Our Hardest Year Yet and What It Taught Us… (We Risked Everything)

Our Hardest Year Yet and What It Taught Us… (We Risked Everything)

Author: Jeanine Amapola December 30, 2025 Duration: 1:11:06
This week, Kaleb and I sat down and recapped the highlights and lowlights of 2025—from the terrifying lows (law school denial and NICU stay 😭) to the sweetest highs (baby Duke, our move, and big answered prayers!). We talk through the wild risks we took this year, the emotional toll of change, and what it really looked like to walk in faith even when things didn’t go as planned. We're just trying to give you a transparent look at our life this year. As you step into the next year, we'd encourage you to also take a look back at the past year and look for where God was at work — even if it was a tough one. 💛 In This Episode 00:04:50 – Reflecting with Humor (and Honesty) 00:07:30 – Selling the House & Decluttering the Past 00:13:30 – Moving Pregnant + Panic on the Road 00:31:00 – Law School Denied: Kaleb’s Breaking Point 00:43:00 – NICU Trauma: Baby Duke’s Scary Start 00:53:00 – Adjusting to Parenthood & Surviving Finals 00:59:00 – What We Got Right: Faith, Growth, and Teamwork 01:03:00 – Big Failures + What We’re Taking Into 2026 01:06:00 – Teasers for 2026 + A Big THANK YOU Our Sponsors ⁠⁠Wayfair⁠⁠⁠: Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. ⁠⁠⁠Clear Focus Bible for Kids⁠⁠⁠: In a world full of distractions, give your child the gift of focused reading with the NIrV Clear Focus Bible for Kids. ⁠⁠⁠Hosanna Revival⁠⁠⁠: Use my code Jeanine15 for 15% off your entire order at checkout. Mercy Ships: Please donate today at ⁠⁠⁠MercyShips.org/podcast ⁠⁠⁠ Omaha Steaks: Visit ⁠⁠⁠OmahaSteaks.com ⁠⁠⁠for 50% off sitewide during their Sizzle All the Way Sale. And for an extra $35 off, usepromo code FUN at checkout. If you’d like to partner with Jeanine as a sponsor for the Happy & Healthy podcast, fill out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Advertise With Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ form! Follow us on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Happy and Healthy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeanine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeanine and Kaleb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on TikTok! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Happy and Healthy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeanine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeanine Amapola has built a life around sharing real stories and practical wisdom, and now she’s bringing that same warm, conversational energy to Happy & Healthy with Jeanine Amapola. As a Texas-born creator and author with a community of millions, Jeanine knows that genuine growth happens at the intersection of faith, culture, and everyday life. In this podcast, you’ll find candid discussions that feel like a coffee chat with a thoughtful friend, covering everything from personal faith and spiritual practices to navigating modern relationships and societal pressures. The conversations are rooted in a Christian perspective but are designed for anyone interested in building a more intentional and joyful life. You’ll hear Jeanine’s own experiences, lessons learned from both stumbles and successes, and insights on how to cultivate resilience and purpose. It’s more than just advice; it’s about finding a healthier mindset and a happier heart through authentic connection. Tune in for a space where self-improvement meets spirituality, all explored with Jeanine’s characteristic positivity and honesty.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy & Healthy with Jeanine Amapola Ward
Podcast Episodes
Why My Husband Married Older and How He Handled My Past [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:02
In this episode, Kaleb shares his perspective on our age-gap relationship, and honestly… it was such a sweet and vulnerable conversation. We talked about what it was like dating someone older, navigating different life s…
Why I Married Someone Younger Than Me & How God Confirmed It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:29
If you've ever been nervous, resistant or even are currently dating a man younger than you, this one is for you. I share the full story of how I met Kaleb, the fears and expectations I had to surrender, and all the ways…
Vulnerable Things I Still Struggle With as a Christian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:04
In this episode, I’m getting super real and vulnerable with you guys about the things I often quietly struggle with behind the scenes as a Christian, wife, mom, and influencer. From insecurities and fear of man to mom gu…
How To Make WISE Decisions | Faith Friday ep. 13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:31
Decision making is something we all have to face. But how do we make wise ones? I’ll give my best biblical tips! Hope this helps! Buy my book ⁠Becoming Happy and Health⁠y