Growing Home Together Podcast

Do you have a dog who panics on a trip to the vet or groomer? It can be quite an ordeal! It's something we experienced recently with our Bernedoodle, Jovy, on grooming day. While the perceived threat wasn't real, her reaction to it could have put her (and Joanna!) in real danger.We can sometimes react just like Jovy as we interact with our spouse. Something that seems simple on the surface can trigger instant feelings of stress and anxiety. Our bodies go into overdrive. And in our fight to feel secure with our spouse, we only push them further away.These painful patterns can occur in any relationship—not just marriages—and when they do, we can end up on a trajectory that causes even more pain and frustration. That's why we are so grateful to have Ron and Nan Deal joining us for a conversation about how emotional reactions can hurt instead of help our relationships.Ron is a bestselling author, licensed marriage & family therapist, podcaster, and popular conference speaker who conducts marriage and family seminars and professional trainings. Nan has a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught in schools for over 25 years. She is a leader with a local Re-Generation ministry and, together with Ron, leads a support group for parents who have lost a child.Together, Ron and Nan are co-authors of The Mindful Marriage: Create Your Best Relationship Through Understanding and Managing Yourself.In this episode, Ron and Nan share:The four reactive coping stylesPractical steps to uncover your painful patternsThe role regulation plays in the equationAnd much more!This is such a rich conversation about how we can resolve the patterns of the past and find healing in our relationships. Enjoy!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/ron-nan-deal-110

On this podcast, we usually sit down with guests to talk about marriage and family life. But in this episode, we wanted to get personal and share a piece of our own story—specifically, how depression has impacted our marriage.We have been married for over 30 years and have five children together, but what we didn't know until the birth of our third child is that one in seven women experience postpartum depression (PPD) after birth. Postpartum depression can wear many different faces, such as sadness, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, and intrusive thoughts.What neither of us could predict at that time is that the birth of our baby would move us to one of the hardest valleys we've faced as a couple. Today, we're sharing what we learned as we adjusted to life with a growing family—while also navigating the effects of this mental health struggle.In this conversation, we share:How stress and depression can impact marriageWhat postpartum depression looked like in our storyThe importance of leaning on one anotherAnd more!If you and your spouse are going through a hard season or a mental health issue is taking its toll, we hope this conversation will bring some hope and encouragement your way.Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/depression-109/

For parents, March can often feel like the last calm before the storm. Once April arrives, family calendars are inevitably flooded with school exams, spring sports, band concerts and dance recitals, and a whirlwind of other end-of-school-year obligations. Even if our days are full of good things, this hectic time of the year can make us feel tired, stressed, and disconnected from God and one another.Our guest—a busy homeschool mom of three—can certainly relate to this sentiment. Ginny Davidson is a speaker, author, Bible teacher, and coach. She knows all about how the feeling of overwhelm can hijack our peace, and she's here to share some powerful tools that can help us win the battle against overwhelm in our family life.In this episode, Ginny shares:Practical tips for assessing your current scheduleNew rhythms we can lean into this springHow busyness can be an issue of the heartAnd much more!We hope the practical strategies discussed in this conversation will bring you confidence and clarity as you assess your family calendar for the coming months.Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/ginny-davidson-108

As parents, we do all that we can to love and care for our kids. Our days are often filled with driving them to and from school, packing lunchboxes, helping with homework, doing laundry, and keeping up with everything they need to flourish.But in spite of all the time we spend doing things with and for our kids, have you found that it can still be a struggle to connect with them in a meaningful way?We've certainly felt this way at times—but we have good news to share. There's a golden opportunity to reach the hearts of your children in an intentional way, and it's already a part of your daily routine!Valerie Ellis is joining us to explain how parents can use bedtime to disciple their kids and nurture their faith in Jesus. Valerie is an author, speaker, and founder of Our Everyday Parables—an online resource that features book reviews and helpful ideas for families pursuing faith and compassion together.In this episode, Valerie shares:What makes bedtime such a special opportunity to connectCommon challenges parents face when creating consistent bedtime routinesHow bedtime conversations can deepen as your child growsAnd much more!Bedtime is a wonderful opportunity to encourage a child-like faith in your little one. We hope this conversation helps you work a practice of discipling your child's heart into your family's nightly routine.Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/valerie-ellis-107

