Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage: Recent Episodes
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
A podcast with the goal to change the way couples show up in marriage, hosts Chris and Johnna Farrell expose their own marriage mishaps and miscommunications for the growth of others. If they haven’t been through it, these parents to four bring in other couples, individuals, and experts who have. From parenting, to communication, to sex, to finances, they leave no marital or life stone left unturned. Chris and Johnna believe you can't control anyone but yourself, so if you grow yourself (personally, spiritually, mentally, and physically) you will undoubtedly grow your marriage.
About the hosts: Chris and Johnna have been married for seven years, together for nine, and have four kids five and under. Chris is a long-time fitness professional turned online entrepreneur, coach, and podcast host. Johnna is a stay-at-home mom, certified Strategic Interventionist (life coach), podcast host, and Partnerships Assistant for a large podcast network. Life is crazy, but Chris and Johnna saw what it was like to lead separate lives and go through the motions, but with a little bit of personal growth and a whole lot of Jesus, they are on a mission to thrive through every season and bring their listeners along with them.
div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> Summary: In this episode of the Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna share the unsexy truth about working out 277 days straight with 6 kids and why it has nothing to do with motivation or weight loss.
A cross-country move. Grief. The stomach bug. Travel days with all six kids. We still worked out every single day.
This episode breaks down how we went from yo-yo fitness routines to consistent daily movement—even when we don't feel like it (which is most days). We share the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and why "I don't have time" is actually the biggest lie keeping busy parents stuck.
If you've ever started strong in January and quit by March... this one's for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 — Intro & The Streak Begins Chris and Johnna open up about starting their workout streak on December 26, 2024, and why today (Day 277) they're still going strong.
03:40 — The 100-Day Challenge That Changed Everything Johnna shares the story of her post-baby goal after their fifth child and how Chris challenged her to just do two weeks first. Why starting small actually works.
07:30 — After Baby #6: The Heaviest She'd Ever Been Raw honesty about carrying extra weight, not recognizing herself, and the balance between grace and making a decision to move forward after loss and chaos.
12:15 — The Freedom of "We Just Do It Every Day" Why eliminating the daily debate of "should I work out today?" has been the most liberating mindset shift—and how it's changed their marriage and parenting.
16:20 — Consistency Over Intensity: The Real Secret Chris breaks down why you don't need to crush yourself in 60-minute workouts. Some days it's 10 minutes. Some days it's a half-mile run at 9 PM. It still counts.
21:00 — Working Out with 6 Kids: The Real Story Johnna gets honest about working out at home with kids climbing on her, packing dumbbells for road trips, and running country roads while visiting family in Ohio.
28:45 — Cycle Syncing & Women's Hormones Why women's workout routines need to change based on their cycle—and how Johnna learned to stop fighting her body and work with it instead.
33:10 — The Gym Pass Life Hack How living close to a gym (with childcare!) changed the game—but why you absolutely don't need one to make this work.
38:20 — Don't Hire Little Miss Brittany with a Six-Pack Chris calls out the fitness industry: why hiring a 19-year-old Instagram coach with no kids won't help you. Real talk about finding what works for YOUR season.
43:30 — When 75 Hard Made Things Worse Johnna tried to level up at Day 200 with 75 Hard—and it backfired. What happened and why more intensity isn't always the answer.
48:00 — What Our Kids Are Watching The deeper reason behind this streak: identity, freedom, and the culture they're building in their home. Why their daughters see movement without punishment or shame.
53:40 — Travelling, Sick Days & Keeping the Streak Alive Real stories: working out before a 2-hour beach trip at 5 AM, running at rest stops, and even working out on the day Chris had the stomach bug (for his brain, not his body).
58:30 — There's No Finish Line Why they're not stopping at 365 days. This is just who they are now—and why that mindset is the key to lasting change.
01:02:00 — Stewardship, Longevity & Legacy Chris and Johnna get spiritual: taking care of the one body God gave you, being around for your grandkids, and why gluttony isn't talked about enough in Christian circles.
01:07:20 — The Crab in the Bucket Mentality Chris shares why fit people get respect before they even open their mouths—and why discipline in your body reflects discipline in your life.
01:11:50 — Warren Buffett's One-Car Analogy You only get one body for your entire life. Chris shares Warren Buffett's powerful story about treating your body like the only car you'll ever own.
01:15:00 — Final Encouragement: Just Start Today Practical next steps, why the time will pass anyway, and an invitation to message them if you're ready to start your own streak.
Resources Mentioned:
- Juice and Toya (YouTube workouts)
- The Natal App with Nancy Anderson (postpartum core rehab)
- Chris's Hacking Hormones Program DM him on Facebook
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Johnna's FB.
Chris's FB
Summary:
In this episode of the Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna discuss the impact of people-pleasing.
A contractor left his 9-year-old with us. No warning. Just vanished.
Chris confronted him. Johnna nearly puked from the discomfort.
This episode dives into that wild moment, plus another where a stranger undermined our parenting and we did nothing.
They unpack what these stories reveal about the fear of confrontation, the trap of people-pleasing, and how to teach our kids (and ourselves) to stand firm when it matters.
If you've ever bitten your tongue and regretted it… this one's for you.
00:00 — Intro & Shaving Cream Story Chris opens with a real‑life moment about finding shaving cream and how it turned into early dopamine wins and relationship humor.
04:50 — Icebreaker Questions Gone Deep Chris and Johnna ask each other light questions that immediately dig into personality, communication, and people‑pleasing tendencies.
09:00 — The Fireplace Guy & Boundary Crossing 🚨 The big story starts — a contractor leaves his son with them without warning. They unpack the weird situation, their reaction, and why it bothered them.
12:30 — Man‑to‑Man Confrontation Chris confronts the contractor about why he left his son. What was said, how the contractor reacted, and what this moment reveals about boldness and uncomfortable truth.
17:20 — People Pleasing: Why We Don't Speak Up Johnna honestly opens up about the internal discomfort — not wanting conflict, caring about others' feelings, and how people pleasing shows up in real life.
23:10 — Undermined Parenting at the Hotel A random woman encouraged their son to act against their verbal no — and how that made them both feel undermined and caught off guard.
27:20 — Teaching Our Kids to Stand Firm A deep parenting moment about obedience to parents vs. strangers — and why this matters more than ever.
30:30 — What People Pleasing Really Is Discussion shifts to the root of people pleasing: prioritizing comfort over truth.
36:30 — Stories of Standing Your Ground Real‑life examples of speaking truth in business, basketball, social situations, and why people respect authenticity when we don't fold.
41:40 — Parenting Culture & Respect vs. Obedience Johnna shares a powerful story from her teenage years.
47:00 — Raising Kids Who Speak Truth A turning point: how we want our children to understand healthy assertiveness and not just follow adults blindly.
51:30 — Bigger Picture: Growth, Marriage & Vision Conversation expands: how avoiding uncomfortable conversations keeps couples stagnant and how courageous dialogue fuels growth in marriage.
56:00 — Life Purpose & Not Settling Chris and Johnna connect the episode's themes to living intentionally, seeking God's clarity, not pleasing culture, and pursuing the life you're meant to live.
01:06:20 — Wrap & Final Encouragement Final thoughts on people pleasing, truth, family priorities, and closing encouragement for listeners to grow personally, relationally & spiritually.
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In this episode of the Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna discuss the the feeling of spiritual silence, and they explore the concepts of dullness, distraction, and disobedience as barriers to spiritual growth.
The conversation also touches on the impact of idolatry, particularly in relation to sports and alcohol, and how these distractions can lead to spiritual dullness. The hosts encourage listeners to seek deeper intimacy with God during silent seasons and provide practical steps for cultivating a closer relationship with Him.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: The Struggles of Parenthood 05:06 Understanding Spiritual Silence 10:00 Dullness, Distraction, and Disobedience 31:45 Johnna's Decision to Surrender Alcohol 51:14 Finding God in Silence 01:01:14 Practical Steps to Hearing God
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Episode Summary:
In this raw and deeply personal episode of Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage, Chris and Johnna tackle one of life's most gut-wrenching questions: If God is in control, why do I still struggle with fear? What begins as a coffee-fueled conversation about fear, faith, and calling turns into a powerful testimony of how God uses pain, loss, and uncertainty for greater purpose. From personal stories of miscarriage and financial hardship to miraculous redemption through relationships, ministry, and even a lost car at the airport — this episode will challenge your view of fear, trust, and divine control.
