The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast

Episode: A Personal Life Update
Date: April 1, 2026
Hosts: Jinger Vuolo, Jeremy Vuolo

Episode Overview

This episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast provides listeners with an intimate life update from the Vuolos amidst a turbulent time involving family challenges, home maintenance woes, and the ever-evolving adventures of parenting. The tone is candid and warm, blending moments of vulnerability, humor, and thankfulness. Jinger and Jeremy reflect on recent headlines affecting the Duggar family, renovations and unexpected setbacks in their Los Angeles home, parenting three young children (including celebrating their son’s first birthday), and the grounding presence of faith and community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Navigating Family Crisis and Its Emotional Impact

• Opening Reflection (00:30–01:22):
  Jeremy references “devastation” and “recent events with family,” discussing the ripple effect of pain caused by a relative’s actions.
  • Quote: “The devastation of Joe’s behavior isn’t just the effects on Joe. It’s the effect on all those who he’s damaged…It makes me hug my kids tighter and say, well, I want to be the best father I can be for them.” – Jeremy (00:52)
• Jinger describes how family crises re-open old wounds but highlights the comfort of faith:
  • Quote: “Even in the darkness, you see that God is carrying you through…God is trustworthy and you know his Word is trustworthy.” – Jinger (01:10)
• Deeper Conversation Promised:
  Jeremy teases future episodes for a more theological analysis of the underlying beliefs and systems that contribute to ongoing family difficulties.
  • Quote: “Ideas have consequences...there are realities behind the Bill Gothard system that I think contribute to some of what we’re seeing in headlines.” – Jeremy (02:00)

2. Everyday Life & Lighthearted Updates

Mini Book Shout-Out (03:41–04:39)

• Jeremy shows off mini versions of Jinger's book, created by an Etsy artist, and gives Mikayla from @thestickershop20 a plug.
  • Quote: “Look what I have in my hands. These are mini Jinger Vuolo books...They’re the coolest little things.” – Jeremy (03:41)

Home Projects & Decor (04:56–06:56)

• Jinger shares her efforts redecorating their guest bathroom, turning to Facebook Marketplace and Amazon for the perfect vintage mirror.
• Joy and Austin (family) helped paint the bathroom “hunter green”—family togetherness and small joys are spotlighted.

The Mold Disaster & Unexpected Hotel Stay (05:54–11:17, 12:32–17:36)

• The Vuolos recount a major home crisis: a persistent leak revealed mold, causing a weeklong evacuation to a hotel with their three kids.
• Humorous Parenting Chaos:
  • Bedtime routines in one hotel room, “whack-a-mole” sleep struggles, and snack/playtime resets.
    • Notable exchange:
      • Jeremy: “It was just like this whack-a-mole of kids.” (13:13)
      • Jinger: “That literally happened a couple nights...” (13:26)
  • Reflections on minimalism (how little you really need for comfort) versus the reality of packing for kids.
  • Social media reciprocity: the community’s practical tips for handling mold are genuinely helpful.
• Dealing with the costs and anxieties of ongoing repairs. Jeremy reflects on how such moments clarify what’s essential:
  • Quote: “One thing I do like about moments like that is it reminds you how little you need to live.” – Jeremy (18:00)

3. Parenting: Triumphs, Challenges & Milestones (19:49–29:49)

Celebrating Finnegan’s First Birthday (20:06–22:13)

• Finn turned one; they reminisce about his birth and rapid milestones—walking at 9 months, backpedaling at 12 months.
  • Quote: “He started walking at nine months… He’s running now and climbing like crazy…backpedaling quickly.” – Jeremy (21:52)

Toddlerhood Trials

• Safety challenges in their multi-level, vintage home: should they use dozens of baby gates or teach Finn to master stairs?
  • Quote: “Do we baby-proof everything...or do we just live with it? And for me, I think I would get frustrated with opening baby gates every time I turn around.” – Jinger (23:28)
• Finn is a climber—unlike his sisters. He finds every hazard, requiring “constant attention.”
  • Memorable moment: Jeremy describes the uncanny toddler ability to find microscopic hazards even in a clean house. (25:21–25:59)

