The EXTRAORDINARY Family Life Podcast: Recent Episodes
Greg & Rachel Denning
Too many parents are trying to SURVIVE family life when -- with a few simple tweaks -- they could THRIVE! Let us show you HOW. Greg and Rachel Denning -- globe-trotting, homeschooling, business building parents of 7 children -- will show you how to BE the man, woman, spouse, and parent you need to be to create the EXTRAORDINARY life of YOUR dreams.
Are you torn between protecting your kids’ mental health and preparing them for real-world stress?
Most parents feel this tension—and many swing too far toward pressure or protection.
In this video, Greg & Rachel share a better path: don’t inflict pressure—be the anchor while your kids face it. You’ll learn how to build grit through trust, identity, and modeling, so challenge actually strengthens your bond instead of breaking it.
What we cover:
- Identity over willpower: why saying “I’m not a smoker” beats “I’m trying to quit.”
- Anchor, don’t apply pressure: your job is safety + modeling, not manufactured hardship.
- Results don’t lie: how your life becomes the proof your kids can’t ignore.
- Trust first, then stretch: push to the “next rock,” then keep your promise and carry them.
- Adjust your strategy: when you “get punched in the face,” learn, adapt, iterate.
- Do hard things yourself: kids spot hypocrisy—lead from the front.
- Make discomfort enjoyable: turn tough conversations, workouts, and cold plunges into shared wins.
Big Idea: Grit grows in connection. When kids know you’ll both challenge and carry them, they lean in, try again, and adopt a new identity that sustains lifelong habits.
Key Takeaways
✅ Be the anchor, not the pressure. Safety + example > force.
✅ Model hard things. If you don’t, they won’t.
✅ Identity drives habits. Become the family who does the hard, good things.
✅ Keep promises. Stretch to the “next rock,” then carry—that’s how trust is built.
✅ Iterate, don’t implode. When it’s not working, change your approach, not your ideals.
Chapters
00:00 New Beginnings and Reflections
03:18 Goal Setting and Identity Transformation
03:31 Preparing Kids for Life's Challenges
05:02 The Balance of Comfort and Growth
05:30 Building Resilience Through Experience
08:44 Adapting to Life's Punches
09:59 The Journey of Parenting and Education
12:19 Embracing Failure in Business and Parenting
13:59 The Importance of Adaptability and Learning
17:21 Influence Through Results and Personal Example
19:32 Living an Extraordinary Life as a Family
22:34 Teaching Resilience Through Real-Life Challenges
24:58 Iterative Learning and Effective Communication
28:39 The Power of Persistence in Parenting
Memorable Quotes
🗣 “Be the anchor—don’t be the pressure.”
🗣 “Results don’t lie. Pass the silent film test.”
🗣 “Identity changes behavior more than willpower.”
🗣 “Stretch, then carry. That’s how trust grows.”
Want help implementing this at home? Our new parenting course gives you the step-by-step systems to build trust, invite buy-in, and raise resilient kids—without yelling, punishment, or power struggles. Join the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class here.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Are you afraid to give something up—even if you know it’s holding your family back?What if the “sacrifice” you’re resisting is the exact bridge to the life you actually want?
In this powerful conversation, Greg and Rachel answer a listener’s question inspired by James Allen: “He who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.” They share the real sacrifices they made to build an extraordinary family life—from walking away from comfort and conformity to investing tens of thousands into personal growth, ditching entertainment for education, and choosing experiences and character over stuff. You’ll learn how to overcome the fear of loss, handle others’ opinions, and trade short-term ease for long-term joy, health, and purpose.
Big idea: It’s hard to call it a “sacrifice” when what you get back is better than what you gave up. Bottom line: The most important investment you’ll ever make is in yourself—and then in your spouse and kids.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Comfort is costly—trade it for purpose, health, and momentum.
✅ Invest in yourself first, then your spouse and kids.
✅ Entertainment steals growth; education multiplies it.
✅ Ditch “peacock pageantry”—results beat credentials.
✅ Own your outcomes—no blame, no excuses.
✅ Failure ≠ final—it’s fertilizer for your future.
Chapters
00:00 Daily Sacrifices for a Better Life
23:14 Intentional Living and Personal Responsibility
28:39 The Rewards of Sacrifice
31:27 EFL YouTube Outro Full Updated.mp4
Memorable Quotes
🗣 “It’s hard to call it a sacrifice when the return is better than what you gave up.”
🗣 “Most people are entertaining themselves to death—and taking their families with them.”
🗣 “Results are the only real qualification.”
🗣 “Only little people get upset over little things.”
🗣 “Failure is fertilizer—use it.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Are your kids’ fights setting off your emotions—and the whole house?Most parents try to “fix” kids’ behavior to feel better. In this video, Greg & Rachel flip the script: change your emotional state first, and your family dynamics follow. You’ll learn how to stop masking (“trying to stay calm”) and start being emotionally authentic—so you model regulation your kids can actually imitate.
We unpack practical tools to raise your family’s emotional thermostat—even on low-sleep, low-food days: breathing exercises, light movement, gratitude micro-meditations, future journaling, and morning routines that shift your biochemistry fast. You’ll discover why sleep and nutrition are foundational, how to process triggers and “memorized emotions,” and how to radiate steadiness kids naturally copy.
Big idea: Nothing gets better until you do. When you upgrade your inner state, parenting gets easier, marriage gets warmer, and home feels safe again. This is how you cultivate a family culture of peace, courage, and joy—without pretending or suppressing.
- Try this today (1-minute reset): Stand tall, inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6 (x6 rounds). Add one gratitude sentence and smile on purpose. Notice the shift—then go connect.
Key Takeaways
✅ Nothing gets better until you do — when you raise your state, your family follows.
✅ Kids imitate without regulation — they copy your energy, good or bad.
✅ Trying to “stay calm” is masking — practice authentic emotional expression.
✅ Sleep & food drive mood — protect your physiology to parent better.
✅ Quick resets work — breathing, movement, posture, and gratitude change your state fast.
✅ Every family has an emotional thermostat — set yours higher on purpose.
✅ Mentor, don’t micromanage — see misbehavior as a cry for help and coach skills.
Memorable Quote:
🗣️ “Nothing gets better until I do.”
🗣️ “Kids imitate without regulation—set the state you want repeated.”
🗣️ “Trying to be calm isn’t calm. Authentic peace is felt, not faked.”
Chapters
00:00 Navigating Emotional States in Parenting
01:10 The Impact of Emotions on Family Dynamics
02:28 Understanding Emotional Responses and Reactions
03:54 The Role of Self-Care in Emotional Well-Being
05:29 Practicing Emotional Authenticity
06:51 Strategies for Changing Emotional States
08:21 The Ripple Effect of Parental Emotions
10:44 Emotional Literacy and Family Dynamics
12:21 The Emotional Thermostat of the Family
16:24 Understanding the Emotional Thermostat
20:58 Practical Strategies for Emotional Regulation
24:11 The Role of Parenting in Emotional Development
27:37 Seeing Children's Behaviors as Cries for Help
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Do you feel good in your own home?
Does your family culture feel like a safe, joyful refuge—or more like constant conflict and stress?
Most parents spend 90% of their time fixing problems instead of preventing them. But what if the secret to a thriving home is in the things you never do?
In this video, Greg and Rachel Denning—parents of 7 and family coaches—reveal the small but powerful “never-do’s” that transformed their parenting and family culture. From eliminating sarcasm and insults, to saying no to video games, TV, and constant notifications, these intentional choices create a home environment where kids feel secure, confident, and deeply attached.
They share why attachment—not punishment—prevents misbehavior, how harshness backfires, and why saying “no” to outside noise means saying “yes” to family connection.
Raising kids is already hard enough. But by eliminating just a few destructive habits, you can dramatically reduce sibling rivalry, power struggles, and emotional distance in your home.
👉 Tune in to discover the things we NEVER do as parents that helped us raise 7 happy, respectful, and resilient kids—and learn how you can create a family culture your children (and others!) love to be part of.
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Eliminating sarcasm & insults builds trust and confidence.
- ✅ Harshness and yelling create distance instead of respect.
- ✅ Strong attachment prevents misbehavior better than punishment.
- ✅ No video games, TV, or junk food = more energy, focus, and peace.
- ✅ Saying “no” to distractions means saying “yes” to family.
Memorable Quotes * 🗣️ “If you don’t want to trade lives with someone, don’t take their advice.” * 🗣️ “We never say mean or hurtful things to our children—ever.” * 🗣️ “Harshness creates distance and fragility, which causes misbehavior.” * 🗣️ “Eliminate the baby dragons before they grow into monsters.” * 🗣️ “Other families send their kids to live with us because they love our family culture.”
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Small Changes in Family Dynamics
01:09 Creating a Positive Family Culture
03:05 The Impact of Sarcasm and Teasing
05:43 Building Strong Attachments Through Love
07:30 The Dangers of Harsh Parenting
10:19 The Role of Technology in Family Interactions
16:21 Intentional Living and Productivity
17:36 The Impact of Video Games on Success
18:18 Media Consumption: Radio and TV
19:45 The Power of Saying No
21:03 Healthy Lifestyle Choices
21:56 Communication and Emotional Authenticity
23:32 Addressing Problems Early
25:51 Creating a Positive Family Culture
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Are you settling for a “make it work” marriage when you could build an extraordinary one?
Most couples drift into survival mode—roommates, not lovers—because they’ve never seen an amazing marriage modeled… and no one taught them the skills. In this episode, Greg & Rachel Denning share how to raise your marriage standard, resolve conflict fast (the “anatomy of an argument”), and build a shared vision that turns everyday life into marital bliss—without pretending problems don’t exist.
Big idea: If you’re not deliberately working on your marriage, you’re automatically working on your divorce.You’ll learn how to stop the same old fights, praise small efforts to reinforce positive change, schedule what matters (yes, intimacy!), and use the compound effect to transform your relationship. Whether things are tough or “fine,” these tools help you move from okay → incredible so your kids grow up with healthy models of love.
What you’ll learn
- Raise the standard: Why “make it work” is too low a target—and how high expectations create more happiness.
- Anatomy of an argument: Resolve conflicts quickly (not fake fixes) and stop weaponizing old grievances.
- Shared vision: Practical steps to get on the same page even if personalities and goals differ.
- Reinforce progress: Praise small attempts (date night invites, thoughtful gestures) so they happen more often.
- Schedule what matters: How planning creates space for connection & intimacy—instead of constant friction.
- Compound effect: The habits you invest in today build your legacy tomorrow.
Key Takeaways
✅ If you aren’t intentionally improving your marriage, you’re unintentionally degrading it.
✅ High standards produce higher joy and better outcomes.
✅ Conflict ≠ contention—you can disagree respectfully and resolve fast.
✅ Model love for your kids by prioritizing the relationship at home.
✅ Small, consistent actions compound into an extraordinary marriage.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Marriage
02:56 From Mediocre to Extraordinary
05:53 Setting High Expectations for Marriage
08:25 Conflict Resolution in Marriage
11:51 Self-Sabotage in Relationships
16:43 Creating Mental Space for Intimacy
18:16 The Importance of Retreats for Couples
18:49 Investing in Marriage: The Compounding Effect
20:28 Breaking Generational Patterns in Relationships
22:17 Creating a Shared Vision for the Future
22:44 Raising the Standard in Marriage
24:36 The Role of Coaching in Relationship Growth
27:04 The Value of Investing in Your Marriage
Memorable Quotes
🗣 “If you’re not deliberately working on your marriage, you’re automatically working on your divorce.”
🗣 “In marriage, we get what we tolerate—so raise the standard.”
🗣 “Conflict isn’t fighting; it’s the path to real resolution.”
🗣 “Praise small efforts. That’s how you get more of them.”
🗣 “Extraordinary isn’t accidental—it’s intentional and consistent.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Is the “nuclear family” actually traditional—or even healthy—for your kids and marriage?
In this conversation, Greg & Rachel challenge a BIG cultural myth: the nuclear family (mom + dad + kids, all on their own) isn’t historically normal—and it’s often unhealthy and lonely in today’s hyper-digital world. Instead, they unpack what families did for most of human history—intergenerational, community-based, “tribal” living—and how ordinary parents can start moving that direction without selling everything or going off-grid.
You’ll learn how to question handed-down narratives, re-design work, school, and home life, and flip the ratio so your family spends more time together than apart—building skills, wealth, and resilience as a team.
Highlights you'll hear:
- Why isolation (9–5 + separate schools + separate lives) isn’t “traditional”—it’s recent.
- How multigenerational & community living builds real support, mental health, and generational wealth.
- Simple first steps: shared meals, home projects, family business ideas, skill-building, and flexible work.
- The future of family in the age of AI: double down on what only humans do—connection, empathy, creativity.
- A practical reframe: “What would have to be true for us to live, learn, and work together more?”
If you’re tired of doing family alone, this episode shows a realistic path toward tribe-style living—whether you’re in a city apartment, suburban neighborhood, or a budding homestead. You don’t need to move tomorrow; you just need to start asking better questions today.
Key Takeaways
✅ The nuclear family is modern, not “traditional.”
✅ Community > isolation for happiness, mental health, and stability.
✅ Shared work/learning = faster maturity, marketable skills, and generational wealth.
✅ Design life on purpose: meals together, family projects, aligned work/school choices.
✅ AI future = be more human: build in-person connection and a supportive tribe.
Chapters
00:00 Questioning Conventional Family Norms
02:53 The Evolution of Family Structures
05:48 The Importance of Community and Connection
08:28 Exploring Unconventional Lifestyles
11:23 Redefining Family Dynamics
14:01 The Future of Family Life
16:35 Creating a Supportive Family Environment
19:48 Building Generational Wealth Together
22:30 Embracing Change and New Possibilities
25:12 Living Life on Your Own Terms
28:18 The Role of Technology in Family Life
31:06 Designing Your Ideal Family Life
Memorable Quotes
🗣 “Question all the narratives—especially the ones that keep your family apart.”
🗣 “The nuclear family isn’t ancient; community living is.”
🗣 “Flip the ratio: more time together, less time apart.”
🗣 “In an AI world, double down on what’s human—connection and creation.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Do you feel like parenting is one constant power struggle?
The truth is, your kids don’t need more control—they need more independence. In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning share their proven “fortress framework” for raising confident kids: strong family boundaries on the outside, with freedom to choose inside.
This approach gives children the chance to practice decision-making, learn from natural consequences, and grow into responsible, respectful adults—without constant nagging, yelling, or punishments.
👉 In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why independence in children leads to long-term happiness and cooperation.
- The difference between authoritative vs. authoritarian parenting.
- How to meet physiological needs first (sleep, protein, stable blood sugar) to prevent meltdowns.
- Why teaching the “why” creates respect and lasting change.
- How to stop the tug-of-war and end daily battles around meals, bedtime, and routines.
Bottom line: Parenting doesn’t have to be this hard. When you create freedom within boundaries, your kids naturally choose responsibility, respect, and joy.
Key Takeaways
✅ Control the environment, not the child—freedom thrives inside safe boundaries.
✅ Independence in children grows through daily decision-making practice.
✅ Natural consequences are better teachers than punishments.
✅ Meet basic needs first—most misbehavior starts with hunger or fatigue.
✅ Teach the why—understanding builds respect and self-control.
✅ Stop tug-of-wars: kids resist less when you stop pushing.
✅ Let kids make small mistakes early to avoid big mistakes later.
✅ Respect is mutual: kids rise to the level of respect they’re given.
✅ Authoritative parenting = firm rules, warm guidance, steady teaching.
✅ The natural state of kids is happiness when independence is respected.
Memorable Quotes
- 🗣️ “Independence in children is built one choice at a time.”
- 🗣️ “Control the fortress, not the child—that’s where growth happens.”
- 🗣️ “Your child’s natural state is happiness—when needs are met and freedom is respected.”
- 🗣️ “Natural consequences do the teaching better than punishments ever could.” Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges
01:05 Understanding Nuances in Parenting
03:02 The Importance of Control vs. Freedom
06:23 Creating a Safe Environment for Independence
08:16 Teaching Decision-Making Skills
10:09 Learning Through Experience
13:26 Respecting Autonomy in Parenting
15:52 Understanding Authority in Parenting
18:26 The Importance of Mutual Respect
20:12 Identifying the Natural State of Children
21:11 The Role of Environment in Child Well-being
21:45 Creating a Fortress of Safety
24:19 Rethinking Meal Times and Food Control
25:51 The Impact of Control on Family Dynamics
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Are you exhausted from trying to do all the right things—but still feel like your family life isn’t extraordinary?
You’re not alone.
Many parents work tirelessly to manage schedules, teach principles, read parenting books, pray, practice gratitude, and still feel burnt out, disconnected, and frustrated.
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning unpack a heartfelt question from a listener who has been “doing it all” since 2020—yet still feels stuck. Together, they reveal why doing more isn’t the solution and why misaligned priorities, half-hearted effort, and misplaced energy may be keeping you from the extraordinary life you crave.
👉 You’ll learn:
- Why trying is not the same as doing (and why results don’t come from effort alone).
- The secret to shifting from dread and obligation to joy and fulfillment in daily family life.
- How to know when your priorities are out of alignment—even when you think you’re focused on the right things.
- Why gratitude, surrender, and modeling are the most powerful ways to influence your family.
- The “two-sided coin” of success: working hard while also letting go and allowing flow.
This conversation will challenge you to stop tolerating mediocrity, celebrate your progress, and focus with intention on the things that truly matter most—your health, your marriage, your joy, and your family.
✨ If you’ve been wondering, “Why am I still not living the extraordinary family life I want?”—this episode will give you clarity and courage to finally change.
Key Takeaways
✅ Trying ≠ Doing. Real change only comes when you follow through consistently.
✅ Model first: your kids and spouse will follow your example more than your words.
✅ Gratitude & surrender shift your energy and attract more of what you want.
✅ Your priorities are the proof—if you dread “good” things, something’s off.
✅ Success is holistic: you can’t win at work but lose at home and call it extraordinary.
✅ Do less, but better—focus on the few things that bring real results and joy.
Memorable Quotes
- 🗣️ “The brain’s like a garden—it doesn’t care what you plant.”
- 🗣️ “Trying isn’t doing. Results only come from doing.”
- 🗣️ “If you want your kids to change, you must model the change first.”
- 🗣️ “Your priorities are out of alignment if you dread the very things that should bring you joy.”
- 🗣️ “Gratitude and letting go bring more of the good things you want into your life.”
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Holistic Success
03:38 The Struggle for Balance in Life
06:31 The Importance of Prioritizing Relationships
09:30 The Role of Modeling in Family Dynamics
12:08 Navigating Challenges in Parenting
15:09 The Complexity of Emotional Needs
17:54 The Power of Gratitude and Positive Focus
21:05 Recognizing Progress and Direction
23:55 Celebrating Small Wins
26:32 The Journey Towards Extraordinary Family Life
41:32 Prioritizing Pleasure in Relationships
46:54 The Importance of Personal Health and Ownership
53:50 Leading by Example: The Power of Personal Change
59:43 Finding Joy in the Journey
01:06:40 The Balance of Doing and Allowing
01:16:05 Clarity and Intuition in Action
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Do you ever feel so overwhelmed by a big goal that you back away and settle for “safe”?
Here’s the truth: in order to succeed, you have to fail more. And you’ll have problems either way—so why not live an awesome life? In this episode, Rachel & Greg break down the mindset and method they’ve used for 23+ years to make bold decisions, face fear, and move forward even when it’s scary.
You’ll learn how to:
- Flip fear from a stop sign into a signal you’re on the right path
- Use the “exchange rate” test to decide if a dream is worth the price
- Shrink overwhelm with step-by-step moves (exposure in bite-sized reps)
- See how obstacles transform you into the person who can live your dream
- Adopt the mantra: “I’ll either find a way—or I’ll make one.”
Bottom line: your fears aren’t facts. When you face them strategically, the “impossible” becomes doable—and your life expands.
Key Takeaways
✅ Overwhelm means growth is near, not that you should quit.
✅ Problems are guaranteed; choose the ones that lead to an extraordinary life.
✅ Exposure beats avoidance: tiny reps dissolve massive fears.
✅ Decide by “exchange rate”: is the cost (work/problems) worth the outcome?
✅ Identity shift: obstacles forge the person who can hold the life you want.
Chapters
00:00 Embracing the Sun: A Controversial Perspective
01:09 The Catalyst for Extraordinary Living
02:26 Overcoming Overwhelm: The Decision to Act
04:17 Facing Challenges: The Path to Growth
06:10 The Irony of Fear: Choosing a Boring Life
08:39 Transforming Fear into Opportunity
11:18 Breaking Through Barriers: The Edge of Comfort
13:45 Processing Fear: A Journey of Growth
15:29 The Power of Facing Fears
20:41 The Importance of Awareness in Overcoming Fear
24:05 Living Beyond Limits: The Flea Analogy
Memorable Quotes
🗣 “In order to succeed, you have to fail more.”
🗣 “Either way you have problems—so why not live an awesome life?”
🗣 “That ‘overwhelm’ is often the doorway—not a dead end.”
🗣 “I’ll either find a way or I’ll make one.”
🗣 “Obstacles transform you into the person who can live the dream.”
🗣 “Why would anyone choose to live a boring life?”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Why are so many teens today collapsing under ordinary challenges?
Things seem hard because we are soft. After decades of comfort, convenience, and ease, too many kids haven’t been forged by healthy discomfort—so everyday life feels overwhelming.
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning reveal why today’s teens are unprepared to launch—and how parents can strategically build resilience, grit, and holistic toughness without becoming harsh or hard-hearted.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Use micro doses of discomfort—workouts, cold showers, chores, social reps—to build daily resilience
✅ Plan macro doses of challenge—travel, service, treks, adventures—to forge lasting grit
✅ Avoid raising “squishy kids” who collapse under stress, rejection, or discomfort
✅ Teach kids emotional strength and sensitivity without raising entitled adults
✅ Prepare your children to handle setbacks, stress, and even crisis with courage
Bottom line: If you don’t add challenge, the world will—and it won’t be gentle. Parents must be deliberate about raising strong, well-rounded kids who are ready to launch into adulthood with confidence.
✨ Memorable Quotes
🗣 “Things seem hard because we are soft.”
🗣 “We can’t just be helpless little babies that can’t do anything.”
🗣 “Do insanely difficult things so the hard things of life feel like no big deal.”
🗣 “Our kids don’t need Disneyland—they need Kilimanjaro.”
🗣 “The only way to earn toughness is to do hard things.”
🗣 “If you don’t strategically add challenge, life will—and it won’t be gentle.”
Chapters:
00:00 The Importance of Grit in Parenting
02:40 Generational Cycles and Their Impact
05:15 The Crisis of Modern Youth
08:13 Resilience and Emotional Intelligence
10:53 The Comfort Crisis: A Modern Dilemma
13:26 Building Grit Through Experience
16:11 The Role of Family in Developing Strength
19:16 Micro and Macro Dosing Hardship
21:48 The Value of Challenging Experiences
24:32 The Dangers of Overprotection
27:35 Holistic Development in Families
30:11 Creating a Supportive Community
32:47 The Role of Perspective in Parenting
35:55 Navigating Modern Challenges
38:35 The Importance of Real Experiences
41:21 The Impact of Virtual Reality on Youth
43:50 Choosing Discomfort for Growth
46:48 The Power of Shared Experiences
49:32 Strategic Parenting for Resilience
52:14 Building a Legacy of Strength
🎉 It’s not too late to join!
Fall 2025 Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Help your teen build life skills, confidence, and discipline.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
-
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Do you ever tell yourself you’re just being “content” or “grateful”—when in reality you’re actually settling for less than the life you truly want?
In this powerful episode, Greg & Rachel Denning pull back the curtain on how false contentment quietly keeps parents stuck in unhappy routines—and why so many families end up living what they call an unhappy dream.
You’ll discover why true happiness doesn’t come from removing desire, but from pursuing your best desires—and how embracing what we call “divine discontent” is the real catalyst for growth, joy, and lasting fulfillment.
Instead of numbing out with distractions or convincing yourself you “should just be grateful,” you’ll learn how to:
-
Raise your standards and stop tolerating mediocrity in your health, marriage, parenting, and personal growth
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Recognize the difference between gratitude and complacency—and why confusing the two keeps you stuck
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Do the inner work first so you can become the kind of parent and leader your kids want to follow
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Pursue challenges instead of avoiding them so you build the strength and confidence you need to thrive
-Create a family life you don’t need to escape from—one filled with meaning, adventure, and joy
If you’re ready to stop settling, face what’s really holding you back, and design a life you genuinely love, this episode is your wake-up call.
Key Takeaways
✅ True happiness comes from pursuit, not from removing desire.
✅ Divine discontent is healthy—stop tolerating what harms your life.
✅ You teach who you are: do the inner work first, every day.
✅ Swap “survive the day” for strategic focus + strategic disengagement.
✅ Choose challenge over comfort to stay mentally and emotionally healthy.
✅ Progress across six domains (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, financial).
✅ If you don’t like the outcome, raise your standards—then match them with action.
✅ Use the power-tool approach (coaching, systems) to collapse time and results.
✨ Memorable Quotes
🗣 “True happiness does not come from removing desire. True happiness comes from pursuing your best desires.”
🗣 “Find more happiness by refusing to be content with circumstances you don’t like.”
🗣 “If you don’t live the message, you suck as the messenger.”
🗣 “The chief cause of failure is trading what you want most for what you want now.”
🗣 “You get what you tolerate—so stop tolerating it.”
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Why “Contentment” Keeps Families Stuck
01:59 Divine Discontent: The Key to Growth
05:19 True Happiness Comes From Pursuit
07:47 Productivity & Strategic Rest
09:07 Balancing Goals Without Burnout
12:04 Why Coaching Collapses Time
16:29 Sacrifice & Ownership in Parenting
18:35 Start With What You DON’T Want
21:48 Taking Full Responsibility
23:44 Choosing Challenge Over Comfort
25:29 The Cost of Complacency
26:57 How to Create the Life You Really Want
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Do you feel like your spouse won’t change—no matter what you try?Have you been tolerating non-improvement and calling it “keeping the peace”?
In this episode, Greg & Rachel Denning share a practical blueprint for creating real change in marriage—without nagging, power struggles, or giving ultimatums. You’ll learn how to earn influence (instead of demanding it), build psychological safety so growth is possible, and use pattern interrupts to break the same old fights.
They unpack why couples stall out—no shared vision, unresolved wounds, holes in the relationship “bucket,” and mixed signals that make one spouse armor up. You’ll get specific tools to create safety, raise standards, and stop tolerating non-improvement—so your marriage actually gets better month by month.
What we cover:
- Why “it’s okay to be wounded—but not to stay wounded.”
- How to earn your spouse’s attention & respect (and keep it).
-
Pattern interrupts that disarm conflict and reset connection.
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The Bucket Test: plug the leaks killing motivation & desire.
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Strategic praise (what to amplify so it multiplies).
-
The Shared Vision your marriage needs to stay motivated.
-
When one spouse levels up—and what to do if the other resists.
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Tough talks done right: letters, timing, tone, and follow-through.
Bottom line: In life, you get what you tolerate. Don’t accept non-improvement. Use these tools to create safety, raise the standard, and build a marriage where both partners keep growing.
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Influence is earned, not demanded—become the person your spouse wants to follow.
✅ Safety first: no one grows while armored—reduce criticism, increase sincere praise.
✅ Pattern interrupts break the drama triangle and open space for change.
✅ Shared vision fuels motivation; without it, marriages drift.
✅ Stop tolerating non-improvement—lovingly raise the standard and keep it.
Memorable Quotes
- 🗣 “Do not accept non-improvement. In life, you get what you tolerate.”
- 🗣 “It’s okay to be wounded—it’s not okay to stay wounded.”
- 🗣 “Earn the right to be heard; influence follows respect.”
- 🗣 “Our most difficult conversations led to our biggest positive changes.”
- 🗣 “Whatever you’re doing isn’t working? Do the opposite—create a pattern interrupt.” Chapters:
02:24 Creating a Safe Space for Your Spouse to Improve
04:39 Using Pattern Interrupters to Break Negative Cycles
07:49 The Power of Reciprocity in Influencing Your Spouse
11:23 The Importance of Self-Improvement in Helping Your Spouse
17:04 The Power of Daily Affection and Verbal Expressions of Love
18:27 The Significance of a Shared Vision
22:45 The Role of Difficult Conversations in Positive Change
27:43 Embracing Difficult Conversations for Personal Growth
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you worried about your kids rebelling as teenagers?
Do you ever wonder if your parenting style today is planting the seeds of future rebellion—or resilience?
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning tackle the controversial connection between “restaurant parenting” and teenage rebellion. They share why forcing your children to “behave perfectly” in public often backfires, and how double standards in parenting create resentment and distance that can last for decades.
Instead, they reveal a better way: building congruence, fostering autonomy, and meeting your child’s deepest needs for love, certainty, identity, and adventure. When you allow children to “act their age,” explain the why behind rules, and respect their growing independence, you prevent destructive rebellion and instead raise courageous, confident adults.
This powerful conversation explores:
- Why unmet needs lead to rebellion (and how to meet them early)
- The difference between healthy vs. unhealthy rebellion
- How giving your kids autonomy strengthens respect and influence
- Why congruence between public and private parenting matters most
- How to prevent resentment from turning into long-term rebellion
- The secret to keeping influence with your kids as they grow into teens and adults
If you want to raise teens who respect you, trust you, and stay connected—without power struggles, yelling, or forced obedience— this episode will shift the way you see rebellion forever.
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Teenage rebellion often begins with unmet needs for love, acceptance, and autonomy.
✅ Consistency and congruence between public and private parenting builds trust.
✅ Healthy rebellion (risk-taking, questioning rules) prepares kids for adulthood.
✅ Influence with your teens is earned by respect—not forced obedience.
✅ Parenting long-term means thinking about the adults you want to raise, not just the behavior you want today.
🎙 Memorable Quotes
🗣 “If you ever try to make it a power struggle, even if you win—you lose.”
🗣 “The time to think about teenage rebellion is when your baby is born.”
🗣 “Resentment always comes from a need that’s not being met.”
🗣 “You don’t prevent rebellion by controlling kids—you prevent it by giving them autonomy.”
🗣 “Never stop earning your children’s respect. Be a respectable person.”
🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025
Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges
04:05 Understanding Teenage Rebellion
07:17 The Concept of Restaurant Parenting
11:08 Building Healthy Relationships with Teens
16:10 Creating a Healthy Environment for Choices
18:21 The Importance of Earning Respect
19:58 Understanding Teenage Rebellion
22:32 Healthy vs. Unhealthy Rebellion
25:19 Teaching Critical Thinking and Rule-Breaking
31:18 Questioning Parenting Norms
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you worried about how porn might be impacting your teen—or afraid to even bring up the conversation?
Studies show that up to 90% of boys and young men are consuming porn, often starting as young as eight years old. And the truth is, it’s not harmless. Porn rewires the brain, damages real-life relationships, distorts healthy sexuality, and fuels depression, anxiety, and disconnection.
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning break down the science, psychology, and social impact of porn use—and why parents must step up with courage, clarity, and compassion.
We’ll explore:
- 🚫 Why porn alters the brain’s dopamine baseline and destroys joy in real life
- 🧠 The biological and psychological effects on teen mental health
- ❤️ How to talk openly about sex, attraction, and healthy intimacy (without shame)
- 📱 The role of smartphones, sneaky behavior, and the need for parental accountability
- 🔑 Practical strategies to protect your kids AND help them build self-control, grit, and resilience
Porn isn’t going away. But with the right knowledge, conversations, and boundaries, you can prepare your teens to choose a healthier, more fulfilling path for their future relationships and happiness.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Healthy sexuality is good—pornography is destructive.
✅ Dopamine overload from porn creates depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction.
✅ Teens need open, shame-free conversations about sex and attraction.
✅ Parental restrictions alone aren’t enough—kids need guidance and modeling.
✅ Sneaky behavior is more dangerous than simple exposure.
✅ Internal motivation and self-mastery protect kids when parents aren’t around.
Memorable Quotes:
🗣️ “Good kids still struggle with porn—it doesn’t make them bad, but it is destructive.”
🗣️ “Sneaky, slimy behavior is always more dangerous than exposure itself.”
🗣️ “If you don’t teach your kids, society will—and you won’t like the results.”
🗣️ “Healthy sexuality is normal. Porn is not.”
🗣️ “Resentment comes from control. Resilience comes from teaching.”
📌 Chapters:
00:00 The Impact of Pornography on Society
12:07 Understanding the Biological and Psychological Effects
23:52 Navigating Conversations About Sexuality with Children
29:29 Strategies for Guiding Children in the Digital Age
31:36 Educating Ourselves and Our Children
33:16 Tools for Managing Screen Time
36:53 Creating Practice Zones for Self-Control
39:11 Encouraging Self-Reflection and Accountability
41:19 The Importance of Meaningful Engagement
44:23 Modeling Healthy Tech Use
46:32 Navigating Struggles with Compassion
48:18 Understanding Shame and Accountability
52:18 Developing Internal Guidance Systems
56:11 Extreme Measures for Self-Discipline
🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025
Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Formidable Family Man Podcast episode mentioned on this topic: #90 Stopping Porn for Good: Rewiring the Addicted Brain with Dr. Trish Leigh https://youtu.be/ybRopd24arI
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Is your teen struggling with anxiety, depression, or just staying motivated to get out of bed in the morning?Do you sometimes feel helpless watching them drift, while wishing you could guide them without controlling them?
In this heartfelt conversation, we dive deep into the real reasons teens check out emotionally and mentally—and what you can do as a parent to help.
From the science-backed truth that positive habits are the foundation of mental health to powerful strategies like state changes, pattern interrupts, and building strong parent-child connections, we share the tools that actually work.
Whether your child is just entering the teen years or already struggling with disconnection, you’ll walk away with clarity, hope, and practical steps to help your son or daughter thrive.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Why sleeping in and lack of motivation are symptoms of deeper issues
✅ How to use positive habits to fight anxiety, depression, and hopelessness
✅ Why prevention is easier than repair (and what to do if you’re already in crisis)
✅ How to shift from control to guidance so your teen actually chooses greatness
✅ The difference between giving kids a “good life” vs. helping them build a meaningful life
✅ Micro- and macro-dosing love, time, and mentorship so your kids feel connected and inspired
If you’re ready to stop drifting and start building stronger habits and deeper connections with your teens, this episode is for you.
✨ Memorable Quotes
🗣 “What determines success for both teens and adults are the habits they have.”
🗣 “Prevention is so much easier than repair. Don’t wait until your child’s dragon has grown too big.”
🗣 “Your teen wants to please you deeply—but they will fight to the last breath to not be controlled.”
🗣 “There’s a massive difference between giving your child a good life and helping them create a meaningful one.”
🗣 “Hope is not a strategy. Hope plus habits is.”
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Teen Mental Health
03:56 Understanding the Teenage Experience
08:28 The Importance of Positive Habits
13:52 Navigating Parental Guidance and Control
16:55 The Power of Storytelling in Parenting
17:51 Setting Boundaries with Technology
18:11 Understanding Teen Sleep Patterns
20:32 The Kilimanjaro Principle in Parenting
23:40 Creating Meaningful Life Experiences
29:20 The Importance of State Change
29:55 Investing in Your Child's Growth
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
-
Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Do you ever feel like you have a "million dreams and not enough time" to chase them all?
As a parent, the challenge is even greater—you want financial freedom, family adventures, strong relationships, better health, and so much more. But where do you even start?
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning share their 5-step process for choosing which dreams matter most right now. They reveal how to prioritize goals without sacrificing what matters most—your marriage, your kids, your health, and your peace of mind.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Write down and prioritize ALL your dreams
✅ Balance ambition with family life
✅ Follow intuition and interests as guideposts
✅ Use urgency, energy, and alignment filters to choose what to pursue
✅ Avoid the trap of sacrificing relationships for success
Whether you dream of traveling the world, building a business, or creating a family legacy, this episode will help you gain clarity, simplify your focus, and start moving forward today.
If you’ve ever asked, “Where do I start?”—this is the roadmap you’ve been looking for.
✨ Memorable Quotes
🗣 “Start by cleaning up your life and your habits.”
🗣 “You don’t have to see the whole path—you just need to take the first step.”
🗣 “Big dreams require you to become the person capable of achieving them.”
🗣 “Never sacrifice relationships or health in pursuit of success.”
🗣 “Follow your interests—they’re breadcrumbs to your future potential.”
📌 Chapters
00:00 Pursuing Big Dreams with Family
03:30 The Importance of Prioritization
10:53 Holistic Approach to Goals
20:50 Writing Down Your Dreams
25:18 Intuition and Signs in Goal Pursuit
29:25 The Journey of Homesteading and Property Ownership
32:29 Following Your Interests as a Guidepost
35:09 The Importance of Genuine Interests
39:21 Researching and Learning as a Pathway
43:27 The Ready, Fire, Aim Approach
49:40 Defining Success and Wealth
53:33 Deciding Which Dream to Pursue
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are your teen’s habits building the future they want — or holding them back?Most parents focus on grades, test scores, and academic achievements, but the truth is… habits determine everything. From sleep to self-talk, from what we eat to how we think, our daily habits are literally the building blocks of our lives.
In this episode, we share the foundational habits every teen should develop to create a life of happiness, success, and purpose — and why these skills are rarely taught in schools. You’ll learn practical ways to help your teen replace destructive habits with empowering ones, create positive associations, and build a lifelong foundation for health, confidence, and achievement.
Whether you’re parenting a teenager now or preparing for the years ahead, this conversation will help you guide them toward a future they’ll thank you for.
🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025
Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Help your teen build life skills, confidence, and discipline.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Your identity is shaped by habit — and it can be reprogrammed
✅ Positive associations make good habits stick
✅ Why sleep, movement, and self-talk are foundational
✅ How to focus on the “top 20%” of habits that produce 80% of results
✅ Why grades matter far less than personal development
Chapters:
00:00 The Power of Habits
00:46 The Importance of Teaching Habits
01:51 Understanding Habits and Their Impact
04:25 The Role of Habits in Success
06:05 Personal Journey and the Quest for Habits
07:35 The Flaws in the Education System
09:08 The Consequences of Neglecting Habits
10:17 Exploring Happiness and Virtue
11:13 The Science of Habit Formation
13:11 Teaching Youth About Habits
14:31 The Impact of Good Habits
17:24 Identifying and Reprogramming Habits
18:05 The Power of Self-Talk
19:01 Addressing Mental Health Through Habits
20:41 Practical Steps to Change Habits
21:58 Building Healthy Relationships with Food
22:55 Creating Positive Associations
25:56 The Importance of Movement
27:02 Nourishing the Mind
28:02 The Role of Identity in Habits
29:59 Conclusion: The Future is in Your Habits
Memorable Quotes:
🗣"Habits shape your identity — and your identity shapes your future."
🗣"If we want our teens to succeed, we must teach them the habits that truly matter, not just chase grades."
🗣"Positive associations make good habits stick far better than willpower ever could."
🗣"The top 20% of habits will give your teen 80% of their success in life."
🗣"Schools rarely teach the most important skills — parents must."
🗣"Grades matter, but who your teen becomes matters more."
🗣"Habits are the invisible architecture of a successful life."
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you tired of repeating yourself over and over, just to get your teen to do the simplest chores?Does it feel like every request turns into a negotiation—or worse, an argument?
In this episode, we’re revealing exactly how to get your teen to take responsibility for chores—without nagging, yelling, or bribing. As parents of seven, we’ve tested countless strategies, and this one works because it’s built on privilege-based accountability—not power struggles.
We’ll show you how to replace daily battles with a clear system that motivates teens to follow through. You’ll learn how to connect privileges (like screen time, outings, or car use) to personal responsibility, so your teen begins to self-manage—willingly.
We’ll also share why maintaining a strong relationship is essential to cooperation, and how the right approach can actually bring you closer to your teen while also building lifelong habits of responsibility.
If you’re ready to turn chore time from chaos to calm, this conversation will show you exactly how.
🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025
Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Help your teen build life skills, confidence, and discipline.
Key Takeaways
✅ Why nagging backfires and what to do instead
✅ The power of privilege-based accountability
✅ How to set clear expectations without micromanaging
✅ Ways to keep your relationship strong while enforcing rules
✅ How this system builds self-motivation in teens
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Extraordinary Family Life
01:27 Creating a Family Culture of Responsibility
03:56 The Importance of Chores in Family Life
04:40 Lessons from Parenting: Results Speak
05:06 The Role of Charts and Systems
05:54 Engaging Teens in Family Responsibilities
06:36 Motivating Children to Take Responsibility
11:03 Understanding Privileges vs. Rights in Technology Use
13:29 Teaching Responsibility Through Chores and Contributions
16:52 Motivating Teens with Privilege-Based Accountability
20:31 The Role of Extrinsic Motivation in Developing Responsibility
24:56 Training for Life: Building Competence and Character
Memorable Quotes
🗣 "Nagging damages connection—privilege-based accountability builds it."
🗣 "When your teen owns the choice, they own the result."
🗣 "Consistency is what turns a system into a habit."
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you tired of parenting by force, only to watch results fade?Did you know that long-term influence usually starts with emotional deposits—not immediate obedience?
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning sit down with friends to unpack the parenting strategy that transformed their home: choosing strategic empathy, trust-building, and persuasion over force and control.
We dive into:
- Why influence matters more than obedience
- How to make daily emotional deposits that pay off later
- Tactful, creative strategies instead of reactionary discipline
- The subtle power of modeling—not manipulating
Whether you're in the parenting trenches or preparing for the teenage years ahead, this episode gives you tools to do the hard work once, so trust — not threats — becomes your default.
Tune in if you’re ready to raise thinking, self-directed children who WANT to do what's right—without prompting or power struggles.
Key Takeaways
✅ Influence beats force in the long run
✅ Emotional deposits build trust and cooperation
✅ Persuasion creates self-directed children
✅ Strategic reflection prevents repetitive discipline
✅ High standards don’t need harshness to stand firm
Chapters:
01:34 Unpacking Parenting Layers and Strategies
02:38 The Importance of Long-Term Vision in Parenting
03:37 Balancing Immediate Results with Long-Term Relationships
04:26 Navigating Parenting Challenges with Creativity
05:57 Building Emotional Bank Accounts with Children
07:44 Proactive Parenting: Making Emotional Deposits
09:13 The Impact of Travel on Family Relationships
10:34 Finding Balance in Parenting Intensity
12:00 Transformational vs. Transactional Interactions
13:59 The Reward of Long-Term Parenting Investments
16:00 Understanding Manipulation in Parenting
16:37 Transitioning from Transactional to Relational Parenting
18:06 Addressing Behavioral Issues with Connection
18:51 Creating a Culture of Connection and Deposits
19:46 The Importance of Individualized Strategies
21:18 Long-Term Solutions Over Short-Term Fixes
24:51 The Power of Influence and Persuasion in Parenting
Memorable Quotes:
🗣"What do you want the outcome to be?"
🗣"Every family has that one kid."
🗣"Family life is amazing and rewarding."
🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025
Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Help your teen build life skills, confidence, and discipline.
💸 Save $75 when you register before August 11th!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you frustrated watching your teen scroll endlessly… while the real world slips away?
In this episode, we tackle the tension parents feel when teen phones take over life, relationships, and mental health and how to reclaim connection when technology feels endless.
We unpack the essential shift from limiting screen time to cultivating habitsthat outlast it.
We'll show you how to:
- Instill the mindset: "a phone is a tool—not a toy"
- Help your teen build daily rhythms that out compete the scroll
- Create a family vision so compelling screens become secondary
- Model self-discipline and transparency as the path to influence
We also explain how this connects to our online class, Habits for a Successful Life, designed to teach teens how to manage attention, focus, and real‑world leadership—not just entertainment.
If you’re ready to move from discipline battles to habit building, tune in now to learn how to build a household culture where vision wins over distraction—and phones serve purpose, not rule life.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Habits > Screen limits: teach creation and purpose over restriction
✅ Model what you expect: teens follow your example more than your words
✅ Transparency over secrecy hugely increases trust
✅ Vision trumps distraction: bigger goals beat addictive habits
✅ Habits for a Successful Life class gives teens tools to build lasting success
Chapters:
00:00 Navigating Technology in Family Life
03:28 The Impact of Devices on Childhood Development
05:05 Establishing Boundaries for Teen Technology Use
06:05 Finding Balance: Freedom vs. Control
10:40 The Long Game: Teaching Lifelong Technology Management
19:35 Modeling Relationships for Children
21:06 Navigating Device Usage and Trust
24:19 Fostering Self-Directed Children
26:42 Establishing Accountability and Transparency
29:33 Creating a Family Culture of Openness
31:46 Mentoring Through Life's Challenges
33:06 Balancing Consumption and Creation
34:34 Managing Notifications and Distractions
35:24 Competing for Attention Against Devices
Memorable Quote:
🗣"Technology is a tool, not a toy."
🗣"It robs them of their childhood."
🗣"This is a long-term thing."
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Enrollment is now open for the Habits For a Successful Life teen class
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you pushing your kids to get a job because you think it will teach them hard work and responsibility?
You might want to rethink that strategy.
In this game-changing episode, we challenge the traditional mindset that getting a job is the best way to teach kids responsibility or financial sense. Instead, we lay out a powerful case for raising children to think like entrepreneurs, not employees.
We share how we've raised our own 7 children to develop grit, work ethic, and real-world resilience—without relying on traditional jobs or minimum wage work. From modeling hard things like summiting Mount Kilimanjaro to investing in books, mentorship, and business attempts, our goal is to teach ownership, not just obedience.
We also address how to create an extraordinary family life by building a home culture of learning, experimentation, and high standards for personal growth. Plus, we dive into why financial education and risk-taking matter more than ever—and how using debt wisely is a skill, not a sin.
If you're serious about raising independent, capable, and wealthy kids, this episode is packed with mindset shifts and tactical advice to get you there.
🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025
Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Help your teen build life skills, confidence, and discipline.
💸 Save $75 when you register before August 11th!
Key Takeaways:
✅ Why "just getting a job" may not teach your kids what you think
✅ Why entrepreneurship builds true resilience
✅ How to model growth, risk-taking, and wealth-building
✅ How to raise teens who are capable, self-motivated, and unafraid to fail
Chapters:
00:00 The Journey of Parenting and Launching Kids
00:58 Transitioning to Adulthood: Responsibility and Growth
01:16 Teaching Kids About Work and Wealth
01:25 The Moral Obligation to Become Wealthy
02:56 Understanding Wealth: Mindset vs. Money
04:16 The Difference Between Being Broke and Being Poor
05:42 The Importance of Skills and Resourcefulness
05:54 Jobs vs. Entrepreneurship: A Paradigm Shift
06:56 Creating Value in the Marketplace
08:17 Long-Term Strategies for Success
09:09 The Habit of Making Yourself Valuable
14:15 Building Valuable Skills and Leadership
15:32 The Importance of Continuous Learning
18:37 Investing in Yourself and Others
19:25 Debating Financial Strategies: Dave Ramsey's Approach
21:12 Understanding Risk and Wealth Creation
24:14 Empowering Children to Protect Themselves
29:34 Strategies for Mindset and Skill Development
Memorable Quote:
🗣 "If you think chores teach hard work, you don’t know what hard work is."
🗣 "You don’t get paid when you’re building something that’s yours—and that’s the point."
🗣 "Debt is a tool. It’s like a chainsaw—dangerous if you don’t know how to use it, powerful if you do."
🗣 "Your kids won’t become entrepreneurs if you only show them how to be employees."
🗣 "Work for free now so you can have freedom later."
Give your teen a life-changing experience on our Everest Base Camp Trek for Youth & Family →👉 https://www.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/trek-everest-base-camp-youth-family
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you noticing your teen struggling to move forward—still living at home, lacking motivation, or avoiding responsibility?
Did you know failure to launch syndrome is becoming a silent epidemic, with many young adults unable to transition into independent, thriving adults?
In this episode, Rachel and Greg unpack what failure to launch looks like, why it's happening—and most importantly—what you can do now to guide your child toward adult independence. Drawing on years of experience working with youth and young adults, they explore the common warning signs (low persistence, entitlement, lack of life skills) and reveal the actionable strategies that prevent the downward spiral before it’s too late.
This candid conversation is filled with practical advice: how to instill responsibility, help your child set meaningful goals, face challenges, and develop emotional maturity.
Whether you're parenting a toddler or a teen, this episode equips you with tools to help your children not just survive—but truly launch into adulthood on their own terms.
Tune in and take the steps that could make all the difference.
🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025
Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here
Help your teen build life skills, confidence, and discipline.
💸 Save $75 when you register before August 11th!
Key Takeaways:
✅ Identify early warning signs of failure to launch
✅ Distinguish between support and enabling
✅ Help kids build resilience through meaningful responsibility
✅ Encourage dumb goals that inspire growth
✅ Model adult habits—mental, emotional, physical, and financial
✅ Build connection, purpose, and courage at home
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Failure to Launch Syndrome
02:54 Contributing Factors to Failure to Launch
07:06 The Societal Impact of Failure to Launch
10:10 Strategies for Prevention and Intervention
15:07 Facing Challenges for Growth
19:22 The Dangers of Over-Providing
20:37 Creating Meaningful Experiences
23:38 Teaching Essential Life Skills
27:58 Modeling Healthy Habits for Success
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 “If you don’t deliberately fight against this, you can count on your kids failing to launch.”
🗣 “Challenge + responsibility = meaning.”
🗣 “Where there’s pain, there’s power.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you frustrated by constant discipline battles with your kids? Do you feel like no matter what you try, the misbehavior just won’t stop?
What if the key to ending discipline problems isn’t about punishments or timeouts — but about becoming a truly effective parent and mentor?
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning reveal why most parenting struggles come down to what you are doing — or not doing — as a parent. They share why discipline problems aren’t really about your kids but about parenting skills and trust-building.
You’ll learn the powerful mindset shift that parenting is a specific skill you can learn and improve — just like tennis — and how building a foundation of trust prevents most discipline issues before they start.
Discover how to stop draining your child’s emotional bank account and start making deposits of love, attention, and understanding. This episode is packed with real-life insights and encouragement for parents ready to enjoy parenting and raise well-adjusted, confident kids.
If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed by behavior battles and start creating a joyful family culture, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Discipline problems are caused by ineffective parenting, not kids.
✅ Parenting is a skill you can learn and improve — no guilt needed.
✅ Building trust daily is the foundation of influence and respect.
✅ Emotional “withdrawals” from kids cause misbehavior; deposits fix it.
✅ Meeting kids’ needs prevents problems before they start.
✅ Strong relationships reduce the need for discipline and conflict.
Chapters:
00:00 Why Most Parenting Problems Come From Ineffective Parenting
05:15 Parenting Is a Skill You Can Learn—Like Tennis
10:10 Building a Foundation of Trust Starts at Birth
15:30 Emotional Bank Account: Stop Withdrawals, Make Deposits
20:40 Meeting Your Child’s Needs Prevents Misbehavior
26:00 The Joy and Ease of Parenting When You Have the Right Skills
30:00 Taking Responsibility to Create a Family Legacy
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 "If you're having problems with your kids, the reason is what you are doing or not doing."