What You'll Hear:
- Chris' "too Christian" answer to a coach's question about fear
- Johnna's vulnerable reflection on losing their son, Lawson
- Behind-the-scenes of launching Run to the Hard and how God used tragedy for ministry
- Financial instability, leaving comfort, and launching a podcast business
- A wild testimony of how a forgotten parking space led to a salvation moment
- Why control is the root of anxiety—and how surrender unlocks peace
- Encouragement for listeners who feel stuck in fear or doubt God's plan
00:00 – What triggered this entire conversation about fear? 02:30 – Can you really live without fear if you trust God completely? 06:00 – What is Johnna most afraid of losing—and why does it matter? 09:15 – How did a tragic loss lead to launching Run to the Hard? 14:00 – Can God truly bring beauty from ashes—and even form a new family? 17:45 – What did we learn from losing Lawson and meeting Lake? 25:20 – Why did we leave Ohio without a plan—and how did God meet us? 30:00 – What happened when Chris risked it all to start a podcast business? 36:00 – Was Lucan's healing a medical recovery… or a miracle? 42:30 – What happens when you pray, "Our yes is on the table"? 47:00 – How did a lost car at the airport lead to someone hearing the gospel? 55:00 – Why does fear disappear when you know who's really in control? 1:06:00 – How can obedience unlock peace when life feels chaotic?
Mentioned Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@run2thehardpodcast
https://www.youtube.com/@familycaptain
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SUMMARY
Chris and Johnna discuss
- 00:00 – Prayer over the chaos & welcome our special guest, baby Lake (L6)
- 01:30 – “Does it get easier?” The real answer
- 04:30 – Gym analogy: God strengthens you
- 07:00 – Lowering expectations & parenting evolves
- 10:30 – Age gaps, helpers, and why 5 kids humbled us
- 13:00 – Culture, “meology,” and fear of more kids
- 16:30 – A decade of parenting: fleeting stages & perspective
- 19:30 – Don’t fix a marriage with another baby
- 22:00 – Are kids “hard”? Why they should be
- 27:00 – Screens, meals, and the fruit of hard work upfront
- 31:30 – Teaching kids to be adults in a self-centered world
- 35:00 – Costco stares, culture’s devaluing of children
- 37:00 – Fatherhood pressure, mercy, and pointing kids to Jesus
- 40:00 – Mom guilt, refinement, and social media pressures
- 54:00 – Toxic mom culture vs. biblical perspective
- 59:00 – Ease is not the reward for obedience
- 1:02:30 – Surrender over control in parenting and life
- 1:05:00 – Wrapping up with the infamous L5 interrupting to as for "dinner" at 7AM
Mentioned Links:
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SUMMARY
Chris and Johnna discuss the current revival momentum in America following the assissination of Charlie Kirk.
They talk through ways that we, as Christians, can be bold in our faith and obedient to God in the ways He wants to use us, while also bringing up personal stories of ways they failed in disobedience, and how they are leading their children at home.
- 00:00 – Revival Momentum in America
- 01:50 – Navigating Criticism and Boldness
- 04:01 – The Role of the Church in Revival
- 05:47 – Creating a Welcoming Church Environment
- 11:24 – Teaching Our Children About Faith
- 23:39 – Personal Stories of Boldness and Obedience
- 33:16 – The Importance of Community and Margin at Home
- 37:21 – Practical Steps for Evangelism
- 40:38 – Prayer and Seeking God's Guidance
- 58:56 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Mentioned Links:
Pastor Aaron Swensen with Summit Church Cincinnati:
Chris & Johnna's Favorite Pastor
https://www.thesummitcincy.com/
Where you can find Dr. Frank Turek:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-have-enough-faith-to-be-an-atheist/id1297439270
https://crossexamined.org/
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In this raw and heartfelt episode, Chris and Johnna process the grief, shock, and spiritual weight of Charlie Kirk’s assassination 5 days later.
00:27 – Processing the Assassination & Unexpected Grief
03:00 – Why It Felt Like Losing a Friend
08:33 – Making Sense of Tragedy & Our Obsession with Details
12:54 – The Shooter Could Not Silence the Truth
16:10 – Good vs. Evil Made Clear
22:44 – Peaceful Vigils vs. Riots: Light in the Darkness
28:05 – Justice, Forgiveness, and the Call of Christ
32:41 – Courage for Our Faith: Charlie’s Legacy
37:23 – Changing Hearts Through Real Conversations
52:31 – God Turns Evil for Good: Awakening & Revival
01:35:26 – Boldness Starts at Home
Mentioned Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/briansaksa_the-shooter-could-not-silence-the-truth-activity-7371916370906845185-HiQU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABKZb6cBp-MsmTt0d_iHJ-e8vTpyg8Hyh_0
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOeKLnwjjMA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOkj-nKjaw_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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In this episode, Chris & Johnna react to a marriage advice response from the Dr. John Delony Show on the Dave Ramsey Network.
1:00-10:30-Chris's comical confession
11:00---- John Delony Show Marriage Advice Reaction
Links mentioned in the episode:
Kenneth Copeland
John Delony Show Full clip
Mike Winger Divorce Evidence:
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In this episode, Chris & Johnna announce Baby Farrell #6 and cover a myriad of topics around their decision to bring another life into the world.
- Fear of having another kid in this crazy world.
- Are Christians called to Big Families?
- Allowing our kids to be critical thinkers about Christianity.
- The Sanctifying nature of parenting.
- Non-eternal issues that cause us to limit how fruitful we are.
- Does God care about every little detail in our lives?
- Are we foolish to have more kids due to health or financial strain?
- Making aggressive decisions with a sound mind.
- What are we doing with our lives to build God's kingdom?
- John Piper Seashells Clip
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WOW! Ten years of marriage.
In this epsode Chris and Johnna cover the lessons from their first 10 years of marriage, what will make the next 10 years successfull and why they don't have the grass is always greener complex.
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In this Episode Chris & Johnna cover their challenging month of February.
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In this episode Chris & Johnna podcast from the car on the way back from the AFC divisional playoff matchup between the Bills and Bengals in Buffalo, New York.
The first 20 minutes are the details and recap and the last 20 minutes are the two major takeways for us & the question of idolizing margin and making memories.
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In this episode Chris & Johnna put their spin on the top signs of an emotionally mature man and cover their top signs of an emotionally and spiritually mature man.
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Most experts will say the answer to fixing a boring marriage is about finding a hobby, working out together, taking more vacations together, better communication with each other, blah, blah ,blah.
Chris & Johnna Disagree!
In this episode, the couple reveal the top reason they no longer have a boring marriage and the exact advice they would give to anyone with a boring marriage!
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Since the shows inception in 2019 this is THE MOST DOWNLOADED EPISODE IN GYGYM HISTORY.
Enjoy!
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna interview couple Ben and Megan Ballein on their journey through infertility, infidelity, separation, and restoration.
Listen as real life couple takes us through how they stumbled through the toughest of times to get to where they are now.
Topics Covered:
- Lack of communication in marriage
- Justifying situations
- Infertility
- Setting boundaries or building fences in your marriage with the opposite sex
- Taking it too far – infidelity
- Do happy people cheat?
- When caught in the act of cheating
- How your job can shape your identity and significance
- Lost identity as the man and husband in marriage, and finding it in work
- New confidence and time spent with other people can be a distraction from pain at home
- The importance of support and community in your marriage and in challenging situations
- Repressed resentment
- The danger in letting important things roll off of your back
- The effects of struggling through infertility
- The decision to become licensed foster parents
- The decision to adopt
- Adopting before the healing
- The cycle of guilt
- Request for divorce
- Separation
- Family isn’t just blood
- The power of prayer
- Laid off
- Single mom
- Drunk dial confessions
- God’s love through the hurt
- Feeling forced to choose adoption or marriage
- Confiding in another woman
- Seeking help
- Stumbling up to the altar
- A restored marriage
- Keeping families together
- Youth Pastors
- A God-centered marriage
- A manly man vs. a Godly man
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In this episode, Chris and Johnna cover in depth the right response to anger.
Don't forget to listen to episode 124 first for for part I of this 2 part series.
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Resources Mentioned:
Anger Spectrum
How to Possess Righteous Anger
Embrace the Fire Youtube Clip
Enduring Word Bible Commentary (David Guzik)
Holy Bible: James 1:19
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In this episode, Chris and Johnna share audio clips and various resources that they discovered in an effort to understand their recent angry reactions. The comparison is Sinful vs. Righteous Anger.
Don't forget to head over to episode 125 for the second part of this topic.
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Resources Mentioned:
Anger Spectrum
Holy Bible: James Chapter 4: Verses 1-3
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In this episode, Chris and Johnna hope on the mic from the mountains of Pigeon Forge,Tennesee as they cover in real time, missed expectations and three main ways to react to them.
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In this episode, Chris and Johnna pull up Reddit feeds and give some off-the-cuff marriage advice for some common and not so common spousal issues on the internet.
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In this episode, Chris, Johnna (and baby Luken) review how Episode 002 (The One Quality You Can't Grow Without) missed the mark and how 2 more kids, 3 more years of marriage and better theology have impacted their opinion. Wanna expand on this and connect with us? Don't forget you can text us @513-620-4333!
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In this episode, Chris interviews Johnna on her incredible accomplishment of achieving 100 consecutive days of workouts!
This episode the couple cover:
- Johnna's backstory of disordered eating, multiple babies & crash dieting through the years.
- The trigger that pushed her to change.
- Staying consistent through the excuses of kids & chaos.
- Practical protocol she followed
- Johnna's opinion on the Body Positivity Movement
- How she is going to continue her journey the next 60-90 days.