As parents, we do everything we can to keep our kids safe, happy, and thriving. We make sure they eat their vegetables, buckle their seatbelts, and do their homework. We are committed to taking them to Sunday School each week, teaching them right from wrong, and nurturing them with love every day to help them grow into the best versions of themselves.So when we discover that our child has fallen into addiction or some other kind of self-destructive behavior, it can feel like a nightmare. We start to wonder, what did I do wrong? In these tricky situations, we often struggle to know how to help our children, and at times, it may even feel like God has abandoned us.If you have found yourself devastated by your child's addiction, we want you to know that there is hope!Our guest, Dawn Ward, is here to share her story of how God brought hope and healing in her journey as a mom. Dawn is an author, speaker, and biblical life coach. She has written a powerful book titled From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children.In this episode, Dawn shares:How having a child struggle with addiction doesn't make you a bad parentWhat to do with fear and worry about our childrenWhy it's important to continue to invest in your marriage even during hard parenting seasonsAnd much more!We hope this episode brings hope and encouragement as you continue to love and support your child, even in the face of their self-destructive behavior.Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/dawn-ward-106

Welcome to a special episode of the Growing Home Together Podcast—coming to you from the producers!Hi, my name is Mitch. I support Rob and Joanna in their various creative endeavors by lending a hand with the production of their podcast, social media, blogs, and more.I also have my good friend, Kelsie, with me to help spread some Christmas joy as we bring you a little bit of a different version of the podcast today.Like many of you, Rob and Joanna have a to-do list that might be even longer than Santa's this December! So we thought we would help them out by sharing a devotional for your Christmas season, taking time to reflect on true meaning of the Christmas story, discussing how we can all find beauty in the midst of busyness, and much more.In this episode, we share:A special Christmas devotionalThe Christmas Story from LukeA few holiday-themed jokesAnd much more!December can be such a hectic season. Our hope is that this episode is a helpful resource to refocus back on Christ this Christmas!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/beautifully-busy-105

If you're like us, your weekly routine is filled with events, chores, doctor's appointments, and more. Depending on the size of your family and how many obligations each person has to juggle, it can be quite challenging to coordinate all the details of who needs to be where and when.At our house, we have a big calendar hung on the wall of our kitchen that keeps everyone on track and (hopefully) on time. But amid the pressure of our busy family schedule, we constantly find ourselves craving enough time to just breathe and enjoy the company of the people we love. At times, the calendar on our wall makes it feel impossible to find that time—and when we do go too long without Sabbath, rest, and intimacy with God, our souls suffer for it.That's why we are excited to welcome Kathi Lipp back to the podcast. Kathi is a speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Clutter Free Academy podcast. Kathi has discovered simple steps for creating a rhythm of rest in our families, and she shares some of them in her latest book, Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest. This book holds some delicious recipes, and it also guides us in making Sabbath rest a consistent part of our lives.Kathi shares with us:Simple and practical ways to build a day of rest into every weekHow consistent Sabbath rest will change your lifeThe power of a meal to minister to othersWhere to start decluttering before your holiday hostingAnd much more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/kathi-lipp-104

When Joanna was in fifth grade, her teacher passed out a pamphlet to everyone in the class. On that pamphlet were all kinds of topics about puberty and sex, and it had a phone number that you could call to listen to pre-recorded information on every subject. In all honesty, there were lots of terms and phrases on that pamphlet that she had never heard of before!This led to Joanna's mom giving her “The Talk.” If you remember back to your own "talk", your parents may have been open, honest, and informative; or maybe they felt awkward, and you walked away with more questions than answers. Now that you are a parent, you may be wishing for some sort of manual or coach to lead the way as you prepare to broach this topic with your own children.That's why we are so happy to welcome back Jim Burns to the show. Jim is the president of HomeWord, an amazing ministry that equips parents to build God-honoring families for generations. He's also the author of several books, including his latest, A Student's Guide to Sexual Integrity: God's Plan for Sex and Your Body. This book tackles the sensitive issues of sexuality for kids in today's confusing culture.In this episode, Jim shares :Why it's important to have more than one "Talk"How to overcome the barriers around starting these conversationsPractical tips for helping our kids navigate sexualityAnd much more!We hope this episode is a helpful resource as you navigate the discussion on sexuality!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/jim-burns-103/