🗣 "Parenting is a specific skill like tennis — you can learn it and get better."
🗣 "Building trust starts the moment they’re born, every interaction counts."
🗣 "Discipline problems vanish when you become an expert at parenting, not disciplining."
🗣 "A child with their needs met rarely misbehaves."
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Does your teen complain that they feel “controlled,” “left out,” or “different” from their friends because of your family’s standards?
Are you worried that your rules might push them into rebellion—or cause them to resent you?
In this candid conversation, we break down exactly how to hold high standards without creating resentment, rebellion, or emotional distance.
We’ll teach you how to stop parenting from the couch, stop obsessing over control, and start using CONVICTION to convince your kids to OWN the highest standards for themselves.
When kids feel like they’re missing out — screens, video games, or anything — it usually means we as parents need to create a family culture that is more fun, more adventurous, and more rewarding than the alternatives.
In this episode, we share practical ways to help your kids understand the why behind your high standards — and how to make your life—and your family’s life—so attractive and meaningful that your kids want to choose those standards for themselves.
Key Takeaways:
✅ How to parent without punishment or power struggles
✅ Why setting high standards actually prevents rebellion
✅ How to create real family connection—not just rules
✅ The power of family adventure trips to shift your child’s perspective
✅ Why YOU need to keep leveling up if you want your kids to grow
If you’re ready to parent from conviction (not control), this episode is for you.
🌍 Join us for the next Extraordinary Family Adventure!
Give your teen a life-changing experience on our Everest Base Camp Trek for Youth & Family →👉 https://www.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/trek-everest-base-camp-youth-family
👉🏻 Register your teen for our Habits of a Successful Life Online Class. Enrollment now open for Fall!
- Live class
- Self-paced class
- Mentoring Accountability Program (MAP) for 16+
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes
02:38 Navigating Parenting Standards and Boundaries
05:45 The Challenge of Standing Out as Parents
08:25 Communicating Values and Standards to Teens
11:02 The Importance of Ownership in Standards
14:15 Understanding Consequences and Life Choices
17:02 Living the Message: The Role of Parents
19:53 The Balance of Unconditional Love and Standards
29:31 The Complexity of Love: Unconditional vs Conditional
32:14 Prioritizing Relationships Over Rules
36:06 Conviction vs Control in Parenting
42:37 Creating an Engaging Family Culture
50:03 The Importance of Exposure and Experience
57:27 Choosing the Hard Path for Greater Rewards
Memorable Quotes:
🗣️ "Phenomenal parenting is getting your kids to own the highest standards as part of who they are."
🗣️ "We don't parent from the couch—we get up and live a life that's so good, our kids want to join in."
🗣️ "If the alternative looks more fun, you're doing it wrong. Life is supposed to be better than video games."
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us for a 'Family Study Abroad' at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you constantly battling with your child over decisions—like what they wear, eat, or how they spend their time? Do you worry they’ll make bad choices if you give them too much freedom?
In this candid conversation, we break down the art and science of teaching kids how to make their own decisions—while still keeping them safe, supported, and connected to you.
The goal of parenting isn’t to control your child’s every move; it’s to teach them how to think, how to choose, and how to handle the natural consequences of their decisions. But how do you do that without letting them fall off the proverbial cliff?
In this episode, we reveal exactly how to balance freedom with boundaries, so your child can develop real-life decision-making skills without damaging your relationship in the process.
Whether you’re raising toddlers or teens, this episode will help you shift from a control-based parenting model to one focused on agency, connection, and life skills development.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Why letting kids make mistakes early prevents disasters later
✅ How to avoid power struggles while still being a responsible parent
✅ The difference between teaching and controlling—and why it matters
✅ How to give your child more agency without letting go too soon
✅ Why "passing the class" is our family's secret parenting framework
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 "If your kids don’t have room to say no, you’re not actually teaching them how to choose."
🗣 "We want our kids to make mistakes now—when the consequences are small—not later when they’re huge."
🗣 "The parent who controls too tightly crushes growth; the parent who lets go too soon creates chaos."
🗣 "Teaching kids to make good decisions is a dynamic, ever-changing process—it’s not one-size-fits-all."
Chapters:
01:06 Creating a Trauma-Free Environment for Children
01:34 Understanding Agency in Parenting
03:53 The Dangers of Authoritarian Parenting
05:39 The Importance of Teaching Over Telling
06:13 Navigating Managed Choices vs. True Agency
07:30 The Role of Open Communication in Parenting
08:44 Teaching Decision-Making Skills
11:18 The Balance of Freedom and Boundaries
11:53 Practical Applications of Agency in Parenting
12:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
17:56 Empowering Children with Agency
22:11 Navigating Natural Consequences
24:09 Teaching Decision-Making Skills
28:41 Building Relationships and Trust
30:12 Addressing Unmet Needs and Boundaries
33:49 Dynamic Parenting Strategies
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you worried you’re “not spiritual enough” to lead your kids in faith? Do you wonder if you’ve messed up too much to guide them in hearing God’s voice?
The truth is—you don’t have to be perfect to raise spiritually confident kids.
In this interview episode with Jen from Java With Jen, we have a candid conversation about hearing God's voice as a family—and why perfection is NOT a requirement for spiritual growth. We share how to create a home where prayer, repentance, and connection with God become normal everyday practices—even when you're still working through your own struggles.
We also talk about why the attack on families is so fierce right now—and why raising spiritually resilient kids is the key to protecting them from today’s cultural confusion and overwhelm.
You’ll discover how small habits like honesty, humility, and quick repentance clear the “airways” so you (and your kids) can hear God’s guidance more clearly.
If you're ready to build a family culture of faith without the pressure of perfectionism, this episode will encourage and equip you.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Why you don’t have to be perfect to teach your kids to hear God’s voice
✅ How repentance clears the “spiritual airways” so you can hear better
✅ Why family prayer will shape the next generation—and the world
✅ How to overcome shame, regret, and feelings of disqualification
✅ The role of moms (and dads!) in creating a faith-centered legacy
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Parenting and Ministry
03:45 Hearing God's Voice in Parenting
06:42 Navigating Faith and Skepticism
09:37 The Nuances of Hearing God's Voice
12:19 Daily Practices for Spiritual Connection
15:32 The Role of Mothers in Shaping Futures
18:38 The Importance of Repentance and Forgiveness
21:29 The Power of Family in Spiritual Growth
24:24 Closing Thoughts and Resources
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 “If you’re not praying for your kids, who is?”
🗣 “Forgiveness is like the most beautiful thing out there. We get to start fresh every day.”
🗣 “You don’t have to be perfect for God to use you. Your kids need to see that.”
🗣 “Spiritual growth starts with small, honest steps—together as a family.”
Resources for Jennilee Samuel:
Website: https://jenileesamuel.wordpress.com/java-with-jen-podcast-2/
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FC0yHrHm8isY044Y29qZM?si=e5b53aa0e88d4b24&nd=1&dlsi=9de8a89904be4f8d
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javawithjen/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JavawithJenPodcast/mentions/?_rdr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@javawithjen
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
-
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- FOR A LIMITED TIME - Enrollment is open for the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method!
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you living life on your terms—or just checking the boxes of what you're “supposed” to do?
Do you feel like you’re sacrificing your family life balance just to keep up with society’s expectations?
In this episode, we unpack the bold decisions we made to opt out of the “normal” path—traditional jobs, mainstream schooling, and cultural pressure—and how those sacrifices led to a stronger, happier, and more united family.
We’re not promoting selfishness. We’re advocating for intentionality. For living deliberately. For creating a family culture that nurtures emotional health, purpose, and joy.
We talk about the hard choices, the personal growth it required, the sacrifices we made—and why we’d make them all over again.
Whether you’re a parent wondering if there’s another way… or already on the path of designing your own extraordinary life… this episode will inspire you to ask better questions and bravely pursue the life you really want.
🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
✅ It’s not selfish to prioritize your family
✅ Society needs more whole, healthy families—not more conformity
✅ Choosing a harder path often leads to more meaningful outcomes
✅ You don’t need to quit everything—you need to take the next step closer to your ideal
📌 MEMORABLE QUOTES:
🗣 “What do you really want? Now let’s make it happen.”
🗣 “It’s not a lesser path—it’s just a harder one.”
🗣 “The point isn’t ease. The point is meaning.”
🗣 “Stop asking, ‘Can I?’ Start asking, ‘How could I?’”
⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Extraordinary Family Life Podcast
01:01 The Importance of Family and Individual Development
07:16 Challenging Conventional Norms
07:32 Responses to Criticism and Counterarguments
10:14 The Role of Institutions in Family Life
13:05 Designing Your Unique Family Life
16:46 The Impact of Family on Community
17:20 Strategic Parenting for Success
18:03 The Power of Choice in Education
20:19 Taking Ownership of Education
20:49 The Consequences of Choices
21:14 The Harder Path to Fulfillment
22:11 Directing Your Own Life
22:46 Making Sacrifices for Your Children
25:23 Pursuing Your Ideal Life
27:17 Embracing AI and Human Connection
27:53 Finding Meaning in Struggle
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Is your husband avoiding intimacy... and you don't know why?
In this raw and unfiltered conversation, we unpack four brutally honest reasons your husband may not want sex — and what it means for your marriage.
Many wives silently wonder: "Why doesn't my husband want me anymore?" Whether you're emotionally connected (or not) but sexually distant, it can feel devastating.
But the truth is, low libido in men is rarely just about sex. Often, it’s a symptom of deeper issues—and understanding those issues is the first step toward rebuilding connection and passion.
We discuss:
- How processed food is reducing libido in men and women
How porn addiction secretly destroys sexual desire in marriage and creates SAD (sexual arousal dysfunction) * Why adultery (emotional or physical) leads to disconnection * The painful truth about emotional rejection and nagging * What you may unknowingly be doing to repel your husband sexually * Why physical, emotional, and attitudinal attractiveness matter in marriage * How to reignite mutual desire through sacrifice, growth, and emotional maturity
This is not a blame game—it's a wake-up call. In this episode, we share tools, examples from our own life and our coaching clients, and real solutions to reignite sexual connection and strengthen your marriage.
Sex in marriage isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about bonding, trust, and emotional safety. If you’re ready to heal what’s been broken, this episode is your starting point.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Porn and hidden behavior destroy trust and attraction
✅ Adultery (emotional or physical) often hides in plain sight
✅ Attraction isn’t just physical—emotional and mental habits matter
✅ Nagging, emotional drama, or a messy mindset can kill desire
✅ You can change your patterns and reignite connection—starting today
Chapters:
00:00 The Holistic Nature of Parenting Includes Parents' Sexual Relationship
05:31 Understanding Men's Low Sex Drive
10:14 Health and Its Impact on Intimacy
24:45 The Role of Pornography in Relationships
32:35 Adultery and Its Consequences
33:03 The Hidden Affairs: Emotional and Physical Distance in Relationships
34:50 The Importance of Sexual Connection in Marriage
38:25 Understanding Male Sexual Drive and Its Implications
41:35 The Moral Responsibility of Intimacy in Marriage
44:55 Attractiveness and Its Role in Marital Dynamics
51:22 The Conditions of Love and Attraction
55:57 Working with Reality: The Path to Improvement
More Episodes About Sex:
- #148 What Wives Need to Know About Husbands' (Sex Drive) and What Men Need to Understand About Themselves
- #150 The Sex-quel. Follow Up Sex Episode With Rachel Denning
- #151 What Husbands NEED to Know About Their Wives (sex & intimacy)
- #224 How (& WHY) to Have Sex 3-6 Times a Week EVEN with Kids, Businesses, Homeschool, Jobs, Activities, and More
-
253 SEX IS A NEED FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY MARRIAGE
-
268 I’M TIRED OF BEING A LONELY “ROOMMATE WITH BENEFITS” FOR MY HUSBAND
-
273 I’M TIRED OF BEING A ROOMMATE ‘WITHOUT BENEFITS’ WITH MY WIFE! (AKA WHY WOMEN DON’T WANT SEX)
-
317 HOW SEXUAL FRUSTRATION (OR PORN) ARE CAUSING DAD’S TO BE GRUMPY & DISCONNECTED
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
-
Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Do you feel like you're losing connection with your teen—or worse, already have? You're not alone… but it doesn't have to be that way.
In this powerful and honest episode, we share 6 strategic parenting techniques that have helped us raise mature, respectful, and emotionally healthy teens—without control, punishment, or endless conflict.
If you're frustrated by moodiness, defiance, secretive behavior, or a lack of trust in your relationship with your teen, it might be because you're parenting on autopilot… using strategies that just don’t work anymore.
We unpack the REAL reasons why teens rebel, resist, or retreat—and why many parenting tactics like strict rules, forced obedience, or excessive control backfire (sometimes in heartbreaking ways).
You'll learn how to:
- Recognize the warning signs of disconnection before they become rebellion
- Build emotional capital and trust with your teen—without being permissive
- Encourage better choices without controlling their every move
- Avoid the #1 parenting myth that leads to resentment and disrespect
- Use strategy and vision to create a strong, lifelong bond
- Empower your kids to make good decisions because they want to, not because they have to
Whether you’re deep in the teen years or just getting started, these techniques will help you raise responsible, confident, and connected kids—and build a family culture of mutual respect, freedom, and fun.
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
✅ Emotional connection must come before correction
✅ Control breeds secrecy; trust builds honesty
✅ Strictness often leads to rebellion—not obedience
✅ Earned respect is the foundation of influence
✅ Teens thrive with autonomy, strategy, and support
✅ Nutrition, sleep, and screen time massively impact behavior
✅ Your parenting strategy must evolve with your child
🕰️ CHAPTERS
00:00 Challenging Negative Stereotypes: Teenagers Are Not Troublesome
02:41 Building an Emotional Bond with Your Teenagers
03:09 The Impact of Sleep and Nutrition on Teenagers' Behavior
05:01 The Pitfalls of Controlling Parenting Styles
22:42 The Impact of Social Media and Video Games
💬 MEMORABLE QUOTES
🗣 “You can’t fix your parenting without fixing your relationship.”
🗣 “The strictest parents often have the most rebellious kids.”
🗣 “If you’re controlling your child, they’re not learning to control themselves.”
🗣 “Respect isn’t automatic—it must be earned.”
🗣 “Your kids don’t owe you obedience. You owe them leadership.”
🗣 “Stop asking ‘should this work’ and start asking ‘does this work?’”
Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL_J-aSKZfs&list=PLy_YSoZnpiQyx7DUYuapwWWBHPl_DKiGQ
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
-
Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you wondering why your 18-year-old still acts like a teenager? Science confirms it—they’re not fully adults yet. So how do you parent emerging adults ages 18–25 with wisdom, influence, and connection?
In this powerful episode, we share the essential mindset and parenting strategies you need to guide your teens and young adults through their most formative and vulnerable years.
We dive into why your role as a parent doesn’t stop at 18—and why your influence matters even more during this critical “emerging adulthood” phase.
Learn why respect must be earned (not assumed), why leveling up as a parent is non-negotiable, and how to stay connected while still holding high standards. We also unpack the difference between rigid rules and principled living, why exposure to the real world is crucial (not dangerous), and how to foster real-world readiness through honest conversation and example—not fear, shame, or control.
Whether your child is making choices that don't align with your values, or just pulling away, this episode will equip you with the tools to respond with love, leadership, and lasting impact.
This is your next level of parenting—and it’s never too late to start.
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Science shows the brain isn’t fully developed until 25-27
✅ Influence must be earned—respect is not automatic
✅ Model the standards you want to see in your kids
✅ Don’t parent with rigidity—teach principles with flexibility
✅ Exposure is safer than naivety—prepare your kids for real life
✅ Keep growing if you want your kids to keep listening
📍 Chapters
00:00 Navigating Parenting Beyond 18
03:25 Understanding Adulthood and Brain Development
05:54 The Role of Family Structure in Adulthood
09:15 Reframing Independence and Support
11:46 Mentorship and Guidance in Emerging Adulthood
14:49 Building Generational Wealth and Legacy
17:22 Open Conversations About Relationships
20:31 Researching and Discussing Complex Topics
23:44 Navigating Modern Relationships and Challenges
28:37 The Role of Parenting in Adulthood
31:25 Earning Respect Through Personal Growth
34:32 Navigating Adult Choices and Responsibilities
37:27 Teaching Principles Over Rules
40:40 The Importance of Open Communication
43:28 Exposure to Life's Realities
46:38 Flexibility in Parenting Standards
49:39 Next Level Parenting for Young Adults
🗣 Memorable Quotes
🗣 “Respect is earned—not automatic—especially with your adult kids.”
🗣 “If you’re not leveling up, you’re leveling off.”
🗣 “Don’t protect your kids from the world—prepare them for it.”
🗣 “We parent with principles, not with rigidity.”
🗣 “Your influence only lasts as long as your example does.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Free 6 Step Guide: How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Do you ever wonder why you're not happy, even when life looks good on the outside?
You’re raising kids, checking off your to-do list, maybe even living in your dream house—but something still feels… off. Like you’re just going through the motions. If that’s you, this episode is exactly what you need.
In this honest and actionable conversation, we share 7 specific strategies we use as a couple and family to intentionally practice happiness—no matter how hard, stressful, or chaotic life gets.
These aren’t fluffy mindset hacks. These are real-life tools we use daily to overcome burnout, shift our emotional state, and reconnect with purpose.
We cover how to:
- Use mundane tasks like washing dishes as emotional recovery
- Connect daily habits to your long-term goals for deeper meaning
- Recognize signs you're emotionally depleted—and what to do next
- Build “micro-doses” of joy and excitement into your calendar
- Use movement and analog tasks to boost your mood naturally
- Align your marriage so you're not living as "roommates"
- Create a happiness practice your kids can learn from
If you’re tired of surviving and ready to start thriving, these tools will help you find happiness again—on purpose.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
✅ Happiness must be practiced—especially when you’re busy
✅ Daily chores can become recovery if used intentionally
✅ Vision gives meaning to the mundane—reconnect with yours
✅ Micro + macro doses of joy help you avoid burnout
✅ Marriage connection fuels personal happiness
✅ What you model emotionally, your kids will repeat
Chapters:
00:00 The Hidden Reason You're Not Happy
03:51 Reconnecting Tasks to a Long-Term Vision
06:54 Finding Awe in Nature
08:58 Micro & Macro Doses of Joy
12:09 Feeling Off? Here's Your Warning Sign
14:37 Analog Tasks to Reset Your Brain
17:22 Strategic Happiness: It’s Not Automatic
19:41 Fix the Marriage First—Then the Mood
22:19 Why We Prioritize Play (Yes, Even Now)
24:31 The #1 Emotional Habit to Model for Your Kids
MEMORABLE QUOTES
🗣️ “If your to-do list isn’t connected to a bigger vision, it’s meaningless.”
🗣️ “Stop grinding. Start being strategic about your energy.”
🗣️ “Happiness is not a reward, it’s a practice—especially as a parent.”
🗣️ “Sometimes doing the dishes is the best therapy.”
🗣️ “Our children learn how to be happy by watching us practice it.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed, irritated, or like you’re just going through the motions of family life?
Do you wish you could feel more joy, peace, and connection—but don’t know how to actually get there in the midst of chores, tantrums, and to-do lists?
In this episode, we share how to actually enjoy family life—even when it’s hard, boring, or chaotic. We explore how being present—truly present—can radically transform your parenting and your emotional state. You’ll learn how to stop “trying” to be calm or patient... and instead become calm and patient from the inside out—so you can raise happier, more resilient kids who feel safe, seen, and emotionally supported every day.
We unpack how your emotional baseline affects your family culture, why pretending to be peaceful isn’t enough, and how small daily habits like mindfulness, gratitude, and intentional action can raise your emotional thermostat.
You’ll also discover how to remove hidden emotional blocks and process negative feelings—so you can genuinely enjoy family life, even in the messy, mundane, or tough moments.
This conversation is packed with practical strategies to help you shift from reactive and exhausted... to grounded, connected, and joyful.
If you’ve been craving more daily joy and emotional peace, this episode is your roadmap.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Trying to be calm isn’t the same as being calm—true peace comes from internal emotional regulation.
✅ You can’t fake joy, patience, or love—emotional authenticity is essential in parenting.
✅ Your emotional baseline determines the overall tone of your family culture.
✅ Unprocessed emotions run in the background and drain your energy—clearing them frees you to parent with joy.
✅ Small habits like mindfulness, breathwork, and gratitude rewire your brain and raise your emotional thermostat.
Chapters:
00:00 The Essence of Happiness in Family Life
02:24 The Struggle Between Doing and Being
05:22 Modeling Joy for Children
08:29 The Role of Triggers in Parenting
11:13 Choosing Emotions in Daily Life
13:59 Finding Joy in Everyday Chores
17:09 The Impact of Environment on Happiness
20:00 Teaching Children Through Example
22:48 The Importance of Self-Control in Parenting
26:03 Creating a Positive Family Dynamic
30:31 Choosing Happiness: The Process of Emotional Management
32:47 Understanding Neuroticism and Its Impact on Emotions
35:27 The Power of Focus: Shifting Perspectives
39:26 Transforming Daily Chores into Joyful Experiences
43:11 Morning Routines: Setting the Tone for Positivity
47:15 Processing Emotions: The Key to Emotional Freedom
51:25 Authenticity in Parenting: The Importance of Genuine Emotions
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 "Trying to be calm is not the same as actually being calm."
🗣 "You can’t pretend your way to peace—it has to be real."
🗣 "Our kids don’t need perfect parents—they need emotionally present ones."
🗣 "Negative emotions are like apps running in the background—they drain your energy until you clear them."
🗣 "There is no way to happiness—happiness is the way."*
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are the men in your home grumpy, disconnected, or hard to reach emotionally? Do you ever feel like there's a quiet tension simmering under the surface of your marriage?
In this raw and honest conversation, we dive into how unmet sexual needs (and/or porn usage) —and a lack of emotional and physical connection—are contributing to frustration, moodiness, and even disconnection in marriage and family life.
You might be surprised to learn that it’s not just men who are feeling sexually frustrated—many women are too. And when this deep need for connection is unmet, it seeps into every area of life: parenting, partnership, communication, and even personal confidence.
We explore how porn, masturbation, stress, and lack of emotional intimacy are silently sabotaging marriages—and how to rebuild connection, fulfillment, and joy through intentional effort and honest conversations.
This episode is for couples who want more than just “getting by.” It’s for those who want thriving, deeply connected, emotionally intelligent marriages that can handle the storms of family life and come out stronger.
If you're ready to level up your relationship and break free from disconnection, this episode will give you practical, powerful tools to start healing and reconnecting—starting today.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Sexual frustration impacts your entire family dynamic
✅ Porn and masturbation are damaging long-term intimacy
✅ Women often want more & better sex—this is shifting
✅ Great sex takes intention, health, emotional connection, and effort
✅ You can't separate parenting and marriage—everything affects everything
✅ Emotional intelligence is key to deeper connection
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Family Life Optimization
02:58 The Interconnectedness of Life Aspects
10:38 State Optimization for Better Parenting
16:13 Understanding Sexual Needs in Relationships
22:40 The Impact of Sexual Frustration on Family Dynamics
28:34 Addressing Sexual Needs and Responsibilities
37:56 The Importance of Hard Work in Relationships
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 “You can’t fix your parenting without fixing your marriage.”
🗣 “Porn is destroying your ability to connect in real life.”
🗣 “Sex should be like a massage—relaxing, connecting, enjoyable.”
🗣 “If you don’t feel great, something’s off. Find the leak.”
🗣 “Cheap substitutes like porn kill the drive to do the hard work that leads to real love.”
RESOURCES:
- 👉 For a Limited Time, join the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Methodonline parenting course.
- Free 6-Step Guide: How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you tired of feeling stuck in the same frustrating patterns of family conflict?
Do small arguments keep escalating, leaving you drained, defeated, or disconnected?
In this empowering episode, we break down exactly how to step out of the Family Drama Triangle—the toxic cycle of victim, villain, and rescuer that silently sabotages your parenting, partnership, and peace.
We share the 3 surprisingly simple steps that will help you break free from reactive patterns and create more calm, connection, and cooperation in your home—starting today. 💥
You’ll also discover:
- Why your own emotional triggers are often the root of family conflict
- How to recognize the role you're playing in the Drama Triangle (and why it's so hard to stop)
- The inner work that must be done if you want to communicate effectively and parent powerfully
Whether you’re dealing with toddler tantrums, teenage eye rolls, or marital tension, this episode will give you the tools to de-escalate drama and lead your family with confidence and clarity.
🌱 Peace begins inside you. When you do the work, the family shifts.
Key Takeaways:
✅ What the Family Drama Triangle is—and how it silently controls your reactions
✅ Why anger, sarcasm, or withdrawal are usually signs of something deeper
✅ The questions that uncover what’s really going on when you’re triggered
✅ How to shift from reactive parenting to calm, conscious leadership
✅ Simple mindset tools to break the drama cycle and build emotional safety
Memorable Quotes:
"Wait, why am I so upset right now? That question is the beginning of everything."
"Your anger is a clue. Follow it inward to discover the real issue."
"When you stop playing your role in the Drama Triangle, the game ends.""Inner peace creates outer peace. It starts with you."
"The strongest families are led by emotionally mature parents."
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Family Dynamics and Drama
11:11 Understanding the Drama Triangle
24:48 Roles in the Drama Triangle
33:38 Breaking Free from the Drama Triangle
40:39 Stepping Out of the Drama Triangle
46:59 Awareness and Naming Roles
54:02 Transitioning to Empowered Roles
58:43 The Creator, Coach, and Challenger Roles
01:21:31 Transforming Family Dynamics
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you struggling with how to handle conflicts and tough behavior with your kids?
Do consequences often feel harsh or ineffective, leaving your family stressed instead of connected?
In this episode, we dive deep into using natural consequences as a powerful tool for conflict resolution in your family. Instead of punishments or power struggles, discover how fun yet impactful consequences can teach kids respect, empathy, and responsibility — all while strengthening your family bonds.
Raising seven kids ourselves, we know how challenging sibling rivalry and hurtful words can be. We share real-life strategies that help kids own their mistakes, learn from them, and choose kindness next time — without resentment or fear.
If you want to create a peaceful home where your children develop emotional intelligence and self-control, this episode is packed with practical, easy-to-implement ideas that truly work.
Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, these natural consequence techniques will empower you to turn conflict into growth opportunities — with love, humor, and respect.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Natural consequences teach responsibility without harsh punishment
✅ Opt-in consequences build cooperation and buy-in from kids
✅ Fun, intense consequences leave lasting lessons without damage
✅ Encouraging honesty and ownership defuses sibling conflict
✅ Small intentional strategies transform family culture
✅ Raising emotionally intelligent kids strengthens relationships
Chapters:
00:00 Creating an Extraordinary Family Life
02:19 Addressing Sibling Rivalry
05:43 Healing Underlying Issues
11:17 The Importance of Self-Reflection
19:09 Tools for Emotional Mastery
27:04 Noticing and Addressing Small Issues
32:06 Practical Strategies for Conflict Resolution
40:27 Navigating Sibling Conflicts
45:27 Teaching Emotional Intelligence
50:40 Calming Techniques for Heated Moments
56:02 Addressing Annoying Behaviors
01:01:08 Promoting Personal Responsibility
01:06:08 Building Perspective on Family Dynamics
01:11:31 Handling Name-Calling and Insults
01:21:12 Building Resilience in Children
01:22:59 Parental Responsibility and Empowerment
01:25:19 Emotional Bank Accounts in Sibling Relationships
01:26:14 Understanding Fairness in Family Dynamics
01:28:59 Teaching Fairness and Sharing
01:32:32 Addressing Physical Aggression in Children
01:39:49 The Importance of Accountability and Consequences
01:49:35 Fostering Ownership and Responsibility
01:51:30 Eliminating Jealousy and Competition
01:53:46 Standing Up Against Bullying
01:59:24 Creating an Extraordinary Family Life
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 "Consequences don’t have to be harsh to be effective."
🗣 "When kids choose their consequence, they’re more likely to learn."
🗣 "The goal is connection and growth — not fear or shame."
🗣 "Sibling conflict is a classroom for empathy and emotional intelligence."
🗣 "Small, intentional changes in parenting make big family transformations."
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you and your spouse constantly disagreeing about HOW to best parent your children?
Are you wondering if one (or both) of your parenting styles is hurting your child’s emotional growth?
And if so, what do you do about it, especially when you disagree so adamantly?
In this episode, we unpack the subtle but powerful effects that parenting styles have on children’s development—especially when it comes to raising resilient, well-adjusted kids.
Many parents unknowingly adopt habits that hold their families back from true emotional health and connection.
Parenting is a daily practice of small choices, and understanding which styles promote emotional intelligence, confidence, and independence can transform your family life.
Join us as we share the key things we NEVER do as parents of 7 children, and how those ‘never-dos’ have shaped a positive, loving family culture where kids learn to thrive.
You’ll hear practical advice on:
- How authoritative parenting builds self-worth
- Why harsh or inconsistent discipline backfires
- The dangers of sarcasm and negative language
- Creating open, honest communication at every age
- Balancing boundaries with empathy and love
If you want to upgrade your parenting approach and create a nurturing environment where your kids feel safe to grow emotionally, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Different parenting styles have lasting effects on your child’s emotional and social development
✅ Authoritative parenting fosters resilience and healthy boundaries
✅ Avoid sarcasm, harshness, and inconsistent discipline to build trust
✅ Emotional intelligence starts with authentic, open communication
✅ Small ‘never-dos’ can prevent big problems down the road
Chapters:
00:00 Parenting from the Same Page
06:41 The Importance of Communication in Parenting
13:12 Navigating Parenting Styles
24:08 Understanding Parenting Approaches
31:13 The Four Parenting Philosophies
43:16 The Pitfalls of Authoritarian Parenting
46:00 Understanding Permissive Parenting
51:39 The Consequences of Neglectful Parenting
58:31 The Gold Standard: Authoritative Parenting
01:11:03 Getting on the Same Page as Parents
01:25:51 The Journey of Personal Development in Parenting
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 “Parenting styles shape the adults our kids become.”
🗣 “Harsh discipline creates distance and fear, not respect.”
🗣 “You can’t build emotional intelligence if your home isn’t emotionally safe.”
🗣 “Consistency and love are the true foundation of resilient kids.”
More episodes on working together in parenting and marriage:
-
192 EVERYTHING IN LIFE GETS EASIER & SMOOTHER WHEN YOU CAN COMMUNICATE BETTER. HERE'S HOW TO DO IT
-
221 SPECIFIC STRATEGIES & TOOLS TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE GOOD, BETTER, GREAT & EXTRAORDINARY
-
237 THE STABILITY OF YOUR FAMILY LIFE DEPENDS ON THE STABILITY OF YOUR MARRIAGE
-
262 IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR SPOUSE & PROCESS EMOTIONS TO BUILD AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE & MARRIAGE
-
267 THE CHALLENGES (& LASTING IMPACT) OF THE BABY/CHILD-REARING PHASES ON YOUR MARRIAGE & PARENT/CHILD RELATIONSHIPS
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Do your kids struggle with tantrums, power struggles, or emotional meltdowns—and you’re not sure how to stop the cycle without yelling or harsh discipline?
After posting on Instagram about how we raised our 7 kids without yelling, punishments, or power struggles, we received so much interest and questions from parents wanting to know—is it really possible?
Yes, it is—and in this episode, we share exactly how we did it.
Raising emotionally healthy, well-adjusted kids starts with creating a strong foundation of love, trust, and connection. In this conversation, we unpack the specific things we never do as parents, and why avoiding them has helped our children become confident, competent, and emotionally resilient.
From mockery and sarcasm to yelling, punishments, and ignoring big feelings—these parenting pitfalls actually increase misbehavior, power struggles, and emotional shutdown.
We also share personal stories—including a controversial ocean swim encounter—that demonstrate how pushing limits (safely and intentionally) builds competence, confidence, and calm under pressure—for kids and adults.
Whether you're parenting toddlers or teens, these insights will help you shift your mindset and methods to raise kids who thrive without tantrums, yelling, or power struggles.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Strong attachment = strong self-worth
✅ Small emotional habits shape your child's future
✅ Sarcasm erodes trust—kindness builds connection
✅ Harshness leads to fragility and misbehavior
✅ Family culture and personal growth go hand in hand
✅ Confidence comes from challenge, not comfort
Chapters:
00:00 Raising Well-Adjusted Kids on the Move
10:39 Understanding Tantrums and Yelling
15:45 Prioritizing Connection Over Correction
27:41 Investing Time for Long-Term Benefits
29:25 The Importance of Connection Over Correction
31:15 Understanding the Desire for Connection
33:03 The Impact of Parental Engagement
35:27 Recognizing Attachment Issues
37:10 Daily Intentional Connection
39:04 Behavior as a Symptom, Not the Problem
41:24 Going to the Root Cause of Behavior
43:41 The Investment in Parenting Knowledge
47:37 Clarifying Expectations in Parenting
50:27 Engaging in Clear Communication
53:40 Encouraging Dialogue for Clarity
01:00:08 Natural Consequences and Child Empowerment
01:06:14 Establishing Family Systems for Smooth Parenting
01:12:53 Emotional Co-Regulation in Parenting
01:21:33 Building Resilience Through Connection and Challenge
Memorable Quotes:
🗣 “We never participate in sarcasm or tearing each other down.”
🗣 “Do your children feel good in your home—or do they feel fear?”
🗣 “Harshness creates distance and fragility, which causes misbehavior.”
🗣 “If you want different results, you’ve got to change how you parent.”
🗣 “Push yourself and your kids—growth replaces fear with competence.”
🗣 “The key to raising kids without tantrums is becoming emotionally safe yourself.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Feeling torn between your big dreams and the tiny humans in your care?
Do you ever wonder if you’ll ever have the time, energy, or space to pursue the big dreams in your heart — while you're still night nursing, co-sleeping, and managing tantrums between business tasks?
You're not alone.
In this episode, Rachel gets real about what it takes to be an ambitious mom in the baby and toddler years — and why the real secret isn't doing it all right now... but doing what matters most and learning to trust the process.
You'll hear:
-
Why it’s okay (and wise) to pause or rearrange your dreams — not abandon them
-
The long-term power of building a secure foundation for your child first
-
Gentle strategies for night weaning and moving beyond co-sleeping
-
What Rachel would go back and say to herself as a young mom with a business and babies
-
Small ways to nurture your goals in this season without burning out
This is your permission slip to stop striving, lean into the season you're in, and trust that your dreams are safe — even if they're on the shelf for now. 💛
Key Takeaways:
✅ The early years are critical for a child's emotional development.
✅ Self-care is essential for parents to avoid burnout.
✅ Meeting a child's needs leads to less clinginess and more independence.
✅ Co-sleeping and breastfeeding can foster a secure attachment.
✅ Intentional parenting creates a strong foundation for future relationships.
✅ The chaos of parenting can be embraced and enjoyed.
✅ Sacrificing personal ambitions may be necessary during early years.
Chapters
00:00 Embracing the Chaos of Parenthood
03:04 The Importance of Mindset in Parenting
06:24 Understanding Child Development and Needs
09:16 The Long-Term Investment of Parenting
12:05 Balancing Self-Care and Family Needs
15:22 Creating a Secure Environment for Children
18:17 Navigating Relationships and Priorities
21:07 The Value of Minimalism in Parenting
24:25 The Evolution of Parenting Practices
28:08 Creating a Safe and Secure Environment for Children
36:02 The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
50:28 Building Strong Foundations for Future Relationships
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Do your kids constantly bicker, tattle, or compete for attention? Are you tired of breaking up fights and wondering if sibling rivalry is just normal?
In this episode, we dive deep into how we've navigated sibling dynamics while raising seven kids—without letting rivalry and resentment take over our home.
We share the simple but powerful habits that have helped us create a strong family culture where our kids actually like each other and feel secure in their individual roles.
You’ll learn why sibling rivalry isn’t just about the kids—it’s a symptom of deeper family patterns and culture.
We’ll show you what to shift as the parent to foster cooperation instead of competition, and how to create an emotionally safe environment where kids don’t have to fight to be seen, heard, or valued.
Whether you're raising two kids or twelve, this episode will equip you with practical tools and mindset shifts that can transform your home from chaotic to connected.
If you're ready to stop the fighting and start building sibling relationships that last a lifetime, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
✅ The #1 root cause of sibling rivalry (and how to fix it)
✅ Why your emotional tone sets the whole sibling dynamic
✅ The surprising ways parental comparison fuels conflict
✅ How to build connection between siblings on a daily basis
✅ Scripts and strategies to respond to tattling, teasing, and competition
✅ Why cultivating family identity reduces sibling drama
✅ How to raise kids who genuinely want to support each other
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Extraordinary Family Life Podcast
00:55 The Importance of Marriage in Parenting
01:49 Addressing Parenting Challenges
03:34 Common Parenting Struggles and Solutions
05:27 The Complexity of Parenting Skills
08:38 Influence and Relationship Dynamics
11:23 Earning Influence with Your Children
15:26 Sibling Rivalry and Its Roots
19:37 Imitation Without Regulation
23:48 The Catalyst for Family Contention
27:06 Be the Change You Want to See
🗣 "Sibling rivalry is usually a symptom of insecurity and emotional scarcity."
🗣 "We don’t let teasing or competition fester—it erodes connection fast."
🗣 "If your kids feel emotionally safe, they don’t need to fight for attention."
🗣 "We’re not raising individuals—we’re building a team."
🗣 "When the family culture is strong, sibling connection becomes natural."
RESOURCES:
👉 For a Limited Time, become a Founding Member with Lifetime Access to our complete Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method online parenting course.
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
-
Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Have you ever worried about whether your parenting methods are building real emotional connection—or unintentionally causing harm?
We received a thoughtful question from a listener who shared a heartbreaking personal story: while her mom intended to foster attachment, her methods—like forced "holding time"—ended up destroying trust and psychological safety instead.
In this episode, we dive deep into what we do and do not mean when we talk about attachment, emotional safety, and parenting strategies.
Attachment parenting is about honoring a child’s free will—not demanding submission. True psychological safety is built through respect, patience, and emotional connection—not control or coercion.
We'll clarify why even good parenting philosophies can be twisted if they aren't grounded in emotional intelligence and healthy boundaries.
And we’ll share practical ways you can foster true psychological safety in your home while supporting your child’s natural emotional development.
If you want to raise resilient, emotionally healthy kids who trust you deeply, don’t miss this important episode.
Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
Key Takeaways:
- Psychological safety is about trust, not forced compliance.
- Attachment parenting must honor a child’s autonomy and free will.
- Even good parenting methods can be distorted by emotional wounds.
- Emotional resilience grows when children feel seen, heard, and safe.
- Creating emotional safety at home starts with self-awareness as a parent.
Chapters:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Attachment Parenting
01:32 Clarifying Misunderstandings in Parenting
04:23 The Importance of Parenting Skills
07:46 Defining Success in Parenting
10:41 Understanding Attachment Parenting
13:25 The Dangers of Misapplied Parenting Techniques
16:38 The Impact of Adoption on Attachment
19:21 The Consequences of Control in Parenting
22:41 The Role of Freedom in Child Development
25:39 The Misconception of Holding Time
29:11 The Impact of Sleep Training on Children
32:46 Respecting Free Will in Parenting
35:54 The Concept of Holding Time
40:41 Understanding Boundaries and Safety
45:08 Preparing Children for Adulthood
49:35 The Lifelong Mentor-Mentee Relationship
54:55 Building a Legacy of Good Parenting
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
-
- Become a Founding Member of our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
-
Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
-
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you struggling with constant meltdowns, defiance, rebellion, or other 'bad' behavior from your child—whether they’re 3 or 23?
Do you feel disconnected from them and like they won't listen, share, confide, or trust you?
Here’s the truth: “bad” behavior is almost never the real issue.
It’s a signal—a symptom of something deeper going on beneath the surface… usually a broken or weakened emotional connection with you, their parent.
In this episode, we dive into the root cause of most behavioral challenges—and it’s not what most parents think.
Whether you’re dealing with a sassy teen, a withdrawn preteen or tween, or a tantrum-prone toddler, the answer isn’t more discipline. It’s more connection.
We unpack what emotional disconnection looks like in everyday parenting—and how to rebuild the bond in ways that transform your child’s behavior from the inside out.
You’ll learn practical ways to:
- Rebuild emotional safety, even after years of strain
- Avoid the common parenting habits that sabotage connection
- Create small, intentional moments that build trust and attachment
- Recognize when your child is asking for love — through misbehavior —without creating bad habits
The tools we share can help you reconnect with your child at any age and create a family culture where trust, closeness, and cooperation naturally flourish.
💥 Want to go deeper? Learn how to become a better parent from the inside out with our new Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method. 👉 For a LIMITED TIME join here as a Founding Member with LIFETIME Access
Behavior is communication, and connection is the cure.
Key Takeaways:
- Family work is the most important work.
- Good parenting comes down to good connections with your children.
- There is a direct connection between early attachment and later behavior.
- Neuroplasticity allows us to change and recreate our relationships.
- Presence and emotional attunement are critical in parenting.
- Engaging in activities together strengthens bonds with children.
- Physical affection is essential for emotional health and regulation.
- Co-regulation before correction is necessary in effective parenting.
- Building strong relationships prevents behavioral issues in children.
- Investing in relationships leads to a happier family life
Chapters
00:00 Reflections on Family Legacy and Connection
02:20 The Importance of Family Work
04:16 Understanding Attachment in Parenting
07:31 Neuroplasticity and Rebuilding Connections
09:20 Creating Bonds with Children
12:14 Long-Term Parenting Strategies
14:10 The Role of Dads in Parenting
17:21 Identifying Attachment Disorders
20:18 Strategies for Rebuilding Connections
23:26 The Power of Presence in Parenting
28:34 Engaging with Children Effectively
30:26 Practical Tips for Connection
33:12 The Importance of Physical Affection
40:07 The Importance of Touch and Co-Regulation
43:30 Emotionally Attuned Parenting
48:07 Navigating the Balance of Support and Independence
54:32 Rebuilding Attachment and Connection
59:21 Engaging in Shared Activities for Bonding
01:08:51 The Role of Parents as Emotional Anchors
01:16:00 Creating a Life of Connection and Fulfillment
RESOURCES:
👉 For a Limited Time, become a Founding Member with Lifetime Access to our complete Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method online parenting course.
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
-
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you overwhelmed by your child’s clinginess, emotional meltdowns, tantrums, or constant need for attention?
Do you want to be a calm, connected parent—but feel touched out, maxed out, and unsure how to respond without creating 'bad habits' in your children?
In this episode, we respond to a heartfelt question from a listener who asked: “How do I support my children when they’re being emotionally needy—but I’m running on empty myself? My husband says I'm forming bad habits in my kids and wearing myself out.”
She’s a devoted mom trying to show up with love—but when her child is falling apart, crying, throwing tantrums, or needing constant reassurance, she feels like she’s emotionally drowning. Her natural response is to set more boundaries for her children to protect herself from burnout -- but is the best approach when YOU are the person who's the adult?
If you’ve ever felt stuck between your own limits and your child’s emotional needs, this conversation is for you.
We explore how attachment parenting principles can help you stay emotionally grounded while building secure bonds—especially during challenging moments and phases.
You’ll learn how your child’s clingy or intense behavior is actually a normal response to unmet emotional needs, and how to use those moments to deepen trust and connection instead of breaking your parent/child bond.
We share practical ways to support your child’s emotional growth without sacrificing your own well-being.
From real-life parenting tools to nervous system regulation strategies, this episode will help you build a peaceful, connected home—even when parenting feels messy.
Whether you're raising toddlers, preschoolers, or school-aged kids, these attachment parenting insights will empower you to create a strong foundation of safety, love, better behavior, and mental and emotional health now and into adulthood.
- ✅ Your child’s desire for closeness is a sign of healthy attachment—not weakness or 'bad habits'.
- ✅ Emotional meltdowns and tantrums are signs of unmet attachment needs, not power struggles.
- ✅ When you regulate yourself, you help your child develop emotionally through co-regulation. Children can't self-regulate.
- ✅ Attachment parenting leads to long-term confidence, independence, and resilience.
- ✅ You can meet your child’s needs and protect your peace.
Chapters
00:00 The Key to Great Parenting
10:02 The Importance of Truth in Parenting
10:25 Navigating Parenting Challenges
18:08 Understanding Attachment and Its Impact
24:17 Building Strong Attachments for Better Outcomes
31:20 Increasing Capacity as Parents
36:45 The Complexity of Parenting
39:31 Understanding Children's Emotional Needs
42:48 The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
45:39 Nutrition's Role in Parenting Effectiveness
49:48 Prioritizing Childhood Development
54:35 The Balance of Family Commitments
59:15 Building Lasting Relationships with Children
01:02:07 Strategies for Rebuilding Attachment
01:06:48 Managing Parental Stress and Emotions
- 🗣 “Attachment parenting is not about perfection—it’s about presence.”
- 🗣 “When your child is falling apart, they need you to hold it together.”
- 🗣 “Their behavior is communication—not defiance.”
- 🗣 “You don’t have to fix everything. You just have to be there.”
- 🗣 “Connection is the soil where emotional resilience grows.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the idea of providing an exceptional education for your children? Do you want to foster a love of learning while preparing them for a future filled with curiosity and independence?
In this second part of a two-part episode, we address a question from a listener—a successful businesswoman and mom of four—who is struggling to balance her career, homeschooling aspirations, and being the most present mom she can be. She’s driven and accomplished, but overwhelmed, seeking a way to provide her children with an extraordinary education while maintaining her own well-being and their social development.
In this episode, we dive deep into the key principles that must be a part of your educational approach if you want your kids to experience a truly extraordinary education.
We discuss the power of self-directed learning and how it can unlock your children's potential to take charge of their own educational journey.
Education is not just about textbooks and tests—it's about developing a mindset that allows children to thrive, learn how to think for themselves, and pursue knowledge passionately.
In this conversation, we share the practical strategies that we have implemented in our own family to cultivate a love for learning, from embracing meaningful conversations to giving children the tools to explore their interests and goals.
We also explore the importance of creating an environment where children feel free to explore their passions without the pressure of traditional schooling systems. If you want to raise kids who are motivated, self-disciplined, and truly excited to learn, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Self-directed learning empowers kids to take ownership of their education.
✅ A flexible, interest-driven approach promotes intrinsic motivation and curiosity.
✅ Early emotional development plays a crucial role in academic success.
✅ Creating an environment for deep, meaningful conversations builds confidence.
✅ The key to a balanced education is cultivating a love for learning, not just mastery of facts.
✅ Intentional family dynamics and lifestyle habits impact children's long-term success.
If you haven’t watched part of of this two-part episode, watch it here: https://yt.openinapp.co/EFL306
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Extraordinary Family Life
02:53 Embracing Challenges in Family Life
05:28 The Ready, Fire, Aim Approach
08:27 The Importance of Intentional Living
11:04 Exploring Homeschooling Options
13:51 The Role of Parents in Education
16:38 Extraordinary Education Through World Schooling
19:38 The Limitations of Public Schooling
22:28 The Need for Self-Directed Learning
25:21 Experiential Learning and Travel
27:59 The Impact of Environment on Learning
31:00 Navigating Social Experiences for Kids
33:46 Conclusion About 'Real' Socialization
39:54 The Transformative Power of Modern Education
45:17 Leveraging Online Resources for Homeschooling
48:18 Balancing Personal Time and Homeschooling
52:32 Quality Time vs. Quantity Time in Education
57:12 Redefining Social Skills Beyond School
01:01:55 Overcoming Personal Limitations as a Parent
01:06:50 Embracing the Journey through Deschooling
01:13:10 The Importance of Following Interests in Learning
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you struggling to balance your business/career while being a present mom at the same time?
(We had multiple technical issues with this episode. Please forgive the sudden ending).
Achieving work-life balance as a mompreneur can feel impossible, but the small decisions you make every day can either help you manage overwhelm or contribute to burnout.
In this episode, we dive deep into how to create a work-life balance without sacrificing your well-being, ambitions, or the time you spend with your children. We discuss the challenges of being both a businesswoman and a present mom and explore how to find a delicate balance between family life and career goals.
A listener co-owns a real estate brokerage with her husband, feels conflicted about slowing down to be a better mom.
She feels the pressure to create something extraordinary in both her career and personal life, wanting to provide her kids with a quality education, social experiences, and a well-rounded upbringing. She worries about burnout, being pulled in multiple directions, and her current efforts to control outcomes are pushing her kids away.
We share strategies for navigating these pressures,setting boundaries, and prioritizing your values. We emphasize that balance doesn’t mean perfection—it means creating systems that allow you to manage both your career and family life with ease. From setting clear goals to modeling healthy boundaries and promoting self-directed learning, we offer practical advice to help you stay grounded, avoid guilt, and thrive as both a mom and an entrepreneur.
If you're ready to stop burnout and create more harmony between your career, homeschooling, and family life, tune in for actionable tips that will help you succeed in both your business and motherhood journey.
- ✅ It's possible to balance your business and family life without feeling overwhelmed.
- ✅ Set healthy boundaries and 'chunk time' to avoid burnout and create space for 'being present'.
- ✅ Holding high standards can be done without pushing your kids away.
- ✅ Prioritize a vision for your family to stay focused on what truly matters.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Extraordinary Family Life
01:13 Listener Question
03:34 The Desire for Homeschooling
04:56 Vision and Clarity in Parenting
09:38 Facing Obstacles in Family Life
12:52 Quality vs. Quantity in Parenting
16:25 Setting Boundaries as a Parent
20:27 Strategic Time Management for Family Engagement
21:44 Navigating Chaos with Calmness
24:04 The Dangers of Control in Parenting
27:26 The Irony of Control and Surrender
30:13 Self-Awareness as a Catalyst for Change
33:05 Learning Parenting as a Skill
34:31 Balancing Control and Freedom
36:54 Establishing Boundaries with Flexibility
40:33 Teaching Independence through Routines
Memorable Quotes:
- 🗣 “Work-life balance is not about perfection—it’s about the yin-yang harmony in your life.”
- 🗣 “Being present with your children is one of the most important gifts you can give them.”
- 🗣 “You can't control every aspect of your children’s lives to have them turn out well.”
- 🗣 “Burnout is a signal that something needs to shift—pay attention and adjust.”
- 🗣 “Systems reduce stress and make life easier for everyone.”
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/voicemail/
Are you struggling with finding the balance between 'guiding' your kids' choices and empowering them with real (but frightening) agency?
In this episode, we answer a listener’s thoughtful question about how to support their kids in developing individual agency while still fostering a strong, supportive parental attachment and safe environment that protects from real risk without being overly controlling and 'helicoptering'.
This listener wonders if their parenting approach might be leaning more toward “managed choices” rather than allowing their children the space to make truly independent decisions.
We explore the critical difference between agency and managed choices, which approach works best for which ages/maturity levels, and why it’s so important for children to experience true agency as early as possible.
We also discuss how parents can equip their kids with the skills and confidence they need to make their own decisions—without feeling controlled.
This candid discussion provides insights and practical strategies to help parents foster a healthy balance of love, connection, and independence in their kids' lives.