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In this episode, Chris and Johnna review the three pillars that started the GYGYM podcast back in 2019 and introduce new podcast pillars they will never outgrow. This is the Best Marriage Advice they could ever give.
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In this episode, Chris sneak attacks Johnna on the couch for a random recording in an episode that covers feeling seen & heard from both spouses perspective. Wanna expand on this and connect with us? Don't forget you can text us @513-620-4333!
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As a follow up to episode 116 on the same couch, minutes later and alot more slap happy, we decided to throw in a bonus episode with some couch convo reflection convo's.
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Yep. Podcasting still feels impossible in this season of 5 kids 6 and under but here's a quick update on what's new in our world.
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Couldn't tell you all the things we covered. Important thing is baby #5 came, we never thought we would have time for podcasting again, yet "HEAR" we are :)
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In this episode Chris & Johnna hop back on the mic with an update on the latest aggressive move before baby#5.
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In this episode Chris and Johnna interview Author Steve Demme from Building Faith Families.Org & the Building Faith Families Podcast.
Listen in as Steve covers practical and biblical advice for us to step up and deepen our family communication through growing our relationship with Jesus and in turn our spouse and kids.
Find Steve's Books,Work & Podcast
http://www.buildingfaithfamilies.org/
Steve's Math Curriculum
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In this episode Chris & Johnna cover the heavy topic of depression. The couple share their personal experiences and cover in depth the contributing factors to blame in many cases of depression and ways to combat it.
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GO FUNDE ME LINK: https://gofund.me/0358f6bf
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In this episode Chris & Johnna hop on the mic unscripted and sharing their perspective on current wins, losses and challenges to get you thinking about ways to take control of yours and your family's life.
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In this episode Chris and Johnna interview John Michael Clark from the Family Captain Podcast & coaching program.
John Michael covers evidence of a man who is leading his family well, God's design for the family, why culture is fighting back and the joys and power of sex in marriage.
Listen in as John Michael covers practical pillars and biblical advice for men to step up as the man God calls them to be as the Family Captain.
Find John Michael:
Podcast
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In this episode Chris and Johnna cover difficult seasons in marriage and the health in admitting failure as a couple.
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In this episode Chris and Johnna tie a bow on their first book club series (Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses) by interviewing one of the co-authors, Amber Lia.
In the interview Amber gets vulnerable by sharing her story of how the idea for the book was born, and reminds us of how one step of obedience towards God can change the entire trajectory of our lives.
Listen in as Amber gives practical and biblical advice for intentional parenting, teamwork in marriage, and insight into her upcoming work.
Find Amber:
Website
Marriage Triggers Study Guide
Marriage Triggers book
Parenting Triggers book
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In this episode Chris and Johnna discuss their newest guilty pleasure, the show Married at First Sight, and bring it home with some golden nuggets on having a firm foundation in marriage.
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In this episode, Chris and Johnna share the unexpected adversity that hit their family and how they plan to grow through it.
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A true bonus episode, Johnna bombards Chris with a list of questions for couples she found on Pinterest.
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In this episode, Chris and Johnna breakdown the common reasons why couples feel they are incompatible, and ways to combat and function through that incompatibility to have a healthy marriage.
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We took a road-trip with our four kids (6 and under) and we have some feedback for all you parents out there on how to [realistically] travel with little people.
Where we stayed:
Music Road Resort
Places we ate (all were family-friendly!):
Mamas Farmhouse
The Old Mill
Bennetts BBQ
Flapjacks
Places we went:
Sweet! (candy store in Gatlinburg)
Anakeesta
Big Top Arcade
Magiquest
Beyond the Lens
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Is long lasting Happiness even possible?
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Chris and Johnna hold nothing back with a conversation centered around the attack on objective truth being trumped by feelings and the stance we must take to seek truth.
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Marriage, Parenting, Faith Work, Health, Passion Projects, LIFE. Really though, who said it would be easy?
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Tragedy struck two of our dear friends in our community group last week and the fragility of life has been put into perspective.
Listen in as Chris & Johnna discuss the powerful response of their friends and answer the biggest looming question..is God still good?
Want to support Tim & Kristi?
Go Fund Me Link
We are back from our two week break and you will either love the show more or hate us from here on out.. (Obviously this is Chris)
Enjoy!
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Episode Summary:
In this free flowing episode, Chris and Johnna discuss the importance of knowing your limits, the signs of overextending yourself as a couple and how to asses your priorities.
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get the book and read along with us –
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Love GYGYM? Here's five ways you can support us and the show!
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get the book and read along with us –
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Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna discuss all the ways your marriage is being influenced by who and what is speaking into it.
Topics:
- Who or what is speaking into your marriage?
- Marriage is hard
- Who are you getting advice from?
- What do the people who surround you say about marriage?
- What are their intentions?
- Speaking negatively about your spouse to others
- In-laws
- How culture views marriage
- Divorce parties
- The easy out of divorce
- How do you discern if the voices speaking into your marriage are positive or not
- Where does your truth or standard of come from?
- Deception of progressive Christianity and the personal development movement
- What if you don’t have wise counsel
- The type of people your marriage needs
- How do you view marriage?
- What value do you place on it?
- Being yoked with your spouse and making decisions together
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get the book and read along with us –
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna cover the frustrating topic of how to handle our kids lying & deceitfulness from chapter 9 of the Triggers book.
Show Notes:
- "Mercy Seat" Talk
- Small lies become big lies later if not addressed
- What God thinks about lying
- Safe environment for honesty
- personal stories from Chris & Johnna's childhood
- Hurt feelings when being ignored
- Two practical options we have when our kids lie
- Our Biblical response to lying
- Take the log out of our own eye
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get the book and read along with us –
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna tackle their takeaways from chapter 8 of the Triggers book: ignoring instruction.
Show Notes:
- Selective hearing
- Husbands as examples
- Hurt feelings when being ignored
- Powerlessness
- The story I’m telling myself
- Pride
- Yelling and its ineffectiveness
- Reframe for your kids
- Teaching them lessons rather than forced obedience
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get the book and read along with us –
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Episode Summary:
In Triggers Chapter 7, Chris and Johnna cover one of their biggest and most frequent personal triggers to date.
"Sibling Rivalry"
The couple share the 5 ways author Amber Leah says we can handle sibling rivalry in the book and tie it back to a common problem in today's generation.
S
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris interviews award-winning blogger and podcaster behind Marriage, Kids and Money, Andy Hill, on balancing those major parts of life, goals, communicating with your spouse, and how he and his wife paid off their mortgage in just FIVE years.
Resources Mentioned:
https://marriagekidsandmoney.com/
Marriage, Kids and Money Podcast
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna essentially teach communication 101 by breaking down a six-step process written by Gary Chapman in his study guide 'The Marriage You've Always Wanted'. They share their own mishaps and experiences with each step in hopes to bring characters to the practical steps.
Marriage Helper Link:
Marriage Helper
Miracle Cleaner Link:
https://amzn.to/373jBZr
Show Notes:
- Continuing to grow and know your spouse
- ‘The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted” – Gary Chapman
- Communication 101
- Fulfilling each other’s needs
- Signs that you and your spouse need help communicating
- Taking an interest in things that interest your spouse
- Taking advice from each other
- Overcoming barriers to communication
- Talking over your spouse
- Apologizing
- Breaking down the wall of hurt
- Sex communication
- Non-sexual touch
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get the book and read along with us –
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna tackle their takeaways from chapter 6 of the Triggers book: whining and complaining, admittedly one of Johnna’s biggest anger triggers in parenting. They also reveal how trying their four kids have been and the ways in which they are learning to apply what’s learned in this book.
Show Notes:
- the art of the uh-oh
- uh-oh reminds kids they made a mistake without the negative criticism
- behaving right when our kids behave wrong
- the hypocrisy of correcting their behavior by doing the same behavior
- ministering from a place of serene authority
- realizing our kids are little and still have maturing to do
- using God’s word like a scalpel and not a hammer
- acting like a child of God to be examples for our children
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna interview owner and teacher at The Smart Money Academy on the importance of teaching our kids about money.
Find Keli:
https://www.thesmartmoneyacademy.com/
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get the book and read along with us –
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna cover the chapter of the Triggers book that discusses angry kids. They get real with where they fall short and the ways in which they may be provoking their own children to anger, and go through ways to reflect and be the example they want for their kids.
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In this episode Chris & Johnna enjoy a casual conversation where they cover the gamut of funny stories that have exposed the expectation vs. reality of marriage and kids.
Get the book Triggers and read along with us HERE!
Marriage Helper Link
marriagehelper.com/?ref=GYGYM
Text Us with topic suggestions or just to let us know you listen!
513-620-4333
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get January’s book and read along with us –
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna discuss the strong-willed nature of their children and the way that the authors of the book 'Triggers' remind them of how God sees children and how He creates their hard-wiring for good.
Topics Discussed:
- The determination of our children
- How we need to stop putting the focus on fixing our kids and work on fixing our triggers
- Strong-willed kids turn into strong-willed adults
- Long-term focus on the idea that we are raising future adults
- Strong-willed adults are the last to depart from the righteous path
- How can we view this personality trait as a positive?