As our children grow up, they may start to handle some things themselves. This could be chores, getting up on time, or saving up their allowance or earned money whenever they want a new toy.This is a natural part of getting older, but as a parent, it can be difficult to navigate when to step in and when is it healthy to let your child fail. There are going to be times when “helping” is actually preventing our children from developing their independence and sense of responsibility. We've been going through this with our own son lately so this conversation hit home as we are asking ourselves if we were actually helping our son or if we are feeding an entitled spirit.And this topic of entitlement can pop up in all kinds of areas such as how much to buy for our kids, how much we expect them to help out around the house, or even when it comes to birthdays and Christmas gifts.Today's guest, Kristen Welch, has wrestled through these questions in her own home. She is the author of Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World and the founder and CEO of Mercy House Global, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower marginalized communities with life-changing opportunities that create hope.In this episode, Kristen shares :The connection between gratitude and happinessHow to identify entitlementThe danger of instant gratificationAnd much more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/kristen-welch-102

A number of years ago during one of our Michigan winters, our kids had a snow day off of school. What should have been a fun memory for our daughter became really scary since she suffered a sledding accident that put her in the hospital. She went through surgery and weeks at home in a wheelchair. To make matters worse, when she finally returned to school she was pushed out of her friend group by a bully who made the rest of her school year lonely and miserable.For a time, these things affected her deeply until she healed and regained her strength. Yet for many children, traumatic events go beyond a single, difficult crisis. When kids experience ongoing abuse, neglect, and risk of harm, the effects can last for life. It's no secret that traumatic events can have a profound impact on our kids' lives. We all want to serve and love our kids well when they experience pain, and the awareness and understanding of the impact of trauma can make a world of difference.That's why we are so glad to welcome our guest, Jayne Schooler. Jayne is the author and co-author of many books including Caring for Kids from Hard Places. She's an expert in Child Welfare, she's an adoptive parent, and she has brought trauma-informed training worldwide to help adults care for kids in pain.In this episode, Jayne shares :What trauma is and the different typesSome of the behaviors children may display after a traumaHow we can best support our children through the painAnd much more!This conversation has been so helpful in understanding how trauma can affect our children!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/jayne-schooler-101

This is an exciting podcast for us since it's our 100th episode! Wow! We are so grateful for every one of our guests who have joined us to encourage us in our faith and in loving our family well. We are also truly grateful for all of you who have tuned in, listened, and supported the ministry of the Growing Home Together podcast. We have the honor of welcoming some of our favorite people to the show for this very special episode—our oldest son, Josh, with his wife, Cassie, and our oldest daughter, Emma, and her husband, Adonis. They've given us some of the greatest gifts of our lives, our grandbabies, and they're here to help us accomplish three goals:We want to grow our empathy for young couples and parents in this season.We want to learn how to serve as a support system.And we want to gain some ideas for how to connect with our grandchildren as they grow.Listen in as our family shares their wisdom and perspective on these topics and more. We hope you enjoy this special conversation! It was so fun!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/teigen-family-100

In this stage of life with our middle schooler, it is pretty clear what our job description is as his parents. He needs us to provide clean clothes, food in the fridge, some help with his homework, drive him everywhere, and pay for his schooling and extracurriculars. We are his biggest cheerleaders and guides as he is doing this work of growing up.But things aren't so clear when it comes to our adult children. We are having to tear up that old job description and learn a whole new way of relating and supporting them. Today's guest knows all about this and often says that “the transition is complicated, often messy, and can sometimes feel like you are walking on eggshells.”Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord and the author of several popular books, including Doing Life With Your Adult Children. He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Southern California and have three grown daughters and four grandchildren.In this episode, Jim shares :Strategies for redefining your relationship with adult childrenThe danger of offering unsolicited adviceTips for the child who resists launchingAnd much more!We hope this episode is a helpful resource as you navigate this season of parenting!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/jim-burns-99

If we could use one word to describe Christian parents right now it would probably be “overwhelmed.” Parents feel overwhelmed by their busy schedules, concern of how culture will influence their kids, insecurity in their own ability to teach their kids about Jesus, or even the pressure to get everything right.Our guest is bringing a word of encouragement and hope to us as moms and dads. Christie Thomas is a mom and best-selling author with expertise in Children's Ministry and Family Discipleship. Her latest book is Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus. Christie is here to set us free from overwhelm with wisdom and advice to help us disciple our kids with confidence and joy.In this episode, Christie shares with us:How to use the bit-by-bit approachTips for engaging different ages with ScriptureThe power of prayer at bedtimeAnd much more!We hope this episode gives you confidence as you disciple your children!Find resources mentioned and more in the show notes: growinghometogether.com/christie-thomas-98