Parenting Joys & Cuddles

• Finn’s affectionate personality (“cuddly,” “da-da-da”) and emotional warmth of being greeted by speeding children.
  • Quote: “They get excited to see you and just run into you full speed.” – Jeremy (27:34)

4. Cherishing the Moment: Reflections on Family & Faith (29:49–41:04)

• Jeremy meditates on the value of fatherhood in light of others’ loss:
  • Quote: “It reminds you, when you see someone who’s lost the greatest treasures in their lives, it reminds you of what the greatest treasures are in yours.” (32:00)
• Sweet interaction: a “fill-in-the-blank” bedtime game with Felicity highlights the heartwarming everyday moments.
  • Quote: “I love you with all my...heart.” – Jeremy & Felicity (30:22)
• Balancing ambition (work, ministry, projects) against caution not to “obfuscate”—muddy or distract from—what’s truly valuable: family, marriage, daily joys.
  • Quote: “I don’t want them to fly by me, look back and go, man, my head was embroiled in my phone because I had these emails to send and these projects to work on…and I didn’t stop to appreciate what is really valuable…” – Jeremy (35:41)
• Family walks in their unique LA neighborhood: encounters with coyotes, horses, and owls—a portrait of their current lifestyle.

Jinger’s Reflections on Support & Perspective

• Parenting three young kids is exhausting; handling daily frustrations with grace, helped by friends and community.
  • Quote: “Really grateful for friends. Really grateful for community…when I’m having hard days…having people who really care genuinely about you…means the world.” – Jinger (38:13)
• Recent hardships have “reopened wounds from the past,” but faith and friendship provide steadiness.
  • Quote: “When trials come up, you see that God is carrying you through and you are relying on Him…There’s a deep conviction and strength that you know that God is trustworthy…” – Jinger (41:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Pain and Healing:

• “The pain…reopens wounds from the past…Even in the darkness, you see that God is carrying you through and…God is trustworthy.” – Jinger (00:40, 01:10)

On Parenting Hotel Chaos:

• “It was just like this whack-a-mole of kids.” – Jeremy (13:13)
• “So I turned on a couple lights and I said, everybody, you can get up. Everybody can get up. This is like what you don’t do in parenting, like give in to the kid.” – Jinger (14:10)

On Fatherhood and Simple Joys:

• “I love you with all my…heart.” – Jeremy & Felicity (30:22)
• “It reminds you…what the greatest treasures are in yours.” – Jeremy (32:00)

On the Kindness of Community:

• “When I’m having hard days…having people who really care genuinely about you…means the world.” – Jinger (38:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Discussing recent family pain & future topics: 00:30–03:30
• Mini-book Etsy shoutout: 03:41–04:39
• Bathroom renovation update: 04:56–05:54
• The mold disaster story & hotel stay: 05:54–09:22, 12:32–17:36
• Parenting chaos and sleep struggles: 12:47–16:31
• Celebrating Finn’s first birthday & developmental milestones: 20:06–24:00
• Challenges of toddlerhood, baby-proofing, and Finn’s antics: 24:00–27:11
• Fatherhood reflections & bedtime game with Felicity: 29:49–30:35
• Jeremy on balancing ambition and appreciating daily joys: 31:24–35:41
• Jinger on friends, faith, and perspective: 36:14–41:04

Concluding Theme

Gratitude, Faith, and Savoring the “Sweetness of These Days”

Despite recent heartaches, home headaches, and daily parenting hurdles, the Vuolos repeatedly circle back to gratitude: for each other, for their children’s unique personalities, for kind friends and neighbors, and for the comfort of their faith. The honesty and warmth of this update offer an encouraging portrait of finding light, laughter, and community support even when life feels out of control.