- Choosing words that build our children up, rather than blame, shame and tear them down
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris & Johnna interview Aaron Swensen, Head pastor of Sonrise Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Aaron helps the couple navigate the relevant topic of how and why many of us find our hope for a better future in politics and where we should truly be finding our hope for 2021 and beyond.
Catch Pastor Aaron's Sermon Below
The Heart Matters
Marriage Helper Link
marriagehelper.com/?ref=GYGYM
Text Us
513-620-4333
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get January’s book and read along with us – Triggers
https://amzn.to/3rUH7RI
Text Us! 513-620-4333
Episode Summary:
- The external trigger of disrespect
- The biblical view of respect is a mature spiritual mindset
- What is your child’s intent?
- What need are they trying to meet?
- What kind of example are we setting for them?
- Expecting there will be chaos and choosing to blow up or take a breather and figure out what need they are trying to meet
- Being an example for how we want our kids to respond to chaos and relational issues
- The tone we use with our children
- Getting on your child’s level
- Validating your child
- Immediate punishment vs. long-term lessons
- Forgiveness
- Hypocrisy in your parenting and in the church
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris & Johnna interview journalist, CEO and head writer of Gerencer Creative - Tom Gerencer on the ways in which his life changed when his motto became "I can't do it without you God". This happened so many times that he decided to write a book and we had the privilege of getting the inside story before it's published!
Notes:
0-10 minutes
- Coddled to faithful
- Faithful to arrogant
- Business
- Money problems and job loss with baby on the way
- Trying things on his own and nothing was working
- Feeling stuck in life
- Descriptive vs prescriptive rules
10-20 minutes
- Religion vs. relationship
- Charity
- Downfall of marriage counseling when your motivation isn’t in the right place
- How do I get a strong faith?
- Filling your anger tank
- Realizing you cannot make a good marriage without the help of God
20-30 minutes
- Is this marriage more than just today?
- Realizing we can only control what we can control
30-40 minutes
- Benefits of giving
- Who is God asking you to help using the skills He has given you?
- Chronic lyme disease
- Fasting
- Random ways God shows up and uses people behind the scenes
- The bible project
Where can you find Tom?
http://www.tomgerencer.com/
Marriage Helper Link
marriagehelper.com/?ref=GYGYM
Text Us
513-620-4333
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get January's book and read along with us - https://amzn.to/3rUH7Rl
Text us for book/topic suggestions or questions!
(513) 620-4333
For this month we chose the book Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses written by authors Amber Lia & Wendy Speake.
In this episode Chris and Johnna cover chapter two of the book on the topic of Backtalk. The couple covers personal stories, the knee jerk responses and the big takeaways from chapter two.
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(BC stands for Book Club)
Get January's book and read along with us - https://amzn.to/3rUH7Rl
Text us for book/topic suggestions or questions!
(513) 620-4333
For this month we chose the book Triggers: Exchanging Parents' Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses written by authors Amber Lia & Wendy Speake.
We chose this book because we felt like we were growing in many areas by reading, listening and learning, but collectively we weren't growing in our parenting together. So after doing some research, Johnna found Triggers and felt the instant connection to the book.
The authors are both moms who are easy to resonate with in their real life stories of examining the external and internal triggers that set them off into anger in their parenting journey.
In this episode Chris and Johnna cover chapter one of the book on the topic of disobedience and give you all the things they took away.
- Disobedience
- expectations of obedience (Ephesians 6:1)
- righteous anger
- the sinful behaviors that anger causes in us (pg 23 of Triggers)
- entitled children
- God wants us to obey because obedience gives birth to blessing (pg 21 of Triggers)
- God is the God of 70x7 chances, he doesn't whack us upside the head or deal harshly
- "Iron fists chisel stony hearts, but graceful hands shape responsive hearts." (pg 22/23 of Triggers)
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In this episode Chris and Johnna discuss the one thing that has helped them both grow individually, in their knowledge, as parents, and as a couple.
They also announce the upcoming changes to the Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage podcast - an additional weekly episode!
Listen in to episode 77 to get the scoop on the new direction of the show and new series starting THIS WEEK.
Link to the first book in the new book club series!
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna ask what they believe to be the most important question of 2021.
Listen in as the couple challenge you to ask yourself the consequences of not answering this question and also share some information that you can research for yourself.
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In this episode Chris and Johnna interview Passive Income Examiner and fellow podcaster, Lindsay Sutherland.
Lindsay shares her journey to passive income and brings encouraging insight to get us to see that anyone can create a passive income stream with the right roadmap.
If you want to learn more about Lindsay and the Passive Income Examiner Podcast, click the link below.
Resources Mentioned:
Email Lindsay for the Passive Income Playbook at: thepassiveincomeexaminer@gmail.com
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On this episode Chris and Johnna interview Professional Organizer and Owner of Rethink Clutter, Ashley Stuart. The three discuss the emotional baggage that comes with our stuff; how large amounts of toys overwhelm our kids and what to do with the toys; how clutter affects our brains; and some amazing organization systems you can put into practice today.
Find Ashley at rethinkclutter.com and on social @rethinkingclutter
Buys a coffee (aka help with production!)
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna put their coaching hats on and take their real life experience of current bad days and the self assessment questions they ask themselves to turn them around.
Listen in as the couple share practical steps and advice to show up best for your spouse, yourself and your kids even on the worst of days.
Resources Mentioned:
Triggers
Authors: Amber Lia and Wendy Speake
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In this episode Chris and Johnna interview CEO Kimberly Holmes of the nationally recognized organization Marriage Helper.
Marriage helper has saved 77% of marriages hanging on by a thread through their courses and coaching programs.
In this episode Kimberly shares her amazing story, answers the tough questions about marriages hanging on by a thread, gives us valuable advice on push behaviors, a valuable 4 step framework for deeper love and connection, gives us starting point steps for the stale marriage and tells us the #1 reason marriages don't succeed.
If you want to learn more about marriage helpers and the resources they have click the link below.
Resources Mentioned:
Marriage Helper Resources
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris & Johnna cover the 3 T's that they believe will create a courageous marriage.
Listen in as the two offer applicable ideas for Teamwork, Transparency and Trust to help position you for a courageous marriage too!
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna interview Gentle Parenting Coach of Joyful Mud Puddles, Meaghan Jackson.
Show Notes:
0-10 minutes
- Intro to topic- Gentle Parenting
- Chris asks for a recent example of gentle parenting in Meaghan’s life as a mom.
- Chris & Johnna steal relevant & helpful gentle parenting coaching advice from Meaghan about getting kids to clean up their messes.
- Meaghan helps us emotionally cope with the overwhelming moments that kids bring.
10-20 minutes
- Chris asks Meaghan about growing yourselves to grow your parenting. (hook 12-13min)
- Johnna asks Meaghan to expand on the concept of re-parenting
- Meaghan gives us a great exercise to crush our limiting beliefs as parents
- Johnna asks Meaghan to speak to us about our ego as parents
- Meaghan share the difference between obedience and forced compliance
- Meaghan shares the difference between gentle parenting and traditional “quick fix” parenting
20-30 minutes
- Chris & Johnna talked about the intentional time they have been carving out with their kids.
- Filling up our kids cup
- Chris & Johnna ask for some gentle parenting advice with food.
30-40 minutes
- Johnna asks Meaghan how we can reclaim joy in our parenting
- Chris asks Meaghan what she does to get herself into a joyful state in the morning
- Johnna asks Meaghan to clearly define what gentle parenting is and isn’t.
40- 50 minutes
- Johnna & Chris disagree on spanking.
- Chris asks Meaghan her thoughts on handling harsh offenses.
- Chris asks the difference between gentle parenting and being pushovers.
- Meaghan dives into the first thing she takes clients through in her group coaching.
- Johnna shares with Meaghan the limiting belief that this episode broke for her.
- Meaghan's parting words of advice
Resources Mentioned:
http://joyfulmudpuddles.com/the-best-of-me/?fbclid=IwAR2l2Da6EYf1_l4EVAYHiweYDMxvbfXc0emTYJ3N5M0G8cgzHpbQSccerh8
Meaghan's Facebook
Meaghan's Instagram
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Johnna once again bombards Chris with an article she found online that discusses ways (primarily wives) we may be unintentionally breaking our spouses down and destroying our relationships.
Listen in as the two cover topics like appreciation in marriage, nagging, conditioning from parents, criticism, support, and how our words matter.
Resources Mentioned:
The article that inspired this episode - https://wordfromthebird.blog/the-blog/words-that-hurt-your-man/
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Johnna bombards Chris with a surprise interview on 17 tips for a happy marriage. One of their lighter episodes, the couple still offers perspective and feedback on each of the original author's tips as Johnna questions Chris on his opinion on each, and if he is living up to the happy marriage standards.
Topics Covered:
- making time for each other
- screens
- uncomfortable conversations
- setting the tone
- is Chris fun?
- showing affection - who needs it more and who is better at showing it?