We got married when we were pretty young after we met at Bible college. Needless to say, we had a lot of lofty ideas about what our Christian marriage would look like. We thought we would never argue, never lose our temper, keep the romance alive all the time, and always put each other first.While we meant every word of our vows and we have stayed committed for over 30 years, we did not anticipate that we both entered our marriage with a sinful nature and would fail to love well at times. We've said words that have hurt each other deeply and haven't always been there when we needed each other the most.Looking back, we wish we had started with a more solid foundation of what God's design for marriage truly looks like. That's why we are glad to welcome Chad and Emily Van Dixhoorn. They are authors of Gospel-Shaped Marriage: Grace for Sinners to Love Like Saints. If you need fresh hope and vision for your relationship today, this is the place to be!In this episode, Chad & Emily share with us:How God uses marriage to grow usThe source of true happiness in marriageHow your spouse has been uniquely designed to love youAnd much more!We hope this episode strengthens your relationship!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/chad-emily-vandixhoorn-97

When I (Joanna) was in middle school, I can remember having a love of learning, I enjoyed being outdoors and moving through childhood content with who I was. It wasn't until I moved to a new school and got my hands on my first Seventeen Magazine that it seemed like I was overwhelmed with feelings of not being enough. I felt like I wasn't pretty enough, popular enough, or good enough to be wanted and loved for who I was.I think most girls could tell you the moment when comparison drove insecurity deep into their spirit. As we parent our daughters, we want to be aware of how comparison is destructive to their mind, their body, and their souls as they grow.We are so excited to have Shannon Popkin and Lee Nienhuis, authors of Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares, with us on the podcast for this episode.In this episode, Shannon & Lee share with us:What it means to be a “comparison girl”Some comparison cues to look out for as you interact with your daughterThe importance of biblical literacy when it comes to issues of self-worthAnd much more!We hope you find encouragement and hope in this episode!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/popkin-nienhuis-96

“A mom is only as happy as her unhappiest child.” Have you seen this quote floating around social media? It's caught our eyes more than a few times.I think for a lot of us as parents, this phrase can feel accurate because when our child is hurting or struggling, it becomes the main focus of our lives. Our emotions can get all tangled up in their anxiety, pain, or their failures, and those feelings can make us feel like we let them down.You may be in a hard parenting season right now. You may be having a difficult time feeling okay because your child is not okay at all. If that's you, we are so glad to introduce our guest, Erica Wiggenhorn.She is a national speaker, best-selling author, and she's on the writing team for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Erica's passion is to equip people to read God's Word with confidence. She's also a wife and a mom of two who knows all about the joys and challenges of parenting.In this episode, Erica shares with us:The danger of focusing too much on a single circumstanceHow we can unwittingly direct what our children are placing their faith inPractical ways you can remain connected with your spouse in this seasonAnd much more!We hope you find encouragement and hope in this episode!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/erica-wiggenhorn-95

Does your calendar have nearly every square filled to the brim? For most families, May is a particularly busy time of year with graduation parties, school concerts, sports, final exams, and all the things that go along with wrapping up the school year.Even with such a busy schedule, we can get to the end of a packed-out day and still feel like we don't have much to show for it. We can be in the same room with the people we love and feel like we haven't connected at all. When we take a minute to slow down and look inside, we may even realize how we have lost our sense of purpose and joy in it all.Brenda Yoder is here to talk about this very thing! Brenda is the author of Uncomplicated: Simple Secrets for a Compelling Life. She's also a speaker, a counselor, an educator, and a mom who knows what it's like to juggle a full and complicated life. Brenda is here to share how the wisdom and simple habits of the past can speak into the busy and hectic lives that we lead today.Brenda shares with us:Some of the underlying reasons for stressThe role of interdependence in regaining communityThe simple power of ordinary practicesAnd more!We hope you find encouragement and hope in this episode!Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/brenda-yoder-94