If you're wondering how to give your children the agency they need to confidently navigate life on their own while keeping a strong bond with you, their parent, then this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
- ✅ Discover the key differences between agency and managed choices.
- ✅ Learn how to empower your kids to make their own decisions.
- ✅ Discover the mistake that many parents make of being too authoritarian.
- ✅ Understand why it's crucial for children to experience true agency over their lives.
- ✅ Agency is a fundamental human right that should be nurtured in children.
- ✅ Teaching decision-making skills is crucial for children's independence.
- ✅ Obedience can be detrimental; children should learn to think for themselves.
Memorable Quotes:
- 🗣 "Agency isn't about giving kids more choices; it's about empowering them to make wise decisions on their own."
- 🗣 "True agency means trusting our kids with their independence—while maintaining connection."
- 🗣 "When we allow our children to experience agency, we equip them to navigate life's challenges with confidence."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setup
00:54 Creating a Trauma-Free Environment for Children
03:43 Understanding Agency in Parenting
06:33 The Dangers of Authoritarian Parenting and the Four Parenting Styles
09:38 The Importance of Teaching Over Telling
12:32 Navigating Managed Choices vs. True Agency
15:22 The Role of Open Communication in Parenting
18:28 Teaching Decision-Making Skills
21:19 The Balance of Freedom and Boundaries
24:00 Practical Applications of Agency in Parenting
27:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
40:13 Empowering Children with Agency
47:10 Navigating Natural Consequences
53:10 Teaching Decision-Making Skills
59:16 Building Relationships and Trust
01:06:38 Addressing Unmet Needs and Boundaries
01:15:11 Dynamic Parenting Strategies
01:22:51 EFL YouTube Outro Full Updated.mp4
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/voicemail/
Are you struggling with how to handle your child's tough emotions or challenging behaviors?
Did you know that it's the small, everyday habits that are sabotaging your family's happiness and contributing to misbehavior?
In this episode, we dive into the things we NEVER do as parents of 7 children to ensure a positive, nurturing family culture that helps our children grow into well-adjusted, confident, and emotionally resilient individuals.
Raising kids is no easy task, but cultivating a loving and supportive environment where they can develop emotional maturity and healthy coping mechanisms is key. In this candid discussion, we reveal the strategies that have worked for our family to promote resilience and prevent common pitfalls like mocking, sarcasm, and unresolved anger.
We discuss the importance of honesty and emotional authenticity, the value of constructive feedback, and how to address small issues before they grow into bigger problems.
From avoiding the pitfalls of negative language to fostering open communication, this episode is packed with practical tips that help build a strong family dynamic.
If you're ready to take your parenting to the next level, tune in to discover how focusing on the 'never-dos' can help you raise children who are equipped to handle life’s challenges with resilience and confidence.
Whether you’re parenting toddlers or teenagers, the principles discussed in this episode will help you create a thriving, emotionally healthy family.
Key Takeaways:
- ✅ Small, intentional changes create a thriving family culture.
- ✅ Sarcasm and teasing erode trust—kindness builds connection.
- ✅ Strong parent-child attachments are the foundation of self-worth.
- ✅ Harsh discipline creates emotional distance—love is more effective.
- ✅. Technology should serve your family, not steal from it.
- ✅ Saying "no" to distractions unlocks productivity and fulfillment.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Small Changes in Family Dynamics
02:51 Creating a Positive Family Culture
05:57 The Impact of Sarcasm and Teasing
12:08 Building Strong Attachments Through Love
17:47 The Dangers of Harsh Parenting
24:03 The Role of Technology in Family Interactions
34:05Intentional Living and Productivity
36:03The Impact of Video Games on Success
38:58Media Consumption: Radio and TV
42:14The Power of Saying No
44:06Healthy Lifestyle Choices
45:57Communication and Emotional Authenticity
49:05Addressing Problems Early
01:00:49Creating a Positive Family Culture
Memorable Quotes:
- 🗣 "Do your children feel good in your own home?"
🗣 "We never participate in sarcasm or tearing each other down."
🗣 "Harshness creates distance and fragility, which causes misbehavior."
🗣 "If you don't have the results you want, question your parenting methods—think differently."
🗣 "Turn your automobile into a university of personal growth."
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Family Life Coaching Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/voicemail/
Does having children or being married make you more unhappy than single or childless individuals? Many people (rightly) say 'Yes'! That's why more and more people are choosing to remain single, to avoid long-term commitments, and to vow to never have children at all. Because it IS hard and often makes you 'unhappy'.
But what if happiness is not the point of life? What if the challenges of marriage and parenting aren't something to avoid, but the very things that make life meaningful?
In this episode, we dive into a conversation inspired by a Facebook post that sparked a debate on whether the struggles of raising children and maintaining a marriage are worth it.
The Dennings explore the idea that, far from being reasons to quit, these challenges are paths to personal growth, fulfillment, and a more rewarding, meaningful (even if sometimes unhappy), life.
They also challenge the modern trend of avoiding discomfort for the sake of comfort and convenience, instead suggesting that leaning into the struggles—whether it's raising kids or nurturing a relationship—is what leads to lasting satisfaction.
In fact, just like any skill, marriage, and parenting require knowledge, practice, and the right tools to truly thrive.
Not everyone should necessarily pursue marriage or parenthood, but if you choose that path, it’s important to do it well. Developing the skills needed to navigate the challenges of family life is essential for creating a fulfilling and meaningful experience.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of family life, or if you’re on the fence about whether marriage and family are right for you, this episode offers insights and encouragement to help you not just survive but thrive. And if you're ready to develop those skills, we can help you with the tools you need to create the Extraordinary Family Life of your dreams.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/voicemail/
Are you feeling confused, frustrated, or angry about the noise of politics and social media? Constantly caught between opposing views, trying to figure out what’s true? In this episode, we explore the idea that true change begins with YOU. Instead of getting caught up in the endless political cycle, we focus on self development and taking control of your own life.
As the world seems more divided than ever, the only way forward is to navigate through the chaos with a balanced perspective—just like walking the labyrinth of life. In this thought-provoking conversation, we dive into why you can’t just settle on one side of the issue and call it truth. Truth is dynamic—it’s about developing all parts of yourself and understanding both sides. It’s about evolving, continuing the journey, and embracing the complexity of life.
From the importance of family to the role of personal health and relationships in creating a strong foundation for societal change, we challenge the notion of trying to fix the world before fixing what's within. This is a call to get your house in order, not only for yourself but for your family and community.
It’s time to stop chasing after and getting emotionally caught up in politics, world events, or external fixes and focus on the inner work that leads to real transformation. Tune in and start taking control of what you can control —YOU and YOUR family!
Episode #297 Is It a 'Sin' That We Are So CERTAIN About What We Preach on This Podcast?
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/voicemail/
"What are some practical steps to change our emotional state? How do we change the energy that we radiate?
You guys emphasize that it’s a choice, we can choose... but why does that feel so difficult and strange? How do you do it so that it is genuine and not a mask?"
In this episode, Greg and Rachel explore the powerful impact of emotional awareness and emotional intelligence on family life -- especially on your ability to parent well.
They dive into these thoughtful questions, explaining why emotional shifts can feel challenging and how to make those changes feel authentic.
The Dennings break down how cultivating emotional awareness helps us recognize the root causes of our feelings, fostering healthier relationships and stronger family dynamics with our children.
They share practical strategies like practicing gratitude, becoming aware of our thoughts, and using physical actions (such as exercise) to shift our emotional states.
By the end of this episode, you’ll gain practical, actionable tools to begin transforming your emotional landscape -- especially your daily interactions with your children.
Whether you’re struggling to break negative patterns or simply want to bring more positivity into your family life, this episode will guide you on how to cultivate emotional intelligence that is not only effective but also genuine.
Tune in to learn how small shifts in emotional awareness can create big changes in your relationships and overall family harmony.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel'sFamily Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms + FREE Majesty of Calmness
- Greg'sRecommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- Follow us on Instagram:@worldschoolfamily or@greg.denning
- Gather with us at theWorld School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/voicemail/
In this powerful episode, we delve into the concept of EXTREME Gratitude — a mindset that can shift the way we experience life's challenges and blessings.
Join us as we reflect on the fragility of life and howtragedy can serve as a stark reminder to cherish every precious moment with our children.
From personal stories of heartache and near-loss to practical advice for cultivating a deeper sense of appreciation, this episode encourages parents to embrace gratitude over frustration.
Learn how you can correct your child's behavior with love, not irritation, and how focusing on what truly matters can transform the way you parent.
This sobering, yet hopeful message will inspire you to embrace life with greater intention and show your children how much they are truly cherished.
More videos on challenging situations that caused us to focus on what truly matters:
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey:
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel'sFamily Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg'sRecommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- Follow us on Instagram:@worldschoolfamily or@greg.denning
- Gather with us at theWorld School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/review
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/voicemail/
You don’t eat vegetables???!!!This question came from a listener after hearing Greg and Rachel’s radical approach to nutrition.
You might be thinking the same thing, but stick with us –theydive deep into the reasons behind theirdecision to stop eating vegetables,how they moved to an animal-based diet,why salad is a 'toxic sludge',how the food pyramid is a scam,and the evidence on howtransforming their eatingas helped them achieve the best health of their lives -- which includes NO diseases and no medications--and they've done itwithout vegetables, vitamins or supplements.
The listener who asked the question has struggled with his weight and health for years and has been on a roller coaster of diets and health protocols, from being an active football player to a vegan and back to a meat-inclusive diet.Now, he’s turned to Greg and Rachel’s expert advice, determined to find a solution that works for his body.
Greg and Rachelshare the years of research, books, and health principles that led them to embrace an approach to nutrition that works for their family and their individual needs.
They discuss how they once believed in the standard vegetable-based diet and the food pyramid, but after years of studying and research, they realized those conventional ideas were a scam. Now, they've found a better way—one that supports their journey to the best health of their lives.
If you’ve been questioning traditional nutrition advice or want to learn about the alternative methods Greg and Rachel have adopted, this episode is for you. Tune in for insights on making the best choices for your health and well-being, regardless of what you’ve been taught.
Disclaimer:
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
MUST LISTEN:AFTER recording this episode we found and listened to this NEW episode (recorded the day before ours) with Jordan Peterson and Dr. Benjamin Bickman (author of a book we recommend below).
It confirms and corroborates everything we talk about in our episode. Among other things, Dr. Bickman said,"A plant-based diet is not capable of sustaining human survival."
If you care about your health, then listen to this too:
- Is Your Diet Killing You?https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/520-is-your-diet-killing-you-dr-benjamin-bikman/id1184022695?i=1000690932687
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
-
Read our reviews here:https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
-
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
-
297 Is It a 'Sin' That We Are So Certain About What We Preach on This Podcast?
-
260 How to Know Which Science to Believe About What's Healthy & What's Not??
-
240 Dealing with Picky Eaters & Empowering a Lifetime of Healthy Food Choices
-
222 How Sugar Contributes to Disease & How to Give it Up FOR GOOD
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211 What to Eat & How -- What's ACTUALLY Healthy? Our Food
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213 What to Eat Part 2 -- Snacks, Recipes, Rules, & When to Break Them
-
-
279 Easily Overcome 'Obligation Eating' Even During the Holidays for the 'Best Health' of Your Life
- "Food Pyramid is a Scam" episode with Jordan Peterson & Max Lugavere
- Is Your Diet Killing You? Jordan Peterson and Dr. Benjamin Bickman
- Why We Get Sick by Dr. Benjamin Bickman
- Science of Being Well by Wallace Wattles
- The Dental Diet by Dr. Steven Lin
- Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz
- The Big Fat Surpriseby Nina Teicholz
- Metabolical: The Lures & Lies of Processed Food & Modern Medicineby Dr. Robert Lustig
-
A strong, thriving marriage can bring immense joy and happiness to your life -- but a struggling one can create unnecessary pain and misery.
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning unlock the secret to "marriage magic" that can be the foundation of true happiness and fulfillment.
They share how to break free from marriage mediocrity by setting high expectations for your relationship and making intentional efforts to create something extraordinary.
They dive into important topics like conflict resolution, overcoming self-sabotage, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth, all aimed at helping couples build a deeper, more meaningful connection.
Drawing from their experiences as parents of seven children and globe-trotters, Greg and Rachel emphasize the power of investing in your relationship—whether through carving out mental space for intimacy or taking regular retreats to reconnect.
They discuss the value of having a shared vision for the future and the impact of coaching and intentional effort in maintaining a healthy marriage. The Dennings also focus on breaking generational patterns and raising the bar for what marriage can be.
If you're ready to create a thriving marriage that lays the groundwork for an extraordinary family life, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.
Greg and Rachel’s message is clear: with the right mindset and commitment, you can unlock the marriage magic that will transform your relationship and your family’s future.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN US! Reconnect with your spouse on this Scottish Castle Couples VIP Trip
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
Watch more episodes on Marriage and Intimacy:
-
167 How to Get Your Spouse on Board -- Plus Why Your Marriage Needs a 'Breaking Point
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192 Everything in Life Gets Easier & Smoother When You Can Communicate Better. Here's How to Do It
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203 Creating a Real Life 'happily Ever After' Marriage (It's Not a Pipe Dream)
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221Specific Strategies & Tools to Make Your Marriage Good, Better, Great & Extraordinary
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227 Babe, I Want to Be Able to Talk to You About Anything -- Let's Listen & Discuss This
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237 The Stability of Your Family Life Depends on the Stability of Your Marriage
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254 What to Do When Your Spouse is Not 'showing Up' or Investing in Your Extraordinary Marriage/life
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256 How to Become More Capable So You Can Do the Work to Achieve Your Extraordinary Life, Marriage & Family
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261 How to Have the Hard Talks With Your Spouse About Money (+ Teach Your Kids Healthy Mindsets About It)
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262 Improve Communication With Your Spouse & Process Emotions to Build an Extraordinary Life & Marriage
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263 My Spouse Doesn't Respect Me, I Crave Intimacy & Feel Lonely in My Marriage
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270 So You Want to Change Your Spouse? Here’s How You Can Have a Positive Influence for Change in Your Relationship
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293 Transforming Marriage Dynamics: How Life Coaching Can Build a Stronger Relationship
- #148 What Wives Need to Know About Husbands' (Sex Drive) and What Men Need to Understand About Themselves
- #150 The Sex-quel. Follow Up Sex Episode With Rachel Denning
- #151 What Husbands NEED to Know About Their Wives (sex & intimacy)
- #174 Marriage Q&A: Intellectual Conversations, Over-Helping, & Why This Famous Sexpert is WRONG
- #215 A Message to Husbands: How to Actually Listen to Your Wife
- #224 How (& WHY) to Have Sex 3-6 Times a Week EVEN with Kids, Businesses, Homeschool, Jobs, Activities, and More
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253 Sex is a NEED for an Extraordinary Marriage
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268 I’m Tired of Being a Lonely “Roommate With Benefits” for My Husband
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273 I’m Tired of Being a Roommate ‘without Benefits’ With My Wife! (Aka Why Women Don’t Want Sex)
"Is there room for doubt?
Or are you always certain (in this podcast, etc) that your decisions/choices about how to navigate this life are the way everyone should also do things?
Because if you are certain, that leaves no room for tolerance or unity, which isn't necessarily a good thing."
In this episode, we discuss certainty and the role it plays in the choices we make and the lives we live.
We are VERY CERTAIN about many things we talk about on this podcast, but is that always a good thing?
A listener recently shared a thought-provoking perspective inspired by the movie The Conclave, where a cardinal gives a powerful speech on the dangers of certainty.
Then, after watching our episode #276, they wondered if our confidence in our choices—whether in parenting, relationships, or personal development—leaves room for doubt or growth.
They asked: “Is there room for ‘doubt,’ or are you always ‘certain’ that your way is the best for everyone?”
Greg and Rachel Denning reflect on this powerful question in today’s conversation. They explore the tension between certainty and doubt, how certainty can sometimes cause division (especially in religious contexts), and the importance of staying open-minded, even when you’ve found clarity in your own path.
This episode is a candid discussion about balancing conviction with curiosity, and how we can learn from each other’s experiences while still standing firm in our beliefs. The Denning’s share how they navigate the challenges of life, understanding that certainty doesn’t always have to mean rigid, and that doubt can be a healthy part of growth.
Tune in as we explore how to live with confidence in your decisions while remaining humble enough to question and grow—ultimately shaping an extraordinary life for you and your family.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset
In this episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning tackle a question from a listener about navigating family dynamics, particularly when your lifestyle choices conflict with those of your in-laws.
The listener expresses frustration about her family's refusal to respect her parenting choices, from food habits to childcare practices, and the toll this has taken on her relationship with her in-laws and her own family culture.
The Denning’s dive deep into how to respond to family members—especially in-laws—who either oppose or feel uncomfortable with your lifestyle choices.
They address the emotional struggle of setting boundaries without alienating loved ones and the importance of clear, honest communication in these delicate situations.
They also touch on the challenges of creating a healthy family environment for your children, especially when outside influences—like extended family members—might not share your values.
This episode is packed with insights on how to maintain your peace and family integrity while navigating the difficult waters of family expectations, cultural differences, and differing parenting philosophies.
Greg and Rachel provide guidance on how to prioritize your own family’s well-being while balancing respect for others and protecting your children from potentially harmful influences.
If you're grappling with family tension over lifestyle choices or boundaries, this episode will help you find practical strategies for responding with grace, confidence, and clarity.
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset
In this episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning dive into the vital concept of taking control of family life and prioritizing family values over societal norms. They encourage listeners to refuse to participate in the pressure to conform to mainstream expectations and instead focus on building a life centered around personal and family growth, self-and-family improvement, and family connection.
Greg and Rachel discuss how fostering a strong, purposeful family unit starts with the individual’s commitment to growth and alignment with their core values.
Throughout the episode, the Dennings explore the challenges of living authentically in a world that often rewards conformity over individuality. They share candid insights from their own journey of overcoming obstacles and creating a family culture that aligns with their beliefs.
The conversation touches on the importance of embracing nonconformity, finding deeper meaning in everyday life, and overcoming societal pressures that can undermine family cohesion.
Whether you're facing the pressures of modern life or simply seeking ways to create a more intentional, extraordinary family experience, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice. Greg and Rachel's message is clear: taking ownership of your family’s path, prioritizing what truly matters, and pursuing personal development can lead to a life that is not only successful but deeply fulfilling.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, Greg and Rachel Denning share powerful new year motivation for parents seeking to inspire and guide their children. They discuss the importance of setting goals, embracing discomfort, and preparing kids to face life’s challenges with resilience. By modeling adaptability and growth, parents can foster a supportive environment where their children learn to thrive, not just listen. The Dennings emphasize that identity transformation—shifting from a fixed mindset to one that embraces change—is critical for achieving success in both parenting and personal development.
Greg and Rachel also explore how parents can improve communication, lead by example, and instill a sense of responsibility in their kids. They believe that teaching children to embrace failure as a learning opportunity builds resilience and independence. This episode offers practical insights on how to balance guidance with freedom, ensuring children not only listen but grow into capable, confident individuals who are prepared for the future.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your family dynamic, improve communication, or teach your kids how to navigate challenges, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Tune in to discover how to harness the power of new year motivation to help your children thrive in 2025 and beyond, and build a family life grounded in resilience, responsibility, and growth.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning explore the complexities of marriage dynamics, offering valuable insights on how communication, understanding, and mutual growth are essential for a thriving partnership. They dive into the challenges couples face, such as betrayal and rejection, and provide practical advice on how to navigate these issues with empathy and reassurance. Rather than focusing solely on traditional counseling, the Dennings encourage couples to consider working with a life coach to help them strengthen their relationship and reach their fullest potential.
Greg and Rachel highlight the importance of seeking proactive, forward-thinking support, such as life coaching, to help couples gain clarity, set goals, and develop healthy communication strategies. They also emphasize the power of shared resources—both emotional and practical—in strengthening a marriage. Whether you're just beginning your relationship or have been married for years, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories to help you enhance your marriage dynamics, build trust, and create a supportive, loving family environment. Tune in and discover how to nurture and grow your relationship with the guidance of a life coach, fostering a deeper connection and lasting happiness.
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset
In this thought-provoking episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning explore the profound impact of societal systems on parenting and family life. They delve into the concept of “the matrix” — the conventional structures that shape education, success, and personal identity — and how these systems can keep families stuck in unproductive patterns, preventing them from creating an extraordinary, significant life.
They emphasize the importance of fostering a strong foundation for children, focusing not just on academic success but on mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. They argue that success should not be confined to grades and jobs but redefined to prioritize happiness, autonomy, and resilience. Drawing on real-life examples, the Dennings highlight the critical role of habits, accountability, and a supportive environment in shaping a child’s future.
The conversation also critiques the flaws in the traditional educational system and underscores the value of preparing children for their unique life missions. By teaching kids to navigate failure, embrace challenges, and develop self-initiative, parents can cultivate a future generation ready to thrive beyond societal expectations.
This episode offers invaluable insights for parents seeking to break free from outdated systems and create an extraordinary, significant life for themselves and their children.
Tune in now to learn how to empower your family to thrive in a changing world!
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning dive into practical strategies for managing resistant children and helping them develop positive routines and habits. If your child struggles with resistance or has difficulty adjusting to structure, this episode is for you. Greg and Rachel explore how small changes in family dynamics—like improving self-awareness, fostering emotional connections, and creating flexible routines—can make a significant difference in your child’s behavior and happiness.
They discuss the importance of balance between work and play, how understanding a child's emotional needs influences their actions, and why a parent’s demeanor and attitude are crucial to creating a nurturing environment. They emphasize the value of sleep, nutrition, and play in a child’s overall well-being, and how these factors can help even the most resistant children become more cooperative and content.
Tune in for actionable tips on transforming resistance into resilience, and learn how to nurture independence, responsibility, and emotional growth in your children—so they’re happy most of the time.
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning explore the challenges parents face when encouraging their children to practice musical instruments, emphasizing the role of music in promoting lifelong learning and brain development. They tackle the common struggle of balancing practice with enjoyment, and share strategies to foster a love for music while building skills.
One participant from their 28-Day Challenge asks, “How do you address problems with kids that don’t want to practice musical instruments? I feel like it’s so important for their education to have this skill, but I’m so tired of trying to get them to practice. It’s always a struggle. They say they love playing but hate to practice. I seriously feel like a crazy person going between wanting them to play and telling them we are going to cancel lessons because it’s pointless to pay for them if they don’t practice.” Greg and Rachel dive into this question, offering practical advice for parents on how to motivate kids without the constant tension.
They share insights on how to make practice more enjoyable, set realistic goals, and keep music a fun and integral part of family life. Tune in for actionable strategies to help your children thrive in their musical journey, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning delve into the complexities of the parenting journey, emphasizing the critical nuances that can shape vastly different outcomes for children. They explore the delicate balance between control and freedom, advocating for a parenting style that allows children to make their own decisions within a safe, supportive environment.
The Dennings share invaluable insights on teaching decision-making skills, the importance of learning through experience, and how respecting children's autonomy fosters growth. While it might seem counterintuitive, they emphasize that loosening control can lead to better long-term outcomes for children.
They further elaborate on the principles of effective parenting, underscoring the role of authority, mutual respect, and understanding the natural behavior of children. They highlight how excessive control can fuel rebellion and unhappiness, urging parents to adopt a parenting style that encourages healthy habits and empowers children to make their own choices.
The discussion also touches on creating a safe space for children, reevaluating traditional mealtime structures, and fostering healthier relationships with food. Ultimately, this episode offers parents a fresh perspective on how to navigate the parenting journey, guiding their children without resorting to control, and fostering a harmonious, respectful family dynamic.
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning reflect on the wildly successful Toujours Prêts training event and dive into the importance of lifelong learning as a key to becoming an asset to your family and community. Held at the beautiful World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal, this event empowered participants to develop the skills, confidence, and mindset necessary to face life's unexpected challenges.
The Dennings stress that hope is not a strategy—preparation is crucial, and lifelong learning is the foundation of readiness and becoming an asset. Through real-life scenarios, they highlight the importance of training, physical fitness, and the power of community support. Shifting from a mindset of fear to one of freedom is another key takeaway, one that can transform your life and help you thrive in difficult circumstances.
If you missed the event, don’t worry! Greg and Rachel encourage you to join them next time at the World School Family Resort in Portugal, where you’ll experience a transformative week of learning, growth, and connection. Whether you're looking to enhance your preparedness, strengthen your relationships, or invest in personal development, this episode will inspire you to embrace lifelong learning as a tool for becoming an asset for your family and community.
Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In today's digital age, managing tech boundaries with older teens and young adults can be a delicate balancing act. On this episode of The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast, Rachel and Greg Denning dive deep into strategies for maintaining healthy tech boundaries and encouraging digital minimalism, especially with phones and devices. They share practical tips for parents seeking to help their teens thrive in a tech-saturated world while fostering meaningful offline activities, like hobbies and family engagement.
One listener's question serves as the foundation for the conversation: “Hi there, I've admired your family and would love some insight on managing teen cell phone use. We’ve been a low-tech family—our oldest got her first phone at 16, with no apps or internet. Now at 18, she has minimal apps and no social media, but she's constantly on her phone, texting or using Marco Polo. She no longer engages in hobbies like playing piano or spending time with siblings. How have you balanced freedom with boundaries for older teens? We want to give her more freedom but are struggling to see her disconnect from life as she used to.”
Rachel and Greg share their personal experiences, offering tips on how to set tech boundaries that encourage freedom without sacrificing connection or personal growth. They discuss the impact of screen time on development, the importance of modeling healthy behaviors, and the need for families to view technology as a tool—not a toy. Tune in for actionable strategies to help your teens build a healthier relationship with their devices and rediscover meaningful offline connections.
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you willing to sacrifice greatly in order to attain highly and achieve your biggest goals? We received this great question from one of our viewers: ““He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.” – James Allen. In line with this powerful quote, how have Greg and Rachel Denning sacrificed greatly to build the extraordinary life they have today? How did they overcome the fear of losing comfort, security, or even social expectations to pursue their dreams? Then as a follow up question: what advice would you give to people in order to overcome the fear of loss or sacrifice for something better?”
In this episode of The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast, Greg and Rachel open up about their personal journey, including how they have sacrificed greatly in order to attain highly — sacrifices like comfort, leisure, and even time with family and friends. They also share valuable advice on how to overcome the fear of loss when making sacrifices for something greater.
If you’re struggling to take the leap toward something bigger in your life, don’t miss this episode! Tune in to learn how embracing sacrifice can help you live the extraordinary life you’ve always dreamed of.
Ready to sacrifice greatly in order to attain highly? Share your thoughts and experiences with us --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning share powerful insights on Proactive Parenting, revealing how to raise kids who develop into responsible, confident teens—teens you not only want to spend time with, but who genuinely want to be with you as well. For the first time ever, Greg and Rachel are joined by special guests Brian and Sam, two seasoned parents who offer fresh perspectives and practical advice on navigating the parenting journey.
Together, they dive into the importance of building strong emotional connections with your children and maintaining a long-term vision for your parenting approach. They explore the concept of the “emotional bank account,” where positive interactions create lasting trust and open communication. The conversation also touches on the essential role of physical touch and emotional support in fostering a strong family bond.
Greg, Rachel, Brian, and Sam discuss how creativity and proactive thinking are key to overcoming parenting challenges, and how persuasion—not control—is the most effective way to encourage children to take responsibility. Whether you’re in the trenches with young children or preparing for the teen years, this episode provides actionable strategies for creating a nurturing, supportive home environment.
Tune in for these valuable proactive parenting tips and discover how to cultivate a family dynamic where your kids grow, thrive, and maintain a strong, loving connection with you—now and throughout their teenage years.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy moms
- Join Greg’s 7-Day Challenge
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
Are you struggling with building family culture? Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy environment where everyone thrives. This episode of The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast is a recorded live session of the 28-Day Challenge course ( https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-family-life-bundle ) where Greg and Rachel Denning share their insights on the importance of emotional awareness in building family culture. They highlight common issues, such as how neglecting emotional processing can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
For example, many families might ignore negative emotions, thinking they’ll just go away, but this often leads to bigger problems down the line. By creating a safe space for emotional expression, you can encourage open communication and emotional growth.
Greg and Rachel discuss practical tools for processing emotions that can transform your family culture. Discover how individual emotional states influence family dynamics and why naming emotions is essential for understanding one another.
Watch until the end to learn effective strategies that will help you build a thriving family culture grounded in emotional intelligence. How would your family life change if everyone felt understood and valued? Join us to find out!
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Welcome to the Extraordinary Family Life podcast! In this compelling episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning address a heartfelt listener question that strikes at the core of personal development and the complexities surrounding divorce. Our listener shares her incredible journey of growth over the past decade and the deep challenges she's faced as she feels increasingly disconnected from her husband. She describes feeling "multiple levels ahead of him in most aspects of life," leading to feelings of resentment and frustration.
As she diligently works on self-improvement, she expresses, "I think I have been going through YEARS of grief in my marriage," grappling with the emotional toll of feeling alone in her relationship. Together, we explore her struggles with communication, the potential consequences of considering divorce, and whether she should "just be grateful for what I have" or push for more.
Rachel and Greg discuss the complexities of navigating a relationship where one partner is committed to growth while the other remains stagnant. They emphasize the importance of understanding each other's needs, tackling uncomfortable conversations, and setting realistic expectations for an extraordinary marriage.
If you've ever felt the strain of personal growth affecting your relationship or grappled with the desire for more in your marriage, this episode is for you. Tune in for insights that could help you find balance, clarity, and the path forward in your journey toward a fulfilling family life.
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning delve into the pervasive issue of entitlement in families and society, exploring how it shapes behavior and undermines resilience. They emphasize the importance of free speech as a tool for understanding and compromise, highlighting that open communication often requires navigating discomfort.
A recurring theme is the critical role parents play in fostering resilience in children, rather than over-coddling them. The hosts argue that life's pressures should be reframed as challenges to overcome, and that healthy mindsets, grounded in self-reliance and gratitude, are essential for personal growth.
Personal responsibility and fostering grit and resilience are key to navigating the challenges of life. The episode stresses that the world does not owe us —we must learn to adapt to the world. Over-accommodation, whether in families or society, can weaken individuals, while healthy boundaries are necessary for growth.
Judgment, often seen as negative, is discussed as a crucial tool for safety and well-being. Avoiding judgment can lead to dangerous situations, making it important to judge wisely to protect ourselves from harm. Finally, the episode encourages embracing life’s difficulties with a strong mindset, fostering personal responsibility and a readiness to overcome adversity.
This episode provides valuable insights on personal responsibility and self-reliance, encouraging listeners to embrace challenges and develop strength in the face of adversity. Tune in for a transformative discussion that inspires growth and resilience within families and communities.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
In this empowering episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning explore the essential theme of facing your fear in the pursuit of an extraordinary life. Through heartfelt personal stories and insightful discussions, they illustrate how confronting fear and overcoming feelings of overwhelm can lead to profound personal growth.
Greg and Rachel emphasize that living a fulfilling life isn’t about avoiding fear but embracing it. They share practical strategies for stepping outside your comfort zone and making bold decisions that can unlock new opportunities. This episode offers listeners inspiration and actionable advice on how to face your fear and transform challenges into stepping stones for a richer, more meaningful existence.
Whether you’re seeking to take a leap in your career, enhance your relationships, or simply cultivate a deeper sense of fulfillment, this episode will motivate you to tackle your fears head-on. Join Greg and Rachel on this transformative journey and discover how facing your fear can lead you to a truly extraordinary life. Tune in and start your adventure today!
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
In this inspiring episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning delve into the philosophy of 'escaping the unhappy dream of our life' and creating a truly fulfilling life instead.
They discuss why so many people are 'content' with the results they have instead of pursuing the results they really want.
Creating a truly happy life requires deliberate choices and intentional actions. Hard work is required to achieve anything extraordinary. The difference is, with the right coaching and mentoring, you can learn to work hard with 'power tools' instead of doing everything 'by hand'.
The Dennings also explore how divine discontent can fuel personal growth and transformation and can be the key to fulfillment.
They highlight the importance of continuous effort in pursuing happiness and encourage listeners to reject mediocrity in favor of an extraordinary life. Because if they can do it, so can you, since they began their journey as completely 'normal' people.
It’s time to identify what you truly want and take the first steps (even baby steps) toward a life you love!
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #MarriageGoals #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #ManifestYourDreams #PersonalGrowthJourney
Join hosts Greg and Rachel Denning in this enlightening episode, where they delve into the vital themes of healthy eating and overall health self-improvement amidst today’s societal challenges of unhealthy processed food options (including during the holidays).
Discover the concept of obligation eating and the social expectations of consuming foods that aren't good for you.
How do you say no?
One key is to fully understand the hidden dangers of processed foods, and the importance of healthy eating practices that nourish both body and mind over a lifetime.
Tune in to learn how mindful food choices can positively impact your family’s well-being and strengthen your connections now and in the future.
The Dennings emphasize the importance of maintaining personal health standards and how effective communication about food contributes to overall family health. They explore practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries with food to support your family’s health and well-being.
With insights drawn from their personal experiences, this episode equips listeners with actionable tips to navigate social pressures and make informed choices that promote a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.
Tune in for inspiration and guidance to enhance your family’s health and create a thriving food environment for everyone!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #WorldschoolFamily #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #FamilySuccess #ParentingTips #Extraordinary #BecomeABetterYou #MarriageAdvice #RaisingKids #SelfHelp #PersonalDevelopment #GrowthMindset #HealthyEating #HealthAndWellness
In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, Greg and Rachel Denning share a real-life experience happening to them now to illustrate the journey of pursuing goals which is often filled with unexpected twists and challenges.
They reveal how pursuing big goals often leads through a series of obstacles, each one becoming an opportunity for growth and learning. Join them as they share their highs and lows, and explore how embracing these challenges shapes your journey in profound ways.
Greg and Rachel discuss the significance of recognizing patterns in the challenges we face and how problem-solving skills play a crucial role in overcoming them. They emphasize that the journey itself, rather than just the destination, shapes who we become. Through their personal story, they illustrate that every obstacle is a stepping stone towards achieving our dreams.
Tune in to discover how facing obstacles with a growth mindset can lead to unexpected blessings and a deeper appreciation of the journey. Embrace the adventure and let every challenge be a guide towards your dreams!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLife #RachelDenning #FormidableFamilyMen #selfhelp #dreams #liveyourbestlife #liveyourlifetothefullest #success #motivational #personaldevelopment #growth
Welcome to this episode, where hosts Greg and Rachel Denning dive into a crucial and timely discussion:
Why are so many people leaving the church? They tackle the often-taboo topic of questioning religious beliefs and practices, emphasizing the importance of examining and challenging these aspects to foster genuine transformation and growth within faith communities.
With a keen eye on both the potential for positive change and the shortcomings that sometimes plague churches, the Dennings advocate for a faith journey that prioritizes truth-seeking, open dialogue, and the need to challenge sacred cows.
Join Greg and Rachel as they explore how questioning and examining existing religious institutions can lead to meaningful improvements and personal growth. They shed light on the dangers of bureaucratic stagnation, the need for grassroots movements, and the incorporation of diverse ideas into religious practice.
Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that encourages listeners to challenge 'sacred cows', embrace doubt, and strive for a more vibrant and impactful faith experience.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLife #RachelDenning #GregDenning #Growth #ReligiousBeliefs #QuestioningBeliefs #FaithJourneys #ChurchTrends #SpiritualGrowthJourney
In this compelling episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning dive deep into making sense of current events and the societal trends that are causing increasing concern for many parents.
They explore the chilling effects of speaking out against emerging issues, the fear of being labeled, and the deliberate erosion of traditional values.
The conversation spans the infiltration of left-leaning ideologies into education, government, and big businesses, and examines the dangers of extremism on both ends of the political spectrum.
Greg and Rachel address the impact of an undefined identity on mental health and consider the potential consequences of these trends, including the looming threat of a societal tipping point.
They stress the urgent need for the silent majority to find their voice and take action to safeguard our values and culture.
Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of educating ourselves and our children about these destructive ideologies and staying vigilant against their influence, particularly in relation to immigration and the targeting of younger generations.
Listen now to be proactive in defending our way of life and to understand the critical issues facing our society today.
Download our FREE Must Read Book List for Preparedness & Understanding Current Events
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #RachelDenning #GregDenning WorldEvents #SocialTrends #TheWorldToday #SpeakingOut #TraditionalValues #SocietyIssues #Awareness #Labeling #SocietalChange #SilentMajority
Feeling lost and overwhelmed by all the advice and strategies out there about how to change your life? In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Rachel and Greg Denning—successful business owners, avid world travelers, and parents to seven—dive deep into how to tackle the daunting process of making life changes.
They respond to this question from one of their listeners:
“So if someone wants to change their life, what is step one? I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. I’ve just been listening to so many books and podcasts, and I feel like with all the information, my brain is like scrambled eggs. There are so many different methods, and I understand that not everyone’s size fits all, but I don’t know where to begin.”
Rachel and Greg break down these feelings of confusion and overwhelm into three key elements: not knowing where to start, the massive list of potential changes, and the sheer weight of it all. They offer practical advice on finding clarity and breaking down your goals into manageable steps.
They share actionable tips for overcoming the feeling of being stuck, including identifying your pain points and focusing on one area at a time, setting clear directions and outcomes to guide your efforts, and developing strategies and systems that simplify the change process. They also discuss the importance of eliminating resistance and excuses to boost motivation and make daily progress.
If you’ve been feeling like your brain is scrambled eggs from all the information out there, this episode is for you. Rachel and Greg will help you ask the right questions, make daily progress, and tap into your own capabilities to achieve meaningful results. Tune in and discover how to transform your overwhelm into focused, effective action.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
ExtraordinaryFamilyLife #overwhelmed #anxiety #mentalhealth #success #motivational #personaldevelopment #growth
In this compelling episode, Greg and Rachel Denning reveal a crucial insight: being a good person does not automatically make you a good parent. They argue that effective parenting requires a specific set of skills that can be learned and developed. Join them as they delve into how mastering these parenting skills will help you be a better parent and can drastically reduce discipline problems and create a more harmonious home environment.
Greg and Rachel discuss the importance of shifting focus from merely fixing problems to proactively fostering a positive and nurturing environment which PREVENTS problems. They highlight the significance of building a foundation of trust with your child and making emotional deposits into your relationship, rather than depleting it through constant corrections and disciplinary actions.
Learn why allowing children to make their own choices and understand the consequences is crucial for their development and how meeting their emotional needs can strengthen your relationship. The Dennings stress the value of effective persuasion and influence over authoritarian control, offering practical strategies to guide your children thoughtfully rather than through rigid enforcement.
Tune in to discover how refining these parenting skills can transform your approach to raising children, making the journey not only more enjoyable but also more fulfilling. Whether you're dealing with discipline issues or looking to deepen your connection with your child, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable advice to help you become the best parent you can be.
ExtraordinaryFamilyLifePodcast #HowToBeABetterMom #BeABetterParent #ParentingTips #ParentingAdvice #FamilySuccess #GentleParenting #PersonalDevelopment #ParentingSkills #ParentingHacks #ParentingWithPurpose
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Keep an eye out for the NEW Extraordinary Parenting Method launching SOON!
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching and Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this follow-up episode to #268 I’m Tired of Being a Lonely “Roommate With Benefits” For My Husband, Greg and Rachel Denning talk to their male listeners about how to enhance their sexless life. They make a compelling case for focusing on self-improvement as a crucial step. They tackle the complexities of physical intimacy in relationships, exploring the barriers and challenges that often arise. They address why some women may experience a lack of interest in sex and emphasize the necessity of understanding and meeting each other’s needs to maintain a healthy relationship.
The Denning duo explores the impact of sexual fulfillment on relationship dynamics, discussing how imbalances can lead to frustration and the importance of open communication.
They offer insights into maintaining attraction, emotional openness, and trust within a sexual relationship. The conversation includes practical tips on how to navigate hormonal changes, the significance of creating a positive environment, and the value of paying attention to small details that can enhance both intimacy and personal development.
Tune in to discover how personal development can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced marriage, and learn strategies to address common challenges in a sexless marriage.
Whether you're seeking self-help advice or aiming to improve your relationship, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable advice.
Ladies & Gentlemen! Make sure to check out the Denning's other episodes on sex & intimacy:
- #148 What Wives Need to Know About Husbands' (Sex Drive) and What Men Need to Understand About Themselves
- #150 The Sex-quel. Follow Up Sex Episode With Rachel Denning
- #151 What Husbands NEED to Know About Their Wives (sex & intimacy)
- #174 Marriage Q&A: Intellectual Conversations, Over-Helping, & Why This Famous Sexpert is WRONG
- #215 A Message to Husbands: How to Actually Listen to Your Wife
- #224 How (& WHY) to Have Sex 3-6 Times a Week EVEN with Kids, Businesses, Homeschool, Jobs, Activities, and More
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- Read our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
- --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
Intimacy #HealthyRelationship #PersonalDevelopment #Growth #SexlessMarriage #SelfHelp #ExtraordinaryFamilyLife
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning dive deep into today's global issues and share their insights on how to stay informed and prepared. They discuss the significance of asking the right questions and seeking information from credible sources, rather than relying solely on mainstream news. Greg and Rachel explore a range of interconnected themes, including the potential impacts of food shortages, political division, and challenges within the healthcare system. They also address the rise of drug abuse, homelessness, and crime, emphasizing the critical importance of individual and family preparedness and training.
Tune in to discover practical advice on mental, emotional, physical, and financial readiness and training, and learn how to cultivate resourcefulness and problem-solving skills. Greg and Rachel also highlight an exciting opportunity for further personal growth and training with the: Toujours Prêt (Always Ready) Asset Training in Portugal this November. This training is designed to help you become a valuable asset to your family and navigate uncertain times with confidence.
Don't miss this engaging and informative episode—your future self will thank you!
Resource Links:
- Learn more about the upcoming 'Asset Training' in Portugal: https://extraordinaryfl.samcart.com/products/portugal-asset-training/
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- --- Send in a voice message or ask a question: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
- Read our podcast reviews here
Join Greg and Rachel Denning as they take you on a thrilling journey through their recent bucket list adventure and travel across London, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China & Qatar.
In this episode, they share captivating stories from their travels, including their daring horseback ride in Mongolia, the unique experience of preparing and eating goat, and navigating the cultural complexities of China.
Greg and Rachel reflect on the profound lessons learned from their travels—emphasizing the importance of taking breaks, testing systems, and nurturing meaningful relationships. They delve into the significance of personal growth and responsibility within relationships and the value of being an asset in society.
As they discuss their adventures and the challenges faced, they also explore the current state of the world, addressing the prevalence of propaganda and societal issues. Tune in to hear their thoughts on staying self-reliant and capable, and get a glimpse of their upcoming asset training event designed to equip you with essential skills for today’s world.
Prepare for an episode filled with travel tales, personal insights, and practical wisdom as Greg and Rachel guide you through their global experiences and the lessons they've gleaned along the way.
Resource Links:
- Learn more about the upcoming 'Asset Training' in Portugal: https://extraordinaryfl.samcart.com/products/portugal-asset-training/
- The Fourth Turning is Here by Neil Howe
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
- --- Send in a voice message or ask a question: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
- Read our podcast reviews here.
- --- Send in a voice message or ask a question: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this enriching episode, Greg and Rachel delve into invaluable strategies for supporting yourspouse's personal growth and enhancing your relationship.
What strategies do Greg and Rachel recommend for supporting your spouse's personal growth within a marriage?:
They begin by offering insightful marriage advice, emphasizing the importance of actively helping your partner improve within the context of your shared journey
They underscore the importance of implementing "pattern interrupters" — strategies to break out of negative cycles and habits that may hinder personal growth. They highlight the significance oftrying new approaches to foster fresh perspectives and promote constructive change, even if they involve doing the opposite of what hasn’t been working.
They also recommend the principle of reciprocity in relationships. They stress the need for both partners to engage in behaviors that the other appreciates and values actively. This intentional effort strengthens the bond between spouses and enhances mutual understanding and appreciation.
They also share how trust evolves through consistent actions and honest communication. They address the role of testing in relationships, emphasizing that challenges can serve as opportunities for growth and deeper connection when approached with empathy and understanding.
Rachel and Greg advocate for personal growth and self-improvement as essential components of a thriving marriage. They encourage listeners to strive to be the kind of person they want their spouse to be, promoting a cycle of positive influence and mutual support.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
Welcome to "Raising Teens Today," where Greg and Rachel Denning challenge the norms of parenting teens in today's world.
The Denning's share personal anecdotes that unravel the joy and unexpected friendship that can blossom during the teenage phase. They emphasize the profound impact of early emotional connections, and underscore the critical roles of sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle choices in shaping teenagers' behaviors and mental health.
Delving into contemporary challenges, Greg and Rachel dissect the influence of social media and video games on teenagers, advocating for minimizing these distractions to foster healthier development. Their approach to discipline revolves around natural consequences and practical life lessons, emphasizing responsibility and earning privileges through tangible contributions.
Practical strategies are unveiled for handling defiance and motivational hurdles in teenagers, emphasizing clear expectations and constructive family dynamics. Ultimately, they illuminate the path to earning respect from teenagers while nurturing a positive, productive environment at home during these formative years.
Tune in to gain invaluable insights and rethink your approach to parenting teenagers with Greg and Rachel Denning.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
If you’re feeling lonely in your marriage, like a roommate ‘with benefits’ instead of partners, best friends, and lovers, then you’ll want to listen to this episode!
We received this great question from one of our podcast listeners:
“I’ve been listening for a long time. Thank you for your podcasts, and for championing greatness in personal and family living. Because of your podcasts and recommended reading I’ve realized that my husband needs physical intimacy more than I do, and I’ve tried to step up and make sure that his needs are met. When he’s home, he’s not home - he’s on the computer playing games. When we are on a date, he’s not on the date - he’s looking at his phone. When we go on vacation together, he’s not with me - he’s on the iPad.
I’ve expressed my need for his attention, but I don’t feel heard. Habits are deeply rooted (on both sides) and we fall into our same patterns of interaction. I have become more autonomous (which he hasn’t liked because I’m less available). I’ve gone back to school (online), I go to the temple alone, I find my own projects to work on.
We recently went on trek (camping) where there was no cell phone or internet coverage. I had his undivided attention for one night before everyone else arrived, and it was wonderful - we talked like we did when we were dating and I didn’t feel like an afterthought.
You asked for a list of things that bother your listeners about their marriages. This is at the top of my list. I don’t want to be roommates with benefits (he gets sex, I am a financially well-kept woman). I want to be partners.”
Join Greg and Rachel as they explore the essential elements of a thriving marriage. They discuss the importance of identifying areas for improvement and making proactive changes rather than settling. The conversation touches on navigating feelings of being like roommates, leveraging technology responsibly for deeper connection, and the significance of emotional honesty and vulnerability.
Greg and Rachel emphasize the necessity of clear communication and mutual understanding in relationships. They provide practical advice on prioritizing each other's needs and desires, promoting a culture of openness and sincerity to strengthen marital bonds. Whether you're looking to enhance your partnership or address challenges, this episode offers valuable insights into fostering a resilient and fulfilling marriage.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
If you're NOT a new parent, you still want to listen to this episode -- because it may help you to understand WHY you have the current relationship you do with your children and/or your spouse because of things that happened or did NOT happen during the baby and child-rearing phases!
But this episode came in response to this question which we received:
"My husband and I have been married for a little over two years and we are expecting our first baby in the Fall. We've both listened to and loved your podcast even before we were married. Now that we are about to become parents, we are relistening to your podcasts since they've taken on a decidedly new meaning and depth. Understandably, your podcasts talk a lot about older children, teenagers, and your adult children launching into successful lives.
What I (wife) was wondering is if you could answer some questions about what it was like to become parents for the first time. I've listened to prominent speakers like Jordan Peterson talk about how wives are essentially "gone" from their husbands for up to six months after the birth of a baby due to the intense vulnerability and helplessness of the new infant as well as the healing mom needs to go through after giving birth. And, while the husband acts as protector of the mother's energy and sanity during these first crucial months, he will just have to be patient as he "waits for his wife to come back to him."
First off, what does "gone from him" even mean? How did Rachel overcome the need to be the on-demand mom for so long without neglecting Greg? If she struggled, what did you do about it? My husband says he is not terribly worried about it and has told me to just take the birth and first few months as it comes — that I have his full permission to be there for the baby.
However, the worried side of me won't seem to shut off because I don't want to be just the mother of his children, I want to be his wife first and foremost. Maybe six months doesn't sound like a long time to veterans, but it certainly sounds like a long time to essentially "clock out" of wifey duties.
In this episode, Greg and Rachel, parents of 7 children, discuss the challenges and dynamics of becoming new parents, particularly as it relates to intimacy between spouses.
They emphasize the importance of understanding the physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. They also highlight the significance of this time meeting the needs of babies for their mental, emotional, and psychological development.
Greg and Rachel stress the importance of support and communication between partners during this time and offer insights on creating a balance between parenting and maintaining a strong marital relationship. The conversation explores the challenges and strategies for maintaining intimacy and connection in a marriage after having a baby. They emphasizes the importance of intentional self-care for the wife and leveling up for the husband.
The couple discusses the need for physical and emotional healing after childbirth and the gradual process of getting back into a sexual relationship. They highlight the importance of communication, routines, and meeting each other's needs. The conversation also touches on the impact of parenthood on personal growth and the significance of sex in a committed relationship.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"I have a follow-up question to podcast 264. Greg talked about kids being more autonomous, but that you don't want your spouse to be autonomous. This is a new concept to me. What I've heard (from [well-known life coach]) is that since you can't control circumstances that you need to change the way you think about them so that you are OK with your circumstances instead of being discouraged or saddened by them.
So, I have, in some ways, done this with my husband, so that I won't be bothered by things he does or doesn't do. I'm wondering now if that was a mistake. I just don't want to be one of those wives that is constantly getting after her husband and being critical of him because I know that criticism from a spouse is hard and can hurt. I'd rather my husband feel like I'm his cheerleader. I know for myself when people see the good in me I am encouraged to do better, and when people are critical of me it can feel discouraging."
In this episode, Greg and Rachel answer this question and discuss the importance of being interdependent with your spouse instead of independent.
They emphasize that being interdependent is key to creating an extraordinary marriage and adds layers of vulnerability, intimacy, and connection. They criticize the half-truths taught by some coaches and experts, stating that while it may produce short-term results, it doesn't address the underlying issues.
They stress the need to understand the real underlying problems in a marriage and to have open and honest dialogue with your spouse.
They also discuss the differences between men and women in terms of emotions and the significance of stability and constancy in a relationship.
In this conversation, Greg and Rachel discuss the importance of addressing underlying sources of frustration in a marriage and finding the balance between being critical/providing feedback and being a cheerleader for your spouse.
They emphasize the need for constructive criticism and setting firm boundaries when necessary. They also highlight the significance of interdependence and the vulnerability that comes with needing each other in a marriage.
They caution against becoming too autonomous and seeking emotional support or validation from sources outside of the marriage. Overall, they stress the importance of open communication and working together to create an extraordinary marriage.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
It's easy to get stuck in a rut and to fill that your days blur together... especially while raising a family.