- advice for our pre-kid folk
- keeping score in marriage
- appreciating your spouse
- to keep things private, or not?
Resources Mentioned:
https://bestselfmama.com/how-to-have-a-happy-marriage/
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna interview Aaron and Joy Swensen, Pastor of SonRise Church and his wife, on the topic of submission in marriage, and how they have changed it to co-submission.
We dive deep into things like humility, narcissism, changing your spouse, transforming your mind, making decisions together, the dark side of submission and more. You don't want to miss this (as Chris called it) platinum-packed episode that if applied, will undoubtedly grow your marriage.
Resources Mentioned:
SonRise Church
Aaron Swensen's Facebook
Joy Swensen's Facebook
SonRise Instagram
Dr. Caroline Leaf
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Episode Summary:
In a follow-up episode to 065 Why Your Spouse Should Come Before Your Kids, Chris and Johnna cover the possible long-term repercussions putting kids first can have on your marriage.
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In this episode Chris and Johnna discuss one of the main pillars of the show, and that is - why your spouse should come before your kids, or spouse over kids.
Don't turn it off just yet if that sounds crazy to you, we promise we haven't always been here and we have three undeniable reasons why this is important.
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna discuss the stigma surrounding mental health and how it affects marriage when one spouse is dealing with mental health issues. They also cover ways you can combat depression and anxiety naturally.
Resources Mentioned:
Want to book a discovery call with Chris? Finaltransformation.net/coaching
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna follow up with a part 2 to episode 62. In episode 62 they discussed why we, as human beings, feel the need to "fit in" and be accepted. On this episode they discuss how you can actually reassess that need and stop caring what others think so you can ultimately live as your truest self.
Gold Nuggets:
Why you should stop caring what other people think
- Trying to fit in robs you of your truest self
- Perfectionism is holding you back from happiness and authenticity
- Knowing your worth keeps you from giving others discounts
- Your problems aren’t unique
- Even Jesus had critics
Resources Mentioned:
The B-i-b-l-e
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna talk about why, as human beings, we have a desire to fit in and be accepted at different stages of life, and why they choose to be weird.
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna discuss six ways to assess your current routine and how (and why) you may be struggling to stay consistent, or why you have yet to get long-term results when it comes to a health and fitness routine.
Resources Mentioned:
Want to book a discovery call with Chris? Finaltransformation.net/Coaching
The four tendencies quiz: https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna chat with Educational Specialist, Chazz Lewis, on homeschool and distance learning and how to be successful during these crazy times.
Topics Covered:
- Setting up teachers and parents for success with the goal of setting kids up for success
- Transitioning from summer to the school year
- Creating a separate school space
- Visual schedules
- Timers
- How to shift from mom to teacher and get your child to listen
- Physical associations for mom/dad vs. teacher mode
- Knowing your child(ren)’s learning style and abilities
- Co-teaching with teachers during distance learning
- The importance of play
- The importance of physical movement and hands-on activities (especially during distance learning)
- Negative associations with learning
- Screen time before school
- Self-care
- Schedules and flexibility
- Bribery
- Recognizing your own stress and how it affects your kids
- The “get ready” culture
- Doing work for your child
- Be an Improvenist – “The goal is not to be perfect every day, the goal is to improve every day”
Where You Can Find Chazz:
Chazz Lewis - Educational Specialist
@tickteachtok
www.patreon.com/mrchazz
Instagram: @mrchazz
Facebook: @mrchazzmrchazz
Interactive podcast – Get Vocal (www.getvocal.com/chazz)
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Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna discuss six sometimes hidden warning signs that can mean a marriage is either already unhappy, or on its way to being unhappy.
Be proactive about protecting your marriage and take a listen.
Resources Mentioned:
4 Proven Ways to Create an Unshakable Marriage:
bit.ly/gygymunshakable
Love GYGYM? Here's five ways you can support us and the show!
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Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna reveal three personal marriage boundaries they follow to protect their marriage. Listen in for how you can be proactive in preventing infidelity in your marriage as well.
Resources Mentioned:
4 Proven Ways to Create an Unshakable Marriage:
bit.ly/gygymunshakable
Love GYGYM? Here's five ways you can support us and the show!
-
Subscribe to the show
-
Share it
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Review it
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Buy us a coffee (aka help with production!)
-
Follow us on social - Facebook, Instagram, Johnna, Chris
Episode Summary
In this episode Chris and Johnna chat about the judgmental world of parenting and how to handle the critics with grace and without beating yourself up by asking four specific questions.
Parenting is the hardest gig out there and at the end of the day we're all just doing our best.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna give you one huge key to the current success and state of their marriage that could literally change your life.
Hint: it takes a village.
Also, if you love the GYGYM show and want to give to the cause (you know, growth of ourselves for the purpose of growing others and their marriages) you can now "donate" by buying us a coffee! Visit https://www.buymeacoffee.com/gygym for more info!
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna chat with Pastor, Musician, Father & self-proclaimed part-time adventurer, Andy Reider to discuss tragedy, expectations, life, faith and growth through it all.
Topics Covered:
- Jumping into a new life stage
- Life doesn’t care if you’re ready article
- Growth + Faith = life cheat code
- Illusion of control & influence over our lives
- Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset
- Expectations
- Growing and thriving through tragedy and suffering
- Fear is a misuse of the imagination quote
- Growth through adventure
- Formula for change
- The myth of waiting to be ready
- Hearing from God
Resources Mentioned:
Andy's Article:
https://www.crossroads.net/media/articles/life-doesnt-care-if-youre-ready
Where to find Andy:
Crossroads.net
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna offer up tips for hitting the reset button when preparing for life change, such as the postpartum stage.
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In this episode Johnna goes solo to announce big news in the Farrell family, discuss the beginning of her postpartum journey in real-time, and share personal experiences from other moms who have dealt with postpartum anxiety and/or postpartum depression (PPA/PPD).
In this episode Chris and Johnna tackle a very heavy and emotional topic - postpartum depression. Listen along as they recall the experiences they faced after the birth of each child, and how they are preparing to be proactive rather than reactive with baby #4.
Topics Covered:
- Postpartum depression defined
- Postpartum depression vs. baby blues
- Postpartum statistics
- Postpartum causes
- Personal experiences after each child
- Postpartum Anxiety
Chris & Johnna quickly hop on to give you a heads up on the upcoming episodes and why they will be so important, and who should listen.
If you've recently had children or are preparing to do so, you won't want to miss this series.
On this episode, Chris and Johnna open up about the WHY behind their vulnerability and ultimately their hearts regarding the mission of the GYGYM podcast.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna open up the race conversation with Cameron Satterwhite, the owner of Blubaire clothing line. The whole goal of Blubaire is to create racial equality, build lives undivided, and ultimately make life better for Cam's children and the generations to come.
Take a listen as Chris and Johnna stumble their way through an uncomfortable conversation (that Cam makes much more comfortable by his calm and kind demeanor) with the goal to open up the race conversation and show their allyship in building lives undivided.
#IMBLUTOO
Topics Covered:
- BluBaire
- What’s it like to be a black man in America
- Perspective built around how you are raised and who you are raised with
- Racist vs. profiling
- Associations created by media, does media desire to divide
- Racial equality
- Post-slavery indoctrination
- Racial reparations
Resources Mentioned:
- Get Off the Fence YouTube series
- Challenge: take pic with 5 people of different color with the hashtag #IMBLUTOO
- Hidden figures
Where to find Cam:
- Blubaire Website
- Insta @ BLUBAIRE or yourguycam
In this episode, Chris and Johnna get vulnerable once again by discussing the triggering, sensitive, and even taboo subject of pornography and how it affects lives and marriages.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna get extra vulnerable by revealing the ways they have shown up as selfish partners in their sex life, and how many other couples are struggling in the bedroom with similar issues. Listen in (unless you're family) to better understand yourself, your spouse, and your sex life.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna open up about the ways they've experienced selfishness in their marriage and how it impacted them both. Selfishness comes into marriage in both subconscious and conscious ways, but we believe that ultimately it is the killer of marriage. So listen and ask yourself, is your marriage selfish?
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna continue to go deeper into questions that they personally ask themselves to grow their marriage and their parenting. They cover five main areas to assess and use as conversation starters with your spouse.
So what if your child(ren) grew up to have the exact relationship you and your spouse have? How would you feel?
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna dive into the world of parenting as they give six questions that they've used in their own family to make sure they are intentional about parenting well, and parenting together.
Make sure to have a pen and paper ready to jot down these questions for yourself and make time to reflect either alone or preferably with your spouse.
Topics Covered:
- discipline
- relationship
- parental example
- technology
- physical health
- nutrition
- mental health
- life/home organization
- concerns
- parenting wins
- vision for children
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna get vulnerable once again by revealing three questions they recently asked each other to take their marriage to another level.
Listen in, take notes, and plan to have the same conversation with your spouse. It may be painful in the moment, but the growth and clarity it brings is worth it.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna reveal questions that you can ask yourself when confronted with a decision that needs to be made. Listen as they also walk you through exercises to help solidify your decision.
