A Boy Mom Cracks the Code on Male Behavior with Jenilee Samuel 

If you’re trying to figure out how the boys (and men) in your life operate, this week’s guest on the podcast is a must-listen. Jenilee Samuel, host of the popular podcast Java With Jen, offers heartfelt tips—including one question she and her husband have learned to ask that is nearly guaranteed to dial down conflict. 

Who doesn’t like a guarantee? 

Jenilee covers priceless ground, including: 

• Specific questions that help your sons figure out what they’re thinking 

• Inviting vulnerability with sons by being vulnerable yourself 

• How to share your heart as a woman so that the guys in your life feel invited to honor you 

I also appreciated Jenilee’s transparency in crossing into a topic that has been an area of research interest for me: the so-called “fragile” male ego. If you’re a boy mom, or want to understand your husband better, you’ll want to listen to our exchange. Jenilee had an epiphany one day, part of which I’ll share here: 

“The thing that made me come around to actually humbling myself enough to be like, ‘I just need to learn how (men) work’ was the fact that I found myself telling my boys, you have to learn how a woman works if you’re going to be able to treat her right. If I’m expecting that from them, I should be willing to do the same thing. It’s not love for me to expect that but not be willing to offer that … But I had to work through a whole lot of my own resistance.” 

Jenilee also shared a very direct answer to the question we sprung on her at the end: What is the hardest thing the Lord has asked you to as a woman who is surrounded by testosterone.” Her answer may sound like yours—and you’ll be so encouraged by how she navigated it. 

Mostly, I think you’ll find practical hope for how to engage with the men and boys in your life in healthy, productive ways without diminishing who you are! 

By the way, just like that, we’re at the end of season one of our I Wish You Could Hear This podcast! Thank you for listening, sharing with your friends, and supporting us! Your encouragement means the world.  

You can learn more about how to support us practically (and financially) in the notes below. We’ve had a lot of fun with the podcast, and view it as an honor that you’ve brought us into your cars, gym workouts, and whatever other places you listen to podcasts. Season two is coming up. Look for details soon! 

Episode 12 details:      

Episode 12 Release Date: June 17, 2025     

 Duration: Episode11: 44 minutes     

 Summary: Shaunti, Jeff, and Jenilee Samuel (host of the Java with Jen podcast) explore the complexities of being a woman leader in ministry, the challenges of marriage, and the importance of understanding the male psyche. Jenilee shares her journey from being a missionary kid to a co-pastor and her experiences with raising boys. The discussion emphasizes the need for empathy, learning, and the balance between strength and sensitivity in both personal and professional realms. Jenilee also shares her insights on parenting teenage boys, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the challenges of maintaining a healthy marriage. 

 Link Mentioned:       

Java with Jen Podcast 

Jenilee Samuel Website 

Hearing God’s Voice for Everyday Life Journal 

For Women Only 

 Support the Show: Our podcast thrives on the support of our incredible listeners. So subscribe to our podcast, share your favorite episodes, leave us a review, or send us an email to start a conversation about sponsoring an episode or an entire season.       

 Connect with Us: We love hearing your thoughts, stories, and voices. Connect with us on social media or email us at [email protected]. Your story could be on the next I Wish You Could Hear This episode.   

Practical help for Real Life      

Our new podcast, I Wish You Could Hear This  is live now with episode 12! Listen, follow, and share with your friends on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms.      

On I Wish You Could Hear This, Jeff and I offer proven steps to help you thrive in your life, faith and relationships. In other words, we’ll offer the practical help you’ve grown accustomed to right here in this blog space.       

You’ll take away specific steps that help you today.      

  You’ll hear not only from us but from fellow authors and friends (so you hear the good behind-the-scenes stuff!), marriage and relationship experts, everyday people, ministry leaders, and other researchers. (We promise to keep that last one fun and fascinating, not boring!)       

  If you are interested in having Shaunti bring research-based strategies, practical wisdom and biblical principles to your next event, please contact Nicole Owens at [email protected].     

If you are interested in having Shaunti bring research-based strategies, practical wisdom and biblical principles to your next event, please contact Nicole Owens at [email protected].

On our podcast, I Wish You Could Hear This, Jeff and I offer proven steps to help you thrive in your life, faith and relationships. In other words, we’ll offer the practical help you’ve grown accustomed to right here in this blog space.  You’ll take away specific steps that help you today. Listen, follow, and share with your friends on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms.

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