So how do you change that?
How do you have more happiness, meaning, and joy in the day-to-day 'to do's that otherwise feel so pointless and mundane?
That's what we discuss in this episode.
Despite the 'Instagram perfect' image of what your 'dream life', might look like, the reality is it will be filled with hard work.
In fact, you may already be living your dream life and you just don't know it (if you ever 'dreamed' of getting married or having a family, then you're now living that dream).
So how do you make life more 'dreamy' and less 'blah'?
Listen now to discover the specific strategies that Greg and Rachel use on a daily basis to 'practice happiness' and to bring more magic to the moments and meaning to the otherwise mundane.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
This week's question came from a member of Rachel's 28-Day Challengewho said:
"I really struggle with trying to do everything. I feel like when I was doing the M1 (Marriage Level 1) Challenge my marriage was great. But I can't keep it up on that level while I'm trying to focus on my kids.
And when I focus on my kids then my husband feels neglected. And if I take time for myself then I feel my kids and husband are being neglected. I feel that everyone needs me all the time and I can't be there for a spouse and 4 kids all the time.
I can only focus on one are or one person at a time and when I'm trying to 'do everything' instead of everything being a little bit better, I feel that everything is not getting the attention that it needs so it's all suffering.
I feel stretched too thin and like I need to be more than one person to accomplish everything."
As a mother of 7 children I totally relate. I've been there! And yet, I have been able to accomplish a crazy amount of things -- homeschooling, traveling the world, an incredible marriage, building my own six-figure business, being a partner with my husband in other businesses, investing, and so much more.
So HOW am I able to 'do it all'? Is it really possible??
That's what we dive into in this episode with very specific strategies and practices that Greg and I use on a daily and weekly basis.
We talk about operating from the right 'heart state' and the importance of the 'energy' you bring to your daily interactions with your spouse and children.
We also discuss the importance of 'leveling up' and what that actually means (it may not be what you think).
We also cover the 'emotional bank account' and how many of your accounts are overdrawn with your family members which is making things way harder than they need to be.
If you have big dreams and goals for an extraordinary family and marriage but feel overwhelmed, spread too thin, empty, burnt out, or unsure of how to 'do it all' then this episode is for you! Listen now.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
We received this via email: "I read the book The Untethered Soul and I understood that the main idea is letting go of our thoughts and just feeling the emotions and letting them be. Realising some kind of detachment to them.
But I’ve found it really difficult to do that. I get stuck in some thoughts in my head regarding my husband... I have arguments in my mind with him...
I’ve tried to not engage in my thoughts and let them go, but I haven’t succeeded. I think because they are not assumptions but based on previous experiences...
I don’t talk to anybody about this, but I hope by sharing this that you can help me let go.
I have small children and I’m trying to homeschool while needing to do everything else at home. My husband works full-time and doesn’t help much at home. This would be fine, but because I struggle to keep the house clean he is not happy with me. He says he feels that I disrespect him because I don’t keep the house tidy when in reality it’s because I struggle at keeping it clean.
I want to be more capable of doing everything in the home and I’ve been trying so hard yet it’s not enough. The thing is, mess is a daily thing so it’s become a source of stress and anxiety now for me and I don’t want to live like this. It’s affecting how I’m with the kids too.
And I’ve become more cold and resentful towards my husband because he doesn’t want to be more intimate with me because he doesn’t feel respected and I can’t get this out of my mind and it affects me because I crave intimacy. This is the hardest part. I feel so lonely even though I’m married.
I realise this is not helpful. I know he is stressed from work. I just feel that nothing I do is good enough for him. He blames me for things. He is also a very anxious person. When he gets angry he brings up stuff from ten years ago. I don’t speak much, because I don’t want to ‘say the wrong thing’.
I just feel stuck. I feel like I don’t know how to let the thoughts flow, but I really want to, because it’s all I can think about... I realise I’m not enjoying life. But because the lack of intimacy is so difficult I find it so hard to let go.
I’ve never said this to anyone, but I just really want to change and live without being stuck and being able to live more happy and at peace, because it also affects how I behave towards my kids.
I know being stuck in these thoughts won’t make my situation any better, it’s only making it worse. But it’s been something I’ve struggled with for years and I’ve had enough. And now that I know there is a way out, I’m reaching out for help."
Thank you for this open vulnerability! I understand and relate to these feelings. We all want to feel close and connected to our spouse. It is possible when you have the right tools.
In this episode, we share specific practices you can use to:
- let go and process negative and intense emotions
- help your spouse process their negative emotions
- have more understanding of the differences between men and women which are causing conflict in your relationship
- understand your spouse's desires, needs, and points of view
- help your spouse understand your desires, needs, and points of view
- move past points of conflict and gain more intimacy as a couple
- get 'unstuck' when relationship drama is keeping you from focusing on the kids, the home, work, or other projects
- find inner peace and more effective ways to communicate with your spouse
RESOURCES:
-
262 Improve Communication with Your Spouse & Process Emotions to Build an Extraordinary Life & Marriage
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
This week's awesome questions come from wives asking,
"What do you do when your spouse tells you that you need to get a backbone and manage your own emotions when you tell him that the demeaning way he looks at you is hurtful during a disagreement?
He is only trying to give me a firm "no" in response to something I wanted to discuss, but the way he looked at me was cold and intense...it's so hard to describe.
So I was trying to communicate to him that he can still disagree but do it in a pleasant, loving manner. I know he's super defensive because of feeling like he's admitted in the past to owning up to his stuff, but it almost sounds like he thinks now he shouldn't have to do it anymore because he's done it so much.
I bought 'The Empowered Wife' book which you recommend and want to read it, but I'm trying to finish up some other books first, and I hope that book has some answers... But do you guys have any thoughts for me??
My first line of defense is to shut off and not discuss the situation cause he just goes around in circles and he thinks I need to change and I think he needs to just be aware that his nonverbal language is real, but he literally thinks he did nothing wrong.
I know I can change the way I react and think about it, but those cold looks don't encourage more open discussion for me. Maybe I just let it go and hope that part of our relationship changes over time.
Maybe it has to do with his current stress levels and on and on. Honestly, I thought those kinds of stares were behind us so I guess they can still resurface during times of stress or if he's tired etc."
We've all been there at some point! And this excellent topic is so important for spouses to work through if you want to grow closer and build a relationship that can build the life of your dreams.
In this episode, we will give you very specific strategies for processing emotions, giving feedback, encouraging your spouse, and overall just COMMUNICATING better as you learn the tools necessary to create an extraordinary marriage -- which is the hub and center of the spokes in your extraordinary life.
Listen now!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"One thing I did have a question about is teaching kids finances and even talking to my spouse about it. We have no communication when it comes to finances.
My husband is an entrepreneur businessman and very smart and I don't know a lot about that so I just let him deal with it. It's not the best situation but it has been this way for our entire marriage. We both want to be better at working together but what we are doing isn't working.
He tells me he wants me to know what's going on but we haven't found a way where we can be open and talk without getting frustrated. He gets frustrated with me probably because I don't do things the way he does and I get frustrated with him because of the way he is doing it. LOL.
If there is a book you could recommend or if you have a podcast sharing how you and Greg handle finances that would be awesome.
Also, how do you teach your kids about money? My kids came to me the other day and they could feel the stress about money the past few weeks and it's really hard. It kind of feels like a feast or famine kind of deal. Things are going well, dad is happy, we can go do things, and then when things are tight it's a total flip and he goes from being totally free with money to saying "Why do you expect me to buy everything? We can't always do xyz...blah blah blah" and the kids get so confused. I do too. I know I am part of the problem too but I just don't know how to fix it."
A fantastic and very relevant question! We have been there before -- feast or faminine. In our childhoods we both experienced poverty and lack, and in our adult, married lives together as well.
So how did we move past it? By learning to communicate about money, abundance, bills, stress, income, and more.
In this episode, we will share some specific strategies that have worked for us which have allowed us to move from a poverty, scarcity mindset to one of abundance -- which has helped us to double and triple and even 10x our income from the time we started as newlyweds.
Listen now!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
I received this excellent question in my Instagram DM
"How do you decide which scientific research to listen to? Particularly when it comes to health-related topics like what is healthy to eat and what is not?
It seems there is a pretty consistent message in science and research to avoid highly processed foods and sugar. But on the finer points with things such as seed oils, carnivore diet, intermittent fasting, coffee/tea etc. it seems that there is just as much research on the opposite side of the thing you and Greg believe.
For example, I can find research from all kinds of researchers, scientists, and doctors saying that coffee/tea is either neutral or slightly beneficial while you and Greg believe it is unhealthy.
And the same for how many vegetables/grains should be included in a diet. There is a lot of research saying you should be eating a wide variety of plant fiber.
With all of the mix of information, I'm just wondering what your process is for deciding what to listen to or believe?"
The world of 'what to eat' and 'what is healthy' is more confusing now than it ever has been in the history of the world.
Why are humans are more confuddled now than ever about what to put in their mouths? Why do we have so many 'diets' that seem healthy but are actually malnourishing or toxic?
In this episode, Greg and Rachel will dive into why 'food' is so confusing these days and how to know what to believe about all the conflicting research that is out there.
They also talk about why many people become 'converted' to diets such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, raw, etc. -- and why this 'conversion' should not be a long-term, life-long decision.
If you have ever struggled to know what is healthy or wondered 'what to eat', or felt that your food lifestyle choice was the 'right' one -- then don't miss this eye-opening, horizon-expanding episode that brings the 'food debate' full circle.
RESOURCES:
-
211 What to Eat & How -- What's ACTUALLY Healthy? Our Food Journey
-
213 What to Eat Part 2 -- Snacks, Recipes, Rules, & When to Break Them
-
222 How Sugar Contributes to Disease & How to Give it Up FOR GOOD
-
240 Dealing with Picky Eaters & Empowering a Lifetime of Healthy Food Choices
- Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease--and How to Fight It by Dr. Benjamin Bickman
- Fast Like a Girl: A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones by Dr. Mindy Pelz
- The Dental Diet: The Surprising Link between Your Teeth, Real Food, and Life-Changing Natural Health by Dr. Steven Lin
- Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon
- Weston Price Foundation
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
This week's topic came from Rachel's recent experiences with their 13-year-old son who has been very motivated to help out around the house lately (because of very specific strategies, which she shares in this episode).
AND she also received this question from her Family Systems & Charts community.
"Hello there. I just started your chart system and we had our first meeting this week. It went well and I am finally seeing some good results. I have invested a lot of time in this. However, my 17-year-old daughter is not that motivated. What can I do?"
In this episode, Greg and Rachel share super specific strategies that WORK, which they have used to raise their five teenagers (out of seven children).
They'll explain how they have been able to inspire, motivate, and train their teens to WANT to help out around the house, work hard, and take responsibility -- all while maintaining and developing deep, lasting, positive relationships with their teens and now young adults.
They expound on a technique they use called 'Privilege-Based Accountability' and the need for teens and young adults to practice life skills by earning privileges instead of giving them freely and automatically. Automatic privileges disempower children and teens and gives them a sense of entitlement, besides making them irresponsible and unmotivated to work.
If you've ever wanted to raise hard-working, responsible, motivated, happy, and successful teens and young adults, then don't miss this episode with clear, actionable strategies that really work! We have the results to prove it.
RESOURCES:
Let Greg & Rachel help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Follow them on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
- Gather with them and other intentional families at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"Thanks for this episode. I wanted to get in touch to ask if you could share any advice for when your kids were younger and babies?
I run a food business and recently had my first baby. I am struggling to manage the disparity between my big ambitions for my life and my reality. I want to be more capable... I want to take my business to the next level (which includes raising investment) I want to keep exercising and doing my favourite sports, I hate that my home is not organised and there is clutter around.
I just don't know how to achieve all of this as I can't seem to find the time or the energy. Right now my partner is at home full time (looking for work) and is incredibly helpful both in the home and in caring for our daughter. But still I am not able to balance all of these things!
The two that have slipped back are exercising and my home not being in great order and I'm barely keeping up at work.
I sometimes would love to have a big family and you have really inspired me that this is possible (I have always thought about adoption) but then sometimes I think I can't even manage with one, how could I possibly manage more kids?
I'd truly appreciate it if you could share any advice or discuss this on a podcast as there are so many young mums today struggling to manage the demands of modern day life, juggling work with younger kids and babies."
If you are a mother (or father) of young children and often feel in overwhelm, then you need this episode -- especially if you are ambitious (like we are) and find yourself frustrated by your 'slow' progress as you pursue your dreams.
We've been there! Listen to discover the strategies we've used to prevent and manage overwhelm and to accomplish WAY more than we ever thought possible.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"I'm writing to tell you both what an inspiration you've been to me over the last year! I've listened to almost all your podcasts and am working my way through the family systems and charts course. All your information is clear and practical, and it's made a huge difference in my level of overwhelm and what our family has been able to accomplish.My husband and I are taking our kids (age 13 & 11) to Europe for 3 months this August, and I was wondering if you would have any tips for travelling with teens and tweens. I'm curious about:
- How to find social opportunities and meet other families while travelling. I would love our kids to get out of the bubble of our small town and meet kids around the world!
- Any budgeting ideas for travelling Europe?
- Our kids are not homeschooled but I want to use this trip as an experiment in worldschooling/ homeschooling that we might continue when we get home. Any tips on introducing older kids to homeschooling would be appreciated.
Would love to hear you speak more about the practicalities of travelling with a family!"
Whether you plan to go to Europe for 3 months, or to take a day trip to a local town or the state next door, this episode is packed with practical and useful tips for making the most of your 'travel' experiences as a family.
Listen now!
And make sure to visit us at our new World School Family Resort in southern Portugal!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
As a follow-up question to a recent episode about helping your spouse 'show up' or invest in your extraordinary life, we were asked:
"I love listening to your podcast. I'm a stay-at-home mom of four and I homeschool. I really wish I could live a little more extraordinarily as your family does, but alas, I have a spouse (who I of course love!) that doesn't feel the same. I desperately want to travel, but he doesn't. I long to do things a different way, but he doesn't. I like to read and listen to podcasts and all the like, but he doesn't.
But honestly, my real question here was about myself. You said something on your recent episode that hit me where it hurts. It was about how much hard work it is (an extraordinary lifestyle) and how it's kind of laughable to you now what you used to consider 'hard work'. I'm slightly ashamed to admit this but I can't seem to handle much. I want to be a hard worker, but it seems like other people are able to handle so much more than me.
I'm an introvert who is sadly socially awkward, needs lots of reflection time, and has never been encouraged or supported. I've never felt capable of much of anything. I want different for myself and definitely don't want my kids in this same boat!!
What is your advice for increasing my capacity to be able to handle more? Especially without any encouragement or support. I want better! I just don't know how to get there."
This is a FANTASTIC question and something we totally relate to as a former introverted, 'weak', shy, socially awkward girl or boy who never imagined that we would be coaching, hosting a podcast, or traveling the world with our seven children.
Listen to this episode to learn how we were able to overcome these 'limiting factors' that kept us from living a more extraordinary life. Discover how we built a foundation of positive habits using clarity, focus, and prevention so that we can direct more of our energy toward achieving the life of our dreams instead of existing in survival mode.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
This much-needed episode addresses something we've been concerned about, thinking about, and researching for years regarding ADHD/ADD in adults and children.
Based on our own experience (having at least 3 kids with ADHD, and at least one of us -- Greg 😁) and experience gained by working with thousands of clients -- plus the added perspective of traveling to 50+ countries which provides a look at the way people do things around the world -- we share some unique and paradigm-shifting perspectives on ADHD and what it means for parents, children and families.
We talk about 'labels', diagnoses, 'drugs' and medication, disorders, hunters vs. gatherers' brains and so much more -- in fact, we may end up killing some of your 'sacred cows'.
Of course, we're not doctors and have no letters after our name so we obviously don't know anything. But this will be a fascinating listen nonetheless.
Listen to this episode now!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- FINALLY get organized with Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning answer this question:
"Wondering if you have advice for someone who has been trying to pour everything into life/marriage to make it extraordinary but the spouse is not showing up and 'being the man' as Greg has defined. If they try, they relapse or it seems like the bare minimum is done. It has been years of this and it feels like it’s holding us back from an extraordinary life. Wondering your thoughts on handling situations like that when it feels like you have tried everything and given it time."
The truth is an extraordinary marriage requires work. But Greg and Rachel Denning tackle the all too common dilemma: what to do when one spouse is giving their all to make their marriage extraordinary, but the other isn't stepping up.
They delve into the essence of a thriving marriage, emphasizing the power of daily choices and the need for 'extraordinary' effort (and why 'good' is not good enough).
Greg and Rachel stress the importance of utilizing the right tools (in the right way) even if you've 'tried everything' -- and persisting through challenges.
They explain the issue of 'collusion' and destructive, self-sabotaging patterns in relationships and explain how to break free from them.
Rachel highlights the significance of personal accountability and understanding the differences between men and women -- men need respect and women need to feel cherished -- for fostering a healthy partnership.
They urge spouses to 'bring the tide' and become agents of change in their relationships through self-improvement, emphasizing the effect 'bringing the tide' can have on spouses.
Offering practical advice, the Dennings present a roadmap for enhancing marriages even if you're the 'only one' -- with a warning against heeding misguided counsel (like Ruby Franke).
Key Takeaways:
- Marriage requires continuous effort and dedication.
- Small choices yield significant results over time.
- Extraordinary effort is indispensable for exceptional outcomes -- but it's easier than it sounds.
- Utilize the right tools and continuously expand your skill set.
- Break free from destructive relationship cycles (collusion) by taking responsibility.
- Understand and adapt to gender differences for a harmonious relationship.
- Personal growth can inspire positive changes in your partner.
- Consistency and unwavering commitment are crucial for marital improvement.
Timestamps:
- 00:00 Marriage is Tough
- 03:00 The Two Paths in Life
- 06:23 Exponential Results of Small Choices
- 10:07 The Need for Extraordinary Effort
- 13:15 Importance of the Right Tools
- 22:21 Being the Change in Your Marriage
- 27:22 Breaking the Cycle of Destruction
- 29:43 Understanding Differences Between Men and Women
- 31:59 Inspiring Change in Your Spouse
- 32:58 Taking Responsibility
- 39:16 Becoming a Catalyst for Change
- 45:32 Formula for Improving Your Marriage
- 50:22 Urgency of Making Changes
- 53:45The Dangers of Listening to the Wrong Advice
- 57:29 Consistency and Obsession
RESOURCES:
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- The Empowered Wife by Laura Doyle
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
On Instagram, I saw a reel that stated "Myth: Sex is a need. Fact: Sex is a desire, not a need."
"All of us can live without sex; we cannot live without water, food, or belonging."
I had to disagree and responded: "It depends on how you define 'need'. For survival, no. For connection, bonding, and love -- yes, it's a need. Can you imagine if you're husband said, "You don't NEED me to talk to you. It's just a desire' and then went days, weeks, or months without talking because it's not a 'need'? You would feel pretty neglected. So if you want an extraordinary relationship then sex -- and talking -- are NEEDS.'
While the argument may be true that 'needs' are ONLY things that we can't live without -- water, food, belonging -- it's inaccurate when we're talking about the surviving -- not to mention the THRIVING -- of our marriage relationship.
Yes, people can live without sex. And talking. But an extraordinary marriage cannot.
Of course, there are extremes when sex in marriage is not an option (injury, postpartum, old age). But we're not talking about those rare instances. We're talking about marriages where couples CAN have sex but are NOT having it.
And I get it. As a woman who once hoped to find evidence that would convince my husband we never had to have sex again, I know how relieving it can be to believe that his need for sex is not real or is some how wrong or unrealistic.
But it's just not true. Men (and women) want and need intimacy, but for some (usually men) their deepest intimacy takes the form of sex. And that's OK! And when you learn to use both sex and communication together they create an eternal circle of connection between spouses.
Listen to this episode now so you can begin to see sex as an OPPORTUNITY for connection, not a burden or obligation. When you have this paradigm shift then everything changes. And you finally discover the key to building the relationship you've always wanted.
This topic is further expounded on with these episodes:
-
148 What Wives Need to Know about Husbands' (Sex Drive) and What Men Need to Understand about Themselves
-
150 The Sex-quel. Follow-up Sex Episode with Rachel Denning
-
151 What Husbands NEED to Know About their Wives
-
224 How (& WHY) to Have Sex 3-6 Times a Week EVEN with Kids, Businesses, Homeschool, Jobs, Activities, and More
- Masturbation & Cheap Sexual Acts are a Poor Substitute for Real Connection
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
A member of my 28-Day Challenge coaching program asked:
"I'm curious: what do your kids do for work or how do they learn work ethic? Our oldest is almost 16 and starting a job this summer which is flexible (thank goodness) but as much as she and our family go places we are trying to make sure we're home for part of the summer so she can get hours at that job and earn some money!
I know there are ways to earn outside a typical job: do you have a list of ideas for me? We considered selling some of her crafty works on Etsy and she's done babysitting jobs, but I don't see those online options really "paying off". When we consider doing yard work for others or house cleaning etc, I wonder how safe that is for her to go into homes alone...
...and I feel like our summers will be eaten up soon by our older kids trying to hold down jobs. My spouse feels it's so important for them to learn how to work for someone and they can work during the school year, but it would have to be a REALLY flexible employer. ;) I'd love any insight you (or others!) have."
And...
"Greg said once that his children WILL be wealthy when they grow up. What is it that gives him that kind of confidence (without of course giving them the money!😄)?
What books have you read and are teaching concepts to your kids or having your kids read? I know you guys do things the "non-traditional" way, so maybe there's more there that I don't know about...
It seems that most parents send their kids off into the world and tell them they have to work hard and hope they survive financially. I imagine our kids will struggle at times but that provides good and healthy lessons for them - do you include that part of growth on their own as something they will experience before they reach "wealthy"?
And if they don't go the traditional route with jobs, what are they doing to create that wealth? Wealth isn't everything, but money is a necessary tool in our world and his comment just got me thinking...
Along these lines, what are your thoughts on Dave Ramsey's teachings, like 'The Total Money Makeover'? (It's not on Greg's list under business/money.) Tell me more! :)"
Fantastic and very relevant questions for anyone who is raising children, which we answer in this episode in surprising ways -- such as discouraging our children from getting jobs, encouraging them to BECOME, buy, and acquire assets, and teaching them money psychology, wealth and abundance mindsets, and how to be entrepreneurs and investors.
We also address the potential dangers of youth going into homes alone -- and how to protect against it. PLUS better ways to teach children and teens 'work ethic' and to do hard things.
And we talk about how programs like Dave Ramsey's are geared toward obtaining or maintaining the middle class -- not toward creating generational wealth.
Don't miss this powerful episode that could alter your family's finances for generations to come.
RESOURCES:
- The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles ("You have a moral obligation to be wealthy")
- Money: Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom by Tony Robbins
Get our recommended book lists (including more on money psychology, abundance, and wealth):
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Gather with us or attend retreats at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"I wanted to know what you guys think about screen time... I stopped letting my son (6) watch but then we reintroduced it as my husband said that if it’s in a foreign language it can be beneficial exposure to the language... We limited it to an hour, but I feel like it is too stimulating and it affects his behaviour. It feels like that is all he can think about sometimes. I haven’t read much about it, but I think it’s not good for their brains it’s too addictive."
A fantastic question and concern for all parents. In this episode, we dive into the complicated and real challenges facing us as parents -- and individuals -- as we seek to navigate new territory -- being the first people in the history of the world trying to raise children with so many screens.
So how do we do it --effectively? What dangers are we facing? What opportunities? How young is 'too young' to let kids use screens? How much is 'too much' screen time?
And how do we ensure, as parents and role models, that we are setting a good example of technology use for our children?
We answer all these questions and more to help you teach your kids that screens are 'tools not toys' and that we can maintain mental, emotional, and physical health when we use devices responsibly. Listen now!
RESOURCES:
- Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction Is Hijacking Our Kids - and How to Break the Tranceby Nicholas Kardaras, PhD
- Ready Player Onemovie
- The Social Dilemma documentary
- A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
It wasn't too long ago that I would have been hesitant to make such a bold statement -- that wokesim is a dangerous cult.
That's because I have many beliefs that are in line with the underlying viewpoints, such as open-mindedness, acceptance, and tolerance.
But after lots of study, research, and observation over the past year or two, and, being presented with multiple 'case studies' of woke ideology gone wrong...
Plus combining that with books we've been reading such as Crime and Punishment, Anna Karenina, Brave New World, and The Psychology of Totalitarianism...
We've come to discover that sometimes virtues can go to far and become vices. This is why we now feel passionate and confident about saying that 'wokeism is a cult that is destroying society'.
Why a cult?
ALL religions first began as cults, until they reached a tipping point in membership. But cult members share beliefs, practices, words, phrases, and ideologies with each other. They can identify one another by their signals, signs, FB profiles, preferred pronouns, and the flags they fly -- just like members of other cults or religions.
Unfortunately, what began as virtues of compassion, anti-racism, and tolerance are starting to go too far in dangerous ways -- resulting in loss of life, increased crime, and destruction of property and the basic frameworks of society.
We (all of us) are watching it unravel before our eyes -- IF we pay close attention and know where to look for red flags.
And it's time for us to stand up and speak out.
Listen now to this very important episode.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
- Gather with us at the World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort in Portugal
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this unique episode, I'm sharing a coaching session from my 28-Day Challenge because Greg is currently trekking to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro with four of our teens and a group of 18 other people.
In this coaching session (recorded live) we answer questions from members of the group such as:
- my husband says he feels I don't respect him because the house isn't clean when he gets home. What do I do about it?
- my spouse won't share financial information with me and feels attacked whenever I ask for it. What do I do?
- how can I keep up the motivation my teen is feeling (especially after just returning from your AMAZING Morocco trip)?
As we answer these questions (and more) we share powerful insights about:
- The Drama Triangle (and how to get out of it)
- The Transformational Triangle
- The Values Hierarchy (and why it's causing communication problems with your spouse)
- How to get and stay motivated on a daily basis
Don't miss this powerful episode and a sneak peek into a live coaching session with me and Greg!
If you want to join our live sessions and ask us your questions, then become a member of the 28-Day Challenge today!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"I am wondering if I can expect more from my kids than I expect from husband? He has ADHD so he "gets distracted" easily and spends hours a day looking at news stories with his phone.
Can I expect my teens to go on a phone diet [aka device fast] even though my husband is a poor role model? My husband hates nagging, I realized early in our marriage, and we have argued many times in the past about me wanting to expect more of him. Tired of arguing, I got to the point of leaving him alone. However, my kids need to learn good habits so I wonder if I can do work with them despite my husband's negative habits?"
A fantastic question to an all-too-common family problem. Can we expect our children to live to 'higher standards' than one of the parents in the family?
That's what we address in the episode, using an example from our personal life, along with experiences working with clients.
We also touch on why 'ADHD is a label that lies' and what's really going on instead.
AND we give additional strategies that are more effective than nagging to help encourage and inspire your spouse to 'step it up'. This applies to encouraging husbands AND wives.
Don't miss this powerful episode that will inspire you to 'bring the tide' in your family.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
- Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
- Greg's Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
If you're like me, then there's probably been a time when you've felt like this:
"...you're convincing me [to change my life]! And I know I have some development to do, but I start to feel so much lack sometimes when I listen to your episodes! 😉 Like there is so much to do and change that it seems it will take too long and we are starting so late...stuff like that.
I also need to still believe that everyone is on a journey and it is OK if we are far behind the ideal (that's how I feel even though I've come so far)... [And] my husband has a hard time listening to these podcast episodes because he feels that the ideal is pushed so hard that there is no room for grace. But when I spend time with you guys I know that's not how you intend it to come across and not who you are....
I rambled on but I really respect you and your work and how much goodness you're putting out in the world. I'm inspired and depressed by your examples all at the same time 😁😁"
We (Greg and I) can relate to this. We have felt EXACTLY the same way, many times throughout our life as we've pursued our dreams.
That's because being exposed to an IDEAL causes you to feel 'depressed', overwhelmed, and insufficient.
It's the nature of coming face-to-face with a vision of who you could be -- if only you face your fears and pursue your own greatness.
So what do you do when you're filled with both feelings of inspiration and inadequacy?
We walk through it in this episode and explain the approach we have taken -- and are currently taking -- as we continue to pursue bigger and bolder dreams on the journey of creating an extraordinary family life.
Listen now!
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your growth journey.
- Download the Be The Man app on iOS or Android
- Take the Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.
- Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
- Join the 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- Join the Be The Man Coaching & Tribe
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
First, let us start by explaining what we're NOT saying in this episode. EVERY family should not homeschool. But most families should (we explain what that means).
And NO, homeschooling does not automatically guarantee certain outcomes. There will still be TONS of work and intentional effort involved to produce the desired results.
However, if you have an elevated vision of what you want your family life and legacy (and children's education) to be like:
- deep, connected relationships
- lifelong love of learning
- respect and admiration from your kids into their adulthood
- critical thinking skills
- parent influence over peer influence
- mental and emotional health and well-being
- personal leadership skills (time management, goal setting, project management, etc.)
- social leadership skills (the ability to have a meaningful conversation with anyone, anywhere)
- and much more...
...then homeschooling (or alternative schooling) may be the ONLY way to effectively achieve those extraordinary ends.
The truth is, government (aka public) schooling is NOT getting the job done (for the most part).
As Jordan Peterson recently said,
"The education system -- K-12 and college -- is one of the most corrupt systems on the planet."
It's time to rethink your approach to education especially if you want to create something in your family life that is BETTER than mediocre.... even if you think your current situation is pretty 'good' (we'll explain why good is the enemy of extraordinary).
Listen now to this paradigm-shifting episode.
If you have teens and want to homeschool high school, make sure to check out our Habits for a Successful Lifeonline class and Mentoring Accountability Program.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
As we begin the New Year and pursuing new goals, this timely episode shares a real-life happening now obstacle to pursuing our dream (to buy a chateau in France) -- getting stuck and stranded in Casablanca, Morocco.
We walk through WHY obstacles and roadblocks to your dreams happen, what to do about them, how to handle them in-the-moment, and most importantly, how to overcome them so you can continue pursuing your goals and dreams.
If you've ever set a big goal and failed to achieve it -- or became discouraged and disheartened, wondered if it's 'not meant to be' or if God didn't want you to have/do/achieve it -- this episode is for you!
Listen now for encouragement, inspiration, and practical tactics.
RESOURCES
Interested in more information about investing in or being a part of our Chateau Project?
Send an email to greg@gregdenning.com
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
As we record this we're sitting in an Airbnb in Tangier, Morocco, living yet another of our family's dreams -- to road trip from Portugal to Morocco.
Before this trip is over we'll travel from our home base in Portugal to the Sahara Desert in Morocco, having visited Ronda, Grenada, and Cordoba, in Spain, and Tangier, Chefchouen (the Blue City), Fes, Volubilis ancient ruins, Meknes, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Ait Ben Haddou and Zagora.
We'll spend New Year's Eve beneath the stars of the desert with a bonfire and a Berber band, eating tajine and sand bread as we discuss The Alchemist and what it means to 'Live Your Personal Legend.'
But this is just the most recent family dream that we've made come true. Last Christmas we dog sledded in Norway, saw the Northern Lights, took a one-reindeer-open sleigh ride, and visited the Christmas markets before taking a train ride and Christmas cruise from Sweden to Finland. Then we backpacked through 15 countries before reaching Portugal.
Before that, we drove the Pan American Highway (three times), toured Europe for four months, hiked to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest, circled Iceland, and rode horses across the Mongolian steppe... plus much more.
HOW do we do it? How do we make so many dreams come true even with two businesses, homeschooling, and seven children?
That's what we share in this episode. Discover the exact process we've used to make our many family dreams come true.
Get a powerful start to this next year with this actionable episode that provides realistic steps for turning your family dreams into real life.
Listen now!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Get our Extraordinary Family Life Planner
28-Day Challenge for Moms
Be The Man app for Men -- iOS or Android
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
Before we had kids, we all had idealized visions of what we thought it would be like.
For me, it included images of perfectly dressed and pressed children with clean faces sitting on a picnic blanket in the sunshine, enjoying a perfectly mannered meal together.
But once we become a parent, we soon realize that those ideals are a far cry from reality.
Instead, there are tears, tantrums, and sleepless nights. There are snotty noses and strong opinions. It's no wonder we're not enjoying being a parent as much as we thought we would.
If you've ever felt like this -- and especially if you currently feel like this -- then make sure to listen to this episode.
We'll share some pragmatic principles and practices -- from our experience raising seven children and working with thousands of parents and youth -- that can help you make your parenting journey so much more enjoyable.
RESOURCES:
Rachel's 28-Day Challenge and Family Charts & Systemsfor Moms
Greg's Be the Man Coaching & Tribe and 7-Day Challenge for Men
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"What would I actually do if I spent more time with my wife and kids? What does that look like?"
"I went on a getaway with my husband and I was bored. I couldn't wait to get back to the kids."
"I've been going on more dates with my husband (because of the 28-Day Challenge) but we're not enjoying them. He doesn't like to do what I do, and I don't like doing what he does."
"My husband and I went away and it was amazing, but I hated returning to the kids who just fight and quarrel every day."
"I waited so long to become a mom and then it finally happened. But now I'm not enjoying it."
We've heard questions like these -- and more -- over the past several weeks.
People understand -- intellectually or philosophically -- that spending time with family is important.
But emotionally, they don't always enjoy it. Or it feels like a chore -- or sometimes even torture.
They would rather be doing something -- anything -- else, by themselves, with friends, at work.
They can't stand the 'unproductivity' of sitting around, playing games, watching movies, or having to do an activity they do NOT want to do.
But is this what 'spending time with family' really has to be like?
Is there a better way?
A way that makes you TRULY WANT to spend time together -- even 24/7/365 (like our family does)?
In this episode, we outline intentional strategies we've used to create a family culture where we actually LOVE spending time together doing things that we LOVE doing.
There's no torture or pain or wishing we could get away.
Instead, there's true enjoyment and delight in being with one another, day after day, week after week.
Let us show you how to make this a reality in YOUR family.
Listen now.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Donate or support AerialRecovery.org
Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for Moms
Greg's Be The Man Coaching & Tribefor men.
Habits for a Successful Life online class for teens.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
Do you want to develop a parenting style and family culture that nurtures instilling values through individual autonomy INSTEAD of through parental control?
Parents face many challenges -- and the temptation to control their children -- when they are overly attached to specific outcomes for their family. Greg and Rachel emphasize the importance of letting go of control and cultivating an environment that encourages children to make their own choices and paradoxically is better at actually creating the short- and long-term results and outcomes you want.
The hosts delve into personal experiences, illustrating how they have successfully implemented these principles in their own family. Greg recounts his teenage years out on his own at a young age, highlighting the freedom he had to make good choices without strict parental control. The couple emphasizes the significance of setting an example as parents and creating an atmosphere where your children want to open up and talk to you. By allowing their children to choose and make mistakes, you can build a family culture where autonomy works to create shared values as your children adopt and embrace values as their own instead of simply being obedient to their parent's values.
The conversation deepens as the hosts explore the delicate balance between setting an example and mentoring. They stress the need for parents to be both exceptional role models and effective teachers. Greg and Rachel share anecdotes from their family life, demonstrating that by practicing detachment from the outcomes they want actually contributes to cultivating the unique family culture where children willingly seek guidance and approval.
Finally, the hosts encourage listeners to contemplate and implement these principles in their own families. Stop controlling your children and instead use the transformative power of embracing detachment in your daily parenting interactions, enabling children to become the architects of their destinies within the framework of shared family values. The Extraordinary Family Life podcast provides valuable insights for parents seeking to raise empowered, self-aware, and responsible individuals.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
Are your kids picky eaters? Are you concerned about their short and long-term health because of a lack of nutrition?
Then listen to this episode where we discuss the importance -- and strategies -- for instilling good dietary habits in children and overcoming pickiness.
To begin, Greg and Rachel shed light on the significance of food choices and the impact it has on a family's well-being. They emphasize the role of parents in setting a positive example and creating an environment where children are empowered to make healthy choices. This episode is a valuable resource for parents seeking to navigate the often challenging landscape of family nutrition.
Our hosts continue to explore the intricacies of providing nutritious options for children. They share personal anecdotes and insights gained through their journey of raising a healthy family.
They address common challenges faced by parents, such as dealing with picky eaters, battles over food, and navigating the temptations of junk food. By setting boundaries and cultivating a love for wholesome, delicious food, they offer practical strategies for families to transition towards a healthier lifestyle -- and mindset towards food and eating.
Listeners will also gain valuable advice on reading food labels, recognizing and avoiding harmful ingredients, and providing nutritious alternatives. The hosts emphasize the power of conviction and creating a positive food culture at home, where children feel free to make their own choices within the framework of a nutritious menu.
The episode underscores the idea that healthy eating is a long-term investment in the well-being of both parents and children. By instilling good dietary habits from an early age, families can enjoy the benefits of vitality, energy, and a life free from common health issues. The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast delivers inspiring insights and practical tips to help parents raise healthy, happy children within a supportive, nourishing environment.
Tune in to this enlightening discussion to discover how you can provide your family with a foundation of good nutrition and the long-term benefits it brings. Join us as we embark on a journey towards a healthier, more vibrant life for your extraordinary family.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
Would you love to know how to EFFECTIVELY & correctily discipline your kids? (There is a wrong and right way.)
Would you like to be able to discipline without the drama, yelling, punishing, or nagging, AND do it in a way that strengthens your relationship with your child in the short and long term?
Sound too good to be true?
Trust us, it's actually possible.
In this episode, we share not only our personal experience raising and disciplining our 7 children -- but also what we've learned by working with and watching people parent their children on five continents and 50+ countries.
We also share what we've learned by reading dozens of parenting books by experts and how their advice actually plays out in the real-world environment of family life.
Discipline ultimately is about TEACHING, not punishing. And you teach WHO you ARE.
Learn how to stop PUNISHING your children and destroying your relationship in the process and learn how to effectively teach and discipline instead -- while building the lifelong relationships you dream about.
RESOURCES:
- The Courage to Teachby Parker Palmer
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
- No-Drama Discipline by Daniel Siegel
- 28-Day Challenge for Moms
- 7-Day Challenge for Dads
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
We cover a LOT of things in this episode as we discuss, examine, and analyze things that have been on our minds during the last week and as we ask each other WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD??
We're not talking about conspiracy theories... but actual conspiracies.
Stay with us here... these aren't crazy ideas that we've come up with from our imaginations...
...these are actual, proven things that are happening and we're just asking the questions:
- What does that actually mean?
- Where will this actually lead?
Our (optimistic) concern is that it's going to get worse before it gets better... but that's what the fourth turning is all about.
Listen now so you can prepare your family -- because, in the end, it's strong individuals and families that will ultimately change the world!
RESOURCES:
- The Fourth Turning by William Straus & Neil Howe
- The Fourth Turning is Here: What the Seasons of History Tell Us About How & When This Crisis Will End by Neil Howe
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Animal Farm by George Orwell
- Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
- The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmet
- Covid 19: The Great Reset by Klaus Schwab (leader of the World Economic Forum)
- WHO Pandemic Treaty Danger with Dr. John Campbell
- Canada's Woke Nightmare: A Warning to the West -- Documentary
- Create a strong family life with Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for moms or Greg's Be the Man 7-Day Challenge
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this series about raising well-adjusted kids and better family stability, we're now diving into the 2nd level of the Extraordinary Family Life Pyramid -- Marriage!
YOU are the foundation of your family life, followed by your MARRIAGE.
Without strong INDIVIDUAL mental, emotional, spiritual, social, physical, and financial health you don't have the 'solid footing' necessary to raise well-adjusted kids.
The same is true when it comes to your marriage. You and your spouse are providing the up-close-and-personal look at interpersonal relationships that your children will take into their adult life and their own relationships.
You can NOT fake this. You can't say one thing and do another and expect your kids to get the 'right' message. Your marriage must be strong, thriving, and attractive if you want to raise the strongest, healthiest, most well-adjusted kids possible.
And if it's not? What then?
There are still things you can do to improve the situation -- whether you're still married, considering divorce, already divorced, or looking for a partner, the way you handle THIS topic is SO important.
Listen now to learn the strategies you need to make your marriage THRIVE or the tools required to pass on the right lessons to your kids if your marriage is less than you hoped it would be.
RESOURCES:
Greg Denning's Book List (including recommend Marriage books):
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/greg-denning-booklist
Rachel Denning's Book List (including recommend Marriage books):
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/ambitious-well-read-mom-booklist
28-Day Challenge for Moms (including the 28-Day Marriage Challenge):
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-family-life-bundle
Be The Family Man 7-Day Challenge:
https://www.bethemanworkshop.com/products/be-the-family-man-challenge-men
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
If you've been a parent long you know that parenting often feels like a series of problems to solve.
This is accurate. So it only makes sense that if you become a better problem-solver, you will become a better parent.
Continuing on the theme from the last episode about how to create family stability, we explain HOW to improve your problem-solving skills -- and how to do it without damaging relationships or becoming controlling and domineering.
We also explain how to PREDICT and PREVENT problems (including tantrums, meltdowns, and outbursts) -- plus how to solve them for GOOD -- to make family life even smoother and happier.
Plus we'll elucidate on how and why to say 'YES' more often! And expound on specific strategies for getting what you want and need done (in the family and around the house) without nagging or making 'withdrawals' from those 'emotional bank accounts'... and instead do it in a way that actually makes 'deposits' into your relationships.
Listen to this episode now and start applying these strategies today!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
235 Creating a Family Culture of Stability, Safety, Trust, & Well-Adjusted Family Members
28-Day Challenge for Moms
Family Systems & Charts
Be the Man 7-Day Challenge
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"My kids are having a hard time adjusting to _______ (moving, traveling, homeschooling, divorce, death, etc). How can I help them?"
We've received a question like this dozens of times over the years. Parents the world over wonder how they can create family stability, safety, and healing -- especially in today's mixed-up crazy world.
Some claim stability comes from 'staying in one place' -- as one commenter on Instagram said,
"Kids want stability, staying in one place, traditions, predictability, and the same friends."
And as others have said in the past, "You're ruining your kids by traveling/moving so much."
Yet if it truly were predictability and staying in one place that produced stability and well-adjusted kids, wouldn't ALL people who stayed in one place and had the same friends be well-adjusted?
We know this isn't the case. Every one of us knows of a very unstable person or family who has stayed in the same place their entire life.
So what is it then? What actually creates this 'well-adjustment' that we all want for ourselves and our children?
Ultimately it comes down to a set of principles and practices that establish 'location independent' family stability, safety, and trust that result in well-adjusted family members -- parents and children.
We've been asked before,
"Is your family really as well-adjusted as you appear to be on social media?"
The answer is, 'Yes', and in this episode, we give you the tools we've used to make it possible. We share the strategies that just work for creating a healthy, happy, progressing, thriving family -- no matter where you go, or what challenges come your way.
Listen now to begin developing these skills today.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
28-Day Challenge for Moms
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-family-life-bundle
Be the Man Masterclass for Men
https://call.formidablefamilyman.com/
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
After nine months of traveling outside of the USA (to 17+ countries from Tromsø to Cairo), we return to take care of some things that will help us make a permanent transition to our home base in Portugal...
But as usual, there are things that STAND OUT to us as we visit this country after an extended absence.
In this episode, we share what those things are, and -- in the bigger picture -- why they are significant to our families, the nation, and the world as a whole.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
-
Wild Swans by Jung Chang
-
Animal Farm by George Orwell
-
1984 by George Orwell
-
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
-
The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmet
OTHER RESOURCES:
138 Thou Shalt Follow the Science (Dark Horse Podcast)
Does History Repeat Itself? with Mattias Desmet
373 Social Justice: A Religious Movement (Jordan Peterson Podcast)
380 A Resurgence of Vision with Vivek Ramaswamy
363 Rekindling the Spirit of the Classic Democrat with Robert F. Kennedy (removed from YouTube by them for 'violating terms of service' but reposted -- temporarily? -- here)
"If you look at history, the people censoring are always the bad guys."
232 PROTECT Your Kids NOW from Traffickers & Sexual Abusers
Why I Hope My Kids Never Go to College
My JBP Challenge
#211 What to Eat & How -- What's ACTUALLY Healthy? Our Food Journey
#213 What to Eat Part 2 -- Snacks, Recipes, Rules, & When to Break Them
Colleges I would consider:
- Hillsdale College
- Ralston College
- Colleges who have signed the Chicago Statement
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this episode, we philosophize (are you surprised?) about observations we've been making for the past decade or more as we've read, studied, and traveled to 50+ countries. It's kind of like putting together a puzzle. You take one piece after another and see where they fit and little by little a picture begins to emerge.
In this case, the picture that's forming shows the current state of the world and the impending disasters that seem to lurk around the bend. We expound on a few of them, get angry about a few others, rant and rave a little, and then share strategies to help protect yourself and your family. We may not be able to stop the avalanche of disaster, but we can get out of the way.
We also open up about our own fears in 'speaking up' or speaking out -- and the necessity for ALL of us to raise our voices. Because all that's required for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing.
Tools & Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park
The Fourth Turning
Animal Farm by George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell
157 Our Response to Incomprehensible Stupid Memes & Other Current Events
198 Masturbation & Cheap Sexual Acts Are Poor Substitutes for Real Connection
Be the Man Masterclass
28-Day Challenge for Moms
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In this very important episode, Greg and I discuss first-hand knowledge we have about the growing industry of human trafficking. We also talk about sexual abuse, how it happens, and how to protect your kids.
If you think it doesn't happen in your neighborhood, church, or community -- think again! It is a REAL threat and it is EVERYWHERE. It's happened to us, too.
What actions can you take to protect your family? That's what we cover in this episode, along with WHY and HOW human trafficking has become a major world issue and what you can do to fight it.
Organizations we recommend supporting:
Aerial Recovery Group (the organization Greg works with)
Watch this video of a recent mission:
https://youtu.be/fY98pTctTHk?si=sWQkOsDqmWosgW1S
Free a Girl
https://www.freeagirl.us/
Fight The New Drug
https://fightthenewdrug.org/
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We've never told any of our 7 children there is a Santa Clause or a Tooth Fairy.
That's because we always wanted to be seen as people our children can believe and trust -- NO MATTER WHAT -- especially when it comes to discerning truth in the world and discovering what is real and what is not.
And while it's not just about Santa Clause, this approach of ALWAYS speaking Truth is one of the key philosophies that has helped us to raise children, teens, and young adults who truly trust, believe, and seek out our advice, even into young adulthood.
It is an approach that has led them to know that we will ALWAYS be straight with them -- no matter if it's about their health, weight, looks, friends, ideas, dates, or choices.
No matter what questions they have, they can come to us and get REAL answers.
We won't be overly harsh, but we also won't sugarcoat things. We won't underplay the risks, but we won't exaggerate them either.
We don't know all the answers, but we will share everything we do know to be true -- whether it's about faith, religion, quantum physics, history, wellness, money, or our personal choices.
And our kids can trust what we tell them TRUTH because we've NEVER intentionally told them something that wasn't true or tried to convince them of stories or myths are reality.
We still like to pretend and make-believe and we love stories and myths and using our imagination (mythology and science fiction are my kids' favorite genres) -- but we are honest with our kids when it's a STORY and when it is TRUTH -- when we're teasing and pretending and when it's REAL.
We completely respect other people's beliefs and practices, and we're definitely not condemning people for telling their kids to believe in Santa.
But we do have a very interesting conversation in this episode about lies, honesty, and the power of influence that comes into your relationships when you commit to speaking only Truth.
Listen now!
Check out our upcoming Trips & Adventures
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
I (Rachel) cried today. It was because of the stress and pressure and overwhelm of 'all the things' I have to get done by a looming deadline, and it was sparked by the small irritations of family life.
So Greg and I do what we usually do in a situation like this -- we sat down and psychoanalyzed WHY I was crying so we could process the 'emotional stacking' to help me get back to a positive state (and then recorded this episode 😁 ).
But this isn't something I do only when I cry or feel overwhelmed by stress.
This is a similar process to something I do on my own anytime I'm feeling a lower-level emotion that is below contentment or satisfaction -- things like disappointment, doubt, worry, irritation, frustration, or discouragement.
This is the same process Greg has been doing for 20+ years -- anytime he feels doubt, worry, dissatisfaction, impatience, irritation, frustration, or discontent.
In fact, he's gotten so good at it that, unless appropriate, he's learned to process these lower-level emotions in seconds so he can very quickly return to higher-level emotions like passion, excitement, love, enthusiasm, and joy, which is where he spends 95+% of his time.
How did we learn to do this?
How do we manage to remain in a positive mental and emotional state MOST of the time -- despite all of the stress, strain, challenge, and pressure required to run a business, homeschool and raise 7-kids, travel to 50+ countries, and live a high-achieving, extraordinary family life?
Listen to this episode now to learn how we do it and how YOU can do it too.
Join Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for Moms:
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-family-life-bundle
Join Greg's 7-Day Be The Family Man Challenge
https://www.bethemanworkshop.com/products/be-the-family-man-challenge-men
Follow us on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/worldschoolfamily
https://instagram.com/greg.denning
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After posting reels on Instagram about our most recent 6-month trip to 17 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, I've had many people ask:
"How do you even BEGIN planning a trip like that?"
"What was your budget for this experience?"
"How do you afford it?"
In this episode, we walk through our process for dreaming, envisioning, and then executing BIG goals and dreams.
It's the exact process we've used again and again to travel to 50+ countries on five continents with our 7 children for the past 17 years.
We explain how to pick a destination and what to book first -- without risk.
We tell you when to buy the flights and where to look for accommodations.
We also share our daily and monthly budget costs for traveling with a family -- now and then.
If you've ever wanted to plan a BIG family adventure, then don't miss this episode!
If you're not already, make sure to follow us on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/worldschoolfamily
https://instagram.com/greg.denning
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"Do you have a podcast episode or advice somewhere where you talk about how you instilled a love of reading in your children?
As parents love reading and have read a lot to our children when they were young. Sometimes we still do now, but no matter which book we suggest, they hate reading, and it breaks my heart."
In this episode, we answer this question from a mom and share specific strategies -- and book recommendations -- for helping children of all ages learn to fall in LOVE with 'reading'.
But we also clarify and define what 'reading' actually means -- identifying the outcome you're actually looking for -- and the non-traditional ways that can still be achieved in today's digital world.
If your kids claim they 'hate' reading -- or you just want them to love it more and develop a life-long habit -- then this episode is for you!
Resources mentioned:
- Greg's Booklist (with recommendations for youth)
- Family Charts & Systems (strategies for getting kids to do chores)
- Audible.com
- 28-Day Challengefor Moms
- Be the Man Masterclass for men
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
In Greg's work as a coach, he often hears something like this:
"Yes I agree, but how do I talk to my spouse about that???"
Sometimes we're shocked that a spouse feels like they can't bring up a topic with their 'better half' -- even if it is a sensitive one.
But then we remember that we used to be there too.
And in this episode, we share a personal experience about a topic that was off-limits for about a decade or more... and how we worked through it.
Eventually, we got to the point where we can talk to each other about ANYTHING.