Sources Mentioned:
Success Principles Body Sway Test
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna go over some of the key factors in not only surviving, but thriving through this COVID-19 pandemic. If you're new to working from home, or staying home, glued to the press conferences or simply just feel like you're drowning - listen to what is working for them and see if you can pull any of the tips into your own life for a more positive pandemic.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna chat about the three things that really hinder personal growth, self-image, and overall - happiness. Especially during a time like now, it's time to stop doing these three things.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna interview author and youth pastor, Colin Edwards on his book Victory and the story behind being courageous during one of the most challenging seasons of his life.
Topics Covered:
- Victory in death/loss
- Cancer diagnosis in a loved one
- Carrying out God’s calling
- Thriving through difficult seasons
- Reacting to situations you have no control over
- Being courageous during tough times when you don’t have faith
- Going through a journey when eyes are on you
- Handling anxiety
- Giving your problems to God
- Expectations
- Does God still hear our prayers when He doesn’t answer them how we hope?
- Marriage advice for pre-kid marriage
Resources Mentioned:
The Spoken Word
Victory
Where to find Colin:
INSTAGRAM - @colinedwards
Colinedwards.co
In this episode Chris and Johnna go live on their social media to discuss the current coronavirus pandemic and how they're surviving the uncertainty, even among the fear-inducing media.
Topics Covered:
- fear and the media
- working from home with kids
- time management
- being prepared as a couple
- communicating through the challenging time
- controlling what you can control
- the importance of your health during this time
- effects of stress
- tips from work-from-home parents
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna interview Joel Montgomery on the idea of doing family on purpose. Joel has an extensive background in organizational culture and upon losing his job, he decided to take his knowledge and apply it to his most important job, his family. Listen in as Joel walks us through how to be intentional with your family and purposeful with the direction your lives are going.
Topics Covered:
- Family on Purpose
- Organizational Culture – what is it, why it’s important, how to apply it to family
- The gift of losing your job
- Putting your career before your family
- Family Culture Blueprint
- How family and business are the same
- Culture code
- Who is your family today, and who do you want to be tomorrow?
- Purpose, why, vision, mission
- What’s most important to your family
- What, as a family, is the truth you believe?
- What do you want your family to be known for?
- Family habits
- Individual purpose vs. family purpose
- Being intentional
- How are we investing the limited time we have, and is it leading us to where we want to end up?
- Budgeting your time
- How our values drive our behavior
- Using your individual personalities and stories to create a family dream document
- Open letter to the dads
Resources Mentioned:
The Ten Tips for Doing Family on Purpose
Atomic Habits
Where to find Joel:
INSTAGRAM - @joelrmontgomery
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna interview Sandra Etherington, owner of Family Personalities. Using the Myers-Briggs Personality typing, Sandra helps families work together more effectively to raise their uniquely wired children to be the best versions of themselves that they can be.
Listen as Chris and Johnna ask her all of the questions on this interesting way of getting to know yourself and your children.
Topics Covered:
- What is Myers-Briggs Personality testing
- Do kids have personality types
- When can you discover personality types in kids
- Using the knowledge of personality types as a tool for a more peaceful family
- Being born with your personality
- Typing Chris
- Introvert and extrovert preferences
- Typing Johnna
- Trans-contextual thinking
- Personalities that pair well
- Personalities that clash
- Personality types in parenting
- Online personality assessments vs. working with a professionally trained assessor
- The science behind personality assessments
Where to find Sandra:
WEBSITE - https://familypersonalities.com/
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/goldenratiofan
INSTAGRAM - @familypersonalities
Episode Summary:
In their most vulnerable episode yet, Chris and Johnna open up about all of the ways they've been tested since taking a giant leap of faith; and in turn, all of the ways God has continued to answer when they've opened their hands and surrendered it all.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna interview RN, Nurse Aeromatherapist, mother to three and special needs mom, Kami Schaal. Kami discusses her experience in the medical field and how she used that, her motherly intuition, and her faith to guide her through the journey of an autism diagnosis; and how seeking alternative methods to medication like a specialized diet ended up serving her whole family.
Listen in to hear how God’s plans are bigger than our own - how an autism diagnosis has created a faith-filled family, a hugging prophet, and siblings who are going to change the world.
Topics Covered:
- Pregnancy complications
- When doctors can’t figure out the diagnosis
- Journey to special needs diagnosis
- Special needs parenting
- Life with a child who has autism, as well as neuro-typical children
- When physicians prescribe medication as a first step
- Knowing you have the right to speak up for yourself and your child in a doctor setting
- Healing through nutrition
- Antibiotic crisis
- Diets that heal
- Elimination diet
- Gut healing
- Fighting divorce even when odds are not in your favor
- Being respectful of your spouse’s coping mechanisms
- Navigating autism and a relationship facing the trials of special needs
- What to do when you suspect a developmental delay in your child
- When God’s plans are bigger than our own - how an autism diagnosis has created a faith-filled family, a hugging prophet, and siblings who are going to change the world
Resources Mentioned:
The Feingold Diet
https://www.additudemag.com/treatment/the-feingold-diet/
The Rain Barrel Effect
Where to find Kami:
https://theessentialcouple.com/manage-the-meltdown
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/familywellnesswarrior/
INSTAGRAM - @theessentialcouple
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Chris and Johnna interview licensed therapist and coach, Bridget Boursiquot (LICSW), on the struggles of anxiety and overwhelm and how to cope with and manage them. Bridget specializes in relationship issues, life transitions, and anxiety/stress and she offers actual techniques that she uses in her own practice during this episode.
Topics Covered:
- Anxiety
- What is anxiety?
- Everyday worry vs. diagnoseable anxiety
- How to recognize when you have anxiety
- Coping mechanisms for overwhelm
- Normalizing anxiety
- Asking for help
- Focusing on what you can control
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Self-care
- Grounding Techniques
- Changing your state
- Connecting with your spouse through communication
- Bids for connection
- Taking any guilt out of self-care
- Expectations
- Negative self-talk
- Workable self-expectations
- Creating balance in your life
- Brain dump technique
- Intent vs. Impact
- Gratitude
Resources Mentioned:
Where to find Bridget- www.Bridgetohealthyself.com
fb.me/bridgetohealthyself
https://www.instagram.com/bridgetohealthyself/
https://twitter.com/Btohealthyself
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgetohealthyself/
Email: Bridget.LICSW@gmail.com
Phone: 781-277-7273
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna dive into the second three of the six types of self-care they deem as necessary to beginning to become the best version of yourself.
*For the first three types of self-care, refer back to episode 31!
Topics Covered:
- Is self-care selfish or necessary?
- Intellectual self-care
- How taking care of your intellect helps to grow you as a person
- Different forms of Social self-care and how to do them
- The importance of community
- Types of personal self-care and the importance of implementing them
Resources Mentioned:
- The Success Principles – Jack Canfield
- The Compound Effect – Daren Hardy
- Tony Robbins
- The Profit – Marcus Lemonis
- Project Evo
- 16 Personalities Test - https://www.16personalities.com/
- Kimpton Monaco Pittsburgh - https://www.monaco-pittsburgh.com/?&utm_source=Google%20My%20Business&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB&utm_term=monaco%20pittsburgh
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna dive into the first three of the six types of self-care they deem as necessary to beginning to become the best version of yourself.
Topics Covered:
- Self-care defined
- Is self-care selfish?
- Six types of self-care and the importance of each
- Physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, personal
- Physical Self Care
- Defined, it’s importance and examples of what it is and what it’s not
- Paying the minimum on your health to get started
- Baby interruptions
- Getting out of your comfort zone
- Finding flow
- Sleep - why it’s important, how screens affect your sleep
- Nutrition
- Movement
- Emotional Self Care
- Defined, it’s importance and examples of what it is and what it’s not
- Stress management
- Dealing with feelings
- What happens when you don’t acknowledge your feelings/emotions
- Protecting what goes on between your ears
- Drowning feelings in distractions
- Finding your triggers
- Setting boundaries
- Spiritual Self Care
- Defined, it’s importance and examples of what it is and what it’s not
- Who God is in our lives
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna once again go off the cuff to discuss and on-air coach themselves through an emotionally charged situation that is currently impacting their lives that many likely also face. And that is knowing when to set emotional boundaries with the people in your life.
Topics Covered:
- Taking on other people’s emotions
- Understanding when taking on other people’s problems is a problem in your life
- Being an empathetic person
- Feeling like your hands are tied when your loved ones are hurting
- Draining your cup also drains your loved ones
- When boundaries need to be set
- Uncomfortable conversations, ultimatum, when to cut people out
- Where do boundaries begin?
- Protecting your own mental energy
- The Five Minute Rule
- You get in life what you tolerate
- Realizing what you have control over
- Who do you let push their emotional agenda on you?
- Assessing your stressors
- When it’s okay to cut toxic people out of your life
- Ways to have the uncomfortable conversation surrounding boundaries
Resources Mentioned:
Hal Elrod (5 minute rule)
Episode Summary:
In this episode Chris and Johnna interview Parent Success Coach, Dustin Hill, on his Parent Success Plan and his goal to help 10,000,000 parents in the next decade to become more connected parents who thrive in both their professional and personal lives.
