths. Are Catholics and Protestants both Christian? Is the Catholic Church the one true church, and what does that mean for salvation? (Including what "extraordinary means" of salvation means) Why do Catholics pray to Mary, and is that the same as worship? Sean walks through the historical meaning of the word "pray," and why Mary holds a uniquely beautiful place in the faith. What is purgatory, and why do Catholics pray for the dead? What spiritual warfare looked like during Sean's conversion, including the strain it put on his marriage and the friendships they lost along the way.   LINKS & RESOURCES Sean's YouTube Channel (@LectiowithSeanHiller) To Whom Shall I Go? by Ellie Hiller Catechism in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz   WHERE TO LISTEN If you love listening to the podcast, one of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review. This genuinely helps us reach more fabulous midlife women! You can find The SavvyCast on all podcasting platforms and YouTube.   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! From Atheist to Catholic: My Son-in-Law Sean Hiller's Faith Journey Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube   Am I Becoming Catholic? My Faith Journey Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube

    48 min

  4. Jun 5

    Why I Stopped Caring What Size I Wear: Midlife Fashion Lessons I Learned from Countless Try-Ons

    I'm getting honest about one of the biggest mistakes I made in midlife fashion: letting the size on a clothing tag dictate how I felt about myself and what I was willing to wear. Confidence has far less to do with a number and far more to do with finding clothes that fit and flatter the body you have today. I'm sharing 10 midlife sizing lessons I learned the hard way so you don't have to—from letting go of comparisons to your younger self to understanding how fit, structure, and fabric can completely transform an outfit. If you've ever struggled with sizing, body image, or feeling confident in your clothes, I hope this encourages you to embrace where you are today and dress in a way that makes you feel your very best.   LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED: Shop the Family Savvy x Ming Wang collection: Dillard's Nordstrom Ming Wang's website   WHERE TO LISTEN The SavvyCast is available on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review—I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, my friends!   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! Tanya Foster: Her New Clothing Line & Best Style Advice for Women Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube   What It's ACTUALLY Like Working in Fashion Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube

    25 min

  5. May 29

    Everything We Put in Our Lake House Bedrooms (Affordable Finds + Luxury Touches)

    This week, I'm sharing all the details behind the bedrooms at our lake house. I'm diving into the practical finds that have made a big difference: our favorite mattresses, affordable sheets, mattress pads, box springs, and more. I'm also sharing the beautiful design details that have elevated the look and feel of the rooms, including our bedding, bed frames, custom pillows, rugs, and other cozy touches.  If you love hearing the "why" behind home design decisions and enjoy discovering pieces that are both beautiful and functional, I think you'll love this episode!   DISCOUNT CODES: RUGGABLE: Use code SAVVY15 for 15% off! HELIX: Use code FAMILYSAVVY for a special discount! LEESA: Use code FAMILYSAVVY75 for $75 off!   LINKS & RESOURCES: Stein Studio (My Interior Designer) Elizabeth Fields Designs - Custom Designer Pillows   SHOP THE BEDDING PRODUCTS: Nadine Upholstered Standard Bed  Curved Bed in Performance Velvet - Moss 100% Linen Wingback Bed  Wingback Bed in Performance Velvet - Walnut 7 Inch Box Spring For King Bed Bases Ruggable Kairos Ivory & Blue Rug Ballard Designs Collins Indoor/Outdoor Rug Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Helix Cool Mattress Topper Leesa Sapira Chill Hybrid Mattress - Medium-Firm Waterproof Mattress Pad Lands' End 400 Thread Count Sateen Embroidered Sheets  Giza Cotton Sateen Sheet Set - White Pillows Medium Firm Organic Ribbed Cotton Coverlet - White European Linen Dream Quilt - Mist Vintage Wash European Linen Bed Cover European Linen Cotton Stitch Quilt - Mist European Linen Dream Quilt - Ivory Organic Airy Gauze Blanket Matelasse Coverlet - Dried Sage   WHERE TO LISTEN: The SavvyCast is available on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review—I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, my friends!   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THIS ONE OUT! A Life Update: The Story Behind Our New Lake Home Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube

    22 min

  6. May 22

    Am I Becoming a Catholic? My Faith Journey Update

    A year ago, I shared publicly that my husband had converted to Catholicism and opened up about what it looked like for us to navigate faith differences within our marriage and family. Since then, so many of you have asked where I stand today. In this episode, I'm sharing an honest update on my faith journey, including what aspects of Catholicism have resonated with me, what questions I still wrestle with, and how these conversations have impacted my marriage, family relationships, and friendships along the way.   WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: I share an honest update on my faith journey How conversations about faith in our marriage and family have changed over time The parts of Catholicism that have resonated with me The specific aspects of Catholicism that still make me pause How my Church of Christ and evangelical background shaped my perspective My thoughts on my husband, daughter, and son-in-law becoming Catholic Why some of these deeper conversations feel harder with immediate family One of my biggest fears during this process (and how people actually responded) How respect, listening, and grace have become so important in our family The main thing still holding me back from becoming Catholic    LINKS & RESOURCES To Whom Shall I Go? by Ellie Hiller Catechism in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! From Atheist to Catholic: My Son-in-Law Sean Hiller's Faith Journey Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube She Tried to Convert Catholics, Then Became One: Ellie Hiller's Faith Journey Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube My Husband Converted to Catholicism: How We Navigate Faith Differences in Marriage Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube From Bookstore Owner to Author: Annie B. Jones on Owning The Bookshelf & Her New Book Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube A Peak Inside the Head of an Enneagram 8 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube   WHERE TO LISTEN The SavvyCast is available on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review—I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, my friends!

    30 min

  7. May 15

    From Atheist to Catholic: My Son-in-Law Sean Hiller's Faith Journey

    In this week's episode, I sit down with my son-in-law, Sean Hiller, to hear the powerful story of how he went from being an atheist for nearly a decade to eventually becoming a Christian and later converting to Catholicism. Sean also runs a YouTube channel where he shares content and discussions centered around Catholic beliefs applied to real-world topics. Sean opens up about the questions and experiences that challenged his worldview, including the role my daughter Ellie and my husband Zane played in his faith journey. We also dive into deep conversations surrounding the Eucharist, predestination vs. free will, Catholicism vs. Orthodoxy, and whether God is truly indifferent to what we believe.    WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: Sean's testimony of going from Southern Baptist to atheist Why Sean drifted away from Christianity as a teenager The question that challenged Sean's atheist worldview: "What is love?" How Ellie influenced Sean's perspective on faith and Christianity The Bible study Sean never wanted to attend How a debate about predestination vs. free will impacted him How Zane unexpectedly played a major role in Sean's Catholic journey The questions about Catholicism Sean couldn't answer Why the Eucharist completely changed Sean's perspective Why Sean chose Catholicism over Orthodoxy Sean's thoughts on visiting Rome and whether Catholics should go Whether Sean's entire family is Catholic today Sean weighs in on the question: "Is God indifferent to what you believe?"   LINKS & RESOURCES Sean's YouTube Channel (@LectiowithSeanHiller) To Whom Shall I Go? by Ellie Hiller Catechism in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz Reasons to Believe by Scott Hahn The Confessions of St. Augustine The Case for Jesus by Brant Pitre   WHERE TO LISTEN The SavvyCast is available on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review—I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, my friends!   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! She Tried to Convert Catholics, Then Became One: Ellie Hiller's Faith Journey Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube My Husband Converted to Catholicism: How We Navigate Faith Differences in Marriage Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube

    49 min

  8. May 8

    A Life Update: The Story Behind Our New Lake Home

    In this episode, I'm sharing the story behind a big transition for our family and what led us to sell the farm and purchase our new lake home. I talk about why we wanted another place where our family could slow down, gather together, and create special memories with our grandchildren. Plus, I dive into what we were looking for in our next little getaway home.  I share how we ended up choosing a Saunders Bridge home, what the process has been like so far, and why we already love it so much. We just had our very first furniture installation last weekend, so it truly feels like this new chapter is starting to come to life!    WHAT TO EXPECT IN THIS EPISODE: Why we made the decision to sell the farm What we were hoping to find in our next getaway home Why quality time with our grandchildren played such a big role in this decision How we discovered Saunders Bridge homes What stood out to us during the home-buying process Why this lake house immediately felt special to our family What we hope this home becomes for our children and grandchildren   WHERE TO LISTEN The SavvyCast is available on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review—I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, my friends!   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! 38 Years of Marriage: What We Got Right (& What We'd Do Differently) Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube Are Your Marriage Expectations Too High? Here's How to Tell Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube

    25 min
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4.8
out of 5
132 Ratings

About

The SavvyCast is a podcast of the Family Savvy blog, where Jamie Tarence will host savvy guests to discuss real life topics that affect us all. Food and family. Marriage and divorce. Fitness and health. The Enneagram and relationships. Each episode is designed to entertain, educate and inspire all who listen. Everyone is welcome at the table! So grab a cup of coffee, and let's talk.

Information

  • Creator
    Jamie Tarence
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    350
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The SavvyCast

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