And to have an extraordinary marriage, that's where you want to be.
Yes, it's work. But what's the alternative?
To coast on a plateau or to drift into non-communication?
Learning to discuss difficult topics strengthens your marriage and your bond as a couple.
Learn how to do that in this episode.
Listen to our other episodes on marriage:
-
192 EVERYTHING In Life Gets Easier & Smoother When You Can COMMUNICATE Better. Here's How to Do It
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190 Unconditional Love is NOT the Highest Form of Love; Deep, Meaningful Love is CONDITIONAL
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203 Creating a Real-Life 'Happily Ever After' Marriage
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221 Specific Strategies & Tools to Make Your Marriage Good, Better, Great & EXTRAORDINARY
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215 A Message to Husbands: How to Actually Listen to Your Wife
-
214 Where We've Been and How We've Made it Extra Special -- Celebrating 22 Years of Marriage
Also mentioned in this episode:
-
218 Body Shaming? How to LOVE Your Body AND Want to Get in Your Best Shape
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Greg received an email from a friend who said, "My son needs a life coach :)"
His response was, "EVERYONE needs a life coach."
The stigma is that only people with problems or those who 'can't figure it out' need a life coach.
But the truth is, if you want to have a truly EXTRAORDINARY life, you NEED a coach.
You understand this when it comes to learning the violin or tennis -- if you want to be good you get a coach.
Yet somehow too many people don't connect it when it comes to parenting, marriage, or finances.
You NEED a coach in those areas of life, too.
And in fact, that is the ONLY way you'll actually be GREAT in those roles -- if you get some coaching.
But you have to be careful.
Not all life coaches -- or therapists -- are competent to provide advice that works -- even if they are 'certified' or 'qualified'.
In this episode, we dive into WHY you need coaching -- especially if you think you do NOT -- and how to determine if you should actually listen to someone's advice, despite degrees, certifications, and so-called 'qualifications'.
If you want to truly make the MOST of your life -- as a parent, spouse, and individual -- don't miss the strategies in this episode.
- Greg Denning's Booklist
- Rachel's Must-Read Books for Well-Read Moms
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
No matter if you homeschool or send your kids to public or private school, YOU are responsible for the outcomes of their education.
The first step is for YOU to define what EDUCATION means to you.
Is it academic learning? Grades, tests, and ACT scores? Getting into the 'best' colleges.
Or is it MORE than that?
Does it include their mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial development?
If it doesn't, it should.
What about experiences and exposure to people, places, and ideas?
Too many people and students pursue academics at the expense of their mental, emotional, or relational development.
They pursue 'book learning' at the expense of living in and experiencing the world.
They develop negative sleep or eating habits in the pursuit of good grades.
But this has a cost on their life as a HUMAN being -- not to mention their sense of purpose and fulfillment.
If you're interested in helping your children to get an education that will benefit EVERY aspect of their youth and adult life -- not just their academic learning -- and that will help them live happy, fulfilling, purposeful lives...
...then listen to this important episode.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Exposing Your Kids to the Dark Side -- How and WHY
- Atomic Habits
- The Power of Habit
- Habits for a Successful Life
- The Millionaire Mind
- 28-Day Challenge
- Be the Man Masterclass
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
This episode would not be complete without listening to these episodes as well:
- What Wives Need to Know About Their Husband's Sex Drives And What Men Need to Know About Themselves
- Sex-quel Follow-Up Episode with Rachel Denning
- Husbands, How to ACTUALLY Listen to Your Wives (And Why She Needs It)
- Masturbation & Cheap Sexual Acts are a Poor Substitute for Real Connection -- A Message for Teens & Spouses
This episode was in response to a question we received:
I just listened to one of your trainings and you guys mention having sex 4-7 times a week. If there is a podcast or a training on this somewhere please direct me to it.
I’m a morning person and my husband is a night owl. I wake up at 4 and go to bed at 9 he wakes up at 8 and goes to bed at midnight. I have 6 kids and homeschool and do my business on the side.
How do you create time to do it that many times? 🙃 I feel like it takes too much time. I’m working on upgrading my thoughts about time with him. But this is where I’m at right now.
And I don’t know where to add it into my schedule and honestly, I’m in pain all day long after I do it. 😬
How do you do it so much and how do you make it a part of your schedule and life?
Ultimately it comes down to STRATEGY. Get all the nitty-gritty details in this episode. 😁
Get our recommend books on marriage and sex here:
- Greg's Booklist
- Rachel's List for Well-Read Moms
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Do you feel stuck? Or like you're constantly dealing with the same problems -- in your marriage, with your kids, or your finances?
Does it feel like you can never 'afford it' -- no matter what it is? Or that you keep having the same health issues crop up?
Do you feel like "life sucks and then you die"?
Did you realize that you can PREVENT most of these problems before they happen?
Most people think that when things like this arise that it's 'just life'.
But our research, study, and experience have shown us that most problems in life are self-inflicted.
Of course, there are things that happen to you that are outside of your control -- especially as a child.
Some people are victims of abuse, tragedy, and trauma.
But once you become an adult, you have the opportunity and obligation to "Pull the weeds and plant the seeds" of the things you want and don't want in your life.
And you can learn to reframe the past so that it has new meaning and can become a positive force in your life.
Listen now to this episode if you want to learn how to do this -- and to PREPARE for and PREVENT 80% of the problems in your life -- plus acquire the ability to continually 'level up' mentally, emotionally, financially, and in your relationships.
_____________________
Listen to the Be The Man Podcast.
Join Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for moms.
Take Greg's Be The Family Man 7-Day Challenge.
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As part of the 28-Day Challenge we ask participants to choose one food to give up.
Some choose sugar. But it’s not always easy to give it up. As one mom said:
“…the sweet tooth got the best of me. I don’t drink soda and haven’t had a donut in two years; those our out. I don’t eat things with corn syrup, and I mostly use olive and coconut oils.
But every time I decide, no more sugar, I can almost feel my brain go into panic mode. And it’s like a wave of dessert ideas comes in and the ability to resist seems impaired. I want to lose weight, but it feels like Mount Everest is in front of me. If “the obstacle is the way”, I am not sure how to proceed here.
I know that eventually I get mad enough and then I am strong enough to resist sugar for a good few months. But I want to make it the lasting change and TRAIN my brain to love NOT getting the sugar fix.”
If you’ve ever felt the desire to improve your overall health and well-being and lose weight by eliminating sugar and replacing it with healthier alternatives — but feel your willpower is lacking then listen to this podcast (because willpower WILL not do the job -- you need better strategies).
If you’re currently not aware of the HUGE negative impact that refined sugar is having on the insulin/glucose process in your body which is contributing to all major diseases — heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, dementia, stroke, high blood pressure, etc. then you MUST listen to this episode now!
In it, we’ll provide specific tips, strategies, and tactics we have used to help ourselves and our clients eliminate refined sugars from our diet — for good.
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Become a calmer, more patient, joyful, and HEALTHIER mom in the next 28 days with my 28-Day Challenge.
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At work, home, family life, and marriage, it’s easy to blame the circumstances of life or to say ‘That’s just the way things are’…
But the reality is that we’re often participating in, perpetuating, or creating our own chaos in marriage and family life — but that means we also have the power to prevent it with intentional planning and preparation.
Of course, many couples and parents think “I don’t have time to be intentional and strategic like you’re describing. Our life is so crazy busy!”
But if you don’t take the time now to prepare, you’ll be FORCED to take the time later to repair.
There IS a better way. You don’t need to wait until your marriage is in crisis or on the verge of divorce. There are intentional action steps you can take TODAY to make your marriage better now.
And if you already have a good or great marriage, then there are intentional actions and strategic strategies you can use to make it EXTRAORDINARY.
Listen to this episode now for specific tips, strategies, and tactics we have used ourselves and shared with our clients for the past 22 years to drastically improve your marriage.
—————
Become a calmer, more patient, and joyful mom — and a more grateful and trusting wife — in the next 28 days with my 28-Day Challenge.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
"I'm feeling sooooo burnt out of motherhood... My kids are fighting so much. Last week we did a 'no fighting' challenge for 7 days. They did pretty well and each got a prize.
This week has been a total dumpster fire. I keep circling back to me. Making sure I am good, but I'm just not. I feel so drained at the end of my day after so much fighting. Any advice?"
We get it. Fighting is exhausting -- mentally, emotionally, and physically. It takes away from family and personal productivity and peace. How do we best handle it and put an end to it -- for good? And is it actually possible?
In this episode, we outline the strategies we use from the Pyramid of Peace to 'help things go right' in order to prevent problems and fighting AND how to 'fix what's gone wrong' when fighting actually occurs (which is rare when you spend 80-90% of your time and energy 'helping things go right'.)
We'll show you how to basically eliminate fighting in your family -- for good -- in a realistic approach that focuses on conflict resolution -- because conflicts will arise, but that doesn't mean they have to turn into fights.
If your kids fight at all, then you will want to listen to this insightful episode to understand WHY they are fighting and how to prevent it in a healthy, holistic way.
Resolving conflicts at home and in our families is the beginning of resolving conflicts in the world. Learn how to have more familial peace this week and gain tools for increasing peace in your communities.
Get the specific, step-by-step tools you need to increase personal inner peace so that it can expand into your family life. Join my 28-Day Challenge and earn Badges as you create your own Extraordinary Family Life.
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We received a great question from a mom which we answer in today’s episode.
Just a reminder — we love receiving questions. Feel free to ask us anything by visiting podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com where you can leave us a voice or text message.
This mom asked:
“I have a 13-year-old daughter. She gets homework from coop & every week it’s a battle. I remind her about her assignment- she says yes, I know… and gets mad at me every time I bring it up but then either doesn’t do it or is up late the night before it’s due. Wisdom - please!!!!”
This is a challenge that all of us have faced — likely more than once — as parents. And it’s something that can be extremely irritating and draining — mentally and emotionally.
So how can we reduce the battles, not just around homework, but chores and anything else our kids 'should' do — and ultimately, help our children to WANT to do the things they’re ‘supposed’ to do?
Because that’s the IDEAL — not just that our kids do what we ask them to, but that they learn to do things on their own because they WANT to do it.
If this is something you’ve ever struggled with as a parent — and wondered if there was a better way — then listen to this episode now.
—————
Become a calmer, more patient, and joyful mom — and a more grateful and trusting wife — in the next 28 days with my 28-Day Challenge.
--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message
This topic is one that can be sensitive so we want to handle it appropriately. As usual, the subject came up because of an activity in Greg’s online class for teens — Habits for a Successful Life — and a resulting email from a mom. (We love getting emails).
The students were asked to take a self-assessment of multiple areas of their life — mental, emotional, physical, etc.
As part of the physical assessment, different activities were done — holding their breath, touching their toes, counting pushups, and measuring ‘grabbable’ skin/fat on their belly. This last assessment is similar to what is done during a BMI examination (Body Mass Index test), except they measure belly, triceps, and inner thigh fat/skin.
One parent was concerned that grabbing the stomach… brought “attention to this area of their body and was damaging to their confidence… As a certified personal trainer and in my training it was strongly emphasized to never ask a client to assess the health of their bodies in this manner, it creates body shaming and sets a client up for failure.”
Some people struggle with body image and obsess about the very minor skin they can grab around their middle. The world on Instagram has them believing they need to be twigs.
“As a mom, I’m trying to teach them to love their bodies and our bodies don’t have to look like those on Instagram or other social media platforms. What is important, is being healthy and taking proper care through eating well and exercising, which [my children] are doing.”
She continued, “I want them to focus on healthy habits of movement and eating and if they do that their bodies will be healthy no matter how they might look compared to someone else.”
We absolutely agree. Women and girls (or men and boys) should not be obsessing about the perfection of their middle and our bodies should not be compared to others, especially photoshopped images on social media.
And yet, BMI matters because excess body fat can lead to long-term health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. It’s important for us to know if our body fat is increasing or decreasing — not because our ‘image’ matters and we’re trying to look like models on social media — but so that we’re aware of our overall health and wellness.
We need to teach our children to accept this balance -- a need to know without obsessing.
Plus, there is more to the subject than just the long-term diseases associated with excess body fat. In our experience and research, anytime we feel ANY emotion, there is some deeper issue that needs to be addressed. Shame and guilt about our bodies included.
The truth is, no one can ‘shame’ you. No one can make you feel anything. Emotions arise from within, YOU are the source of them. If and when uncomfortable emotions arise it's an opportunity to practice self-awareness about WHY we feel the way we do. Doing so will help us to develop an internal congruence — which makes us whole and immune to the actions, behaviors, or beliefs of others.
This episode is essentially the conversation we have in our own home around body image, body fat, and ‘body shame’. It is the conversation we have had — and continue to have — with our own daughters (and sons).
We discuss that each of us is responsible for getting in tune with our own bodies and letting that intuition guide us to our own unique level of health, wellness, and fitness according to our own long-term goals and desires. Our bodies know what our own ideal shape is meant to look like, and they will respond accordingly through biochemistry, emotions, and feedback loops.
If you’re concerned about the messages in society today regarding body image — but also wondering if there’s more to it and how to find a healthy balance — then listen to this episode now.
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In our podcast episodes, we like to answer questions we’re asked or to discuss topics that impact — or fire — us up. Lately, we’ve been discussing together the most recent school shooting in the United States (and the resulting usual public discussion about the need for gun control).
As American citizens, we also have a unique viewpoint because of the near decade or more we’ve spent living outside of the United States (in more than 50 countries). It’s allowed us to gain a unique perspective of the problems plaguing nations — and to compare and contrast their similarities and differences.
School shootings are an almost uniquely U.S. problem. While violence and terrorism do occur in other countries — including genocide — a single shooter whose goal is to take out innocent lives (children) is a crime that is nearly exclusive to the United States.
What’s going on here? Why is it happening?
Of course, it makes complete logical sense at first glance to blame it on the guns. We did about nine years ago while living in Costa Rica — a country with no military and no guns. But as we’ve thought, discussed, analyzed, and researched further, we’ve come to believe that the problem — and solution — may include more gun control, but it's also far more complex than that. There is an "underlying cause to the underlying cause" of the problem, and until it's resolved things won't change -- even if all guns were magically removed from the nation.
Whether you're pro-2nd Amendment or pro-gun control, listen now to this interesting episode to add awareness and understanding to your viewpoint — a key step in having healthy dialogue and debate which are absolutely essential for creating change.
And perhaps gain insight into how each of us individually has contributed to the instability and terrifying challenges facing our nations and communities. Because as Alexander Solzhenitsyn, author of the Gulag Archipelago said:
“A society with unlimited rights is incapable of standing to adversity… A stable society is achieved not by balancing opposing forces but by conscious self-limitation [responsibility].”
Listen now!
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In this episode, it seems as though we start talking about one subject and end with another. Yet, they are connected.
We begin discussing how to deal with children who are ‘high spirited’ with minds of their own (which can sometimes be aggravating or embarrassing) and who grow up feeling ‘not good enough’ or as though there’s something wrong with them because of the constant correction they receive.
We also mention the ‘quiet’, ‘good’ kids that ‘go along to get along’ but who internally might be (unconsciously) building resentment to the arbitrary rules and restrictions of their parents (which often leads to some sort of rebellion or rejection of values when they become adults).
Both types of kids struggle because of the (often arbitrary) rules their parents and/or society have for them. Out of the best intentions, parents create rules for their family life so that children can be safe, they can have high standards and values, and some sort of order and control can be maintained. The rules are often communicated in a black-and-white way — we never eat in the living room, we never stand on the table, we never listen to pop music, we never swear, we never stay out past midnight, we never watch rated R movies, we never lie, etc.
But the reality is, this black-and-white approach has long-term detrimental consequences for your relationship with your child, their critical thinking skills, and their ability to make decisions. That’s because life is rarely black and white. There are variables, nuances, and levels to all parts of our reality.
We end the episode by expounding on how allowing your children to ‘talk back’ and to argue/debate with you in an effort to persuade you to their point of view is a GOOD thing. Your rules are NOT black and white and kids (as well as parents) often intuitively feel this, they just can’t articulate it.
This is where ‘parenting relativism’ is required. And while that sounds bad or dangerous to some, it is actually an effective approach that helps us help our children to navigate the complexities of the world around us and life in general.
At the outset, the approach we outline in this episode seems like more work and thought, and effort on your part. But in the long run — done well — it creates WAY better results because this parenting process develops the ability to think critically, to strategically analyze, to effectively make decisions, and to confront moral dilemmas. As a bonus, it increases the trust and respect your children have for you as their parents and creates stronger life-long relationships.
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In our work with couples and clients, we often come across marriages that are struggling. One of the MANY reasons this happens (or at least continues as an issue) is because of the husband’s inability or lack of skill in listening to his wife effectively in a way that she needs him to.
Just as women need to understand a man’s need and desire for sexual intimacy, he needs to understand her need for emotional intimacy. This is challenging because it is often communicated in a way that can be undesirable to men and can sometimes come off as complaining, whining, illogical, irrational, or incorrect.
This is something we’ve had to figure out in our own marriage — the best way for Greg to ‘listen’ in a way that produces the results we both want — deeper connection, more intimacy, vulnerability, and security in our relationship and with each other, with the freedom to express feelings that don’t always have to be taken as absolute facts.
(Of course, there are other things that Rachel’s had to figure out too in order to better meet her husband’s needs, but we’ve discussed those in previous episodes.)
Listening in this way can be challenging and complicated — it seems passive but is actually a very active process. When understood and done well it will transform your marriage relationship (and improve your sex life).
Of course, better communication will help in ALL relationships — including the workplace and your community. But listening to your wife in the way we outline in this episode is a whole other level that is very unique to this special relationship.
We’ll expound on emotional stacking, on the yin and yang of male/female relationships, why a woman will sometimes say the opposite of what she means, what she really wants you to do instead of ‘fixing’ her problems, how to get through the ugly crying without strangling her, and why all of this is okay and not something either side needs to be ashamed of or shy away from — because what lies on the other side is truly beautiful.
Learning to embrace the complexities of female emotion — and to understand that it’s an ocean that sometimes results in a storm — will help you to remain the lighthouse in that storm and will bring greater strength to each partner and to the relationship as a whole.
What results is a beautiful circle of intimacy that draws partners together mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically in an eternal loop of intellect, sentiment, passion, and desire — but only if both partners' unique needs are understood, addressed, and accepted.
This is a crucial part of the path to true INTIMACY — Into Me You See
Get more help with your marriage with the Extraordinary Family Life Formula. Learn more at https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com
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Every year on our birthdays and anniversaries we love to reminisce and ask ourselves, "Where were we celebrating last year? I wonder where we'll be next year?"
Last year we celebrated in Portugal while we were scouting out the country to see if it could be a place we wanted to make a permanent home base. (We did a podcast episode about it because it was so serendipitous.) We could have never guessed then that this year we would be celebrating 22 years together in Turkey on the Aegean Sea!
In this episode, we reminisce about the 15 different countries we've celebrated our anniversaries, as well as discuss the principles and strategies we've used to celebrate our marriage -- because your marriage SHOULD be celebrated as often as possible. It's worth doing something 'big', momentous, or festive on special days to make them memorable.
If you haven't done this as part of your marriage then it's time to make a change. Yes, we get it. It's not just about the one special day of the year. Every week you should be dating and every day you should be connecting. But you should also make your anniversary something extra special.
Listen to this episode to be inspired on WHY and how to level up your yearly 'honeymoon' trips with your spouse to celebrate your marriage and to reconnect as a man and woman in love.
If you feel like you can't do this because you can't afford it or can't leave your kids or ________, then you MUST listen to this episode now.
To fully level up your marriage in every aspect and to make it extraordinary, make sure to join our Extraordinary Marriage Masterclass. In the next 30 days, you can have a more Connected, Closer, Peaceful, and Passionate Marriage.
It REALLY is possible to create an extraordinary marriage with our 30-Day Step-by-Step Action Plan to an Extraordinary Marriage (with 22 training videos). Take your marriage from 'good' to 'extraordinary' by focusing on 5 simple strategies that anyone can do -- EVEN IF your spouse won't change!
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After episode #211 about What to Eat we received a lot of follow-up questions (thank you!) and were asked to do a follow up episode to clarify some things, such as:
- What if I'm lactose intolerant? What do you recommend to replace grass-fed milk?
- What about food storage? I store a lot of grains and legumes. What's the best way to eat them.
- Where do I find grass-fed meat, cheeses, butters, milk, etc.?
- How do I know I can trust package labels at the store and that they're actually what they say they are?
- How do you eat healthily while traveling?
- What do you recommend for nutrient-dense snacks?
- Do you guys eat much bread?
- How do I get my family on board with eating healthier?
- Do you have any recipes? What can I cook daily at home that's easy and can be done quickly?
- What do you regularly buy and WHERE do you buy it?
If you had similar questions after listening to episode #211, then get them answered by listening to this episode now!
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Thanks for all of the questions! They help us to have relevant conversations in these podcast episodes. If you have a question about anything in life or family, send them to support@extraordinaryfamilylife.com
This week’s question is related to full-time family travel vs. home base travel but the answer is relevant for all of us — it’s principle-based and applicable to every area of life. So if you’re not a full-time family traveler, you still need to listen to this episode because you’re likely experiencing something similar in one or more areas of your life.
Many of us think that balance means equal. But really, contrast — the yin and yang — is more accurate to how we develop. It’s why we have two hemispheres in our brain and it’s why we need ‘opposition’ in all things. It is how we find meaning and purpose in our life.
But the challenge is we sabotage ourselves. We don't want to let go of what we know to puruse something different, especially when we feel like what we have is 'right'. We want to stay with the familiar, we don’t want to ‘betray’ ourselves by ‘flip-flopping’ between ideas, beliefs, or lifestyles. We identify with this thing and it’s become a part of who we are, so if we change them or open our minds to something opposite, what will that do to our life, family, marriage, etc?
The truth is, we NEED to do that in order to become complete, whole, and fully developed. We NEED to explore the ‘other side’. That’s how we reach our full potential and become our full, complete selves. This is what we call ‘walking the labyrinth' — exploring every area of yourself, life, etc. in order to become fully whole and complete.
But it seems scary, risky, or even wrong and ‘inappropriate’ — yet it is psychologically, biologically, mentally, and physically accurate and demonstrably true. Try it out and see for yourself. You’ll find more benefits, power, development and reach more of your personal and family potential. Listen now to learn HOW.
Book mentioned:
The Master and His Emissary
See a photo of the labyrinth here.
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In many of our episodes, we often reference food and its connection to behavior and emotion.
So it’s not surprising that we received this request:
“I would LOVE to hear an episode on food! YES it is confusing and hard to navigate! We've already made some good changes, but I'd love to hear your specific thoughts about how you implement this both at home and on the road. I'd also love to hear some scientific evidence from books but mainly how you guys apply it… especially when your kids when they are surrounded by all the not-so-good-foods of their peers...
And I got confused: Rachel said, in the same breath when talking about bad foods/chemicals, almond and soy milk, and then whole foods....meaning those milks are considered bad or good?!
I think your intention was that those milks are bad...I didn't know that!”
It’s true, I did mention in a previous episode that soy and almond milks are not good for you.
In this episode, I expound how and why we came to those — as well as other ‘shocking’ — conclusions about our definition of what’s healthy and what is not.
If you’ve ever wondered ‘what to eat’ and what is actually healthy, then you don’t want to miss this episode. At the very least it will provide some ‘food for thought’. 😁
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We truly love receiving emails and questions from followers, clients, and listeners because it gives us specific situations and challenges to address. We’ve learned that even though we (as humans) often feel that we’re the ‘only one’ dealing with a problem or circumstance, the truth is, we’ve discovered, if it’s happening to one person it’s likely happening to hundreds of others as well. That’s why we answer these questions in a podcast episode so that it doesn’t just help the person who asked, but the hundreds of others who did not ask who are facing similar circumstances.
Today’s question is very relevant to young mothers and fathers especially. I remember feeling this way when I had four children under the age of four, and five children under the age of eight. But let me share her words:
Where I am: I feel swamped with homeschooling 5 kids age 10 and under (one with severe special needs), have a scarcity mindset about my time like I’ll never have enough time to do everything, and I’m too stressed keeping the home running to connect with my awesome kids regularly. I don’t always appreciate my spouse for his efforts, and I snap when he shows the least impatience or force with the children.
I want to have even more kids but feel I don’t have the capacity. So I’m taking a year off by using birth control which we didn’t really want to do, but I didn’t have the discipline to follow through with NFP last time we got pregnant so this is my way to try to get healthy. Want to get my body and brain both healthy.
I don’t get to play my music enough which usually inspires me.
I want to mentor my kids, but I parent with commands and emotions.
I want to honor and follow God, but I find myself demonstrating before my kids how I don’t trust he will take care of my feelings and their behaviors when I snap due to kids not obeying.
Thinking about putting this program (Family Charts & Systems) in my budget soon and signing up: I have a parenting program from a religious source which isn’t really the influence I want in our home (we’re another sect), but I needed tools to help me be consistent so husband and I went for it anyway. It’s maybe helping but not producing enough softness and grace in me and my husband for my taste
Where I want to go: joy, music, beautiful feelings in the home, smoothness even when a small child is in tantrum mode, trust spouse’s methods with the kids, kids do their school because they want to rather than because I made them.
There is so much here for all of us to relate to. And the vision of where you want to go is NOT a pipe dream. It IS possible to achieve with the right tools and strategies.
So let’s dive into the principles and practices that work for turning this situation around. Listen to this episode now to learn how.
As a mompreneur and homeschooling, world-traveling mother of seven children, SYSTEMS have played a HUGE role in keeping me sane... and in helping me be more peacefully productive and present.
If you would like some help bringing order to your family chaos with systems and charts, then make sure to pick up my Family Charts & Systemsprogram which includes training videos and done-for-you editable and printable charts and systems.
Your future self with thank you.
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We received another question from a mom who was interested in joining my Family Charts & Systems course and community.
In an email I sent out, it said:
As a mother of seven children, my life seriously changed forever once I learned how to FINALLY get organized.
So when moms tell me they don't have a system for chores or study time, I'm like...
"Say what?!"
I get it. Some of you don't like systems. You'd rather live free-flowing and in the moment. I was that mom too, about ten years ago.
But then I discovered the incomparable power of having family systems and it changed my life and family.
Systems bring sanity. Systems teach responsibility. Systems provide accountability. Systems empty your plate so you can focus on the things YOU want to do as a PERSON. Systems help you be a better parent. Systems help your children learn adult skills.
She responded saying, “This email sounds great about systems, BUT here's the question since I have made TONS of attempts at making systems that work... how does one get one's children on board? It works for a little while, but seemingly not long term or maybe it doesn't work.
I feel pretty tired of trying out other people's systems just to have them NOT work for us.
…does your system product include how to help with motivation/cooperation/etc? Also does it help people who have a hard time following other peoples' plans?!?! lol, because I think that may be why I have struggled.”
If you’ve ever felt similarly to this mom, then you don’t want to miss this.
In it, we explain why SYSTEMS are everything. You are ALREADY using systems, they just might be ineffective ones.
Learning to use effective systems will TRANSFORM your family life. We’ll expound on why and HOW.
How do you get your kids on board — and how do you do it without damaging relationships?
How do you motivate them and get them to want to cooperate?
What do you do if and WHEN the systems stop working (we also explain why this happens and that it is completely normal).
And for those of you who believe you don’t want or need systems because you prefer to ‘live in the moment or go with the flow’ — I get it. I used to be that person too.
But we’ll explain how effective systems actually bring MORE freedom and that you’re actually restricted and limited by your ineffective systems and they’re keeping you from doing the things you REALLY want to do.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the systems or seeming lack of them in your home and family — or have wondered why your systems and charts ‘never work’ — or how to get your kids (and spouse) motivated and on board — then listen to this episode now!
As a mompreneur, homeschooling, world-traveling mother of 7 children, systems have played a HUGE role in keeping me sane and peacefully productive. Great systems reduce stress.
If you would like help creating charts and systems from someone who has done it (me) then snag my Family Charts & Systems. Done for you, editable and printable.
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Welcome to today’s episode, we’re coming to you from Vienna, Austria this time. We just finished leading a WWII trip where we learned about the start of the war with the invasion of Warsaw, visited Auschwitz & Birkenau concentration camps, and explored Krakow and Vienna.
We love to receive questions from listeners, coaching clients, and members of the Extraordinary Family Life Formula.
One question we’ve received more than once in the last month is about misbehavior in young children.
What do I do when my four-year-old acts out? They will purposely interrupt what their siblings are doing and disturb the peace. They’ll lash out, and it’s becoming violent lately. They’re even getting destructive and destroying things and are into everything.
They keep interrupting the home education and family routines, and they’re extremely jealous of the new baby. They won’t listen to either parent and they’re becoming a disturbing force in the family. What do we do about it?
If you’ve ever had a child misbehave, especially if it happens consistently, then you want to listen to this episode.
We discuss WHY misbehavior occurs — in children AND adults. Understanding the crucial framework of the cause of behavior vs. symptoms of behavior (aka the acting out) is crucial in creating a happy family life. It also can help you to understand why your teens or spouse do the things they do.
We also address specific strategies for responding to, stopping, and preventing misbehavior. We explain why what you’ve tried so far isn’t working, and what will work instead.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the misbehavior of one or more of your children and want to put an end to it, then listen to this episode now! It will transform your family life.
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You might not realize it, but as a parent, YOU have a moral obligation to make sure that your child (or children) are NOT annoying.
Why? Because in order for your children to function normally in the world — and to have a healthy, happy life — they need to be able to interact effectively in society.
They can’t do this if they haven’t gained the skills of social interaction. One of the major signs (at any age) that they’re lacking these skills is if they have annoying behavior. If your children are annoying to you, they’re also annoying to others. And that’s a problem.
If a young child develops annoying behavior (we discuss WHY this happens in the episode) they don’t fully understand WHY others find them annoying. And so they grow up knowing that people don’t like them but not understanding why they’re not liked. This is psychologically unhealthy.
If you want your child to be able to develop healthy, long-lasting relationships with others — which is essential for a life of happiness and fulfillment — then they must learn the skills of effective human interaction. And it’s your job as a parent to teach them.
This is not about conforming to social norms and expectations or worrying about what other people think. It’s about developing solid principle-based social leadership skills.
If you have children who have annoying behavior now or might have annoying behavior in the future, then you need to listen to this episode now.
In it, we share specific strategies and principle-based techniques for helping children — and adults — develop healthy self-and-social leadership skills.
If you’ve ever felt the desire to have more influence with your children and their behavior, then you don’t want to miss this!
If you would like to help your teen or young adult develop holistically — including developing social skills and reducing annoying behavior — then make sure to register them for our Habits for a Successful Life online class.
Because we recognized that the healthiest and happiest people on the planet are well-rounded in their development — mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial — we wanted to ensure that our teens would learn how to develop in each of these areas.
We couldn’t find classes that taught them how to do these things — including developing leadership skills — so we created our own based on our decades of research into peak performance and human development.
That is what the Habits for a Successful Life class is all about. And teens LOVE it. It becomes one of their favorite classes — ever! And it helps them to develop better habits and an understanding of themselves, human psychology, and the ingredients for creating a happy life.
Click the link to learn more now and to read the reviews of students and parents.
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Welcome to the podcast! We’re coming to you from Warsaw, Poland. Our kids are on the other side of town in an Airbnb and we’re spending the weekend at a luxury hotel to celebrate Greg’s 45th birthday.
(Please excuse any sounds of the city such as sirens, etc.)
There is a philosophy in parenting and education (perhaps started by TJED) that states ‘Inspire, Not Require’.
The idea is that instead of requiring your children or students to do things — chores, reading, studies, being kind — you inspire them to do it through your actions and example.
But does that mean that there is NEVER a time to require anything?
As one mom put it,
“While I love the idea of inspiring and think it is the best way in the end, does it mean that there is no room for requirements? Do we not need to set boundaries and expectations (is that similar to requirements) for our youth? If not, what do you do in the meantime when you aren't so great at inspiring?
And if there is a need for both, how do you navigate that field (especially if you are really good at the requiring part)?
This is what we expound on in this episode. We discuss inspiration as a force in your life and the lives of your children to move you to action.
We explain how to feed the fire of inspiration in your family life so that you can take the action required to do the things you want and need to do to create the life you dream of and to become the people you want to become.
Proper inspiration invites your children to decide for themselves to do the work they need to reach their dreams. It’s intrinsic instead extrinsic — and it will carry into their adult life.
But we also explain when and how requiring is needed. We share specific strategies for setting boundaries, expectations, and how to go about ‘requiring’ things in the right way instead of through punishments, manipulation, discipline, or harshness.
If you want your children to be guided by an inner knowing that motivates them to proper action, now and when they grow up, then listen to this episode now.
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If you would like to help INSPIRING your teen or young adult to develop positive habits and better attitudes in a holistic way then make sure to register them for our Habits for a Successful Life online class.
Because we recognized that the healthiest and happiest people on the planet are well-rounded in their development — mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial — we wanted to ensure that our teens would learn how to develop in each of these areas.
We couldn’t find classes that taught them how to do that so we created our own based off of our decades of research into peak performance and human development.
That is what the Habits for a Successful Life class is all about.
And teens LOVE it. It becomes one of their favorite classes — ever! And it helps them to develop better habits and an understanding of themselves, human psychology, and the ingredients for creating a happy life.
Click the link to learn more now and to read the reviews of students and parents.
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We’re coming to you today from the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. We have loved traveling through the Baltic States.
Today we’re going to continue answering some questions (since we were accidentally cut short in the last episode).
We were asked about certain types of activities and whether or not our children participate in them because of our unique lifestyle. For example, ballet, piano, gymnastics, sports, and other activities that require mastery.
In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons — the exchange rate — of the choices we’ve made and how that plays into mastery or skills.
We philosophize about the breadth of exposure versus the depth of mastery.
Is one approach better? Healthier? Lead to greater happiness?
If you study the lives of great masters — in current times and throughout history — you often find a train wreck of broken relationships and mental and emotional disasters. That’s often because their development has been ‘lopsided’ — an emphasis on the ‘one thing’ they’re mastering, instead of a well-rounded development.
Our focus has been on developing holistic mastery of well-being — mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial.
We expound on how and why we do that in this episode.
If you would like to help your teen or young adult develop holistically then make sure to register them for our Habits for a Successful Life online class.
Because we recognized that the healthiest and happiest people on the planet are well-rounded in their development — mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial — we wanted to ensure that our teens would learn how to develop in each of these areas.
We couldn’t find classes that taught them how to do that so we created our own based off of our decades of research into peak performance and human development.
That is what the Habits for a Successful Life class is all about. And teens LOVE it. It becomes one of their favorite classes — ever! And it helps them to develop better habits and an understanding of themselves, human psychology, and the ingredients for creating a happy life.
Click the link to learn more now and to read the reviews of students and parents.
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Welcome to a New Year! We’re keeping the Denning family dream alive with family adventures. In December, we traveled through NYC, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, & Estonia.
We’ve had some questions about the logistics of traveling with a family which we’re going to discuss in this episode. How do we do it? What do we do with our stuff? How do we make it work?
We also get philosophical and talk about how travel has been a tool for helping us (and our children) to become assets (instead of just having assets).
We explain why we believe that travel is one of the ‘non-negotiables’ for becoming well-educated.
Warren Buffet once said that the very BEST investment you can make is in yourself. This episode explains how travel is an investment in the development of yourself and your children.
And along the way, we give tips, strategies, and answers to questions about how we have done it with seven children during the past 16 years.
If you’re interested in learning more about creating an Extraordinary Family Life then make sure to sign up for our Extraordinary Family Life Formula Membership.
It includes 250 hours of video content and training from Greg & Rachel Denning on marriage, parenting, family culture, lifestyle design, mastering (and earning more) money, plus so much more! You'll also get meet with us LIVE once per month.
Click the link for a special discount.
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Greg and I are still in Norway. We are in the midst of our 2nd Norway trip. The first took place in Tromsø, 225 miles north of the Arctic Circle where we fed reindeer, went dog sledding, and saw the Northern Lights while cruising the harbor.
Our 2nd trip spans from Oslo to Flåm to Bergen and back where we’re cruising fjords, taking spectacular train rides, and learning about Viking and Hanseatic history.
This week’s podcast is audio is taken from an exclusive presentation we did for a paid summit. It discusses the strategies we have used to create a truly ‘happily ever after’ marriage.
Many people don’t know that extraordinary marriages are possible because they have never been exposed to them.
But living ‘happily ever after’ is possible. That doesn’t mean you’ll be free from challenges or obstacles. But you can learn how to use them to bring you closer and to strengthen your relationship.
In this episode, Greg and I outline some of the ingredients to creating a happily ever after marriage. What does it actually take? We’ll outline it for you here.
If you’re interested in learning more about creating an Extraordinary Marriage then make sure to sign up for our Extraordinary Marriage Masterclass.
It includes a 30-Day action plan, a 9-day challenge, and over 20 hours of video content.
Click this link for a special discount.
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Hey everybody! Greg and I are in Oslo, Norway with our family, recovering from jet lag. In a few hours, we fly to Tromsø, 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Tomorrow begins our first Norway trip where 18 other people will be joining us for reindeer sledding, dog sledding, and the Northern Lights.
(Check out our 2023 travel schedule and join us here!)
This week’s podcast is audio taken from our most recent coaching session for the Extraordinary Family Life Formula. We discussed why boys and men (young and old) turn to video games and virtual worlds — and what to do about it.
We discuss why gaming addictions are a problem for all of society — and specifically for your family — and the long-term consequences they can have.
We explain how technology has improved as well as the understanding and use of human psychology to make them increasingly more addictive.
We share specific strategies for preventing and overcoming gaming addictions.
We also review the unique human needs boys and men have that are not being fulfilled at school or in the community, which results in driving boys and men even more to virtual worlds.
If you have boys or men, young or old, in your life, or daughters who will date and marry men — then listen now to this episode regarding a crucial topic that is a growing epidemic.
This episode also gives you a glimpse into what our monthly coaching sessions are like with the Extraordinary Family Life Formula. If you would like to join us live, then click the link for a special discount.
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We like to get our podcast topics from issues that really ‘fire us up’ (it makes for better discussions).
This week, I was fired up by some comments left on an Instagram Reel I created about allowing ‘boys to be boys’ with audio taken from our recent Workshop on Boys Adrift — The Growing Epidemic of Undermotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men.
Some of them said things like:
- This post really misses the mark. The toxicity that exists around masculinity has nothing to do with children having access to messy, risk-taking behavior. I agree that this is problematic for children — but it is not in anyway linked to masculinity. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about.
- What about girls and non-binary people? You don’t think this issues effect them too? Why don’t you do a post about that?
- Why are you posting something on Instagram if you’re not interested in receiving advice or feedback?
- You’re attitude is toxic. Kids should be kids. Girls DO get messy and wild outdoors… the phrase ‘boys will be boys’ is extremely problematic having been used for so long to excuse poor behavior towards women. Your post conflates ‘masculinity’ with ‘toxic masculinity’ which are two totally different things.
- Society is rejecting sexism, rudeness, entitlement and lack of accountability — the types of toxic masculinity you mention are totally using the phrase in an inappropriate context.
In this episode, Greg and I discuss these comments and address why this ‘movement’ regarding ‘toxic masculinity’ does have a direct downstream effect on some of the issues we’re seeing with boys and young men today being unmotivated and turning to video games as a way to find meaning and purpose in their lives. It’s all connected.
And we also explain how masculinity and femininity are neither good nor bad, toxic nor harmless. Like a hammer or any other tool, they’re neutral. It’s the way they are used by the individual person that determines their toxicity or validity.
If you have boys or men, young or old, in your life -- or girls who will have relationships with men one day -- then listen now to this episode regarding a topic that hasn’t yet ‘peaked’ in significance before it’s reversed or corrected.
If you enjoy this episode — or any of our episodes — would you please do us a favor and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or on our website at podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com
When you leave us a rating and review it helps to make this world a better place by getting this podcast to get into the ears of more parents — the molders and shapers of future generations.
We all need all the help we can get to be the best people and parents we can.
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"My husband and I have been struggling a great deal in our marriage, mostly over parenting issues. We have specifically been struggling with our 13 year old daughter who told us she is gay."
Many emails and questions we receive from parents begins with something like this statement above.
Spouses are struggling in their marriage, and it's often because of disagreements in parenting approaches or issues they're facing with their children that they're not sure how to handle.
They will tell us things like:
- I feel he is too harsh in his parenting and he feels I am too lenient.
- I know my spouse cares about our children and is trying in his own way to do what's right, but he's driving her away from us and away from God.
- My wife is being too permissive but when I tell her the arguments begin.
- My spouse is overly harsh in the way he speaks to my children.
- I don’t believe in divorce but I’m not willing to give in and lose my daughter over this.
But parenting differences aside, there's also a growing concern for children and parents during this seemingly complicated and confusing time where as a society we're trying to (re)define things as 'basic' as sex and gender.
Are our children being caught up in societal shifts? Can things like suicide, depression, or being gay become ‘trendy’?
What are the statistical chances a child could be gay, and how do we respond to that if they are?
What are the best ways to approach issues like these with our children —and to effectively deal with them when they arise in a way that prevents unhealthy parent/child relationships?
What's the most psychologically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally healthy approach for our kids?
If you have children and have had or will have any concerns about these issues, then don’t miss this important episode!
Listen now.
This episode is sponsored by The Extraordinary Family Life Formula.
Discover specific strategies and tools for becoming the best parent you can be. Improve your parenting skills with learning and practice as a member of The Formula.
PLUS get access to the hundreds of hours of past recorded Workshops on topics such as How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids and The Real Reason Your Kids Won’t Do What You Say.
And as a member of The Formula you’ll also get to meet LIVE on Zoom with Greg and me every month. Click the link to learn more.
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I remember the first time I realized that humanity’s desire for luxury was actually a driving force for improving the world.
Previous to that I often felt that wanting luxury and comfort was wrong or bad… perhaps from generations of Puritanism passed down through religion and culture?
But as I lay in the comfort of a luxurious hotel room feeling perfectly at home, I finally understood that this desire was a positive thing.
Without (a woman’s?) desire for indoor plumbing, a comfy bed, and the ease of flipping a switch to produce light or heat, we probably wouldn’t be enjoying all of these luxuries right now as a society.
It is our innate drive for comfort (aka luxury) that drives human progress.
Yet with every strength there is an inherit weakness.
There is a downside to pursuing comfort and luxury at the expense of all else. And it results in becoming ‘soft & squishy’ and unable to face the challenges ahead of us.
Does that mean we give up our lives of comfort?
Perhaps for some.
But for all of us, it means that we intentionally add ‘pressure’ to our lives in a way that strengthens our mental, emotional, and physical muscles allowing us to ‘keep our edge’ and to prepare for hard times (which are coming).
Listen now!
This episode is sponsored by The Extraordinary Family Life Formula.
Discover specific strategies and tools for creating a family life that is better than great -- it's extraordinary.
PLUS get access to the hundreds of hours of past recorded Workshops on topics such as How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids and The Real Reason Your Kids Won’t Do What You Say.
And as a member of The Formula you’ll also get to meet LIVE on Zoom with Greg and Rachel every month. Click here to learn more.
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We’ve been asked several times over the years by coaching clients and others regarding masturbation.
Specifically, they want to know how to approach masturbation in general — with their children or teens, and in their marriage.
Is it normal for teens to masturbate? What are the side effects or outcomes?
And what about in marriage? Is masturbation okay or normal, especially if your sex drive doesn't match up with your spouse?
We’ve also been asked by young adults and college students IF or WHY some of these things are so “wrong” — masturbation, mutual masturbation, or other sexual acts — at least they’re not having sex.
These are the type of questions we answer in this unique episode which is intended to help you navigate masturbation and the sex drive — before and during marriage — with the healthiest psychological approaches to these topics.
A correct understanding of these forces and practices will help you to better build the life of meaning, fulfillment, and purpose that you’re striving to create for yourself and your families (future or present).
Listen now!
This episode is sponsored by the Extraordinary Family Life Formula.
Discover a place where you can have conversations about difficult subjects with people you trust who have experience and the results that you want.
PLUS get access to the hundreds of hours of past recorded Workshops on topics such as How to Stop Yelling at Your Kids and The Real Reason Your Kids Won’t Do What You Say.
And as a member of The Formula, you’ll also get to meet LIVE on Zoom with Greg and me every month. Click the link to learn more:
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/extraordinary-family-life-formula?ref=ea1ded
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We’ve all had the experience of being around someone who’s grumpy — even our spouse or children — and then soon we’re feeling grumpy as well.
A mother of multiple children recently asked us,
“When the people around me (aka my children) are grumpy, negative, or ‘down’, how do I not let that affect me?”
Negative emotions and grumpiness are inevitable and a normal part of life.
But when those around you are moody or grumpy, how do you keep that from bringing you ‘down’ as well?
Is it possible to stay happy or positive in such cases? And if so, HOW?
And is it possible to positively influence those around you so that they can better process their negative emotions and return more quickly to a positive state?
With deliberate intention and focus it IS possible to become the ‘rising tide that lifts all boats’.
YOU can become a great force for good in your family and develop the skill of maintaining positivity —
— not fake, masked happiness, but true, appropriate positive emotion that becomes a stabilizing force in your most important relationships.
This episode is very real and relevant to anyone who has to interact regularly with people who aren’t always happy.
Which is especially needed if you’re married or have children (or plan to one day).
Make sure to listen until the end where we discuss:
“How do you want your children to remember you emotionally?”
“What kind of person do your children see you as?”
“What emotional memory will they have of you?”
We discuss all this and more in this practical discussion between parents of 7 children with 20 years of experience.
If you enjoy this episode — or any of our episodes — would you please do us a favor and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or on our website at podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com
When you leave us a rating and review it helps to make this world a better place by getting this podcast to get into the ears of more people and parents — the molders and shapers of future generations.
We all need all the help we can get to be the best people and parents we can be.
Families with thriving parents raise thriving children who grow up to have a positive impact on their families and communities, which leads to better nations and a better world.
You can make an impact by taking a minute to share the podcast with someone who will benefit from it, and by leaving a rating and review.
And make sure to follow us on Instagram if you’re not already. You can find us @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
Thank you so much for listening. We appreciate you. But let’s get into this useful and much-needed episode!
This episode is sponsored by The Extraordinary Family Life Formula and our Workshop on Teaching Children to Manage Their Emotions.
Discover specific strategies and tools for managing emotions personally and modeling emotional management for your children.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/extraordinary-family-life/message
We are busy people. And so are you. We have a LOT going on, as I’m sure you do too. Human nature often makes us feel that we’re “too busy” to do things like morning routines or rituals. We’re “too busy” to do morning discussions with our family.
But because you are so busy is exactly why you MUST do family discussions and devotionals. (When we use the term devotional we don't necessarily mean it as a religious activity, although it certainly can include religion and spirituality.)
Daily family devotionals are one of the foundation blocks for building a solid family culture. In fact, it’s a strategy we’ve used for two decades to create family stability even with a nomadic lifestyle living and traveling to 48 countries on five continents with our seven children.
But creating family stability with family devotionals doesn’t just work for nomads like us. When it comes to your family’s stability, it doesn’t matter where or how your family lives or how long you stay in one place. What does matter is what sort of daily rituals and routines you share — such as morning family devotionals or discussions.
Listen to this episode now to learn more about our personal and family morning routines, why they are so powerful and have a compounding effect over your children’s lifetime, and how to begin doing them in your family.
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This episode is sponsored by our Best Self Bundle which includes the Extraordinary Life Planner and Greg’s Amazing Morning Method. Learn how to identify where you are, and where you want in order to create the family lifestyle of your dreams using the Extraordinary Life Planner.
Plus discover additional in-detail strategies and tools for powerful morning routines with Greg’s Amazing Morning Method.
Click here to learn more.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/extraordinary-family-life/message
Fear is a universal emotion. We’ve all experienced it at some point. It is very real and very relevant. As a teenage girl, Edith Eger was a prisoner in Auschwitz Concentration Camp. She said that after she was released once the War ended, it was then that she learned that the greatest prison is the one in our own minds. Fear makes us prisoners of our minds.
With all the people we work with — and through our own experiences — we’ve learned that so many of us are living far below our privilege, potential, desires, wants, and ‘callings’ because of fear.
Even in our day-to-day life, we’re missing out on deeper relationships with our spouse or children because we’re afraid of the little things that feel so big — the conversations that need to happen or doing the things that need to be done. These things aren’t happening because of fear, and so your family life is less than it could be.
Shakespeare put it this way.
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”
Fear is the greatest of thieves. What fears are betraying you and keeping you from the life you want? And how do you face and overcome those fears?
Listen to this episode now for simple strategies to overcome fears so that you can move forward in your relationships, finances, lifestyle, and opportunities. Learn to live more fully by facing and overcoming fear.
This episode is sponsored by The Extraordinary Family Life Formula. Meet LIVE every month with Greg and me to discover powerful tools for creating your extraordinary family life. Plus get complete access to all of our past coaching sessions, workshops, and courses on everything from marriage, to parenting, mastering money, lifestyle design, and more!
Click the link in the show notes to become a member of The Extraordinary Family Life Formulatoday and save 50% with the coupon code.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/extraordinary-family-life/message
Every great story, movie, or book contains elements of what’s been called the ‘Hero’s Journey’ — a series of events and experiences that makes the story meaningful and transformational. It’s the process by which the hero-to-be becomes the hero of the story.
The interesting thing is that the same elements which make a great story also make a great life. YOU can become the hero of your own life by living and following the ‘Hero’s Journey’. When you do, you finally get out of the bleachers and into the arena of truly living. This starts by stepping from the ‘Ordinary World’ into the ‘Unknown’.
But HOW do you do that? And HOW do you do it if you have children and a family? Doesn’t that prevent you from becoming the ‘hero’ of your life story simply because you have other people to be responsible for?
That’s what we dive into in this episode. Listen now for specific strategies for living and creating a ‘great life story’ by becoming the hero of your own life as you live and grow and ‘level up’ in each area of importance -- mental, emotional, spiritual, social, physical, and financial.
If you’ve ever felt a ‘call’ to do something different or bigger than what you’re doing now then don’t miss this inspiring episode and learn how to accept the call, leave the ‘Ordinary World’ and step into the ‘Unknown’.
All of us have been ‘conditioned’ by society when it comes to things such as HOW to behave and WHAT to care about.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It fact, social conditioning can be very positive. Caring what other people think or how others view us helps us to be law-abiding citizens — which keeps order and civility in communities and nations.
But sometimes, social conditioning can cause us to believe and behave in ways that our detrimental to our own well-being. Social conditioning can limit our own growth and development.
However, it takes a lot of wisdom and experience to discern what aspects of social conditioning we should disregard and which we should keep. We have to learn how to effectively ‘break the rules’ of society in a way that creates something even better.
This is where greatness happens. But in order for greatness to emerge there has to be times when you literally do NOT give a ‘crap’ what other people think or say about you. Caring TOO MUCH holds you back.
Listen to this episode now to learn how to appropriately STOP CARING about what other people think about you.
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This episode is sponsored by The Extraordinary Family Life Formula.