Topics Covered:
- Parent Success Coaching
- The why behind the Parent Success Plan
- Helping parents to enjoy home life with kids while also being successful in work
- Three phases of parent success: recharge, mindset, level up
- The idea of recharge in a time where busyness is a badge of honor
- Big ways and small ways to recharge
- When you or your spouse is in a funk
- Communicating with your spouse
- When you don’t have enough left over for your family after work
- Finding balance in work and family life
- Finding your why
- Why do you do what you do?
- Developing mantras to help your mindset in all situations
- Setting boundaries for yourself
- Defining roles in marriage
- Setting expectations
- Self-awareness as a mindset
- Setting intentions
- What to do when you’re off the wagon
- Progress not perfection
- Understanding the emotion behind your actions
- The power in speaking your goals
- Showing your real, vulnerable self
- Being 1% better
- When parents are disconnected
Resources Mentioned:
Dustin Hill is the creator of the Parent Success Plan which is a career plan for parents. He loves to help parents understand why it’s so important to take care of themselves so they can better take care of their kids. He also loves to help parents have a strong mindset and have a simple, yet powerful framework to level up throughout life.
www.parentsuccessplan.com/free
Episode Summary:
Johnna rides solo on this episode and dives into some of the complexities that are motherhood with one goal in mind - for you to know you are not alone.
Topics Covered:
- Being a mom is hard
- Comfort in knowing that you’re not alone
- The overwhelmed mom that nobody gets
- The confusion of being a mom
- Safe places to vent and complain about the struggles of motherhood without being judged
- The fear of not being enough
- Losing your identity after becoming a mother
- Self-care and what happens when you self-sabotage
- The level of exhaustion that comes with pregnancy
- Food intolerances and how they’ve affected the way I show up for my family
- It’s okay to admit you need a break
- Motherhood Masks that we wear to pretend we’re okay
- Overwhelm that crushes you
- Knowing you’re not alone
- Controlling what we can as moms
- Being a mom feels like the definition of insanity
- Rachel Hollis’ Start Today Journal
- Filling up your cup first so you can pour out onto your family
- Nothing worth having comes easily
- The Well and Balanced Mom Article – Advice from Moms of Grown Children
- Forward thinking and planning for the future based on the things we know are to come
Resources Mentioned:
What I Wish I Knew Article
Start Today Journal
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Johnna and Chris go off script and interview each other on the year behind and the year ahead. Listen and get to know the two a little better in 2020.
Topics Covered:
- Aggressive lifestyle in 2019
- Shutting down a successful business
- Leaving fitness and coming back
- Risking our lifestyle and livelihood
- Bro, nose picking, and nuts
- You on Netflix
- Gatlinburg, TN
- Tennessee Whiskey
- Where the podcast originated
- Small talk
- Get to know us
- Behind the scenes of episode 27
- Real Talk
- Overwhelm
- Headspace funk
- Progress over perfection
- Penzu journal app
- Community and Chaos
- Community
- Crossroads Church
- Final Transformation Academy
- SAHM struggles
- To go back to work or not
- Narrowing down on one goal for the ripple effect
- Taking care of your one body
- Chris’s word of the year
- Johnna’s word of the year
- People pleasing
- Good vibes only
- Facebook live in the delivery room
- Intentional habits
- Taking care of your one body
Sources Mentioned:
penzu.com (journal app)
https://www.crossroads.net/ (church we attend)
https://www.harveker.com/blog/greatest-lesson-from-warren-buffet/ (Warren Buffet illustration and lesson)
Episode Summary:
Chris & Johnna cover the ways in which you can be supportive of your wife, especially when she is pregnant. Listen if you feel like hearing Chris poke fun at a pregnant Johnna who nearly walks out of the episode.
Topics Covered:
- Will Chris remain a girl dad for life?
- Baby #4’s name reveal
- Don’t expect your wife to be the same throughout pregnancy and after
- The word crazy and how you shouldn’t use it towards a woman
- How to handle your wife’s hormones with grace
- Things you can take off of your wife’s plates
- Why feeding your wife is important
- How the Burger King Impossible Whopper fits into this episode
- How to prep for baby
- Listening to your spouse
- Toolbox vs. Trash Dump Method
- How to encourage your pregnant wife
- When and how to protect your wife from others
- Funny stories of emotional outburst of other women
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna interview speaker, blended family coach, high school teacher and Amazon best-selling author – Joel Hawbaker on common issues within blended families and perspective and tactics to handle them, as well as how the same advice can be used to better the traditional family.
Topics Covered:
- Blended family defined
- How to put your spouse first when your loyalty was first to your kid(s)
- Single parent to blended family
- Looking at the long-term perspective of marriage and kids
- Making the husband and wife team a priority
- Modeling the behavior you wish your child to exhibit yourself
- Prioritizing your spouse in order to raise your kids well
- The benefits of working well with your ex
- Admitting when you need help
- Survival mode and evaluating what’s sustainable long-term
- Being willing to experiment and admit when things aren’t working
- Handling parenting expectations when traditional or blended with traditional and blended backgrounds
- Major causes of divorce
- Handling parenting disagreements with exes
- How to reframe parenting discussions to come to an agreement
- Agreeing on desired values for children
- What title should the step-parent have?
- Taking care of your child’s needs vs. putting them above your spouse
- What to consider before re-marrying or marrying for the first time
- Working through loyalty to your child vs. your spouse
- Communicating your needs with your spouse
- Going from single parent to married with blended family
- How to defend your spouse to your kids
- Bonding with step-children
- Handling parenting when you don’t get along with the ex
- Taking your kid(s) into consideration before marriage
Links/Sources Mentioned:
- Pastor Ron Diehl – Family Life Blended (familylifeblended.com)
Where to find Joel:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joel.w.hawbaker
Email: joel@speakerjoel.com
https://reallifeleading.com/
www.stepdadding.com
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna discuss ways to combat and revive a stale marriage.
Topics Covered:
- Defining a stale marriage
- Intentionally living vs. existing
- The 3 C’s to combat a stale marriage
- Different seasons of marriage
- Being intentional about carving out time for each other
- Ways to connect without technology
- Looking forward to the end and creating a legacy with your spouse
- Diving deeper in communication with your spouse
- Creating a vision together
- Attaching a more powerful why to your marriage
- Understanding what you and your spouse want out of life
- Discovering your core values as a couple
Episode Summary:
On this solo episode, Chris covers the reasons we feel guilty when overindulging around the holidays, and how to get rid of that guilt and reset your mind regarding food and the holidays.
Topics Covered:
- Avoiding holiday food guilt
- Binge eating around the holidays
- Combatting the guilt that accompanies overeating
- Combatting the feelings that come from overeating – bloating, irritability etc.
- Expectations around the holidays and the stress that comes with trying to perfect everything, whether you are hosting or traveling
- Adjusting your attitude when you know that the day can be stressful
- Setting boundaries for yourself and your family around the holidays
- Allowing yourself treats, but in moderation, and not beating yourself up over it
- Making a plan BEFORE you go
- Talking to relatives who may comment on or be cynical about your goals and fitness journey
- Negative mind chatter
- Social pressures
- Creating balance around the holidays
- The harm in finding comfort in food
- Enjoying the holidays without the binge and without the guilt
- The compound effect
- Physiological vs. mental response from over-indulging
Episode Summary:
Johnna rolls solo on this episode and dives into the challenges of mom guilt and steps to be intentional about ridding ourselves of it.
Topics Covered:
- Mom guilt questions
- Does mom guilt serve us?
- Guilt vs. conviction and learning the difference and when to learn and when to give ourselves grace
- Being a mom is a 24/7 job
- Getting rid of the guilt cycle of shaming ourselves and beating ourselves up
- Working mom vs. Stay-at-home debate
- Mom shaming
- Realizing that we aren’t alone in this guilt cycle
- The struggles of a SAHM
- When the guilt hurts at night
- The struggles of a working mom
- Mom shaming breastfeeding vs. formula, birth story argument, screen time, how you feed your kids
- Internet trolls
- Comparing yourself to other moms/parents
- Single moms guilt
- Moms who feel single because their husbands work so much
- Being a first time parent no matter how many children you have
- Learning to stop beating ourselves up
- Lack of education for parenting long-term
- Five ways to get rid of mom guilt
- Acknowledge the mom guilt by journaling
- Find your triggers
- Connect with your children
- Fill your cup
- Let it go and give yourself some grace
Sources Mentioned:
Penzu App for journaling
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna discuss all the ways in which friendships change through different seasons of life and the importance of community through each.
Topics Covered:
- How your identity changes after becoming a parent
- How friendship dynamics change when you enter different stages
- How friendship and life can change after marriage, after kid 1, kid 2, kid 3 etc.