Meet LIVE every month with Greg and Rachel to discover powerful tools for creating your extraordinary family life.
Plus get complete access to all of our past coaching sessions, workshops and courses on everything from marriage, to parenting, mastering money, lifestyle design, and more!
Click the link in the show notes to become a member ofThe Extraordinary Family Life Formulatoday and save 50% with the coupon code.
Can we start with a ‘slap’ in the face? In all sincerity, most of us suck at communicating with other people, especially in our family relationships.
Plus, ‘communication’ seems like such a vague or broad topic. What exactly does it mean? And how do we improve it?
We’re not the experts. And we still struggle communicating in some relationships or situations. We came to our marriage with giant deficits in ‘communication skills’. We both suffered with shyness and were terrified to even talk to people. And when we tried it was superficial or strained.
When we got married we struggled sharing our feelings or discussing sensitive or ‘touchy’ subjects.
But through specific practices — such as growing in awareness, or developing the ability to articulate through writing — we’ve been able to drastically improve our communication skills — ESPECIALLY in the relationships that matter most.
That doesn’t mean they’re perfect. But they are much, much better than they would be otherwise.
In this episode we discuss specific techniques for developing communication skills for important relationships such as marriage and parenting.
We’ll explain how simple processes like writing can help you learn to think which can help you better speak to those you love.
We’ll also discuss why the freedom to ‘be offensive’ and imperfect in your speech can help you discover the truth of what’s happening in your relationships. That’s how the thinking process works.
We need to have grace for one another in order to ‘think out loud’ in our communication with each other.
And we’ll also cover how sharing the same ‘vocabulary’ can drastically increase your ability to connect and how your ability to communicate (or lack thereof) ties into your personal levels of growth and maturity.
Everything in life is so much easier, better, and flows smoother when you can effectively communicate with those closest to you — especially your spouse. So it’s worth every effort to improve your ability to communicate.
Listen to this very useful episode for strategies to radically increasing familial closeness through effective communication.
This episode is sponsored by The Extraordinary Family Life Formula. Discover even more simple tools for better communication, growing in awareness, developing a shared vocabulary, and becoming a better spouse and parent -- plus gain the ability to persuade and influence your family with diplomacy.
Click the link in the show notes to become a member of The Formulatoday and meet live with Greg and me every month for workshops covering every area of family life.
Many, if not all of us, know of someone — are ARE someone — who has dealt with the devastating effects of anxiety and depression.
Methods for dealing with these issues can be very charged. It’s a subject that’s often difficult to discuss, for a variety of reasons — shame, guilt, anger, frustration, despair.
But they are subjects that NEED to be addressed — least of all because it’s becoming a crisis for youth and adults today. And what those who are struggling need most are advice and strategies that ACTUALLY work — and, as you’ll learn in this episode, more often than not, it does NOT include medication. The research is becoming VERY clear that most people on anti-depressants are still depressed. Medication is simply not the savior many hoped it would be.
The truth is that the greatest limiting factor to overcoming anxiety and depression are your own limiting beliefs and erroneous or outdated conclusions about this topic. What you don’t know — and what you think you know that’s just not true — are hurting you.
After decades of research, studying, and multiple-lifetimes of experience — including our work with thousands of youth and families across five continents — we have come to some very solid conclusions about anxiety and depression — what causes it, how to prevent it, and how to overcome it FOR GOOD.
We guaran-dang-tee that some of what we discuss in this episode will NOT be popular. But it is scientifically, biologically, and psychologically-based and will WORK for the vast majority of people — 97% or more — so it’s worth considering.
This episode is sponsored by the Extraordinary Family Life Formula. Discover simple tools for creating more order, peace, & prosperity in your mind, emotions, finances, & relationships -- plus gain the ability to persuade and influence your family with diplomacy.
Click the link in the show notes to become a member of The Formula today and meet live with Greg and me every month for workshops covering every area of family life.
Many of us have been taught or grown to believe that unconditional love is the highest of virtues.
And in many ways it makes sense. Loving others — without conditions — seems to be the highest level of love possible, partly because it sometimes seems so unrealistic, especially when it comes to family members.
(It’s even difficult to get clear on exactly what we’re talking about because we only have one word for ‘love’ in English. In Latin there are at least three — Eros, Agape, and Philia).
But as Greg and I have thought about, discussed, and researched it over the years, we’ve come to believe that unconditional love is a lower, shallower type of love that is the foundation for higher, deeper types of love. And those more meaningful types of love are actually conditional. In reality, our closest relationships are — and should be — based on this ‘conditional’ love.
For example, I can have unconditional, accepting love for my neighbor, despite what he does or how he treats me. But I can’t have a deep, meaningful relationship with my husband unless our love is conditional— i.e. we treat each other with respect, loyalty, and fidelity.
Otherwise, is there any difference between our relationship and the one I have with the neighbor? It is ONLY because of these ‘conditions’ that our marriage relationship exists.
In this episode, we dive into what this ‘conditional’ love actually looks like, and how it works so that it doesn’t become toxic or manipulative — which is the risk if it’s not built on a foundation of unconditional love for self and others.
We explain how spousal, parental, and even God’s love has conditions, and when unconditional love, non-judgment, and tolerance become vices instead of virtues (and can lead to extremes such as school shootings).
Listen to this fascinating episode discussing the pros and cons of unconditional love as well as the depths and levels of love and loving others and how to reach greater heights of love.
This episode is sponsored by the Extraordinary Family Life Formula.
Discover simple tools for creating more order, peace, & prosperity in your mind, emotions, finances, & relationships -- plus gain the ability to persuade and influence your family with diplomacy.
Click the link to become a member of The Formula today and meet live with Greg and me every month for workshops covering every area of family life.
Getting things done is one of the most critical ingredients for achieving your dreams and goals and building a lasting family legacy.
Yet it’s also one of the hardest things to do because of the natural ebbs, flows, and interruptions of family life.
There are mouths to feed, diapers to change, laundry to fold, meals to prepare, and dishes to wash. How can you even think about taking action toward your big dreams and goals?
Well, that’s what we’re going to dive into in this episode. I’ve spent years reading business management and productivity books and always come away thinking how absolutely unrealistic their advice is for parents with children, especially if you work from home.
But in this episode, I’m going to share with you the strategies I have learned and developed that help us to seriously get stuff done. These are the ‘secrets’ to our success in being able to ‘do it all’ — homeschooling seven kids, traveling the world, creating an Extraordinary marriage, AND building a multi-six-figure location independent business.
Learn how you can become more productive without neglecting the things that matter most — your spouse, children, or household.
This episode is sponsored by my Family Charts & Systems. Learn how to do more with less stress and have more cooperation at home.
Click this link to learn more about this system.
Greg often says, “Tell me your habits and I’ll tell you your future.”
Habits are the MOST important thing to determining the outcomes and happiness of your life.
Habits will make or break your mental, emotional, spiritual, social, physical, family, and financial life.
Where you are right now — and the quality and happiness of your life — is a DIRECT result of the habits you have had to this point.
Where you want to go, who you want to become, and what you want to do, will be the DIRECT result of the habits you cultivate or break today.
And yet, this is something that is not even taught to children, teens, or young adults anytime during their school years. It is something that few adults even understand.
Instead, we’re taught to sacrifice our habits — or to develop bad habits — in the name of grades, tests, or graduation.
This is a major contributing factor to the mental health and obesity crises we’re seeing in the world today.
This is despite the research that shows there is NO correlation between academic success and life happiness and success.
Let’s change that. Listen now to learn what the habits are for a successful life and how to develop and cultivate them intentionally in your own life and that of your children.
This episode is sponsored by Mr. Denning's Habits for a Successful Life online class for teens and young adults.
Visit http://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/ and then click the 'HABITS CLASS FOR YOUTH' link.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
In our line of work coaching families for the past 20 years, we get an up-close-and-personal look into the lives of many different types of people.
It’s a sacred privilege and we learn so much. We often experience a wide range of emotions, from empathy to despair to elation. And not going to lie, sometimes we get fired up or frustrated about the things that people do — or don’t do — especially the things that THEY know they NEED to do.
They will receive a clear insight about something they should do or should NOT have done… but then they don’t act on it. This is usually because it’s big, frightening, requires too much work — or all of the above. In this episode, we dive into the long-term consequences of avoiding or ignoring these important moments of clarity. Plus, we'll cover what to do about your fears of the 'unknown'.
If you’ve ever had a very clear moment, thought, or feeling about something you should do, or realized clearly that something you did do was a mistake but didn't know how to fix it, then you don’t want to miss this episode. Because doing so could be sabotaging your future happiness and success. Listen now!
For more family life resources, including coaching and workshops visit ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
"I would like to be more confident but my face turns red if I am embarrassed, nervous, shy, afraid, or just talking with someone. Without that handicap, I know I would be more confident, but unfortunately, I let it stop me all too often.
But I heard that Mr. Denning used to be really shy and his face would turn red anytime people would even ask him a question in class. I'm heading off to college soon and am a bit overwhelmed. I do the same thing, I am generally an introverted person, but I really enjoy talking with people and learning, but I don't want to miss out on that because my face looks like a fire engine."
We answer this question in this episode and share our personal stories about being shy and introverted as children and teens (my face also turned red while talking to people). We discuss how we overcame these challenges and how gaining confidence can help you not only in college but in marriage and as a parent, too.
If you feel that you could use some more confidence in your life then you definitely want to listen to this strategy-filled episode.
This episode is sponsored by our Helping Children to Develop Self-Control Workshop. For even more strategies and ideas on how to help them develop this important attribute consistently and well, visit the link in the show notes to get access to this Workshop now! Use the coupon code ‘self’ to save 50%!
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/pages/self-control-workshop
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
As a parent, if you knew there was ONE major characteristic which — if developed — would drastically increase your child’s chances of success and happiness, not only now but as an adult… wouldn’t you want to know what it is?
And wouldn’t you do everything in your power to help your child develop that characteristic?
As parents of seven children, we give a definite ‘Yes!’
We want to know and we want to help them develop it as fully as possible.
Well, researchers have followed a large group of people from childhood into adulthood and they found a common denominator that could predict future success. Children who demonstrated more self-control at age 11 were more likely to be happy, healthy, and successful at age 32.
And the best part is that self-control is a learnable skill. It is a skill that we, as parents, can teach to our children. And it is done in simple ways during interactions on a daily basis.
Listen to this episode to learn simple strategies for helping your children to develop more self-control starting this week!
This episode is sponsored by our Helping Children to Develop Self-Control Workshop. For even more strategies and ideas on how help them develop this important attribute consistently and well, visit the link in the show notes to get access to this Workshop now! Use the coupon code ‘self’ to save 50%!
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/pages/self-control-workshop
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Emotions can be big and scary — for both parents and children.
But it is possible to teach — and model — emotional management for your kids.
Emotions are EVERYTHING. Our lives our experienced through emotions, so by default, the quality, quantity, and content of our emotions determine the quality and content of our lives.
We can and should educate our emotions — and teach our children to do the same.
How?
That’s what we’ll cover in this episode. Strategies for dealing with a range of feelings (which are normal), and how to validate and accept them when they arise while working through them so they don’t stay to cause long-term distress or trauma.
Don’t miss this!
This episode is sponsored by our Teaching Children to Manage Their Emotions Workshop. For even more strategies on how to do this consistently and well, visit the link in the show notes to get access to this Workshop now!
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/pages/workshop-help-kids-manage-emotions
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
There is a lot of ‘surface tension’ in the media today -- social and mainstream. Lots of polarity and opposition about intense topics.
And it bothers me. Because it paints the picture that there are only two sides to any issue. And that’s just not true.
We (as individuals and society) have to look beyond the ‘surface tension’ of topics to the underlying problems and underlying causes of those problems.
There is so little we know — we as a society, (and especially ‘we’ as in Greg & Rachel). But we do know that “as the area of your knowledge increases, so too does the perimeter of your ignorance.”
To have more peace in society — and to find more real, lasting solutions — we have to learn to look past what we THINK we know to what we might not know that could be true.
In this episode, we walk through the process of learning to look BEYOND the ’symptoms’ to the root causes of the disease in society that plague us.
We discuss the problems with a ‘symptom management’ based focus on issues — not only political and societal but familial as well.
And we cover some potential solutions that are psychologically, scientifically, and religiously supported.
Don’t miss this potentially controversial episode!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
We get a little serious in this episode -- and Greg sheds a few tears -- because in our work we've seen the trauma caused by yelling parents.
“People are people no matter how small.” Your children are people. And when you yell at them — consistently and in anger — you’re traumatizing them. How dare you treat a precious being in your care with such contempt. Stop it! You’re the adult. Learn to act like it. They deserve your love and respect.
Despite this harsh and straightforward statement, we are actually very empathetic to the stress and overwhelm parents are under. We do know that children can be annoying and can push all your buttons. We know that you’re exhausted, depleted, unsupported, and pulled in every direction.
But ultimately, while yelling might work in the short term, it damages relationships in the long term. Yelling means you’ve reached your ‘wits’ end’, have run out of parenting skills, and don’t have a close enough attachment with the child you’re yelling at.
Listen to this episode to learn how to fix all of that. And learn how to never yell in anger again. Watch how this will drastically change your family culture and parent/child relationships.
This episode is sponsored by our Preventing Problems & Creating Peace Workshop. Learn how to spend more time helping things go right instead of fixing what’s going wrong — and yelling about it.
This workshop will help you understand Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how to apply it in your family to have fewer (or NO) tantrums, better behavior, more cooperation, and greater peace.
We’ll also outline the Pyramid of Peace and how to help your kids be self-motivated.
If you would like to have more peace at home — and less yelling — then you need this workshop. Click the link in the show notes for and start today implementing these simple strategies to help more things go right at home.
OR you can also get this Workshop as part of our Become a Better Parent Bundle which also includes our Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Course, Teaching Children to Manage Their Emotions Workshop and The 5 Habits of Successful Families Self-Paced Class. Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the Parenting link in the menu.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Have you ever thought of chores as child abuse? I haven’t either. But I shared a post on Instagram about our system for organizing chores and I was shocked at the number of NEGATIVE comments I received from people who believe that giving your children chores is akin to child labor and abuse.
One comment said, “Parents who want to do less [sic] things by dumping it on kids should be ashamed of themselves. Kids do not need to have regular chores in order to learn responsibility and you know it VERY WELL… you aren't teaching, you are USING kids!”
Another comment said, “There is plenty wrong and abusive in making children feel they must contribute to the household. Why? Because it's putting undew [sic] pressure on children, pressure that they should not have.”
One more states simply, “Children should not be made to do regular chores.”
And finally, “CHORES FOR KIDS? More like mom and dad don't want to do their household duties!”
This concept wasn’t entirely new to me. I had come across it in some out-of-the-way literature. But I hadn’t ever come across anyone who actually believed it. It seems common sense to most parents that using chores can help their children learn responsibility.
In this episode, we respond to these comments (since responding to them on Instagram was limited by space) and philosophize on chores, and debate both sides of the argument.
When can doing chores be detrimental to a child? In what circumstances do chores become child abuse or child labor? If parents decide to do chores, what is the best way to go about doing them? How do you teach your children the underlying philosophy or archetypal reasons for doing chores so that they feel self-motivated to do them?
We discuss all of this and much more in this lengthy but entertaining and enlightening discussion.
This episode is sponsored by our Family Charts & Systems. If after listening you decide that chores are important to your family then let us help you get organized and systematized with our complete done-for-you fillable and printable charts.
This bundle also includes family mission statement examples, morning routines, daily schedules, device usage contracts, meal schedules, and much more
Click the link in the show notes for the Family Charts & Systems and start today using simple strategies to create more organization & cooperation, encourage responsibility, and teach life skills.
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/family-systems-charts?ref=f772c7
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
When Greg Denning was out on his own as a teenager it wasn’t difficult for him to realize that his life sucked… but he desperately wanted it to be better and different.
Nobody wants to live a sucky life and stay there. But it was so interesting to him to watch people live a sucky life — and stay there. They would keep doing the same things that would produce the same sucky results.
As a 16-year-old he was able — miraculously enough — to look around and say, “Dude, stop doing what you’re doing and you’ll get different results.” It was just easy for him to see as a teen, even though he wasn’t yet able to articulate it into something we live by — “Nothing in my life will get better until I get better.” Greg came to realize — then experience — then teach thousands of people on five continents that when YOU get better, everything else in your life gets better too.
In today’s episode, we are discussing how this applies to parenting. Many parents keep doing things that are producing sucky results and unnecessary pain and suffering in the form of bad behavior, rebellion, tantrums, fighting, yelling, and more.
NONE of this is going to get easier or better until YOU get better as an individual and a parent.
The problems you’re facing as a parent ultimately stem from your own inabilities or lack of skills & awareness. It’s not your fault, but learning to be aware of them is key to changing everything and solving your problems. If you are a parent or know a parent, you don’t want to miss this!
This episode is sponsored by our Best Self Bundle. This bundle of courses gives you all the tools, resources and strategies that you need to reach upward and become your best self — to develop your personality into what you would like it to be instead of accepting what you currently have even if you don’t like it.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for the Best Self Bundle and start today learning simple strategies you can use right away that will create powerful positive transformations in your personality.
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/become-your-best-self
And make sure to check out Greg’s Be The Man podcast and his Be The Man Masterclass. If you are a man — or know one — you need these resources.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
You may have seen or heard that we’re planning a move to Portugal — and hoping to travel while making the transition. We received some questions about this:
“We would love to travel more, even long term, but I am getting more hesitant because of predictions about downturns in the economy, warfare, etc. I see a lot of people encouraging self-reliance and preparation at this point in time (ie growing and storing your own food). This seems like it would be hard to do while traveling. I want to protect and provide for my family, but I also see the amazing benefits of traveling as a family. What is your take on these predictions and what does your family do to prepare for potential crises? Should these things be taken into consideration when considering where to travel and when? Things have changed so much in the world in just a couple of years!”
We also had some Instagram followers and podcast listeners asking, “How do you decide where to travel or where to LIVE? And how do you go about getting a visa to do that? And didn’t you want to live in a Chateau in France? What happened to that?”
In this episode, we’re going to discuss travel, living abroad, making decisions about WHERE and HOW to live, being safe and preparing for worst-case scenarios, and why ‘following your heart’ (and what that means) is a key piece to this whole life puzzle.
Life IS risk. If you’re going to be alive there is risk in living. You might as well make the most of the risky life you already have. You have to get ‘boots on the ground’ and touch, feel, and experience YOUR LIFE. Truly Live Your While You’re Alive!
But we’re also not promoting unsafe or stupid behavior. So where is that balance found? How do you find the middle ground between risk-taking and being safe and prepared? That's what we discuss in this episode that you don’t want to miss!
This episode is sponsored by our Trips & Adventures. Travel with us to cool destinations like Jordan, Norway, Egypt or Greece. Past trips include riding dromedaries in the Sahara desert or hiking to Macchu Picchu, or sailing around the Galapagos. We lead trips and retreats for teens, couples, families, and men.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for the Adventures to get notified about upcoming trips, retreats, and adventures!
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/pages/trip-updates-announcements
See what countries are open at joinsherpa.com/map
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
We all have blind spots. We all have things we’re doing (or not doing) that are causing or contributing to our own problems.
In our coaching, we often work with people who keep doing (or not doing) the things that are keeping them miserable and unhappy. If they could just STOP then they could drastically change their life.
Of course, this is easier said than done, otherwise, you would ALREADY have stopped or started the things that need to be done and wouldn’t be suffering from the current challenges you face.
In this episode we dive into specific strategies for DOING what MUST be done -- the things that IF done will change everything — improve your marriage and parenting, help you make more money, or to achieve that big goal or dream that’s been locked away somewhere in your soul.
It can be difficult to make the effort or find the courage to do these things. We acknowledge that doing them is hard and that you might not feel ready to do them.
But the only way you will GET ready IS by doing them. As the Stoics say, The Obstacle IS the Way.
Listen now to this episode to learn how to do what MUST be done before it’s too late for you to make the changes you need to make to have the kind of life you want to have.
This episode is sponsored by our Best Self Bundle. This bundle of courses gives you all the tools, resources, and strategies that you need to reach upward and become your best self — to develop your personality into what you would like it to be instead of accepting what you currently have even if you don’t like it.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for the Best Self Bundle and start today learning simple strategies you can use right away that will create powerful positive transformations in your personality.
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/become-your-best-self
And make sure to check out Greg’s Be The Man podcast and his Be The Man Masterclass. If you are a man — or know one — you need these resources.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Understanding YOURSELF and the other human beings around you is one of the trickiest and most complex aspects of life and relationships —
Your personality begins to form from conception, in the womb, and as you grow as a child. You don’t start to become aware of this until much later in life (and some people never gain awareness of who they are and what makes them do the things they do.)
For a long time, Greg and I were not fans of personality tests — until Jordan Peterson’s Big 5 Personality Test. They felt too confining and victimizing, labeling you as a certain color or number. They weren’t holistic. Human beings are more complex than that. This personality test is different and has been peer-reviewed and works across cultures.
Greg and I analyze our personal levels of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Openness to Experience. There’s a lot of laughing at ourselves through this process. :D
In this episode, we walk through (and psychoanalyze) our personal results on the Big 5 Personality test — in order to help you understand how these play out in yourself, your relationship, and in your parenting.
We also give a quick answer to a question we received regarding sex and conversation — the cycle of intimacy — after this spouse listened to Episode #174 Marriage Q&A. We address falling in and out of love, major reasons for divorce, and deepening the intimacy in your relationship by making deposits instead of just withdrawals. We also cover why your wife cries and wants to talk while you just listen because she needs a mental and emotional outlet. A woman wants her man to be someone who will listen to her. Without this emotional vulnerability, she will never be able to open up sexually.
Stick by the woman when she ugly cries and she will love you even more. :D
This is a very insightful and informational episode that will give you the vocabulary and words you need to articulate what is happening in your marriage and life.
This episode is sponsored by our Best Self Bundle. This bundle of courses gives you all the tools, resources, and strategies that you need to reach upward and become your best self — to develop your personality into what you would like it to be instead of accepting what you currently have even if you don’t like it.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for the Best Self Bundle and start today learning simple strategies you can use right away that will create powerful positive transformations in your personality.
And make sure to check out Greg’s Be The Man podcast and his Be The Man Masterclass. If you are a man — or know one — you need these resources.
You can take this personality test at UnderstandMyself.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Have you ever had that inner feeling of discontent, frustration, guilt, or dissatisfaction? (I know I have.)
Have you ever thought — what’s the point of setting goals? I’ll just be disappointed.
Or have you ever tried to achieve something — losing weight, earning more money, or improving your marriage — only to finally give up and accept yourself and your circumstances?
In this episode we’re going to dive into why many people feel and think this way — and how ‘accepting things as they are’ can be a good short-term strategy, but it’s a bad long-term plan.
Why? Because you end up living in incongruence and you’ll make yourself miserable -- now and in the future.
There is an inner knowing in your soul — a blueprint of your potential — and as long as you live below what you’re capable of you’ll always feel that something is missing (which you’ll try to assuage or excuse away with eating, scrolling, or Netflix).
But the only way to find lasting happiness is to accept the call to your highest self and to reach upward.
Listen to this episode as we discuss how to live in more congruence and thereby live a happier, more fulfilling, and satisfying life.
Please excuse the audio quality in this episode. The original audio recorded with our microphones was lost and we had to use the audio from the video recording.
This episode is sponsored by our Best Self Bundle. This bundle of courses gives you all the tools, resources, and strategies that you need to reach upward and live in congruence — in fact, they’re the exact tools we have used to create our own extraordinary, expanding life.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for the Best Self Bundle and start today learning simple strategies you can use right away that will create powerful positive transformations in your family life.
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/become-your-best-self
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
We received some great questions about parenting that we’re addressing today.
We love it receiving questions so if you have one please don’t hesitate to ask us. You can leave a voice message for us on our podcast page, or you can email us support@extraordinaryfamilylife.com
The first question is about teen device usage and sneaky behavior.
We are having an issue with our son's cell phone usage…We limit it and have always made him turn in his cellphone at night to promote good, healthy habits. I just discovered that he has been hiding an old cracked cell phone that he has been using at night. He also has apps such as TikTok and Snapchat that we do not allow. I know that the phones and apps are made to be addicting. I just don't know how to approach this issue. I will be turning off the wifi night now but how do you deal with the sneaking second phones and apps? It indicates to me that he may be addicted to these apps and his phone. I am curious if you have encountered this before. It is very concerning to us and I would value your input and opinion.
The second question is also very relevant with long-term consequences.
I’d like to request for you and your husband to talk about the sex drive in teenage boys specifically. As a parent how do you guide them so they can handle their “urges” in a healthy manner? How do you educate them so they don’t fall pray with the use of pornography? What are the best ways to support them instead of shaming for having these normal desires? Our society is so full of trashy messages about sex, masturbation, pornography, etc., that I honestly worry about the future of these young men!
If you have kids, make sure you listen to this very important episode!
This episode is sponsored by our Extraordinary Parenting Bundle. You don’t have to be perfect to be an extraordinary parent. Parenting is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and improved.
Learn — and practice — how to prevent problems, create peace, and build something extraordinary. Let us show you the habits that successful families use to live intentionally and create more order, vision, and joy.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for Parenting and start today learning simple ways to seriously level up your parenting skills.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
We regularly receive questions from parents and spouses on all sorts of topics — and we love it! If you have a question please don’t hesitate to ask us. You can leave a voice message for us on our podcast page, or you can email us support@extraordinaryfamilylife.com
Recently we received some questions about marriage — specifically how to have more engaging conversations and intellectual connections with your spouse as opposed to discussing the mundane life logistics all the time?
Along those lines, how do you ‘accept’ your spouse for where they are on their growth journey — while still encouraging and helping them to do better, to make an effort, and to be interested and interesting?
Connected to this — which we explain in this episode — is how to make more time for sexual connection, especially when you’re trying to go to bed early so you can start your day with a morning routine? And how do we (Greg and I) make time for sex multiple times per week?!
We also get fired up about how a well-known sexpert is just WRONG about sex and how it IS a need -- for men (and women) and marriage in general.
Finally, we answer a question about how to help a spouse who’s lost a job — without OVER helping so you become a nuisance and they feel disrespected or demoralized.
You won’t want to miss this great Q&A session!
This episode is sponsored by our Extraordinary Marriage Masterclass. If you’re not working ON your marriage, then by default, you’re working on your divorce! Marriage isn’t static and unchanging. It’s in a constant state of flux — day by day, sometimes hour by hour.
And you can’t blame your spouse because you don’t have a better marriage. The responsibility lies in your hands — and it’s within your power. It only takes ONE person to make a marriage better.
Bring back the passion, romance, friendship, and magic of being a man and woman in love with our Extraordinary Marriage Masterclass.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for Marriage and stop settling for a marriage that is less than awesome. Learn the simple strategies we have consistently used to create the marriage of our dreams. You can too!
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-marriage-bundle
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Greg and I are always fascinated by ideas, the search for truth, intellectual discussion, and meaningful connection. As intentionally as we have designed our lifestyle, it’s still rare for us to have all of those things in one evening. But we got the chance last week when we drove to Birmingham, AL to listen to Jordan Peterson present a live lecture at the Alabama Theater.
He discussed a chapter from his new book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life about the importance of beauty and art. In this episode, Greg and I share our own journey of discovering beauty during our journey from overlanding hippies living in our truck with five kids, to moving to Germany where we encountered the enduring art and beauty of castles and cathedrals and how that changed us.
In a special VIP session after the lecture, Peterson answered some questions about the current state of the world and what his thoughts are about what society might be facing. Greg and I unpack this and share some of our own thoughts about the Fourth Turning and the Changing World Order.
The strength and stability of your family life is built on the strength of its foundation which is YOU. Your family life gets better when YOU get better. Our Best Self Bundle gives you all the tools, resources and strategies that you need to become the rising tide in your family life — the exact tools we have used to create our own extraordinary family life.
Visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com and click the link at the top for the Best Self Bundle and start today learning simple strategies you can use right away that will create powerful positive transformations in your family life.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Greg and I just returned from an incredible trip to Portugal to celebrate our 21st anniversary and we’re excited to record an episode about it. We’re going to share all the romance, magic, and serendipity we experienced that surprised even us.
It’s difficult for us to put in words the super special experience we shared together during this trip. But we’re going to unpack it for you, explain the key ingredients that made it so meaningful, and outline some foundational principles for creating more magic and serendipity in your own life.
You don’t want to miss the romance and magic of this special episode!
If you haven’t already, make sure to get our Must-Read Book Recommendations for creating an Extraordinary Family Life. We have books on parenting, marriage, health, finances, and lifestyle design. Plus get a free ebook that will change your life — The Majesty of Calmness.
http://extraordinaryfamilylife.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Welcome to the podcast! We’re discussing something today that is crucially important to raising healthy, well-adjusted kids.
We want to teach them to NOT be quitters, to follow through, and to have grit and perseverance.
But in this episode, we lay out some arguments which show that the way many parents are trying to accomplish this is actually having the opposite effect.
When we make a six-year-old take dance class even though she hates it but we don’t want her to be a ‘quitter’, what we’re actually doing is engendering resentment — and she’s not actually learning the lesson we’re trying to teach.
Don’t worry! We’ve got some specific strategies for getting those outcomes you want. But you might be surprised that they’re not what you expected. Listen now to learn what they are.
If you haven’t already, make sure to get our Must-Read Book Recommendations for creating an Extraordinary Family Life. We have books on parenting, marriage, health, finances, and lifestyle design. Plus get a free ebook that will change your life — The Majesty of Calmness.
Go to ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Hey everyone. We hope you’re having a great week. I know Greg and I are excited to have some sunshine and warmer weather after two cloudy and cold weeks.
Today we’re discussing something which — at first glance — seems overly simplistic. We’re talking about HOW to wake up.
And yet, waking up is something every one of us does and we do it every single day of our life. There’s an incredible power that comes when we can learn to do BETTER the things we do consistently. One of those things is waking up.
There are specific ways to be more intentional about waking up each morning. And when you learn how to control and your direct your mornings, it provides a lot of power for controlling and directing your life. Helping your mornings to go better helps your life to go better.
Listen to this episode now to learn the strategies we’ve been using for the past 20 years to design our mornings — which then led to designing our life.
This episode is sponsored by our Must Read Book Recommendations which includes two FREE audio programs — one about morning routines, and the other about Bibliotherapy.
Click here to take advantage of this free offer.
Or visit extraordinaryfamilylife.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Today we are diving into a detailed look at what living an ‘extraordinary’ life looks like on the day-to-day. The majority of your life — and ours — is spent in daily activities that can be mundane. Dishes, laundry, errands.
Even with a travel lifestyle like ours, we spend most of our time sitting in a vehicle on a road trip or waiting in an airport. How do you make the ordinary, routine, ‘boring’ daily interactions more meaningful and purpose-filled?
We’ll share specific strategies that we’ve used for over a decade to turn the transactional into transformational.
If you’ve ever felt that life is like the movie ‘Groundhog Day’ then you definitely want to listen to this episode so you can learn how to get unstuck and make the daily interactions you’re ALREADY having with your spouse and children special, memorable, and magical.
This episode is sponsored by our Be Your Best Self Bundle.
The Strength of Your Family Begins With the Strength of the FOUNDATION = YOU
YOU are the foundation of your family. You have to be strong to carry the load of responsibility.
The 'BEST SELF' Bundle will lighten the burden with tools that help you DO and BE more with less stress and more confidence.
Greg loves to teach that ‘A Rising Tide Lifts ALL Boats’
When the tide comes it, it lifts all the boats in the harbor.
YOU can be the tide in your family. Family life gets better when YOU get better.
How YOU Live YOUR Life is How You Teach Your Children to Live Theirs -- Be Someone Worth Modeling
Go to ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com now to get access to the Best Self Bundle.
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/become-your-best-self
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Welcome to the podcast! In this episode Greg and I are answering a question about clashing cultures — what to do when the status quo conflicts with your unconventional lifestyle choices — especially if the clash is happening in your own family.
It’s not uncommon for someone like you to try to do life differently and then to get ‘thrown under the bus’ by the naysayers and ‘reality checkers’.
Maybe you want to homeschool, travel with your family, eat a different way than you were raised, or to take a different path in college or career than the generation before you.
How do you handle the unavoidable conflict that arises from your unconventional choices?
Is it best to create healthy distance and accept these differences? Or is there a way to create agreement and harmony despite diametrically opposed viewpoints?
Listen now to hear the answer!
This episode is sponsored by our Be Your Best Self Bundle.
The Strength of Your Family Begins With the Strength of the FOUNDATION = YOU
YOU are the foundation of your family. You have to be strong to carry the load of responsibility.
The 'BEST SELF' Bundle will lighten the burden with tools that help you DO and BE more with less stress and more confidence.
Greg loves to teach that ‘A Rising Tide Lifts ALL Boats’
When the tide comes it, it lifts all the boats in the harbor.
YOU can be the tide in your family. Family life gets better when YOU get better.
How YOU Live YOUR Life is How You Teach Your Children to Live Theirs -- Be Someone Worth Modeling
Go to ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com now to get access to the Best Self Bundle.
Or click this link:
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/become-your-best-self
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode Greg and I are answering some often asked questions about how to get your spouse on board.
This could be getting them on board with your big dreams and goals, or simply on board with the process of growing and improving. There’s nothing worse than starting to learn, grow, and develop as a person but then to feel that your spouse is getting left behind or, even worse, creating their own self-sabotage.
One question we received said,
As I’ve focused hard on self-improvement over the last 18 months, and not seen my wife doing much to try to improve with me, it has been hard not to judge her and become frustrated with her.
That has been especially true with our parenting. It’s extremely painful to observe her parenting and I’m trying to think of what might be affecting her parenting negatively.”
We’ll discuss several approaches than can be used to help make tricky situations like this one easier.
We’ll also explain what a ‘breaking point’ is and why every marriage needs to face one — or several of them.
This episode is sponsored by our Creating an Extraordinary Marriage Bundle.
Why settle for a a good or okay marriage when you can have an extraordinary one?
Marriage isn’t static. It’s constantly in a state of flux. So if you’re not actively working on growing closer in your marriage then by default you’re working on your divorce. You can’t afford to spend even one day working on your divorce, so if you’re not already being proactive it’s time to make a change.
Many of us believe that if our spouse would change then your marriage would be better. But the truth is you can’t wait around for you spouse to change. It is within your power to improve your marriage — even if your spouse won’t change.
That’s the good news — it only takes ONE person to ‘be the tide’ and make a difference in your marriage. And that person is YOU.
Learn how to create regular daily, weekly, monthly and yearly rituals to remind you that you’re a man and woman in love — and building a legacy.
Unite as a couple, peruse shared dreams, and become an example of love and relationship that everyone — including your children — admires and looks up to.
Go to ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com now to get access to our Creating an Extraordinary Marriage Bundle.
https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-marriage-bundle
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
In this episode, Greg and I talk about one of our favorite topics — dreaming BIG and setting (and achieving) BIG goals.
Greg has said that
“The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them.”
We discuss dreaming, why it’s so important, and why (and HOW) to dream BIG and become the person who can fulfill those dreams.
We show you how to take the lessons you learned in the last year and start with a fresh canvas to make this year your best year yet.
We also discuss why your obstacles are your opportunities and how to learn to see them as stepping stones to creating your dream life.
You have to stop approaching life in a haphazard way and instead learn how to be strategic and intentional to create the family life of your dreams.
And finally, we talk about making progress on the things you want to make progress in so you can start loving the life you’re living.
This episode is sponsored by our Extraordinary Life Planner.
Too many people spend their days working on to-do lists that are unfulfilling. But there is a strategic way to make your daily to-do list a step-by-step path to your biggest goals and dreams.
This is exactly the process Greg and I used to make full-time travel a reality with our family. It’s how we’ve accomplished our biggest goals and dreams like building a six-figure location independent business while traveling and homeschooling seven children in nearly 40 countries on five continents.
We’ve outlined the process we’ve used into a Planner which will walk you through step-by-step how to turn your own dreams — no matter what they are — into reality by taking small, consistent actions on a daily basis.
Go to ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com now to get your copy of the Extraordinary Life Planner and start creating a life you love to live.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Welcome to this episode where we will be discussing a sensitive and sometimes frightening topic to many parents — and that’s WHY and HOW to expose your children to the darkness in order to help them be stronger and more prepared to face and fight evil and malice in the world (which does exist, in case you’re like I used to be and naively thought there are no ‘bad people’ in the world or that bad things don’t happen to me or my family.
We’ll also touch on the Law of Attraction or Expectation and how that works into our encounters with evil -- as well as why allowing your children to choose the music and movies they listen to or watch can be a helpful place to start discussions that should be taking place regularly if you want to help your kids develop resilience.
This episode is sponsored by Mr. Denning’s Habits for a Successful Life — a live, online class for teenagers.
After studying personal development for 20 years, we looked far and wide for a class that would teach our teenagers something MORE important than academics — namely HOW to practice self-leadership and manage their minds, emotions, and habits in order to create a happy and fulfilled life.
When we couldn’t find what we were looking for we decided to create it ourselves and offer it to other amazing families.
Teens absolutely LOVE this class and all of Mr. Denning’s stories from his travels to 48 countries. The most recent 5-star review left this week by a teenager says:
“This class was AMAZING! It has helped me get a new perspective and motivated me to shape my life into how I want it to turn out. I loved every minute of it, and I wholeheartedly recommend others try it as well!”
If you have teenagers — or know someone who does — please share this class with them.
Go to WorldSchoolAcademy.com or ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
In this episode, we’re discussing teen mental health and strategies for helping them not only overcome mental health challenges but to learn to thrive despite their difficult circumstances. We’re empathetic to the real struggles and suffering that parents and youth are dealing with and want to provide hope in this episode.
Through personal experience, as well as from working with thousands of youth, and doing decades of research, we’ve discovered what actually works to help teens deal with the challenges they face.
We know that not every situation is black and white with clear-cut answers or solutions but this episode will provide some puzzle pieces that may fit perfectly for your unique situation.
Please use what you can and share it with others who may need to hear this message.
This episode is sponsored by Mr. Denning’s Habits for a Successful Life — a live, online class for teenagers.
After studying personal development for 20 years, we looked far and wide for a class that would teach our teenagers something MORE important than academics — namely HOW to practice self-leadership and manage their minds, emotions, and habits in order to create a happy and fulfilled life.
When we couldn’t find what we were looking for we decided to create it ourselves and offer it to other amazing families.
Teens absolutely LOVE this class and all of Mr. Denning’s stories from his travels to 48 countries.
If you have teenagers — or know someone who does — please share this class with them. Go to WorldSchoolAcademy.com or ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com — https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/winter-2022-habits
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
In this episode, we’re talking about Failure to Launch syndrome — a significant growing phenomenon among young adults who are not successfully making the transition to adulthood.
Its symptoms include young adults who continue to live at home or to be supported by their parents, YA who don’t contribute financially to their own living expenses and begin to withdraw from the world and society.
Failure to launch — known as Peter Pan syndrome in the U.S. -- can take the form of unrealistic (or NO) goals, blaming others for their situation, narcissism, a lack of motivation to change, low levels of persistence, high expectations without reciprocation, lack of basic adult skills, and no ‘liftoff’ into adult responsibilities — among other things.
In the extreme, it can lead to the proverbial 30-year-old living in the basement and can be accompanied by anxiety, depression, and sometimes suicide.
In this episode, Greg and I discuss the contributing factors to failure to launch plus strategies to avoid it. Whether you have toddlers or teens (or are one yourself), you NEED to listen to this!
But first — this episode is sponsored by Habits for a Successful Life — a live, online class for teenagers.
After studying personal development for 20 years, we looked far and wide for a class that would teach our teenagers something MORE important than academics — namely HOW to practice self-leadership and manage their minds, emotions, and habits in order to create a happy and fulfilled life.
When we couldn’t find what we were looking for we decided to create it ourselves and offer it to other amazing families.
Teens absolutely LOVE this class and all of Mr. Denning’s stories from his travels to 48 countries. They say things like:
"This class changed my life! I have much better personal habits and I feel like I was given the keys to having a totally epic future. Mr. Denning is great at pushing us out of our comfort zones, while still being encouraging and supportive. Five stars are not enought to sum up how amazing and life-changing this class truly is!"
If you have teenagers — or know someone who does — please share this class with them. Go to https://WorldSchoolAcademy.com or https://ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
We often receive emails from parents or spouses asking questions -- we love it. (Email us your questions at support @ extraordinaryfamilylife.com)
This email asked us:
“How can our family create balance and not feel guilty for doing things we enjoy (Netflix, video games, etc.) that aren’t necessarily productive (toward achieving our goals)?”
Great question!
We've also experienced the 'gap' between the reality of where we are and where we want to go/be (our BIG dream or goal).
Sometimes that gap is painful.
And it often requires that we sacrifice, give up, or exchange some of what we're doing now in order to achieve what we really want to have. We call this The Exchange Rate.
But where there's pain there's power.
And you can use that power to transform your life.
If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review.
Take the next step in leveling up your family life.
http://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/
You can also join Greg's Be The Man Masterclass & Tribe
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Under duress, Greg agreed to do ANOTHER podcast touching on issues around C*vid -- but only because someone was confused about our 'statement' and position during the last one. They also believed there were some holes in our arguments. We address those in this episode.
We also encourage you to take 100% responsibility for your health, your life, your family, and your circle of influence.
Stop wasting your energy on trying to get others to understand, agree, or conform and put it back into making the most of yourself.
Stop hacking at the branches and start getting to the root of the problems.
Listen now to see how.
Wim Hof & Jordan Peterson podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/cy/podcast/wim-hof-with-jordan-and-mikhaila-peterson/id1184022695?i=1000501492588
Wim Hof Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWRAbgvlqxZ/
Be the Family Man Workshop
-- for wives https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/be-the-family-man-challenge
-- for men https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/pages/btm-workshop-for-men
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
It IS true that 'you are good enough the way you are'.
You are special.
You are lovable.
You are allowed to just be YOU.
But those ideas are INCOMPLETE truths.
You were also designed, created, and evolved to continually aim to become YOUR best version of you.
So you'll never feel completely content remaining the way you are now.
No matter how many times you tell it to yourself.
The only way to be completely fulfilled is to regularly work on letting your inner light shine...
To get comfortable with discomfort, because that is how you grow...
To become self-aware enough to know when to give yourself grace and when to push yourself harder.
Because loving yourself for who you ARE -- and being discontent for who you've not yet BECOME...
...being grateful for the progress you've made -- and being dissatisfied with the results you've gotten so far --
-- are two sides of the same coin.
And wholeness comes when you learn to hold and operate by these two seemingly opposing viewpoints.
Visit ExtraordinaryFamilyLife.com for resources and tools to help you become the best version of YOU.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
"Rebellion of basically any kind stems from needs that are not being met."
"Which needs are commonly not met that are likely to lead to rebellion?"
Is there a difference between healthy and unhealthy rebellion?
Do you consider some kind of rebellion necessary in a person’s life?
In this episode, we discuss these and other parenting topics and how 'restaurant parenting' (as I call it) may contribute to future teen rebellion. We also talk about rule-breaking and why we encourage a healthy version of it in our teens and young adults.
If you're a parent, no matter the current age of your kids, don't miss the critical lessons in this episode!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
In our last episode (#158), Greg hinted at doing another episode about the v*ccine. I wasn't so sure.
But after thinking and discussing it, we decided to do it together -- partly because our individual views balance each other out and help us both to come to a more centered truth.
We discuss how Cvid and the vccine have become politicized and what implications that has. We also examine C*vid's significance now compared to other times in history, and examine how politicizing a topic can skew each individuals understanding of the real facts.
Most of all, we emphasize points that all sides are likely to agree on, and how that approach overall will help us to come together to find solutions that will benefit humanity as a whole.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
What happens when you share a 'controversial' meme on social media?
Lots of comments and ensuing arguments.
In this podcast, Greg and Rachel respond to comments on a meme that was shared which said:
"If you've ever wondered if you would have complied during 1930s Germany, now you know."
The reactions included words and phrases including:
- incomprehensibly stupid
- asinine
- comparing people who have been vaccinated to Nazi Germans
- and a lot more...
An adequate response was not feasible in a Facebook comment, so we answered in a podcast episode instead.
Plus, it was a lot more fun that way!
"Covid is a problem but it's not the real problem. There is something bigger than that which is the real problem. Until we address the bigger problem at the bottom of the swamp, we won't really solve the problem."
We'd love to hear your feedback, questions, comments, or requests for clarification -- or show us where we were wrong!
Resources:
The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom by Yeonmi Park
The Fourth Turning
Animal Farm by George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell
How Will You Measure Your Life?
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How do you know if you’re winning in life? It’s Easier in sports where there’s a scoreboard, but even that isn’t always reflective of true winning. You might lose the game but still be winning in personal improvements, performance, effort, giving your best, sportsmanship, integrity, grit, etc
What about each of the areas of your life? How do you know if you’re winning? Do you have a scoreboard? Are you keeping score? In what ways? Are you trying to compete with others or with yourself, or with an ideal?
Some are not keeping score at all. They have no idea how they’re doing. They don’t think about it; they don’t measure it; they’re so distracted, or unconscious, or in survival mode, or on autopilot, that they have no clear picture of how they’re doing.
Some are even against keeping score at all. They may not like the idea of tracking, measuring, or scoring.
You can’t master what you don’t measure!
I’m choosing to win as a man! As a man. That includes several roles. I’m not trying to only win in business. That would be a loss to me as a man. I’m not trying to win only as a husband or father. That too would be a loss to me as a man.
So I will necessarily “lose” on other people’s scoreboards. Some will see me as average in their field. That’s okay with me. I’m keeping score differently.
Stop getting caught up in other peoples scoreboards. Stop living and measuring your work and life by other people’s scoreboards. Create your own scoreboard, or you will always be measuring yourself against other people’s scoreboards.
This is one reason why you often see epic failures that seem to come out of nowhere. They were trying to win on other people’s scoreboards.
What does Winning look like in each of those roles? What what does losing look like in each of those roles?
It’s impossible for you to win if you’re not clear what winning looks like.
—Creating your own scoreboard. It will require time, effort, research, discernment, and wisdom. Wisdom is not easily won. You will want to read from the greatest religious texts of all time, to study the lives and teachings of the best men who have ever lived. You will want to carefully analyze incomes and outcomes, and the ultimate results of their lives. The last thing you want to do in life is try to win on the wrong scoreboard. That’s like climbing the proverbial ladder that’s leaning against the wrong wall.
Nor do you want to avoid being wrong so much that you never establish any scoreboard at all. You can’t wait until you’re 90 and you’ve had all that life experience to make your scoreboard either. So we are left to make the best decisions we can right now and improve them as we go. Fortunately, there are loads of great books. Unfortunately, there are also loads of trash books filled with really stupid ideas and really bad advice. And not just books. Blogs, podcasts, and posts abound with some of the worst advice ever uttered by human beings. I saw a genuine question posted in a FB group for men from a gentleman who seemed to sincerely want to know how to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Some of the advice in the comments was genuinely the worst advice I have ever heard or seen. It was unbelievable.
Take advice from people whose WHOLE life you would like to emulate. Otherwise you might embrace an idea from a financially successful man who is morally bankrupt or completely overdrawn in all his most important relationships.
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Misjudging people it’s so easy and most of us do it pretty often if not all the time.
Outward Symptoms can often help, but not always. They might Look rich but are broke. Look poor but have millions. Look nice but are evil. Look rough but are as honest as Abraham Lincoln
Sometimes you meet people who in your first impression you mentally toss them out because they don’t fit, only to find out later that they’re AMAZING!
We often misjudge because we have categories, labels, and boxes in which we psychologically try to arrange all the people, places, and things in our lives.
The problem is that there are always people who don’t fit in our boxes, and that is where we get ourselves into trouble.
Revisit the categories, rules, and labels that you have and see where they might be inaccurate.
Leave an open box for those who don’t always fit the mold.
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Here are 5 ideas about learning to like and enjoy the things you need to do but may not always want to do.
1—Like the results. You may not like the method and that’s okay. FOCUS on the results. What you focus on you feel. Need motivators? Grab a chunk of belly or flabby arm, and then get your running shoes on and out the door.
2 —If you used to like it but now you don’t, find out what’s changed. Try what you used to do. Or try liking it in new ways.
3—Do something totally different. Try new things. Get creative. Learn to like something else.
4—Train yourself to like what you need, what you must. Do you realize that EVERYTHING you like or dislike is all because of conditioning. I believed for a long time that it was just the way I was. Perhaps I was born that way. I didn’t realize that I had conditioned myself or had been conditioned to it. Now I know that I can recondition myself to anything.
5—Sometimes you don’t like it. Do it anyway. That’s called being mature, responsible, an adult. Sometimes it sucks. So what. Embrace the suck. Every day you can and perhaps ought to do things you don’t like but are good for simply because we MUST cultivate your I-do-what-I-say-no-matter-what muscle. Our lives are so comfortable and convenient that many of us have become grown up babies.
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Being good is not enough
Most of our default thinking is that if we’re a good person it will be enough. That’s just not true!
You can be a good person and a piss poor husband You can be a good person and a lousy lover You can be a good person and a poor loser You could be a good person and be terribly unproductive You can be a good person and a lousy listener You could be a good person distracted absent father You can be a good person and a terrible businessman You can be a good person and a very Foolish investor You can be a good person and a flimsy friend You can be a good person and an unresponsive son You can be a good person and totally ignorant and uneducated You can be a good person and clueless to what’s going on around you and the needs of other people
Now if you’re not good at tennis, that’s OK. If you want to be good at it you can work on it. If you don’t want to be good at it then you don’t have to do anything.
But that’s not true of the other areas of your life like marriage and parenting and work and contribution and connection
In my mind working on those skills is nonnegotiable.
If you have children, for example, then you have A moral obligation to become a good parent with fully developed parenting skills
If you want to have a great marriage, healthy kids, and a good relationship with them, if you want to have friends, if you want to make a difference in the world, if you work, then you simply cannot settle for merely being a good person
We have to stop sucking at the things that really matter especially if it’s because we’re succeeding in the things that don’t
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What are good beliefs and practices around money in your marriage? What if one spouse brings in the income and the other stays home, who should be in charge of how it’s spent? Does the non-income earning spouse have any say on how the money should be spent?
What if one spouse wants to save every penny and the other sees it as a tool for experience and growth?
What if one spouse wants to approve every purchase before anything can be spent? What if they become upset when they feel you spend in a way they don’t approve of? What if one spouse spends out of control?
What if one spouse hates their job and feels resentful and frustrated and doesn’t want their ‘life’ to be spent on anything they don’t personally agree on?
What if spouse have completely different paradigms about what money is (good or evil, tool or curse)?
Greg and Rachel discuss these and other issues related to money in your marriage. Listen now and share with your spouse!
Sign up for our Extraordinary Marriage course or our Master Your Money Mastermind at http://extraordinaryfamilylife.com
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Many marriages are merely okay, or even slowly dying simply because men are inadvertently neglecting their wives.
Gentlemen, you’re living far below your privileges in your marriage. Inadvertent negligence is costing you the spark, romance, and relationship you could have.