- How your relationships with people influence who you are
- When you catch up to a friend’s stage or vice versa
- Friends who move through the same stages with you
- The loneliness you can feel after having a child
- Maintaining friendships through different seasons/stages
- How we parent before we’re parents
- Not knowing where or who you fit in with after becoming a parent
- The way your perspective changes after having kids
- How we as parents affect our non-parent friendships
- Separating yourself from your kids and spending more time with friends
- When you are lucky enough to have friends who aren’t in the same stage but love your kids like your own
- When you and your friend each have one child versus when you have two and three
- Feeling like no one gets what you are going through when you don’t have community who is in the same stage
- How finding friends in adulthood is like dating
- Finding community to surround yourself with
- Criteria for people you spend time with
- Being able to have uncomfortable conversations with your close friends and holding each other accountable in tough situations
- Looking at the intent behind words in relationships
- Making sure that you have friends in your life who are in your corner
- You are like the five people you spend the most time with
- The weird transformative stage that is your 20's and 30's
- The importance of finding community
- Assessing your current relationships
- Cutting people or distancing yourself from people who do not impact you in a positive way
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna interview blogger and certified Family Life Counselor, Amberly Lambertsen on the importance and the how-to of prioritizing marriage.
Topics Covered:
- A Prioritized Marriage (Blog)
- The importance of putting your spouse ahead of everybody
- The “Gray Divorce” epidemic
- The lack of connection in husband in wife when they don’t prioritize each other
- Prioritizing marriage pre and post-kids
- Date nights before and after you have kids
- How to be intentional about date nights
- Scheduling regular date nights
- At-home date night ideas
- Date night boundaries
- Trigger topics to avoid during date night
- How to prioritize each other in marriage when you cannot do regular date nights
- Remaining a team through the different stages of life
- Being intentional about your marriage, even in the midst of adversity like having a child in the NICU
- What happens to your marriage when you don’t put your spouse first
- How to begin rituals to be intentional about spending time with your spouse each day, outside of date nights
- How to fit in hobbies and a social life outside of each other
- Balancing kids, spouse, career, and social life
- Routines and systems to be intentional and how to create one that works for your family
- How overnight dates improve marriage
- Why your kids need to see that your relationship is a priority
- Signs that your marriage may be on the backburner
- How to come back from a marriage that’s on the backburner
- What happens when only one spouse is intentional about prioritizing marriage
- Ways to get your spouse on board with dates nights and putting each other first
- How to assess and communicate your effort and needs in your relationship
- Trumping all of the excuses for why you cannot have a regular date night
- “prioritizing date night in your marriage” book – why you need date night and how to make it happen
Sources Mentioned:
Date night blog post - https://www.aprioritizedmarriage.com/blog/date-night-rules
Where to Find Amberly:
Insta: @aprioritizedmarriage
Book:
"Prioritizing Date Night in Your Marriage"
https://www.aprioritizedmarriage.com/shop
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna interview Advanced Postpartum Doula, Lactation Counselor, and owner of Relief Parenting Respite and Resource Center, Krista Maltais on parental burnout - how to identify it, when to ask for help, and how to combat it.
Topics Covered:
- Parental Burnout defined
- Ways in which burnout can mimic depression, common stress and other health issues
- How to know if it’s burnout
- Warning signs of burnout
- Three levels of burnout: mild, moderate and severe
- Different parental situations that warrant different levels of burnout
- Why quality sleep plays such a huge role in surviving burnout and parent life in general
- Detriments of poor sleep quality
- Examining your sleep environment and routine
- Easy lifestyle tips to combat parental burnout
- Addressing a parent’s need for a genuine break and support
- How to communicate your needs for a break to your partner
- How to find what rejuvenates you
- How to reframe how you speak about your roles as parents
- Incorporating parenthood as your new identity rather than looking at it as a job
- How your mental load can be just as taxing on your body, stress levels and sleep as your physical load
- The importance of parental collaboration and teamwork between spouses when raising little kids
- Knowing your communication style with your partner and utilizing theirs as well to make sure you are on the same page
- How lack of communication in marriage, while experiencing burnout, can negatively impact your health, life and relationship
- The painful future of not addressing your needs with your spouse
- What life looks like for your kids when you model a marriage of love, support, and communication
- Expectations in self and parental care
- When and how to ask for help
- How your intimate life will improve if you help your spouse around the house
- The Postnatal Depletion Cure
- S.P.A.N. : your self-care plan – Sleep, Purpose, Activity and Nutrition
- Relief Parenting Respite and Resource Center
Sources Mentioned:
Book: The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Oscar Serrallach
Krista's Resource: https://www.reliefparenting.com/parental-burnout
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna interview Speech Pathologist, educator, and mentor - Allison Cloutier on the importance and purpose of intentional play and time with children.
Topics Covered:
- Speech Pathology defined
- Working with speech and language in young children
- Expressive language
- Social language
- Alternative forms of communication
- The importance of play
- Play-based therapy
- The challenges of playing as a parent/caregiver
- The challenges of playing with multiple children at once who are at different ages
- Why play is so important? 1. Development 2. Problem solving 3. Creates abstract thinking 4. Social skills 5. Communication skills 6. Theory of mind (someone else’s perspective) 7. Self-confidence 8. Imagination
- Play builds a foundation for formal learning
- Role play and how it helps with learning
- Play and it’s relation to literacy
- Playing with presence
- Being intentional about play time
- Developmental stages
- Screens and how they affect children’s development
- How creation comes from boredom and the way we are eliminating that creative freedom through technology
- Types of games that improve brain use
- Speech delays and developmental milestones
- When you should seek professional help for your child based on developmental concerns
- Nutrition and how it affects childhood
- Pacifiers and how they affect speech
- Speech impediments
- Deeper connection with your children
Links Mentioned:
asha.org
Where to Find Allison:
https://allisonpcloutier.com/
Episode 17 Show Notes: Stumbling Through Infidelity
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna interview couple Ben and Megan Ballein on their journey through infertility, infidelity, separation, and restoration.
Listen as real life couple takes us through how they stumbled through the toughest of times to get to where they are now.
Topics Covered:
- Lack of communication in marriage
- Justifying situations
- Infertility
- Setting boundaries or building fences in your marriage with the opposite sex
- Taking it too far – infidelity
- Do happy people cheat?
- When caught in the act of cheating
- How your job can shape your identity and significance
- Lost identity as the man and husband in marriage, and finding it in work
- New confidence and time spent with other people can be a distraction from pain at home
- The importance of support and community in your marriage and in challenging situations
- Repressed resentment
- The danger in letting important things roll off of your back
- The effects of struggling through infertility
- The decision to become licensed foster parents
- The decision to adopt
- Adopting before the healing
- The cycle of guilt
- Request for divorce
- Separation
- Family isn’t just blood
- The power of prayer
- Laid off
- Single mom
- Drunk dial confessions
- God’s love through the hurt
- Feeling forced to choose adoption or marriage
- Confiding in another woman
- Seeking help
- Stumbling up to the altar
- A restored marriage
- Keeping families together
- Youth Pastors
- A God-centered marriage
- A manly man vs. a Godly man
Episode Summary:
Chris and Johnna interview Pastor Aaron Duvall and wife Chera, who have faced loss and breast cancer, all within the last year and half.
Listen as a real couple tells their story of fighting back against cancer using faith, mindset, prayer and community to claim victory from the very beginning.
None of us think it will happen to us, so what if cancer comes?
Topics Covered:
- When life doesn't look like how we planned
- Hearing from God and making moves
- Unexpected loss in miscarriage
- Signs that pointed to breast cancer
- The diagnosis
- The decision to fight and claim being a survivor from the start
- Choosing your attitude from the beginning and how mindeset affects everything
- Different sizes of cancerous lumps and different stages of cancer
- Faith in the medical field
- Trusting your doctor and having chemistry vs. getting a second opinion
- Knowing that time is of the essence
- The decision to share your story
- Acting on faith and the power of prayer
- Showing fear and sadness, even as a pastor
- Giving God all of yourself, but the struggle with also giving Him your family
- Preaching in the midst of pain
- Knowing that the presence of pain is not the absence of God
- What it means to fight cancer - the mental game that it requires
- Perspective - extra naps, chemo spa days
- The body of Christ at its best
- Feeling like a zombie and trying to function in normal life
- The cycle of energy and sickness after chemotherapy and the importance of finding your rhythm
- Combating hopelessness of the past and anxiety of the future by taking each day as it comes
- Learning to appreciate the small things
- Becoming more intentional with time and people
- Parenting through cancer
- Getting rid of the need for perfectionism
- Where to begin after you or a loved one has been diagnosed
- The importance of a support system
- The importance of what you let into your mind
- Being your own advocate
- Combating chemo-caused neuropathy
- Cancer funding
- Different forms of treatment for different types of cancer
- Tissue expanders, reconstruction surgery and implants
- Losing a life to save another
- Divine intervention
- Mastectomy and ovary removal
- Cancer remission
Links Mentioned:
Sermon: When God Says No
Sermon: Games We Play - Risk
Sermon: Games We Play - Operation
How to Keep Up With the Duvall's:
Chera's Journey