With a little awareness and a few simple habits, you can totally transform your marriage. How is your health and fitness? It is affecting your relationship! Do you have clear boundaries between work life and family life? That is affecting your marriage. Are you leading at home? Spiritually mentally, emotionally, socially, physically, and financially? Are you fully engaged or usually distracted? Do you listen? Really listen? Are you making daily romantic gestures and planning awesome weekly dates? Are you taking ownership of the condition of the house and raising the children?
Your wife will admire you more as you become more admirable. Your wife will respect you more as you become more respectable.
Those of you who are married to high Achieving go-getter wives are often receiving things you don’t deserve. Deserve it. Earn it! Listen to this episode right now and share it with someone you know who needs to hear it
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Is sex ever a source of frustration, confusion, or contention in your marriage? It definitely was for us early in our marriage.
Most of it came because we didn’t understand each other, or ourselves for that matter, and we didn’t know how to communicate effectively in order to share our unique perspectives.
Once we were able to communicate, understand, and not resent the different and often difficult perspectives between us, everything in our marriage got better.
In today’s episode Rachel shares her perspective about both the importance and the complexities of a great sexual relationship in marriage.
Listen to this episode today and share it with the other couples you care about.
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What Mark are you making in the world? What Mark are you making in your family? We all have the privilege, opportunity, and even responsibility to make a mark in the world and in the lives of others. Interestingly, we are always making a mark. We can’t not.And so we must be responsible for the mark we are making.
Some of you are making a significant mark, while others are leaving an insignificant scratch that will quickly wear way. What Mark are you making? What Mark do you need and want to make? How can you actually do it? Listen to this episode today to find out
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Sexuality is just a part of being human. And as such it needs to be understood and directed. Unfortunately many men do not understand themselves and their sex drive, and many more women do not understand their man.
Why does he think about sex so much? Why does he want to have sex every day? Why are men visually stimulated? What can we do about it?
What about the differences in sexual desires and preferences between spouses? What are you doing to increase or decrease sexual desire, either in myself or my spouse? What can I do to make it great?!
These things come up all the time in the personal coaching that I do, and the work that I do with couples and it is very often a huge source of frustration and conflict, instead of an amazing source of connection and love.
In this episode, I risk being open and blunt and bold in order to share a perspective that I hope will be very helpful for individuals and couples. This is an episode that needs to be shared far and wide so that couples can have a clear understanding and open dialogue to understand each other and improve their sexual relationship.
Plus these are things that need to be understood and then taught to youth so that they can go into adult life understanding themselves and others better.
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Every day we have a choice. In fact we have many choice moments throughout the day. Choose to be a champion, or by default we can choose to be a chump.
The champion chooses to do things in a great way, even the little things that seem not to matter much. By default when we choose to be the chump we cut corners, we cheat ourselves and others, we take the easy way, and of course we end up with mediocre results.
This is true even in how we start our day and how we choose to feel at the beginning of our day and throughout the day independent of how we slept or what’s going on.
Adopt the mindset and attitude of a champion. Refuse to acquiesce, to settle for less than your best. Set up your tool bag, get the training, and surround yourself with the team it will help you live like a champion, starting with the little things.
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My youngest brother died last week. He’d been struggling with a drug addiction for years. I thought he was getting better. I hope he was getting better. But it came to a tragic end last week.
This last week has been brutal for me and for my family. I miss him so much! There’s so much I wish I could say and do but now it’s too late.
The intensity and reality of this experience Has reminded me of a lot of important things and I wanna share those with you so that you can learn from my experience as well.
Listen to this episode today and share it with someone you know who needs to hear it.
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We all have little corners in our lives where the dust and the dirt and the stuff begin to gather. This is both literal and figurative. It may be the corner of your closet or your garage, or the corners of your mind or your spirit. Which “corners” of your life are unattended and neglected?
Which “corners” have piled up with dirt and garbage and unused things?
Which corners have you been avoiding, and have become chaotic and disorderly? Examine the corners of your rooms, your garage, your yard, your body, and even your mind, where mental atrophy, ignorance, fixed mindsets, negative attitude, and inappropriate thoughts may be lurking. Examine your whole world today.
Carefully examine your entire life mentally and then literally, making a list of the corners that need clearing out and cleaning. Start on one of those 'corners' immediately and then work on the list.
Mind, spirit, body, bed, bedroom, closet, bathroom, kitchen, pantry, family room, office, storage room, garage, yard, car, etc.
Keep going until there are no hidden 'corners' of your life left uncleaned. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how much efficiency and effectiveness and optimization you’ll bring to your entire life as you clean out the neglected corners of each area of your life.
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This is the account of an unbelievable experience we had in Ecuador while preparing to climb a big mountain.
I had an opportunity to go back up and help someone who had fallen. She later died in my arms on the mountain.
There are a lot of great lessons from this incredible experience that you and I can use to prepare ourselves for life and for emergencies. And there are several things that are extremely urgent and important and are worth a small rant.
Listen to this episode today, take notes, identify the areas where you want to or need to seriously level up your life, and share it with someone you know who needs to hear it.
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While I was climbing a big peek in Ecuador with my wife we met a man who we quickly connected with. In just a few minutes he told us the short version of his life story and how he totally transformed his life.
His story is packed with proven principles and practices for all of us to transform ourselves into who we can really become. You have the power and the potential to take your greatest weaknesses and your greatest struggles in transform them into strengths and power!
There are a few things that each of us can do to really level up and become who you know you are capable of becoming.
Listen to this episode and share it with someone you know who needs to hear it and be reminded of the power they have to become who they truly are.
Who are you without all the external stuff, titles, achievements? What are the vices you have turned to? What are you using to buffer? What do you need to aim for to reach upward? What do you need in your life to propel you upward?
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Wow! Do I have some stories for you today!
Are you willing and ready to help when the situation arises? And more importantly, are you actually prepared to help? Many of us will be offered many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of people around us. This happens to me all the time. Just in the last 10 days I was given the opportunity when lives were literally on the line.
But the thing I’m reminded of every time is that we need to have the knowledge and skills to be able to really make a difference when it matters!
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Failure hurts. A lot. It’s not some thing any of us want to do, but I think it’s something we all need to do.
We attempted to Summit Orizaba and failed. Epic story. But in that failure were many successes—if we look for them.
In life, if we will acknowledge the successes and learn from the failures we can have all the growth and ultimate success we want.
Are you willing to fail in order to succeed?
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If you’re on the right path and it’s the appropriate time for you, find a way to make it work or make a way to make it work!
Too many of us give up too often and too soon. We give a first attempt or maybe a feeble second and then throw in the towel thinking there’s nothing else we can do. But we have found again and again in our life that the most incredible experiences come after we commit to find away or make one.
Here are two examples from our road trip across Mexico it turned into extraordinary experiences because we refused to give up at the first sign of failure.
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How would your life be different if you had all the inspiration and guidance you need and want? Well you can have it! You just have to be more strategic.
I remember vividly times in my life when I desperately needed to know what to do. Oh how I wish I had known what I know now! There are simple ways for us to tap into the inspiration and guidance that surrounds us all the time. Listen to this episode today to learn a few simple things that have made a massive difference in my life and allowed me to live by an act on guidance and inspiration for my life.
Be sure to share this with someone you know who needs it.
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Formidable -very strong, especially in character; producing respect and a little fear in others: -Worthy of respect - tending to inspire awe or admiration because of great size, strength, excellence, etc.
-If you describe something or someone as formidable, you mean that you feel slightly frightened by them because they are very great or impressive.
-a formidable opponent: capable, able, proficient, adept, adroit, accomplished; impressive, strong, powerful, mighty, terrific, tremendous, great, redoubtable, indomitable, invincible; seasoned, skillful, skilled, gifted, talented, masterly, virtuoso, expert, knowledgeable, qualified, trained; efficient, good, excellent, brilliant, outstanding, first-class, first-rate;
in·dom·i·ta·ble | inˈdämədəb(ə)l | adjective impossible to subdue or defeat
Indomitable Men “these indomitable warriors have never been subjugated by an invading force”:
invincible, unconquerable, unbeatable, unassailable, impregnable, invulnerable, unsurpassable, unshakeable; indefatigable, unyielding, unbending, stalwart, stouthearted, lionhearted, strong-willed, strong-minded, staunch, resolute, firm, steadfast, determined, intransigent, inflexible, adamant; unflinching, courageous, brave, valiant, heroic, intrepid, fearless, plucky, mettlesome, gritty, steely
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Serendipity: the Occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way
I believe that God and the universe are conspiring in your favor and are presenting wonderful opportunities to you all the time! But you have to believe it, be open to it, and accept it. We have had literally Countless experiences that have been a gigantic blessing in our lives that have come through serendipity. There’s simply no way we could have planned for them to happen or even dreamed them up. Serendipity is when wonderful things happen to us as we are pursuing other good things.
If you believe it, you can live with serendipity every day!
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What is the greatest tragedy in life? If we look at the whole picture of life, it seems to me that the greatest tragedy is when an amazing human being fails to live a life that is meaningful, fulfilling and maximized. Each person has so much potential and vast amounts of untapped greatness ready to be utilized towards some meaningful purpose.
But so many people settle for a life that is far less than their potential. Many live life‘s that are boring, unsettling, and frustrating.
There are a few simple things that everyone can do to avoid this tragedy and live an absolutely extraordinary family life!
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“The second most deadly instrument of destruction is the dynamite gun; the first is the human tongue. The gun merely kills; the tongue kills reputations and, ofttimes, ruins characters. Each gun works alone; each loaded tongue has a hundred accomplices. The havoc of the gun is visible at once. The full evil of the tongue lives through all the years; even the eye of Omniscience might grow tired in tracing it to its finality.
The crimes of the tongue are words of unkindness, of anger, of malice, of envy, of bitterness, of harsh criticism, gossip, lying and scandal. Theft and murder are awful crimes, yet in any single year the aggregate sorrow, pain and suffering they cause in a nation is microscopic when compared with the sorrows that come from the crimes of the tongue. Place in one of the scale-pans of Justice the evils resulting from the acts of criminals, and in the other the grief and tears and suffering resulting from the crimes of respectability, and you will start back in amazement as you see the scale you thought the heavier shoot high in air. At the hands of thieves or murderers few of us suffer, even indirectly. But from the careless tongue of a friend, the cruel tongue of an enemy, who is free? No human being can live a life so true, so fair, so pure as to be beyond the reach of malice, or immune from the poisonous emanations of envy. The insidious attacks against one's reputation, the loathsome innuendoes, slurs, half-lies by which jealous mediocrity seeks to ruin its superiors, are like those insect parasites that kill the heart and life of a mighty oak. So cowardly is the method, so stealthy the shooting of the poisoned thorns, so insignificant the separate acts in their seeming, that one is not on guard against them. It is easier to dodge an elephant than a microbe.” William George Jordan, Kingship of self control
"Be impeccable with your word, because the word is not just a sound or a written symbol. The word is force; it is power you have to express and communicate, to think, and thereby to create the events in your life. ... All the magic you possess is based on your word. Your word is pure magic, and misuse of your word is black magic. ... Being impeccable with your word is the correct use of your energy; it means to use your energy in the direction of truth and love for yourself. If you make an agreement with yourself to be impeccable with your word, just with that intention, the truth will manifest through you and clean all the emotional poison that exists within you. ... Mostly we use the word to spread our personal poison –– to express anger, jealousy, envy, hate. The word is pure magic – the most powerful gift we have as humans – and we use it against ourselves. ... We misuse the word so often that that is how we perpetuate the dream of hell." –Don Miguel Ruiz, from The Four Agreements, quoted in M. Catherine Thomas' The God Seed. Thomas concluded with this: "Let us make the decision to be our word, and that what we say we mean, and that what we say we do, because we said it, and that's who we are."
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Every single day I condition myself to be at my best!
I recently asked a friend how often he hast to tune his musical instrument. “Every time I pick it up.“
The same is true for you and me. Your mind is your instrument. Your body is your instrument. Your spirit is your instrument. And they need to be tuned every time you pick them up.
That is every morning at a minimum, but I would suggest tuning multiple times throughout the day so that we make sure we are at our best when we’re engaging with the people we love in the projects that are important to us.
Listen to this episode to learn great ways to do daily tuning and share it with someone who needs this reminder.
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It seems counterintuitive. Actually, it seems crazy, but you and I have to be strategically out of balance in order to master the most important things in life!
If you want to be truly successful, you have to become really good at several things. Otherwise you condemn yourself to mediocrity and then your life begins to unravel.
One of the most effective ways to be in the master the most important things is to become obsessed with each of those areas one at a time. Yes, that throws you out of balance. But it is a strategic neglect that helps you get on the path Mastery and out of the puddle of mediocrity
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Are you living an expanding life? Or perhaps a shrinking one? Are you growing, improving, progressing, and really living? Are you moving at a pace that makes you feel alive? Or do you feel like you’re just existing, or merely coasting along?
In every important area of your life do you feel expansion or contraction?
Every one of us has the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to live an expanded life! What a privilege it is to feel the thrill and joy of learning new things!
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I know this sounds crazy. I realize that it’s hard to believe. But I have seen it too many times to not notice the pattern.
You and I can get trapped in trauma that we experienced in the past, and that trauma keeps us from succeeding joyfully in other very unrelated areas.
I even experienced this myself. Traumatic experiences with people or places or things left a negative mark in my psyche, and that became a trap that prevented me from moving forward in other areas of my life.
It shows up in finances and marriage, and parenting and in business.
It’s a lot like having a terrible headache or a thorn in your side. Even while wonderful things are happening around you, you can enjoy them fully because you’re in pain. I’ve observed trauma can have the same affect.
Learning to heal the trauma, let go of it, give it a new meaning, and let it empower you can totally transform your life experience and your outcomes!
You can do this! You can break free from the trap of trauma!
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If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
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There are levels of thinking. Most people think at first level thinking. Second, third, and fourth level thinking is extremely rare. But in order to learn to think like a genius, we must discipline ourselves to practice next level thinking.
First level thinking sees what is immediate and obvious. It only observes the immediate problem without consideration for potential consequences. It only observes the immediate opportunity without consideration for other potential opportunities. It thinks like everybody else is thinking.
There are simple, but challenging principles and practices that you and I can put into our lives on a regular basis to discipline ourselves to higher levels of thinking.
Make a specific time and place to think. Capture ideas. See beyond the obvious. Move from transactional to transformational thinking Create a massive amount of new experiences. Read voraciously across all genres. Ask better questions to yourself and to next level thinkers.
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Every person I have ever met wants more freedom! We were born to be free. We were created for freedom. Freedom from guilt, pain, poor health, debt, addiction. We want money freedom and time freedom. We long to be free enough to live life on our terms!
What kind of people enjoy the most freedom in this life?
Those who consistently make good choices!
In every area of your life the choices you make are either stacking in your favor or stacking against you. In a very real way you and I are choosing ourselves into freedom or choosing ourselves into a lack of freedom.
I invite you to carefully examine all of the choices you are making on a regular basis and ask yourself if they are leading to freedom or to restriction.
“The secret to happiness is freedom. And the secret to freedom is courage.“
Discipline leads to freedom. Think about it. When I choose to avoid junk food and eat healthy food, I am creating healthy freedom in my life. When I choose to avoid junk media and fill my mind with great books and podcasts, I create mental freedom in my life. When I choose to stop wasting time and use my time wisely, I create time freedom in my life. When I choose not to waste money and to improve my earning ability in investing ability, I create financial freedom in my life.
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The quality of your sleep is far more important than you probably realize! It can affect you physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. It affects your cognitive performance and the way you feel. It even affects the way you view yourself and your life.
In this episode I share some simple proven principles and practices about the importance of Great sleep and how to massively improve sleep quality.
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There are two ways to experience life. You can let it happen to you or you can make it happen for you.
For most people, the only things that happen in their lives are the things that happened to them. They live like puppets, where other people and things manipulate the strings of their lives.
I want to invite and challenge you to take full responsibility and ownership for everything in your life. Step into the extraordinary life of envisioning, designing, and creating the desired details of your life!
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Do we have to have trials in life? Do challenges make us stronger? What if we could choose our challenges and trials? Is that even possible?!
What if we told you that there is a way to avoid trials and embrace challenges that can totally transform your whole life experience and help you become the kind of hero you want to become without the kind of suffering you want to avoid?
Listen to this episode today and share it with someone you know who needs to hear it
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What do you do when life gets crazy? What will you do when life gets crazier? The answer is that we all fall back to our training! Archilochus said, “we do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”
In the last week we went on a few extraordinary hikes in the Rocky Mountains. On Saturday we had the opportunity and privilege to help rescue a young man who was injured in a rockslide. We were only able to help him because we were prepared to help him. We were prepared because we have been training. The same is true for every important area of life!
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Winning requires a different set of skills and a different mindset! Anyone can show up to play or to participate, but if you want to win you have to think and act differently. You have to be more strategic!
And so we must ask ourselves in every important aspect of life, are we showing up to participate or to win?
Because the world is becoming more competitive and more advanced, none of us can afford to merely participate in the things that matter most. We will get beat if we think we can just continue to play without having the drive and a strategy to win.
Merely good workers will be let go. Merely good businesses will be outdone by the competition. Merely good marriages will grow cold and fall apart. Merely good parents will fail to keep their kids out of trouble. Merely good health habits will yield poor health results. Merely good education will leave you astoundingly ignorant.
We live now in an incredible meritocracy. We will get exactly what we earn. Winning is your responsibility. Success is your duty. Show up to win!
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Our society has become really good at using softeners, and at making others feel like they have to use them too, really guilt tripping the rest of us to use them so that we don’t make other people feel bad. Big problem! -we’re teaching and spreading victimism—that another person can make us feel something -that we should live in a world where nothing and no one makes us feel uncomfortable or threatened. That’s just not realistic and that philosophy makes us weak and unprepared for life. This is one of the reasons for the failure to launch and why many adults are not behaving as adults. -false idea that we should not feel pain, or conditioning to avoid pain at all costs.
Softeners are tranquilizers; they are anesthetics that keep us from improving our lives. Pain can equal progress. In fact pain is the greatest motivator toward progress. But if we are consistently numbing ourselves we won’t change things we NEED to Change
Are you fat? Obese? This is not body shaming! It’s body love. This whole life is about maximizing our potential and living in extraordinary life. Our body is our vehicle for life and when we don’t take care of it we are limiting our own lives. The main reason that any of us gets fat is because we don’t control what’s going in our mouths.
How have you been treating yourself? How is your marriage, really? How is your parenting? Be painfully honest. How is your financial situation? How is your spiritual state? How are you managing your emotions? Paragraph be painfully honest with yourself in every part of your life. See things as they really are, but not worse than they are.
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Are you progressing? Really progressing? We are made to move! We are created to create! When we are not moving, creating, progressing we feel empty and blah. And we feel that way if we are not moving at the right pace. We have to move, and at the right pace. It is in our spiritual DNA. We were made to move. We were created to create. Many of you are struggling only because your goals are impotent! So what are you going to do that is so big it will redefined this year?
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Repetition is the unsexy secret to success! And it is one of the greatest ironies in life. We are so quick to say to ourselves that we’ve already done that before, we’ve already heard that before, we’ve already seen that before, and so we don’t need to do it again.
Oh how wrong we are when we tell ourselves that story!
The top performers in the world in every field practice repeating the key skill sets that make the biggest difference in their performance. From Music to movies, from science to sports, from families to finances, people who are world class repeat the skill Tens of thousands of times!
What two or three things do you need to repeat tens of thousands of times in order to master the most important skills both personally and professionally?
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We all have a relationship with ourselves. Sometimes we like ourselves and sometimes we don’t. There may even be parts of us that we like and parts that we don’t. But there is a simple formula to liking yourself more and for the rest of your life.
We can all be more strategic about it. More intentional, more deliberate, more proactive.
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Imagine losing your ability to speak.
Many good people are going through life without discovering and cultivating their unique voice, the special message they want to share with the world. This could be your life purpose, your mission, or even your vacation.
But whatever you do, don’t “ lead a life of quiet desperation and go to your grave with your song still in you.”
Do the mental and physical work to discover and cultivate your purpose and voice. Bring it to life!
“Striving to find meaning in one’s life is the primary motivational force in men. This meaning is unique and specific in that it must and can only be fulfilled by him or her alone.“ “There is a detrimental influence of which so many patients complain today, namely, the feeling of the total and ultimate meaninglessness of their lives.“ Victor Frankl
“This is the true joy in life, that being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. That being a force of nature, instead of a feverish, selfish little cloud of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I work, The more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It’s a sort of splendid torch which I have to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.“ George Bernard Shaw
“There comes a special moment in everyone’s life, a moment for which that person was born. That special opportunity, when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission, a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment, he finds greatness. It is his finest hour.” Winston Churchill
Leader, administrator, operator, wise, faithful, healing, technology, art, miracles, vision, languages, service, musician, entertainer, peacemaker, government, writing, creator, speaking, teaching, family, warrior, comforting, prince, princess, messenger, adventure, animals, nature
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Most of us are just too stoppable. We stop at every obstacle, every inconvenience, every time we get uncomfortable, or every time we doubt ourselves.
We make excuses, we justify, we rationalize, we tell ourselves stories about why we can’t start or why we can’t continue.
But the truth is, you have the power within you already to be unstoppable! You can become unstoppable as a matter of principle and practice.
This isn’t some heroic thing. This isn’t some grandiose gift from God reserved for very few. It is a simple way of being. You can choose right now to stop overthinking and over analyzing and just do it. Choose a few things that you know will make the biggest positive difference in your life and become unstoppable in those things!
Exercising vigorously 4 to 5 times a week. Never consuming refined sugar again. Getting up early to start your day right. Connecting in a meaningful way every single day with your spouse and your children. Work when you’re working. Eliminate distraction when you need to focus. Save and invest a certain Percentage of everything you earn.
In what ways are you going to be unstoppable?
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A very well-known couple with a seemingly good marriage recently announced their divorce publicly. It was a shock to a lot of people including me. But I get to do coaching for a couples every week and I know what’s often going on behind the scenes.
The main reason good marriages fail is that most couples leave the quality of their marriage to chance, even though they don’t think they are. And that is the greatest danger!
The longer you are married, the more deliberate, intentional, and strategic you have to be to create an extraordinary marriage!!
What are you doing daily to invest in your marriage? What are you doing weekly to invest in your marriage? What are you doing monthly to invest in your marriage? What are you doing annually to invest in your marriage?
Is your schedule and your calendar reflecting your strategies for creating and maintaining an extraordinary marriage?
We see good marriage is failing and falling apart all the time. And most of it is preventable! That’s why we created how to create an extraordinary marriage course. It is 5 full modules on the most important aspects of your marriage. Go to courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com and invest in your marriage today!
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Today my teenage boys and I had the extraordinary opportunity to visit two different elderly women who are living on their own. What a privilege! We were so fortunate to sit and bask in their life stories, their unique lifelong perspectives, and absorb the wisdom from lives well lived.
You and I have the opportunity to jump ahead to our own future in our minds and then to look back and carefully consider the lives we have lived. What will you be grateful you did? What will you be grateful you did not do? What will you regret doing? What will you regret not doing?
Let’s be deliberate and intentional about the kind and quality of life we are living! We are not victims. We do not have to live life On auto pilot. We get to choose every day how we do life. So let’s do it in an extraordinary way!
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Have you ever worked on some thing and noticed that the outcome is directly tied to your efforts?
This is true in most things in life! We get out what we put in.
This is what I called the effort effect. Our rewards and results are literally linked to our efforts.
Many of you were only getting half results because you’re only putting in half effort. In what areas of your life are you putting in too little effort and then complaining about too few results?
Level up today! Learn what you need to learn. Change what you need to change. Do what you need to do. Be what you need to be! Get the books. Buy the courses. Hire a coach.
If you’re ready to level up and want some help do use the effort effect in your favor, go to www.gregdenning.com and sign up for high-performance coaching today.
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We think of those who have died so that we can remember to live! We remember those who have lived heroic lives so that we are reminded to live heroic lives ourselves.
Everyone of us has the opportunity and privilege to design, create, and live the life of our choice! We can live extraordinary lives if we will! It’s not that we can’t, it’s that we don’t.
It’s valuable to ask ourselves on us questions. Is my life boring because I’m boring? Is my life unfulfilling because I’m not doing fulfilling things? Does my life lack meaning because I’m not doing meaningful things? Has my life lost the magic simply because I’m not bringing the magic?
Live a heroic life! Throw off The limiting beliefs and stories that you can’t live in extraordinary life because you have a job, or because you have responsibilities, or because you have a family. It’s up to you! You can live a great life if you will. If you’d like some help to design, create, and live an absolutely extraordinary family life, Visit www.gregdenning.com and sign up for a high performance coaching session.
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Where have you settled for less?
What dream or goal have you given up on? Take journey into the past, into your own past, and remember what you used to dream about. Do you still want that dream?
If it’s still in your heart, bring it back to life! Then create a plan to make it happen. Let me help!
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Have you ever wanted to do life differently? Have you ever dreamed about living a life it is very distinct from the one you’re living now?
I want to invite you to question everything. Not any cynical or critical way, but in an examining way. I want you to rethink how you do life.
Examine the philosophies, assumptions, statements, and questions that are normal for you and for most of the people around you. Question the assumptions about what’s possible for your life and the prescribed path that others have laid out for you.
Remember that to truly win in life is to live life on your terms!
What are your terms? Do you really know? Have you exposed yourself to all the possibilities yet? What else do you need to experience before you can make a solid decision about how you do life?
There are so many great ways to do life. Make sure you choose the one that works best for you. And then if it stops working for you, choose another one.
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The level of your thinking dictates the level of your life!
You have trained yourself, probably unconsciously, to think the way you think. If that thinking is not creating the results you want then you need to strategically train your brain to think differently.
Far too few of us are purposeful about training our brains. How many of you have a system and a plan to train the level of your thinking? Probably not many. And yet thinking dictates our lives. So it’s critical that we make this a priority!
In this episode we talk about setting up a thought training system and plan and give you specific tools to train your brain and level up your thinking.
You can begin right away by asking yourself how you want to think about life, about your past, about your present, about your future, about your family, about yourself, etc.
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Too often we fail to give importance to The most important things in our lives.
We get busy and distracted. We get passionate about things that don’t matter and passive about things to do.
We know that certain things should be more important to us than others but we don’t always show it.
Of course this begins to be manifest in our life and we end up with results that we don’t want.
My invitation and challenge to you is to make it matter!
Raise necessity! Raise urgency! Raise commitment!
Grab a hold of the lever and crank it up. Make important things important again in your life!
Please share this episode with the people you love who need to hear it.
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Ultimately there are three ways to do life. It is possible to remain in one of these ways for your entire life or to mix between them on a weekly or even a daily basis.
The three ways are: trapped, transactional, and transformational.
Trapped is always blaming themselves and their circumstances. They play the victim. They can’t actually do things they want because of their circumstances. “I can’t afford it.” They often give up improvements on self and life for fleeting moments with vices and addictions. Think you’re a bad person and not worthy Waste lots of time and money.
Trapped can’t outsource.
No direction. Just survival mode all the time, and usually totally unconscious of their thoughts, feelings, and actions creating their outcomes.
Both blow money on coffee, tobacco, alcohol, (others are endlessly consuming their equivalent in junk food) and entertainment. Interesting insight is that trapped people do a lot of shopping at gas stations, paying far too much for far too little Manufacturers of trash food and trash entertainment aim at this demographic of people. This isn’t really income dependent. There are those who earn great salaries but blow it all in trapped living
experiences perpetual mental fog and confusion about life and what to do. Constantly talking, revisiting ideas and things they COULD do, but rarely experience real results Mind is endlessly occupied with the transactions of life.
Transactional person is all about comfort, supposed security and safety—which is really an illusion.
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”
Usually thinks they’re not good enough. Also can’t really do the things they really would like to often because they continually trade what they want most with what they want at the moment, in comfort and convenience. It’s not that they cannot afford transformational experiences, it’s that they won’t. Additionally, they choose the “safer” experiences instead of the transformational ones
Transactional won’t outsource, mostly because of the all consuming cost of their comforts AND because of false social ideas and the judgments of others about hiring help
Lack purpose, passion, and persistence Lack clarity about who they are and the BIG picture of their life
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When the dust settles as it is already beginning to do most of us will see that fear cost far more problems than COVID-19 ever did.
With the best of intentions many people and significant leaders made decisions to close down the economy and even nations I’ll because of an overhyped fear.
The numbers just don’t make sense. The math doesn’t work out. And there is so many valuable lessons we can learn from what has happened.
One of the most final lessons is that we all learn how to keep fear at bay and prevent it from controlling our lives and causing us to make shortsighted decisions.
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There are wonderful things, even unbelievable things that we can do with our minds and our brains. I would suggest that most of us are living far below our privileges when it comes to enabling the full power of our brains.
This is true both physiologically And metaphysically. We can alter the condition of our bodies and the outcomes of our lives by learning to direct our thinking and learning to harness the full power of the mind.
If these ideas are new to you, please don’t dismiss them. Think about it. Consider it. Try it. See what you can do when you activate your mind to work in your favor!
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This is what leads great people to greatness.
You know when you have periods in your life when you’re doing something or seeing something repeatedly and a lesson becomes blatantly obvious and clear?
I’m reading Hamilton and the Power of Habit right now and other great books literally every day and have for over two decades.
I meet with great people every day and get to observe significant transformation.
I’ve noticed (for years) a common denominator, something that is almost always present, something that adds rocket fuel to their results.
Think of sports or band or choir or debate or chess or music or performance or theatre of any kind that you have participated in. You probably had a tutor, a teacher, an instructor, a mentor or a coach. You had somebody there watching you and giving you feedback, guiding you, pushing you, correcting you.
I think it’s safe to say there’s no way you can reach certain levels of success and competence without the coach to help you level up.
We get it with all those things. We know we need a coach. But for some reason, many people still have not really embraced the idea of a life coach.
Now think of the things that are holding you back, perhaps things that have been holding you back for a long time. Baggage from your past, mental or emotional difficulties or trauma, relationship struggles, insecurities, poor habits, relationships with food or money, poor money management, skills or the lack of skills, etc. What if you had a coach to help you overcome the thing that is overcoming you, to conquer the thing that’s conquering you, to stop the problem that’s stopping your progress. To break free from the thing that is imprisoning you.
“Excellence is an art won by training in habituation.” Will Durrant
From Olympic athletes to top executives, they have coaches to help them get results! Many huge corporations and private equity groups, who hire lots of big-shot executives require their executives and often all upper-level management teams to have personal coaches. Even the Founding Fathers; so many of them had ‘sponsors’ and mentors early in life and throughout their lives.
from Luke skywalker to Bilbo Baggins
Yoda: * "Do or do not. There is no try." ... * "You must unlearn what you have learned." ... * "Named must be your fear before banish it you can." ... * "Fear is the path to the dark side. ... * "That is why you fail." ... * "The greatest teacher, failure is." ... * "Pass on what you have learned."
Gandalf: “It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.” “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Coaches provide: Hard questions. Accountability. Calling you out. Insights.
What I’ve seen as I’ve coached: Transformed marriages Start or grow business Successfully Overcome huge personal challenges
It will cost you. It has to! I know of a mastermind that costs $100k to join and only meets occasionally throughout the year.
Warning: There are many coaches out there who have no idea what they’re talking about and don’t have their own life optimized.
Holistic optimization: holistic: characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole. Optimize: make the best or most effective use of
Books that teach this principle very well: Linchpin So good they can’t ignore you Talent is overrated
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I know this sounds crazy but I see it all the time! There are literally ways that we can accomplish more in less time and with less stress and strain.
You’ve probably already experienced this in your life when you realized that you were doing something very inefficiently and less effectively. As soon as you made a few tweaks and changes you were able to do Far more and faster times and in much more enjoyable ways!
The same is true for almost every area of life. Even if we’ve been doing it for a long time, we can find ways to improve our efficiency, our effectiveness, and our capacity. In fact some people believe that when we tell ourselves we are maxed out, we are only actually hitting 40% of our real capacity.
There’s so much more you can do! What would you dream of achieving? What goals would you set? What would you attempt if you had more capacity, more ability, more energy and less stress?
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Are you feeling hopeful and genuinely happy? Is your home filled with happiness and hope?
Too often we only feel hope and happiness when things are going our way but begin to feel hopeless and unhappy the moment anything goes wrong.
Hope and happiness are the result of purposeful choices!
“People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.“
These are the four circuits of happiness in your brain. Get into a positive state. Recover from a negative state. The ability to focus. Being generous.
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And of course they produce baby results.
So please tell me why so many capable adults are still taking baby steps! We are living far below our potential in our capacity. And yet we are obsessed with taking baby steps. Why?!
There’s so much more that you can do if you’ll just overcome the fixed mindset and the irrational fear of picking up your stride and your pace in order to speed walk or run towards your goals and dreams!
It’s go time my friends. Stop playing small and start taking massive action!
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To rise in falling times. To succeed in failing times. To win in losing times. To love and hateful times. To move in stagnant times. To excel and stifling times.
We will all face challenging times in our lives! But as Marcus Aurelius wrote, “what stands in the way becomes the way.“
Challenging times are often our very best opportunities! They offer us a chance to change, a time to transform.
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I hope I’m wrong but I think the economy is going to get smashed. It’s already happening. People are being let go and laid off. They’re being told to file right away for unemployment. The government is getting ready to spend $1 trillion to try to keep the economy from completely collapsing. Many businesses will fail in the coming weeks. Others will declare bankruptcy. And on top of all of that, who’s going to bail out a bankrupt government that keeps handing out money?
I am not a doomsday guy! I’m an optimist! I’m hopeful. I believe we can create the circumstances we want. But I also think it is wise to be aware of the Realities that we are facing!
So I want to raise a loving, warning voice to all of you. Stop acting like you’re on vacation! Go back to work. Hustle. Innovate. Get busy and stir up some results.
Too many good people are sitting around waiting to see what happens. They’re drifting. They’re coasting. You cannot afford to do that. Your family and your community need you to show up. Even if you’re not going to be affected because you work in an essential industry, I believe you have an opportunity and a responsibility to level up so that you can help people who are going to need it!
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Every crisis is an opportunity and this one is yours!
We can see this as a problem or is a privilege.
We can sit in our house is killing time, sedating ourselves with entertainment, or we can use this time to lift ourselves with knowledge and skill development.
None of us can afford to waste this opportunity! Do not squander this chance to transform your life!
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Even in the midst of all the craziness and chaos you and I still get to choose how we respond!
Calm or chaotic Prepared or panic Certain in the midst of the uncertainty Abundant or scarce Thoughtful or fearful
We have the power to choose our thoughts, our feelings, our words, our actions and our behaviors!
There is still so much we can and must control and direct!This pattern interrupter can end up being one of the greatest times of our lives! We can use it to grow and learn and improve and refine ourselves and to strengthen our relationships!
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Are you worried about coronavirus? Are you stressed about missing work or economic fallout? Are you wondering how to talk to your kids about all the craziness?
How do you face your fears or even replace your fears? Do you have a healthy way to cope with anxiety or anxious feelings?
In a world dominated by fear and worry, many people and organizations seem set on spreading panic. But fear can become controlling and limiting to your life.
Learn to effectively manage your fear while still taking appropriate action. Discover how to lead your family through this challenging time.
You can learn additional strategies for leading your family and providing an anchor during times of uncertainty:
https://www.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/anchor-your-family-coronavirus
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There are six core things that every human being needs. When these are missing or not met, it leaves a void in our lives. Then we begin feeling unfulfilled and frustrated and unmotivated.
The six human needs can actually be applied to every area of your life. I invite you to carefully think through each important area of your life in the context of the six human needs and see what’s working and what’s missing.
Certainty Uncertainty Significance Connection/love Growth Contribution
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With so many misconceptions about what it means to be a man, and so many men living far below the standard, we all need to put forth the greatest effort to help boys and men be real men!
"At each moment in man's life, he is either a King or a slave. As he surrenders to a wrong appetite, to any human weakness; as he falls prostrate in hopeless subjection to any condition, to any environment, to any failure, he is a slave. As he day by day crushes out human weakness, masters opposing elements within him, and day by day re-creates a new self from the sin and folly of his past, - then he is a King. He is a King ruling with wisdom over himself. Alexander conquered the whole world except, Alexander. Emperor of the earth, he was the servile slave of his own passions." -William George Jordan (Self Control Its Kingship & Majesty)
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” Thomas Paine
“A gentleman differs from other men in that he retains his heart. A gentleman retains his heart by means of benevolence.” Mencius
"There is in certain men … a quality of resilience, a sturdy refusal to acknowledge defeat, which aids them as effectively in the affairs of the heart as in encounters of a sterner and more practical kind."
Books About Manliness
- Analects of Confucius
- Walking Drum
- Education of Wandering Man
- Lonesome Gods
- Bendigo Shafter
- Mornings on Horseback
- River of Doubt
- The entire Sackett Series (19 books)
- Deerslayer
- The Last of the Mohicans
- Tenant of Wildfell Hall
- Ivanhoe
- Mans Search For Meaning
- Unbroken
- Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
- Les Miserables
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- The Real Abraham Lincoln
- Scary Close
- How to Win Friends and Influence People
- Love Does
- Elantris
- Joan of Arc
- Winners Never Cheat
- Robinson Crusoe
- The Virginian
- Fredrick Douglas
- Scarlett Pimpernel
- Man for All Seasons
- Bonhoeffer
- Amazing Grace William Wilberforce
- Carry on Mr. Bowditch
- Autobiography of Ben Franklin
- Plutarch's Lives
- Wild at Heart
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Most of us have aspects of our life that are frustrating or disappointing. Why is that? Why is it that that part of our life sucks?
Honestly, because we suck at it!
That’s actually really great news because once we realize that we lack skill set in that area, we can begin doing something right away to improve the skill.
You have way more power than you think you do! The quality and outcome of every area of your life depends upon your skill set in that area.
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If we don’t understand how the brain works, we don’t understand how life works. New brain scanning technology is revolutionizing what we know about human performance and how the brain is affecting our bodies and our lives.
Brain scanning is the future! And I believe that at some point every one of us ought to have our brain scanned. The condition of your brain is literally determining the condition of your life. Your brain state and brain function are affecting your mindset, your emotions, your energy levels and your behaviors. When things are off in our lives and the lives of people we love perhaps the first place we should look is the brain.
In this episode I share several things that have been revealed from the research that we can do to keep our brains healthy and even recover from damage or poor brain health.
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Almost every single choice we make will lead to freedom or limit freedom.
Each of us has the potential freedom to lead life on our own unique terms. But many of us make choices that drastically limit our freedoms.
This is true in every aspect of life. From health and fitness to finances. From education to contribution.
The danger is that many of us are making choices every day unconsciously. We are literally unaware of choices that we are making that are limiting our freedoms.
This episode can be a wake up call for all of us to be more keenly aware of how our choices are leading to or limiting our freedom.
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There’s nothing quite like an international adventure to be a pattern interrupter, a wake up call, and a reality check. It’s when we are exposed to new and different things, and to wonderful people that we remember to think, act, and live differently and better.
My wife Rachel and I recently led a couples trip to Thailand over Valentine’s Day and had some absolutely amazing adventures and experiences.
Here are a few of the life-changing lessons we learned and how they can dramatically influence your life too.
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What will you do with the broken fragments of your life?
Each of us experiences many things in life that feel broken and irreparable. That gives us a choice. We can amass a pile of rubbish or erect a pillar of beauty!
You and I literally have the power to choose what we will do with the broken pieces of our lives! We can use them to complain and bemoan our lives and even fall into self-loathing, or we can pick them up and build a beautiful, legacy mosaic!
Whether it’s mistakes you’ve made with yourself, failed attempts in business, neglecting your spouse, or mistreating your children, you can pick up the broken pieces and create something wonderful and beautiful! You can build an EXTRAORDINARY Family Life with the broken pieces of your life!
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It’s TOTALLY possible, though still surprisingly rare, to live in real joy day by day. The kind of joy that permeates your being and radiates through you and from you; that feeling—no, more than a feeling—that flows through your mind, heart, spirit, and body and becomes your way of being; that light, that warmth, that glow, that radiance that FILLS you and spills over on those around you! But if it’s so available, why are so many good people living below their privilege and potential and only experiencing true joy occasionally? Mostly because it’s being crowded out of their lives by other distractions, by conflicting emotions and unmanaged thoughts. Learn how to live IN joy and have joy live in you today.
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Those four D words represent the sources of so much heartache and disappointment and failure. And we are all plagued by them at some point in our lives.
How many dreams have been wasted, how many hopes abandoned, how many achievements lost because we have doubted, become discouraged, gotten distracted, or were disobedience to the laws of success?
There are proven ways to overcome these dreadful D’s. They also begin with the letter D.
Determination, discipline, dedication, devotion, diligence! Making these principles and practice as a part of our lives will literally crush out the four dreadful D’s.
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Most people are unaware that they are unaware. I was!
But awareness is the first ingredient in the recipe of success and happiness! We absolutely must become perfectly aware of the connection between our thoughts, feelings, choices, actions, and habits. Those things create our circumstances! Yet most people are absolutely unaware of that fact.
Awareness will bring greater power and potential into your life and give you back total control of yourself and your outcomes!
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Very few people accurately do the math to figure out what their choices and actions are costing them.
In fact, most people are completely unaware that every thought, every word, every choice, every action, and every habit has a cost.
Everything has an exchange rate!
I invite you to carefully and thoroughly examine the cost of everything in your life. Is what you have and do bringing you the value you want? Or is it costing you more than it’s worth?
Calculating this equation can be painful, but it is so worth it! Don’t wait until it’s too late. Calculate the cost.
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The risk is real! We are all at risk of living in unfulfilling, disconnected, and unexciting life.
That is unacceptable for high performers!
But if we are not deliberate and intentional about setting up systems, practices, and habits that eliminate the risk, then we are destined to live on for filling and unexciting lives.
Most of us are drowning in a sea of distraction that leads to a swamp of disappointment.
We can change all of that by setting up simple sequences that lead to predictable results. The results we really want!
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How does one measure progress, status, growth, improvement, standing, high-performance, wisdom, greatness, and true success?
How do I see past my Blind spot’s, my erroneous perceptions of myself, my mistaken conclusions?
With so many opinions out there how can I know which ones are accurate in order to measure my own standards of success in my own life?
There is most definitely a wrong way to do things! There are people who say otherwise, but they are not educated enough in the lessons of history.
So how do we know what the right ways are?
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As a human being you have the incomparable privilege of pursuing your potential!
Sadly many of us go along through life unaware of the privilege and so we merely exist in survival mode and ultimately fall far short of where we could have arrived.
Thoreau said “most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with their song still in them.”
Not only is it a blessing and privilege and opportunity, but it’s also a responsibility and a moral obligation. Think of what you could achieve. Think of the lives you could influence. Think of who you could become if you vigorously embraced the pursuit of the privilege of your potential!
Your very best self is inside of you! It is not external to you. And it is your privilege to manifest it, to create it, to make it happen!
None of us wants to get to the end of our lives, or even to the end of this year, and realize that we had lived far below our potential!
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Many of us are being attacked by pirates and hijackers on a daily basis! They are subtle and cunning. They rob us of our focus in our freedom and our potential.
We end up living in perpetual self sabotage and slavery because of pirates that masquerade as food, entertainment and efficiency.
The most dangerous hijackers are little indulgences. “The foolish man thinks that little faults, little indulgences, little sins, or of no consequence; he persuades himself that so long as he does not commit flagrant immoralities he is virtuous, and even Holy; but he is there by deprived of virtue and holiness, in the world knows him accordingly; it does not reference, adore, and love him; it passes him by; he is reckoned of no account; his influence is destroyed. The efforts of such a man to make the world virtuous, his exhortations to his fellow men to abandon their great vices, or empty of substance in barren of fruitage. The insignificance which he attaches to his small vices permeates his whole character and is the measure of his manhood: he is regarded as an insignificant Man. The levity with which he commits his errors and publishes his weakness comes back to him in the form of neglect and loss of influence and respect: he has not sought after, for who will seek to be taught of folly? His work does not prosper, for who will lean upon a reed? His words fall upon deaf ears, for they are void of practice, wisdom, experience, and who will go after an echo?“ James Allen
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Many people sit around hoping their marriage will get better, wishing things will change. But transforming your marriage will happen by choice, not by chance!
You have far more power to improve your marriage than you think you do. One person can create a tremendous amount of positive change in marriage. Take full ownership and responsibility. Don’t focus on what your spouse needs to do differently, focus on what you can do better.
Invest in your marriage! It is worth whatever it costs. Think about it will cost you if you do not invest in it.
Go on a date every week, and overnight or every quarter, and a big trip every year. Join us on our couples trip to Thailand over Valentine’s Day. www.WorldschoolAcademy.com
Get our course about creating an extraordinary marriage at Courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com
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I love giving gifts and doing things for the people I love most of my life! I’m sure you do too.
We spend a lot of time and effort thinking about gifts that we can give and about ways we can serve the people we love. But we often miss the very thing that would be the best thing that we could do for the people we cherish and appreciate the most.
Hands down, the best thing you can do for those you love... is to make the most of yourself!
For all of us, that means really changing, truly improving and significantly growing. It means new knowledge, new skills, new habits.
For some of us it means putting an end to an addiction or a poor behavior. For others it means getting in great shape and taking better care of ourselves. For some it means letting go of the past. For others it means NO MORE angry explosions.
It means being happy, genuinely happy.
It means being present, fully present.
Do it because of love! Because you love them give them the best gift possible by making the most of yourself.
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Is fear holding you back? Do you find yourself burdened or even consumed by fear, worry, doubt?
It’s easy to slip into a dark negative space we were constantly afraid of what might happen or what others might think.
We get afraid about the future, our health, our family, or the world. But most of our fears are irrational and only serve as a self-made prison.
I challenge you to face your fears! Just by staring them down more than half of them will slither away into the shadows. And the other half you can face because of who you’re becoming and what you’re chasing down!
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We often say that our family is the most important thing in our lives, but we don’t always show it.
The reality is that we prove our priorities with our actions.
I want to invite and challenge all of us to put our families first with our words, our attitudes, our thoughts, our emotions, our actions, our reactions, and our habits.
Are you putting your family first?
What will you do this month, this year, and this decade to put your family first? How will they know without a doubt that they are the most important thing in your life?
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Have you ever used ‘I don’t know’ as a way to escape answering a tough question?
If you have, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common answers to challenging questions. But more often than not it’s just an escape. It’s a story we tell ourselves, and sometimes it’s even a lie.
Most of the time we do know, but we just don’t want to know. We use ‘I don’t know’ when we’re afraid, apathetic, or mentally lazy.
It’s our responsibility to know! If we genuinely don’t know, then we have to find out. If we do know then we have to take ownership.
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I blew it. 10 years ago I wrote down in my journal the thing I knew I needed to do.
But I didn’t do it. I had good reasons a.k.a. excuses. I told myself stories to justify and to rationalize why I couldn’t get it done. But the reality was I just didn’t do what I needed to do.
When I finally got after it and did what I knew I needed to do, the results came right away! I wish I would’ve done them sooner. Wishing won’t change anything, but action will! And now I’m getting it done!
Maybe you have done something similar. You knew you needed to do some things but you haven’t done them yet. It starts today! It starts right now.
Do not procrastinate another moment. Get crystal clear about what you want to achieve and what you MUST do in order to get what you want.
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Your body is your vehicle for life. Therefore much of the quality and outcome of your life will be determined by the condition of your vehicle.
The more you care for your body the more you will get out of life!
It’s totally possible in the next 12 months to get in the best health of your life and to stay there!
And it’s far simpler than you think it is.
But first you have to understand a few misconceptions and the main reasons why most people fail to get in the best health of their life and to stay there.
If you want to be around for your kids and their kids and even their kids, make some changes today and stick to them for the rest of your long healthy life!
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We all need to have certain people our life, especially if we want to live an extraordinary family life! There are 7 people that we ideally want to have in our lives. 1. A friend 2. A partner 3. A dependent 4. Someone to serve 5. A cheerleader 6. A mentor 7. A coach
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Gratitude is one of the most motivating forces in the world! When we are deeply grateful we take action.
When we have gratitude for our bodies we take care of them better. When we have gratitude for our spouses we cherish them more. When we are grateful for our children we give them time and attention. When we are thankful for our jobs we work harder.
Gratitude really is the great motivator!
Let’s be giddy with gratitude! Appreciation is the highest form of energy and depreciation is the lowest form. Let gratitude radiate in you, from you and through you!
Every day write down a few things you’re grateful for and write a quick note of gratitude to someone you were thankful for.
You can’t be hateful when you’re grateful!
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Whether it’s with your family or your friends or your coworkers, it can be hard to interact with other human beings.
Sometimes it’s especially hard when you get together for family gatherings.
And what do you do with the painful things that people say to you?! How do you prevent that from poisoning you?
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Do you ever feel like you’re settling for less than you could be? Have you ever felt like you’re on a plateau just coasting to get through life?
It’s actually easy to settle for less than our best. But the cost of that choice and those actions is a heavy heavy price!
What is your full potential? What could you achieve if you really went after it?
I you want to give you the tools and resources, the knowledge and skills to become your very best self!
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Trust is one of the most important things in all of our relationships and therefore in every part of our lives. We work with people and in order to work well with people whether in family or in business we have to trust.
We need to be able to trust ourselves, trust others, and have others trust us. Do I trust myself? Do I trust others? Do others trust me?
In order to trust yourself you have to make and keep commitments.
I’ll trust is built on character, competence, and caring!
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The best way to have a productive day is to start it with Power! This principle applies to anyone and everyone, night owl or morning person, beginning your day off with a good start determines the success of your day.
How to start your morning with power:
1. Don't give in to the voices in your head!
"I'll just press snooze once" or "I'm just going to rest for a second" are both tricks of the mind that'll hook you into giving up what could have been a great morning! The key to defeating this is to make your decision the night before! When you hear that alarm hop up and be true to your intention.
2. Get up and move your body!
Some like to start with a workout, for others, it’s good to just stretch to get the body going. What you do with your body affects what you do with your mind. Get some water into your system, a big glass will help you get some energy. Getting into a healthy sleep routine is another big factor in helping you get up in the morning - to replenish. This habit will help you get good rest in and maximize your energy throughout the whole day.
3. Working on yourself is key to also helping others around you.
When you are a better version of yourself, you also become a better parent and spouse. Starting your day with power, forming that habit of working hard in the morning, will help you towards almost any goal you choose to make.
Make every single day great, after all, its what life is made of. Get the full training on how I have structured my morning routines and rituals for over 20 years. This has been the MAJOR determining factor in totally transforming my life. It's called How to Totally Transform Your Life... Before Breakfast.
Don't forget to check out these additional resources for helping you start and live your days with power!
Creating the Life You WANT to Live
G.O.A.L. -- Get Out And Live!
Bibliotherapy: The #1 Habit of Uber-Successful People
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I hope you are ambitious! I hope you have big dreams and goals! I hope you are hungry to be your very best self and create and maintain your extraordinary family life!
But don’t ever compromise your values, standards or the things that really matter most. It’s never worth it to achieve success in one area of life at the sacrifice of other important areas of life. What good is it to be successful and absolutely miserable?!
The key then is to be ambitious and balanced, and by balanced I mean that you do not compromise the things that matter most
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Pain needs to be processed. That doesn't mean you 'get over' whatever happened, it means that you can healthily revive. Remember that in the end pain can turn into power.
Being in a negative, depressed state of mind for a long time can lead to unhealthy actions or other emotions. Sometimes people don't mean to take it out on those close to them, have a healthy outlet. Pain needs to be processed, it shouldn't be held, the burden needs to be set down. It doesn't mean its not there but it's the first step to having a lighter load while dealing with grief.
1) Process the pain, it's ok to cry. Let it out, talk to the wind, when exercising give it your all. Watch helpful movies, read good books. Some that can help are Gifts From the Sea by Anne Lindbergh and The Untethered Soul by Micheal Singer.
2) Talk to someone who won't feel burdened by it. Talk to a mentor or therapist who can help you process it.
3) Let go of 'things' in your life. If 'stuff' you have doesn't bring you joy, let it go. If you need to forgive, try if you need to apologize, do it - often.
When you let the pain out, your burden will be lighter. It doesn't mean you will forget, but you can begin to heal or keep the cherished memories. The process will take time but the outcome will be healing. If you want to talk, or need help processing grief, here are some good resources:
Sign up for Coaching
The Pain of Progress
Why You Need Both Order and Chaos in Your Life
My Worst, Loneliest Christmas
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Talent is Overrated. It’s not about your raw talent. It’s not about whether you have the talent or not. The quality and outcome of your life is determined by a specific ability! And that ability is trainable! It is something you can acquire and improve with deliberate practice! But what is that ability and what does deliberate practice look like?
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We all do it to some degree or another. It’s easy. It’s almost unconscious. We discount the little things that seem make little or no difference. We tolerate the small vices and petty indulgences, thinking they have no affect. How wrong we are! Those little things are like termites—eating away at our potential and our power!
“The foolish man thinks that little faults, little indulgences, little sins, are of no consequence; he persuades himself that so long as he does not commit flagrant immoralities he is virtuous, and even holy; but he is thereby deprived of virtue and holiness, and the world knows him accordingly; it does not reverence, adore, and love him; it passes him by; he is reckoned of no account; his influence is destroyed. The efforts of such a man to make the world virtuous, his exhortations to his fellow men to abandon great vices, are empty of substance and barren of fruitage. The insignificance which he attaches to his small vices permeates his whole character, and is the measure of his manhood: he is regarded as an insignificant man. The levity with which he commits his errors and publishes his weakness comes back to him in the form of neglect and loss of influence and respect: his is not sought after, for who will seek to be taught of folly? His work does not prosper, for who will lean upon a reed? His words fall upon deaf ears, for they are void of practice, wisdom, and experience, and who will go after an echo?” James Allen, Mind is The Master, 177
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Do you have an insecurity that is holding you back from who you want to be and how you want to live? I used to have loads of them, and they were preventing me from progressing. So I learned how to lean into them and transform them into strengths. YOU CAN TOO! This episode is about how to take an insecurity and respond to differently so that it becomes a source of positive power for you to become your best self!
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It’s too easy to slip into the humdrum existence of taking care of the chores and the errands and doing the things that need to be done and losing the pure enjoyment of being alive. We have to be more strategic about making life more exciting more enjoyable and a lot more fun! If you’re not excited to get a beach day and you don’t have fun things scheduled something needs to change
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Negativity dulls our capacity for greatness, it hinders our potential. Everyone has had times where negativity gets deep into them, and then everything in their life gets dark. On the other hand, are there times where we have been truly optimistic and felt hope and joy? How do we keep that optimistic positivity in our life all the time?
Need some help to start thinking positively? How to Get Back Up and Recover When Life Knocks You Down Beware Who You Follow 28-Day Challenge Creating the Life You REALLY Want to Live
- We have to let go of the past, we cant change it. However, we can change our future because of what we learned from it. Emerson said "Our eyes are placed on our forehead, not our hind-head." We were meant to look forward, to move on and to grow. Even when life is hard, we can still be leaders. "Being positive in a negative world isn't naïve, it's leadership."
- We radiate most of what we are. To help others around us we have to be happy. Cynicism is easy, choosing to be happy is hard - but all the more worth it. We have work on optimism like we so a muscle. We have to exercise it daily! Challenge: When you have a negative thought, immediately replace it with a positive one. If we do this over and over again, our mind will soon start going to the positive over the negative. (For a lot of us, this might help - Challenge: Stop watching the news!)
What we put into our bodies affects what we think and what we do, we need to fill our thoughts and bodies with good food, good books, and inspiring music. Great books show that even in the darkest of circumstances you can find light:
- And There Was Light by Jacques Lusseyran
- Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
- Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Need some help to start thinking positively? Here are some additional resources:
How to Get Back Up and Recover When Life Knocks You Down
How to Be Truly Calm, Even in Chaos
Live Your Priorities--Life is Too Short to Live Someone Else's 28-Day Challenge
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What is life? I think it’s a wonderful adventure of pursuing our potential! What does it take to pursue your potential? Well, there’s no easy answer to that question. It takes a lot of stuff and a lot of hard work but it’s worth every bit of it! In this episode I outline several essential steps to pursuing your unique personal potential.
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Life will always present us with problems and challenges. It’s just part of the mortal experience. What we do about them and how we do it will determine the quality and final outcome of our lives. Here are five ways that we can deal with our problems challenges difficulties and obstacles
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There is a simple formula for achieving big dreams. Success leaves clues! Those who have achieved big dreams have followed a recipe that you can follow too. I challenge you to start dreaming big again and to draft a clear strategic plan to achieve those dreams. With the right training and the right skill set you can become unstoppable!
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Are you experiencing some kind of pain in your life right now? Maybe it’s emotional or social. Perhaps it’s mental or spiritual. Wherever it is, it distracts us from what’s most important and prevents us from being able to have a greater influence on those around us. Listen to this episode to find out how pain is preventing you from really living and what to do about it!
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We’re changing the name of the podcast! And helping you get more clarity and focus on what you’re pursuing and how to get it done!
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Your words are more powerful than you realize they are!
But most of us have been trained and conditioned -- through society and other people -- to use sarcasm and mockery all the time. We’re so used to it that we unconsciously and consistently make fun of others.
But everything we say has an effect, and the effects of sarcasm and mockery are never positive.
If you're ready to take your life and family to the next level, sign up now for a one-on-one coaching session with Greg Denning.
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This episode gives you the details of how to create your own philosophy journal and why it’s so incredibly powerful in your life. Listen now and get started on your own philosophy journal!
If you're ready to take your life and family to the next level, sign up now for a one-on-one coaching session with Greg Denning.
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You may not realize it yet, but most of your biggest problems are problems with your own personal philosophy. What you think about you bring about. What you believe you achieve. The best solution to your biggest problems is to seriously level up your personal philosophy!
If you're ready to take your life and family to the next level, sign up now for a one-on-one coaching session with Greg Denning.
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It’s too easy to give up hope and then to give up! Life can be tough. And it has a way of holding us down. But with a few simple strategies we can maintain perspective and keep moving forward!
If you're ready to take your life and family to the next level, sign up now for a one-on-one coaching session with Greg Denning.
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Most of us are quick to make statements that close our minds to opportunities and possibilities. We also create stories about why we CANNOT do the things we would really like to do.
Fortunately, every one of you can replace your statements and stories with life altering questions. Instead of saying "I can’t afford that", ask yourself, "How could I afford that?" Watch what happens to your mind and your life!
If you're ready to take your life and family to the next level, sign up now for a one-on-one coaching session with Greg Denning.
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Have you ever tried to get water to flow through a hose that is kinked? The water pressure is low and the hose isn't delivering to its full capacity.
There are two options. Turn up the water, or unkink the hose. If you choose to unkink, water flows effortlessly through at full pressure.
Did you know that you’re likely struggling and straining through life unnecessarily? Do you know why? Probably because you have never been taught how to NOT struggle when you don't need to. Some struggle is good and necessary. But some is caused because of 'kinks' in your 'hose'.
There are simple, proven practices that will undo the kinks in your hose -- lighten the load you carry and give you wings to fly -- so you can stop trudging through the mud!
Listen to this episode to learn a few simple strategies that will make a big positive difference in your life by helping you to work out the kinks that are causing unnecessary pain.
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There are two very simple yet powerful habits that I have been practicing for over 22 years that have brought so much joy and direction and purpose and meaning and happiness to my life! Anyone can do them and everyone should!
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Everyone of us has a story we tell ourselves and a manifesto that we have taken on as our identity. Unfortunately, many of our stories are negative and they keep a small and hold us back from being our best selves. The great news is that you have total power to re-write your story and re-create your identity!
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Many people want different outcomes and results in their lives and may even be working really hard towards them but somehow just can’t seem to get the results they want. It may surprise you that the thing that needs to change is small and simple but critically important to getting the outcomes you really want!
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Most of us are holding on to some kind of little problem or challenge that has remained unresolved or not been taken care of and is causing a lot of irritation, pain and distraction! And some of you have armfuls of that stuff, and it’s keeping you from reaching your potential and being your best self.
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Many people have no idea what they want and even more people have no idea how to get it. Listen to this episode now to start figuring out what it is you really want and the proven step is to actually get it!
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We all experience emotional pain as we journey along through life but very few of us have been given the tools in the training to know what to do with it. So unfortunately most people turn to unhealthy patterns and behaviors and buffering. Listen to this episode to learn what you can do and how to do it and why you must!
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None of us knows our exact destiny. But our actions and habits most definitely open or close doors along our path. What you and I do day in and day out will determine whether we are prepared or not to take advantage of opportunities that come our way
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I recently returned from a life-changing adventure in Mongolia. While I was there I learned several great lessons that have really impacted my life and remind me about the things that really matter. These are the things that matter for all of us and can change your life too!
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Many developing countries struggle with corrupt infrastructure. No clean water, electricity is a hit and miss, a garbage or sewage system is needed and an internet connection can be even harder to access. One rainstorm and the power is out for weeks.
Now let's apply this on a smaller level... How is our own Infrastructure? What are we missing?
Some of us are like developing countries, we are missing a few systems. Some light rain on our day and the rest of our afternoon is spoiled because of our bad attitude.
A good question to ask yourself is ' What is the point of me living in a developed country when I am underdeveloped?'
What are we doing to develop ourselves? To become more efficient? There are areas in our lives we can all work on, what are some big key attributes or emotions we need to work on?
Here are some resources to help you develop yourself:
Creating the Life You WANT to Live G.O.A.L. -- Get Out And Live!
Bibliotherapy: The #1 Habit of Uber-Successful People How to Totally Transform Your Life Before Breakfast
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Too many of us are living lives of bondage, slavery and dependence! But we were born to be free! In fact, it’s impossible for us to reach our full potential when we are living in bondage. So today is your day to declare independence from the things that are holding you back!
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Every day we are building our life with the things we focus on and give our time and attention to. Unfortunately, many of us are building Sandcastles that will wash away with the tide. In this episode, you’ll learn how to become more aware of your choices and their outcomes and realize what unconscious choices have been causing problems in your life.
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There can be no real achievement without sacrifice but unfortunately most people are sacrificing the wrong things. So even if they achieve their goals, they are left without fulfillment and genuine satisfaction. In this episode I share the things that we must sacrifice and the things that we must never sacrifice
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Think about any problem in your life. Then ask yourself if it would be better or different if your skill set were 10 times better. Everything in life is influenced by our skills, or lack there of. This includes things that we usually don’t think are influenced or affected by our skills, like marriage, relationships, health and of course finances.
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Your heart set is your emotional power plant! Whether you are aware of it or not, whether you control it or not it generates tremendous amount of power and force in your life for good or for ill. The vast majority of our emotional troubles are the result of poor emotional management.
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Every important aspect of our lives it’s affected by these three critical elements. In fact, look at any problem you are currently stuck in, andin and you’ll find a lack in one of these three areas. Part 1 is all about mindset and how you can transform your mindset to get the results you want in your life.
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All of us are living far below our full potential. Your unique potential is like an entire continent completely unexplored and full of resources. As we get our lives in order and follow the progression through Maslow‘s hierarchy of needs we can then seek and pursue self actualization and reach for your full potential!
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Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Esteem: Respect, Status, Recognition, Strength and Freedom.
Strength: That's Real strength comes from within - but includes physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually etc. Are you doing things that strengthen you or weaken you in your everyday life? When you say you are getting up at 6AM and then the first thing you do when you wake up is press the snooze button. Don't break your commitments to yourself.
Freedom: Being in a free country doesn't do you any good if you are a slave to yourself, your vices and your weaknesses. How many problems are self inflicted?
- The biggest thing you can do to take away your own freedom is becoming captured by addictions. Can't get off the screen (Instagram, Facebook, video games) pornography, drug abuse - the list goes on. What are things in your life that limit you from spending time on making yourself better? When you have an addiction, don't give up. Look at Maslow's triangle and get those bottom tiers back in order. Make different habits and seek help to break those addictions.
- Remember, Prevention is the best protection. If you already hang around good friends who don't encourage you to do things that hurt you or prevent you from becoming better, you are already avoiding bad habits.
Recognition and Status: This doesn't have anything to do with ego. This is gaining respect from others by doing good things and helping them. Or even if they see you changing to become better, that inspires them.
- Real recognition that isn't artificial, doesn't come from stuff. Your nice car may get you some recognition but it's not admiration for who you are, it's for your stuff.
Respect: When you don't take care of yourself or your belongings, it shows a lack of respect. It is impossible to have a healthy intimate relationship with anyone if you do not respect yourself or others.
- If you don't even respect yourself, then level up! Set standards for yourself and follow through. Though your self worth is not connected to your goals or your failures.
- Influence is never automatic, it's earned. When we become a parent we expect our kids to respect us, but really we need to show them what a good person to respect looks like.
Other resources:
Help your youth learn how to be successful
Are you addicted to your friends?
Human beings not human doings
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What things are we doing that are completely unnecessary and robbing us of life? Do we get upset too easily? Too much screen time? Keeping up with the Jones? Are we prioritizing the wrong things?
Here we are at the third tier of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs: Love and Belonging. This includes Friendship, intimacy, family and sense of connection.
>>In order to thrive, we have to love and be loved. Don't put up walls, you have to be a little vulnerable. Don't let the fear of loosing a connection keep you at a distance from everyone. Learn and grow, don't let it stunt you.
You can reach a new level of relationship you didn't even know was out there. Understand that there are new levels to reach that maybe you have never had or seen before that are wonderful. The limit of your current skill set doesn't mean that 'thats just the way things are.' Thankfully there are better things to come that we don't know about yet - but we are the only ones who can get that for ourselves.
>> You can tell what a real friend is by how they love you and try to help even when it is you that's failed. You would do the same for them.
Going deeper then friendships there is marriage. You open up to your spouse more than anyone. You get to know each other and build your amazing marriage together.
>>The science experiment with the fleas. Fleas can jump 200 times their height. To see what happened, they put a couple dozen fleas in a little jar with a lid. The fleas jumped and hit the top. Later when the jumped they could stop without hitting the top. After they were taken out of the jar, the sky was the limit again. They could only jump as high as that lid prevented them even when they were out of the confined space. The lesson is that even the offspring could only jump as high as the parents.
- What are the low limits we set for ourselves? When we reach the end of our skill set and say 'thats all I can do.' We can pass that onto our kids when we don't even notice it. Where do we put artificial ceilings?
Challenge: What can you do to strengthen your marriage or friendship with someone this week?
Other resources:
You are either working on your marriage... or your divorce.
How to actually connect with people
Thats when I committed to an extraordinary marriage
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The next level of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is safety needs. So many people get stuck on this level too - they could be free if only they knew they were enslaved.
These are the areas in our life that we need to keep in order, what are some ways that they are thrown out of balance?
Resources: Your greatest resource is your ability to be resourceful! Your own ability to accomplish and achieve. There are people out there who are highly capable of amazing things. However, they have a deadly Achilles heel. A situation or problem that they can't handle and it ends up getting them. Make sure you have those resources that help you get back on your feet. Whether its people or an outlet, keep on your toes!
Employment: Obviously having an income is key to surviving. Going deeper than that what is crisis in employment? Perhaps when we start to doubt your worth or abilities. That can happen when we aren't feeling fulfilled in our jobs or roles. What could you be doing everyday to help your improvement in employment?
Health: Includes Emotional, Physical, Mental, the list goes on. There are so many young adults out there who have failed to launch. They are capable but unprepared for adulthood and it's responsibilities. Like that Achilles heel we talked about, they are strong but ultimately they need more help. There is also a ton of anxiety and depression out there. Don't let fear get the best of you, learn how to process your emotions.
Property: Besides the fact that your property could get stolen, ruined or lost, which is a pretty terrible thought, what importance are they? Is our connection with our possessions so strong that it effects our relationship with people? If you could choose your phone or never speaking to a loved one again, we would probably ditch the phone. Then why, everyday, do we choose to spend more unproductive time on our phone than with people we love? Who would we be without our possessions? Be deeper than material belongings.
Other resources:
You are not free when you are caged by these thoughts
These five things will make or break your life!
Overcoming addiction and bad habits
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What is the purpose of life? To pursue your potential in every area of your life.
Maslow's Hierarchy of need: Different steps you need to have in order for you to eventually be in a successful state to reach your potential.
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Physiological Needs like food, water, shelter, clothes and sleep. Most of us pass this one off immediately, but look closer...
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Food: What quality of food are you putting into your body? Is it junk food? Eating unhealthy food prevents you from having more energy. It slows you down, you get out of shape and it simply is terrible for you! Eating healthy food where you know whats in it, will help you get into shape, get energy, feel powerful and confident.
- Sleep: How much sleep are you getting? As parents of young kids or students, it is common to have nights where we don't get much. Nonetheless, even with a rough night you can still get up and have energy to get things done. When you are able to lay day and get some rest, have it be quality sleep. Put ear plugs in, get a warm blanket and have your surrounding be dark.
- Shelter: Is your home, office, bedroom or wherever you are most of the time, inspiring to you? Is it clean and free from clutter? Do you have good pictures and quotes on the wall? as Henry David Thoreau says "Our possessions possess us." So what do we choose to own?
- Clothing: Do your clothes make you feel sloppy? Have clothes that help you feel successful and confident about yourself. A sloppy outfit brings sloppy behavior. Dress to impress every day. Do you maybe have too many clothes? Donate some, get clothes that help you accomplish what have come to get done!
This is only the first level of five! Each of these is a foundation that helps you level up, to build and make something more of yourself that just living and breathing!
Other Resources:
The cause of your problems isn't what you think it is!
This simple thing is holding you back
The difference between average and awesome
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"We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training." - Archilochus We automatically become who we do not want to be as human beings. How? By never moving away from default. When somebody provokes us, we react and get angry. When things don't go how we wanted them to we get frustrated. When somebody is rude, we are rude back. This is our automatic reaction to many different situations in life. By default we become who we do not want to be. To rise from that, you have to be deliberate! You have to learn how to make calmness your reaction when someone is angry at you. Walk the higher road. We want to be outstanding above the normal roads everyone takes. We have to set goals, make our self do hard things to be better and tougher. Input = output. What actions are we taking to make ourselves better? Do we know what we are going to work on every single day? We should have stressful times, then recovery - over and over again. We reach higher and higher until we can be cool, collected and strong under huge amounts of pressure. We improve ourselves. Switch off automatic, map out your plan to who you want to be and work to get there! Other Resources: Challenging the limiting beliefs that hold you back You can play the Victim or be the Leader, but you Cannot be Both. How your fears are Sabotaging your opportunities
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When people are cruel, they are just passing on the degradation in themselves. On the other hand, when people are kind, they are passing on the goodness in themselves.
Be generous make a difference, there is always a way to be kind to others.
While the Dennings were in Costa Rica, money was tight. Even though they were in a tough spot, they saw others who were living in an even worse condition. What could they do to help? They got friends back in the states to donate hundred of books for this villages school! They made a bookshelf and had become close to a specific family living there. Greg and Rachel had gotten a few really nice books they wanted them to read, as soon as he handed them to this family, the mother started shouting at the neighbors to come and see. Greg was astonished, he didn't have anymore books and didn't necessarily want everyone to know that he had just given out a special few. He asked her why she immediately wanted to share? The mother said "Today is my special day, I want to share it. I know that when I am having a bad day they will share their happy days with me too."
Other resources:
How to Access the Power to Change your Life
You could be the one who Saves another person!
Here's whats required if you want to make a difference in the lives of others
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Accomplishing hard things is a huge blessing in life. It is way better to do hard things than to be sheltered and never step foot into the unknown. Tough life thoughts: Sometimes life isn't hard, we have just gotten weak.
If we makes ourselves sheltered and avoid hard experiences then when little things come, we fall apart. Like going for a five mile run when you are out of shape. Five miles isn't long, most people can do it even at a slow pace - but when you are out of shape it's a lot harder to do then if you were fit. So the same is with life.
When life gets easy, choose challenges! People who are tough have learned how to endure. Here is another analogy: Say you have some friends that cant swim, as soon as they can no longer touch the bottom, it becomes life threatening. For those who can swim, it's a normal fun day at the pool. Though lets say we were dropped three miles offshore, would we probably would need to be picked up. For a professional swimmer, three miles is the warm up!
Train yourself into toughness - do the hard things.
Other Resources:
Check out Greg's life changing trips!
Push your limits to reach your goals
Don't be a loser!
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There are a lot of good books, experiences and places that you could go to learn about the way some people live. Those experiences can be tough, those books can be harsh and the places can be very dark.
You shouldn't live in ignorance but some things you avoid. There is a book called Left to Tell, about the terrible tribal wars in Africa. It is a book that opened up understanding for those people, but its a really tough read. Understand those around you that maybe you don't know a whole lot about.
There are refugees all around the world, they are getting nearer and nearer, maybe we should read up on their culture and lifestyle. How can we expand our world view to help those around us?
Don't stick your head in the sand and be oblivious to whats going on outside of your circle. Because our world view and understanding is so limited, it brings about prejudices and racism. If we understood the desperate people, those who are ignorant and uneducated, I think all those previous prejudices would go away to see the life they got.
We are all humans on a journey together. Diversity is a good thing but the differences do not mean we should separate or objectify those people because they are not like us.
There is another book called And there was light about a young blind man leading a resistance against the Nazi's. He even said that those who have sight are at a disadvantage because they judge. The size of people, the color, the age the clothing etc. Would racism be a problem if we were all blind?
Challenge: Get rid of prejudices in your own life.
Other Resources:
How to Create a culture of love and peace at Home
How to Stop caring about what Others Think
How to Protect your Home from Negative outside Influence
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The best cure when you feel like throwing a pity party is serving others. Love others, read good books that you can learn from and realize that you aren't alone. Failure isn't final.
We strive to be green and growing. Sometimes we feel like a seed in the ground fighting in the darkness to break to the surface. Keep growing, you will make it.
It's in the darkness that you see things. When you are in the lights its easy to know what you want, but some things only illuminate when its pitch black. The stars are a beautiful sight, but cannot be seen during the day.
- Do you know anyone who walks through the 'darkness' well? When they are in the midst of adversity they have trained themselves to think differently, change and overcome the trials humbly and without complaint. That is how we want to be. We roll with the punches and grow from them.
Feel the pain love the pain. Feeling pain is a sign that you are getting stronger, take it and grow with it. Remember this when parenting, you want your kids to have struggles and to overcome those problems. They have to get stronger as they grow up, adulthood is a smack in a the face for most youth, don't make it any harder. Love them but don't take their problems away, it makes them stronger.
A quote from JFK says "Do not pray to have easier lives, pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for your tasks to equal your power, pray that your power will equal your tasks, then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, you will be the miracle."
Let the trials refine us, not define us. Go into the trial wanting to learn something from it, don't make your suffering in vain. You are meant to learn and grow, this is how it's done. Life's most powerful teachers are love and pain.
A line from Marcus Aurelius says "The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to the actions advances actions." When you have things trying to stop you, realize that it's not an opportunity to quit, its one to keep going and get stronger.
Other resources:
How can I stay Motivated to do the things I Need to Do?
How to be more authentic
What your actions are really saying
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This episode is just taking the three C's of individual development more in depth:
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Coaches: If you want a good coach, make sure they practice what they preach. Don't get a health coach that is out of shape, or a marriage counselor that has been divorced twice.
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Remember, you don't need a coach just because something in your life is broken. If you and your spouse want to improve on your marriage, there is nothing wrong with getting a counselor to try and see what you can do to make it even better. Even the best Olympic athletes have coaches, and that's not because they are bad, its because they are trying to be the best.
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You just need to get a coach, it doesn't have to be Greg, but go help yourself improve your life!
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Community: You become like the five people you spend the most time with. They effect your world view, and how you act and think. Surround yourself with people that lift you up, not the friends you can go out and do dumb stuff with. Stay with those people who make you better and in that group you lift each other up.
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Competition: Healthy competition is good for us all. It makes us strive to do our best performance. To show up and get it done!
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Loosing or winning should no be connected to our self worth. When we loose, it doesn't mean that you are less of a human being than the winner. It should help you want to get better! Keep working at it and trying!
- Another thing about competition is most races should be against yourself. Strive to a better person than you were the day before. Stick closer to your goals and reach further then your past self would.
Look at different areas of your life to see where you should apply one or more of the three C's.
Other resources:
If you would like Greg as a coach click to check it out!
Great People have Mentors
Leaving Smallville- How to think Bigger
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You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat and take care of themselves. We all have an obligation to work on ourselves more than anything else. Good Input = Good Output, (and vice versa) are you building yourself up or tearing yourself down?
Time is precious. Don't waste it! Henry David Thoreau says "As if you could kill time without injuring the eternities." Time is what life is made up of, if you waste time, then you don't know the true meaning of your life! There are so many things to learn and do, more amazing books that you could read in a life time.
There are so many people out there who do the "have to's" like going to their job all day so that when they get home, they don't have to do productive work anymore. Many people think of retirement simply as a time in their life where they don't 'have' to do anything! Your time is so much more valuable than that! Don't slip into "this is just the way I am" when you are wasting your potential to be so much more.
Plan it out, make goals in all areas of your life. When you level up let's say in the 'physical' category by getting into shape and having more energy, you will find that you are doing better in other areas of your life because of that boost. On extraordinaryfamilylife.com you can get a copy of Greg's planner and get started on your goals.
When you have the mindset making the most of yourself, you need to incorporate these three things:
- You need to get a coach. It can be anyone who lifts you up, shows you how to get things done and motivates to keep you on top of things.
- Surround yourself with a good community. Being around people with the same vision as you. They want to bring people up!
- Add a little healthy competition. Usually it's against yourself, but have deadlines or competitions for you to get yourself motivated and finished.
Other Resources:
If I can do it so can you! Reaching your potential!
The Key to a more meaningful life
Are you Preparing for your Future?
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We are all aware of our weaknesses. Becoming a better person is a simple mindset shift to say "Ok, I'm going to work on those." Make a plan, get it done! Never settle when you are working on yourself.
In fact everything good in your life will come from personal development! You will have a better marriage, family, job and relationships! Everyday you have to fuel that motivation and energy to work on yourself and meet your goals. Don't go to bed unless you have learned something new! Keep yourself healthy, track what goes into your mind and your body.
We all have this little voice in our head, though it tends to be negative a lot of the time. Train the voice in your head to say positive things. Have a life philosophy. How do you see the world, what do you want to learn more about it? How will that help you get a growth mindset?
Challenge: Come on the quest for personal development, never stop becoming a better person.
Other resources:
Check out Greg's upcoming adventures!
Want more help to get started?
What to do when you don't feel like it
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Life is not one grand event, it's a journey. In the book The Alchemist, it talks a lot about finding your dream, more specifically, pursuing your legend. All of our stories are different but we all have common denominators, the best one the triumph of achieving what we set out to do.
Day in and day out, what are we doing to make our legend happen? Every single say we should be taking a step forward. Big step or baby steps, keep moving upwards.
Do you even know what your legend is? If not, thats ok! Your job is to figure it out, there is still no reason for you not to move forward. Getting the little things done are a must do, sometimes little things just have to get done. However, if those little things get in the way of you getting to the big things, prioritization is needed!
Challenge: Take a step every single day in the direction of your legend, achieving your life's purpose.
(Join Greg on one of his adventures! Let the world change you!)
Other resources:
worlschoolacademy.com
Your life is your story - Live it!
How to make your life memorable
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Seems to be that going through security into any country can be a nightmare the U.S., the UK, Hungry you name it.
Something that seems to be a common thread between all these stories is that once someone has a little bit of power or authority, they tend to abuse it. The people that are going through security are completely at the mercy of the person with the badge. How come sometimes people use that to their advantage unnecessarily?
In some way, we all have power and authority. Do we abuse that power? Like in positions at work, remember that you manage 'things' and lead people. Never think of people as 'under you.' Be grateful for the position and the opportunity you are seen to be a leader. In that position, we have the chance to spread good, so be extra kind. You have a group who you have the responsibility to serve and lead.
It's easy to say "I am kind to people but I work with such knuckle heads!" It's not uncommon for someone to think they are the only ones who got it right. Let people share their opinions and see how you can improve together. Gentle persuasion goes a long way, deal with people in kindness looking for a solution, not to just be right.
Challenge: Be intentional about being unfailing kind - to make people feel understood, seen and heard.
How would things change for you if you were more compassionate and respectful with those you work with? There is a great quote from C.S. Lewis that says "You never interact with a mere mortal." Every human being is cherished.
Other Resources:
How to Remove your Ego - It wasn't Invited!
Don't be Hypersensitive, Face the Facts
How to make more Friends Wherever you Go!
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Enmity: The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
We should not feel enmity towards other people, in fact we should judge ourselves by how we treat people who are unkind to us. Turn the other cheek.
Something that the Nazi's focused on was to outcast 'types' of people. Hitler mainly hated the Jews and incorporated that hate into society. Slowly he got the majority of the population to hate the Jews, amongst many others. He had no tolerance for people who weren't like him.
When you listen to someones personal story, only then can you understand why that individual does, acts or speaks the way they do. We can't judge them for what we have heard about them through the grape vine. Do your own research, in fact to really get to know a person or a people, you have to live among them. See how many misconceptions there really are about them.
Understand people how they are, not how you are.
Challenge: Join the cause to try and connect people instead of separate them. Shouldn't we all be looking for a solution to help each other? What can we do to get people to come together instead of sit on what has already been said?
A quote from Thomas Payne says: "The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren and to do good is my religion."
Other resources:
Stop Making Excuses and Start Reaching for Your Potential!
Challenge the limiting beliefs that are holding you back
Stop Segregating people with your Words, Actions and Attitudes.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Encourage your dreams. If you can't change the world yet, what can you do to change your world? Courage is the only thing you need to reach your dream, to change your world. Is money stopping you? Then make a good business/money/savings goal! Is it your fear of travel? Try a small road trip or get on a plane the next time you have to go anymore.
When you reach for your dreams, there are those who will automatically want to bring you down. A lot of the time, its those who are closest to you. Sometimes you have to let it roll off your back, make your goals and get after them! With great reward, there is great risk. So how do we get the skill set to accomplish our goals?
Here is the Challenge: Do what scares you! When you do things that scare you, you become more courageous. You grow, you become powerful. You can become fearless. Sometimes its your lack of understanding that makes you scared, when looking into a fear makes it less scary. Either way, it needs to be conquered!
Final Challenge: Make a list of things that scare you and do them! Get a group of friends that are supportive or will even do it with you.
Here are additional resources to help you feel joyful and happy more often:
Creating the Life You WANT to Live G.O.A.L. -- Get Out And Live!
Using Family Vision Boards to Strengthen Family Culture
Habits of a Successful Family Extraordinary Family Life Group Coaching
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You never graduate from learning. Though, sometimes we feel childish when we get to start something new. Very few adults learn new talents. Why is it that when we get older we think that because we never had the chance when we are young, that we missed it? We didn't miss it, we are afraid of the discomfort that will come from starting something new. You are never to old to be a rookie!
We all need to develop the habit of becoming a voracious learner. Even if we are in a comfortable spot, there seems to be something that keeps pushing us forward. That something that says we should keep going to keep getting better.
When we settle into reality and give up on our dreams, when really we are just reaching the end of our skill set and our knowledge base. Most people accept that as the end of learning for them, that there is no way to get past the fact that all throughout life you can be doing things that are new! You have limited skills, but unlimited times to attempt something new. The thought that we can no longer do things past our natural skill set are self imposing.
The common denominator of success talks about how successful people are willing to do the things that unsuccessful people aren't. It's that simple - do the hard things! There is a acronym for that! - CAVI = Consistent and vigorous improvement. You can improve any skill by following that.
It is unethical to keep yourself from your potential. You are stealing your skill set away from people in your circle of influence. Say you have an unhealthy eating problem, are there better things you could be doing if you were fit? You would have more energy to be a better parent and spouse. You are limiting yourself. You are taking your talents away from those who are closest to you because you could be helping them!
There is a French saying, Noblesse Oblige. Which means that with nobility comes obligation, with what you are given you are expected to give.
This isn't to guilt trip you and remind you of all the things you aren't doing so great on. This is to remind you who you truly can be. To show you your worth and influence as an individual can help so many people if you choose to unleash it!
Other Resources:
How to Work on yourself to Create a Life you Love
How to Be Productive - Learn how to Get It Done!
How to Overcome Fear
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Drove from Dallas, TX all the way to New York City. When he found he couldn't get a job or even get into school, he called a buddy and that friend drove all the way up to get him! They almost crashed on the way home, but neither were injured.
With another buddy, they were on a road trip out west and crossed the Colorado River. They decided they were going to jump. They were 100-150 feet in the air. Both Greg and his friend landed on a slant and ended up bruising all up and down their legs and arms.
While staying with a coach, Greg was home alone and had an allergic reaction. His eyes swelled up and his throat started to close. He was gasping for breath and called his sister for help. They both rushed to the ER and she dragged him in. To keep Greg alive they had to give hi multiple adrenaline shots and of course a ton of benadryl. Kept him alive!
Life Lessons:
- You cant control everything, you do your best and push through to get to your goals.
- Life is delicate. Our lives are very fragile and you have to spend the wisely, don't do things to hurt your body. (Don't make dumb decision!)
- You have to connect that your choices will always bring consequences. If you make good choices you will get good consequences.
- Reality checks come, use them to make a better future from the things you learn.
Other Resources:
Life Lesson from a Snowman
If we are all as honest as the Milk Lady in Germany
The only way so Succeed at Anything
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What group or people do we de-humanize? Democrats? Republicans? Muslims? Black people? White people? The list goes on, why do we objectify people?
During WW2 the Germans strategically under social strategy got the general population to dehumanize many groups of people. People with brown hair, the elderly, the handicapped and mainly the Jews. That society thought they were better and the slide started slowly. First it was shunning them, then it was abusing them, then it was plundering and finally it was all out violence and genocide.
What are parallels in our society today? What prejudices do we hold against groups of people? It's not necessarily about loving a certain group of people to death, but respecting all persons. No matter where they are from, what color their skin is or what religion they practice. If they are a human being then you will find similarities!
Don't pass judgement when you see people. Realize that from your misunderstandings, you judge. You don't know what they have been through, what their story is or how they got to the place they are at. You don't know what another persons life has been like, you do not have the right to judge their persons. Obviously, stay safe, if they seem to have bad intentions then simply stay away, but no need to pass eternal judgements on people.
Sometimes we can be so cruel and we don't even know it. What do we say or do because we think that 'they' are different than us? We are ignorant of the things we haven't been through. Realize that all you are seeing is a specific side of that person.
From Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, talks about how terrible things happen with innocent people! Society passes harsh treatments on desperate but kind people. We don't know their story, we don't know them.
We should be part of the solution, not the problem.
Other Resources:
Greg Denning Trips!
Leaving Smallville- How to Think and Live Bigger
Your Ignorance is Astounding
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Greg and Rachel met in college, you could say Greg was struck at first sight. Growing up Greg didn't have a lot examples of what a good marriage should look like, or if it was even possible. In his late teens he was terrified of talking to girls, so in his early twenties he pushed himself to date a lot and meet a lot of people. He had a list of qualities he wanted his spouse to have, he was dating deliberately.
Later to find they were both dating deliberately. On their first date, Rachel didn't talk a lot. Greg tried to keep the conversation going but she was so quiet! Later to find that she wanted him to do the talking so she could find out what type of guy he really was. She wanted to know what was important to him and see what kind of things he wanted to know about her. Each of them had their way of seeing what the other valued.
Choose your love, then love your choice. Love isn't something you just 'fall into' then 'fall out of.' Love is deliberate, when you agree to get married, that should automatically mean that divorce is out of the question. You will make it work, you love each other.
Life is lived on an incline, if you aren't working on your marriage, by default, you are working on your divorce. You have to keep up with it, you should be best friends with your spouse!
When both husband and wife are working on themselves, it makes their marriage so much better. When you are both working on ways to improve, it makes it easier to roll with the punches. Pay close attention to what your spouse really likes, what is their favorite kind of food? What music do they like? Find ways to serve the ones you love.
Other resources:
Greg Denning Course: How to have an Extraordinary Marriage
Building Something that Lasts: Having a strong Moral Foundation
1 Secret to Improving your Marriage
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Emotion is the driving force in our lives. So it's helpful to ask, "What emotion do you feel most of the time? Is that how you WANT to feel?"
The first thing to do that clears a lot of emotional space is to forgive! Let small things roll off your back. Work on letting the big things go, it will take time but having that freedom will all be worth it. Forgiveness is for you, no for the other person.
If emotion is a choice, choose the better option! Henry David Thoreau said, "Most men live in quiet desperation and go to graves with their song still in them." Having anger inside keeps much more than just that.
Forgiveness and peace is something we all want, sometimes we have to start with the hard things to get over. Challenge: Choose your emotions and let go of the negative ones! Clear space for you to get those positive emotions back into your life. Remember "Little things bother little people." Emotion is so important and having it be a positive driving force in our lives is key.
Here are additional resources to help you feel joyful and happy more often:
Creating the Life You WANT to Live
G.O.A.L. -- Get Out And Live!
Using Family Vision Boards to Strengthen Family Culture
Habits of a Successful Family
Extraordinary Family Life Group Coaching
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
When someones poor choice effects you, it's hard not to react in an outburst, or hold it against them. People carry hate for people their entire lives. Maybe you are in the right, but how does keeping that chip on your shoulder help you?
A time comes where you have to move on, not to take that anger with you anymore. It's not good to bottle emotions, its healthy to release them.
Sometimes You get so boiled up that you forget that you must forgive to move forward. Carrying that emotional burden on your shoulders is heavy, takes up space and can even manifest itself physically. Forgive and set all your baggage down.
"Bitterness is a poison you swallow, hoping your enemy will die."
Let it out, then let it go. What is your healthy outlet? Exercise? Music? There are many outlets that help you get rid of the negative emotions that are hurting you. You cant change the past but you can change the way you see the past. Where there is pain there is power. What have you learned from it? You have to let it go if you want to move forward.
Other resources:
The Difference between Happy and Unhappy People
When to let go and when to Fight On!
What you Plant in your Mind, Comes out in your Life
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Caution! Awesome stories and reality checks lay ahead!
While playing football, Greg's hand got smashed between two helmets and broke four metacarpals. When he saw that his back up wasn't doing too well, he headed back into the game. broke his leg.
- What do we take for granted every day?! Movement of our fingers and legs? Mobility to do what we want? Reality checks are important to see how much we really have.
At fourteen years old, he was with some friends and a fight broke out about racism. A full blown brawl happened in the parking lot. Worst came to worst, someone pulled out a gun and started shooting. Lots of people ended up in the hospital that night.
- Do you de-humanize any group of people? Every person has a story. Who do we hate in our ignorance? Black people? White people? Muslims? Christians? We are all people and should treat each other as such!
Left with his older brother from his home as a mid teen. They road the Greyhound bus from Dallas, Texas all the way to upstate New York. Ran into people who tried to get them unto clubs, selling drugs and drinking all as young teens. They saw the outcome of those who did and chose not to partake in any of it!
- As we are watching Greg's podcasts now, we probably haven't been in much if any, of these situations before. With fortune comes responsibility. There are so many people who were born into a crummy situation and those who can help them need to be compassionate to them. We have been blessed- not by actions of our own, they have started off crummy of no fault of their own either. When growing up we all end up different people because of our upbringing. What can you do to help the less fortunate? The people in real need?
Other helpful resources:
Help Those who are Carrying Heavy Loads in Life
View Others with the Eye of Wisdom and Compassion
Number One Reason to Take Care of YOUR Body!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
Everyday you have the choice to between mediocrity and excellence.
When Greg was just twelve years old, he was out late in a bad part of town with some friends. He ended up getting beat up pretty bad by some older teenagers. In that moment, as a kid, he was the victim. Then from the moment after that, he chose not to be the victim again. He chose to learn some martial arts and workout.
He still travels world to all sorts of places! "We are cautious but I refuse to live in fear."
We have opportunities to choose every single day. Every moment we choose what we feel and how we react. Now we don't play the victim, we have the blessed gift to choose and by playing the victim you are giving up your power to do that, to your life!
To live the life we want to live we have to choose deliberately. Don't let life lead you, you lead it. The quality of your life comes down to the little choices you make every single day. So make those choices count!
Helpful resources:
These stories you're telling yourself are ruining your life!
What to do when you don't feel like it
Make each day count
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
The common thread of how people end up at rock bottom. How do people's lives crumble and ultimately lead to the giant train wreck at the end of the tunnel?
The cause has been around since humans first began. Juvenal, a Roman poet, was alive for the downfall of Rome and wrote about the pitfalls in that society. Translated from Latin his phrase is "bread and cheap circuses."
Roman leadership wanted the public to follow them blindly and began their quest to dull the public. How was it done? Cheap bread and circuses. They gave the population the basic needs of life and slowly led them to ignorance. Cheap bread and circuses can be explained as: "To generate public approval, not by excellence, public service or policy, but by diversion, distraction or satisfying the most immediate and base requirements of the populace."
See an similarities between then and now? Many. The media is huge, panic news is on 24/7 in stores and households, celebrities and their movies dominate our free time, video games have sucked in [young] adults to the point where they have become incapable of social interaction or fulfilling their talents and to what extent? This is cheap circuses. We are being consumed by these screen addictions for 'cheap' entertainment.
Challenge: Track how much time (and perhaps money) you spend on entertainment. The average screen time in the American household is stunningly high. Whats something better we could be doing with our time? What are we blindly being led to be addicted to? When we spend so much time on screens, we are entertained but it doesn't lead to happiness, or joy. It can turn into other substance abuse, porn addictions and deep depression.
This doesn't mean that screens are of the devil and should never be used. We want to have fun, and in our culture it's usually sitting down watching TV. But what are some other productive activities that you can have fun while doing? What is something that is fulfilling yet brings happiness in your life?
- Hobbies that you can teach your kids
- Start family traditions
- learning a new language
- reading and learning from a great book
There are so many other things that you can do to bring success in your life without seeking the easy flow of cheap entertainment.
Other great insights!
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At the end of our life, most hope to say it was meaningful, filled with love and accomplished. Whatever your goal is, your passion to complete, you need more than ambition to get there! You need a game plan. You have to know where you are. You have to know where you are going. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Goals and plans in your life will lead you to places you never thought you would go, success you never knew you could have. If you have a well-structured plan, some grit and self-discipline, you are well on your way.
How to start a successful plan:
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Ask yourself the right questions. Where do you stand on your goal? Is it a S.M.A.R.T goal? When do you plan on completing it and how does it help you grow? What will this goal bring you closer to? What area of your life will be positively affected by it? How will this help others around you?
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Have the right answers. The right answers always align with your values and desired outcomes. Study the lives of great men and women. What did they do to attain the success you hope to have?
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Take the right actions. You cannot get to where you are going if you do not know where you need to be. Go through your day and ask yourself why you do what you do. Do you really need to spend that much time eating lunch? Or on social media? Albert Grey states "If you don't deliberately form good habits, then you unconsciously (automatically) form bad ones." We simply must be intentional about forming good daily habits. Every day you should do at least one thing that moves you in the direction of your dreams. Get your game on!
Here are additional resources for helping you create an Extraordinary Life Plan:
Creating the Life You WANT to Live G.O.A.L. -- Get Out And Live!
Using Family Vision Boards to Strengthen Family Culture
Habits of a Successful Family Extraordinary Family Life Group Coaching
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
There are times in our life where we get so busy with one goal, that every other area in life gets thrown off balance. Some people work so hard at their job that they neglect their health - on the other hand, others spend so much time on their health and working out that maybe they neglect their marriage or family time. It's all about balance.
Once in a while, to keep us balanced is reality checks. They don't come often, but when they do, we gain a whole different perspective on life. Maybe one day you have to rush to the ER because your child broke a bone or you get to know someone who lives with a disability - the list goes on. What do these experiences teach us?
The biggest thing is what we take for granted, and maybe our lives aren't all that hard after all. Reality checks help us keep things in perspective. So how do we become the master of perspective?
Have you ever had an experience that changed the way you saw things forever? Once we come out on the other side our perspective changes so much that we can't really go back to the way we were before. It changes our mindset and attitude to help make our lives from that moment on better.
Challenge: How could a problem or irritation you are dealing with right now be solved with a change in perspective?
How to Live a Beautiful, Blessed Life
Living with the Power of Gratitude
How to make Important Moments Count
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What are your dreams if you had no limits? What are those limits and how can you get them out of the way? Then there is the hard question, how many of our obstacles are there because we put them there? When we do stupid things we get the consequences. We can choose our choices but not our consequences.
The chief case of unhappiness in life is giving up what we really desire for what we want in the moment. Keep your goals close always so you never lose sight of what you really desire. Look at yourself in the mirror and say: "Self - you are better than that!! Don't eat junk food you want to be healthy. Don't surround yourself with those kind of people who make you act like that. Keep your thoughts positive your are capable of great things!" Don't let the stupid mistakes define you, let them refine you.
Need more help moving those obstacles?
How to Create the Life you WANT to Start Living
How to Break Free from a Negative Cycle
Challenges of Changing and what to DO about it!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
[0:38] We need to cherish our relationships and the people that mean so much to us.
[0:49] Do we sometimes take them for granted? Get too comfortable?
[1:16] Bad memory of an act of selfishness.
[3:57] Now he has the understanding and vision of being more respectful and honor his brother and his dreams and wishes.
[4:08] What would your relationships be like if your capacity to love was more than it is right now and you showed it?
[4:48] Our life is all about relationships.
[5:18] We can’t wait around waiting for other people to change, we have to do what we can do. We can’t change other people, but we can change ourselves.
[5:40] Jot down things that you can do with each of your important relationships to improve those relationships.
[6:33] Prove your love with your actions.
[7:47] Let’s create relationships that we can celebrate and be grateful for.
[8:13] We have to start with loving ourselves first, healthy self-love, it will make it easier for people to love us.
[8:47] Then we can build special relationships and start to love those around us.
[8:58] As our love grows, it can extend out to strangers.
[9:58] If Greg could go back and do life over, he would be the young man that reaches out and befriends the old Greg.
[10:47] We can’t change the past, we can only learn from it and change and become that kind of person.
[11:15] On a mission to be the very best self.
[11:56] If you are struggling, you can’t help others. You have to be in a good place.
[13:07] In every role you are in, ask yourself “what will the people around you think of you and remember about you in that role?” Spouse, teens, coworkers, friends, what will they remember?
[13:54] We want to be remembered as someone who is striving to be a good person and treated other people with deep respect and love.
[14:06] Little things done consistently and well make a big difference.
[14:41] Do inventory and make the changes so that you can give your whole self to the people around you that love you.
[15:05] Invest in yourself, invest in your relationships.
[15:26] We prove our priorities with our actions, we prove our love with our actions and words.
More Resources:
How to Improve Your Family Dynamics Quickly and Easily
30-Days to an Extraordinary Marriage
Stop being so hard on yourself!
Here's How to Make a Difference in the Lives of Other People
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
There is nothing holding you back but you. Give yourself permission and do it! Maybe one of the reasons that is keeping you is your energy levels. It's hard to keep going sometimes, life gets busy. Every thought, every emotion and every action comes with an energy consequence. Like in The Power of Full Engagement, there are energy bursts that are possible to access all the time but, you have to keep them healthy.
They are:
- Mental - Keep setting goals, have self restraint to keep yourself healthy.
- Physical- You have to exercise often! Keep your body in shape, find a good workout outlet.
- Emotional - Forgive. When you have emotional baggage, it can suck the energy out of everyday. Sometimes you have to let go.
- Spiritual - Align your actions with your values.
Challenge: What is something you can do in each category to keep yourself healthy in order to have good energy? Write down your goals.
More Motivation:
Pushing past your Limits
This simple thing is holding you back
You have an Obligation to become a better person: Here's how I do it
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
The Terrible night of Miracles. It's easier to be grateful when you just go through a reality check. With such a bad car crash you can learn to just be grateful everyone is alive. Hopefully everyone doesn't have to go through such life altering tragedy but what you intellectually and emotionally take away from those experiences changes your life forever.
We need to love our loved ones. When bothered by the little things, imagine if one day you lost them. Life perspective. Challenge: Go forward with gratitude and perspective.
Takeaways from Tragedies:
Life Lessons from Guatemala
Connection with homeless man in Morocco
Pausing to enjoy the wonders of life
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Life all blends together when things are the same every single day. Then when we look back, the few things we remember were the oddities to the norm -good or bad. Our memories are something that no other human being can take away from you. At the end of your life, when all your 'stuff' is gone what kinds of memories and thoughts are you left with?
So how can we live intentionally? To make good memories and moments? The key is to train your brain not to think 'Oh, I cant do that' to 'how can I do this?'
No doubt, there are mundane moments. Think outside the box, how can you make something mundane meaningful? Is it absolutely necessary to the way of life you want to live?
Be proactive, be your own creator. Don't be a passive passenger when you are the one driving the train, this is your life! What do you want to do? Whose permission are you waiting for to change?
How to get started?
How to find out what the best direction for your life is
The difference between average and AWESOME!
Here's whats holding you back
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message
The goal is to share my story to help inspire you, everyone, to get out and live!
This story starts off in a broken home and eventually out of the house at sixteen. The turning point was on the cold, dark night of Christmas Eve. When out alone, with no one to turn to, the love of God was found. From that moment he decided that he would never be in this situation again. He would change and life would be whatever he decided to make it. No more blaming, no more excuses.
When you blame and make excuses, you hand in your own power. You say you are feeling or doing something because someone else is making you. The choice is yours, if you don't like something, change it, your life is your responsibility. Things to get out of the mediocrity:
1) Do hard things
2) Face your fears
3)Work on weaknesses
Challenge: From here on out, take control of your own life and don't blame others or make excuses. Life will be what you make it.
Resources to help you get where you need to be!
How to Live an Extraordinary Lifestyle
What Dream have you given up on and why?
Overcome Weakness and Anxiety and Boldly Create your Future
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gregory-denning/message