When we got married over 30 years ago, we learned right away that growing a strong relationship would be a never-ending process. In our years together, we keep blending our personalities, habits, and the good and bad in our backgrounds so that we can love each other well and accomplish the oneness that God designed for marriage.For couples who marry after divorce or the loss of a spouse, they face even more layers of grief and complexity to grow a strong relationship. That's why we are so glad to welcome Sabrina McDonald on the podcast today to help us understand the challenges of building a blended family.She is a writer and speaker with expertise in marriage and family counseling. Sabrina has been a contributor to national ministries like Focus on the Family and FamilyLife. She is the author of her latest book, A Home Built from Love and Loss: Coming Together as a Blended Family. For anyone facing the challenges of blended families, this book offers practical advice and spiritual guidance to find hope amid grief.Sabrina shares with us:The challenges of a blended familyTips for maintaining a relationship with all your childrenDifferent ways grief can manifestAnd more!We hope you find value in this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/sabrina-mcdonald-93

This week on the podcast, we're revisiting an excellent conversation originally shared in 2021. Anxiety remains a challenge for many children and families (including ours). While you'll hear references to COVID-19 in this episode (as this was recorded in the height of shutdowns), the practical tips for anxiety are well worth revisiting so we can better support our kids in their challenges.Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kelly-boprie-92/—We don't need the experts to tell us that anxiety is a very real and growing struggle for children today. It touches nearly every family we know, and moms and dads are feeling discouraged and helpless in the face of their kids' emotions.That's why we're thrilled to welcome an expert therapist and mom of two to the podcast today. Kelly Boprie provides therapy for kids who face struggles with anxiety and depression, trauma and eating disorders. In her practice, she guides children through the transformative work of overcoming difficult emotions and behavior. This episode provides a wealth of practical help for parents by teaching us:How to recognize anxiety issues in your kids at all ages and stagesHow to discern the difference between a temporary struggle and a mood disorderThe ways anxiety affects your kids' ability to function and thriveSimple stress-management skills you can teach your kids to move them from panic to peaceThe importance of managing your own anxiety as parentsHow to teach your kids to name and express their emotionsKnowing when and how to seek professional help for your childThe impact of faith on our fears

Adopting our youngest son through the foster care system ten years ago was truly one of life's greatest gifts. But one thing we didn't fully understand as we looked forward to a bright future with our beloved little boy was just how much trauma a child suffers when they're separated from their birth parents. Like many foster and adoptive parents, we are on a constant learning journey and are always looking for better ways to support our son through the unique struggles he experiences. That's why we're so grateful that Jenni Lord was able to join us for this candid conversation.Jenni founded Chosen—an organization committed to empowering parents and fostering children's trauma recovery. Chosen connects families impacted by the child welfare system with the resources and support they need to move from hurting to healing. Jenni shares:How trauma impacts the brain, body, and behaviors of youth in foster careHow prioritizing connection over correction can strengthen your parentingThe importance of creating safe spaces for your child to open upAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/jenni-lord-91

There's a common misconception that it's always the big things—like dishonesty or infidelity—that cause marriages to fall apart. But the truth is, many marriages experience death by a thousand cuts as small areas of misalignment add up over time.Every marriage has its squabbles, clashes, and little flare-ups of friction. Over our more than 30 years together, we've certainly had our fair share of moments where our mindsets didn't quite match up.We've all been there at some point, and that's why we were elated to chat with today's guest, Kari Trent Stageberg. Kari is a wife and a mom of two little boys. With her dad, she runs a nonprofit called Strong Families, and she's also the author of The Merge for Marriage, a book designed to help couples stay on the same page in spite of all the ways they may be different.In this conversation, Kari shares:How to work together with your spouse towards the same goal even if you use different approachesTools for resolving conflict, nurturing connection, and bringing joy back into your relationshipWhy today's world creates unique challenges for modern marriages and how to overcome themAnd more!We hope you enjoy this episode!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kari-trent-stageberg-90

We all have wish lists in life—wishes for bigger houses, more quality time with our spouses, or even just a simple wish for better weather. While there's nothing wrong with dreaming, we find our spirits dragging when we grow too preoccupied with the parts of life we wish would change. When this mindset takes over, it can prevent us from finding joy in the present.So what's the solution? Our inspiring guest, Tama Fortner, is here to help us find out. Tama is a best-selling writer who has published and contributed to many books that are inspirational for all ages. Her newest book, Everyday Joys Devotional, invites us to experience God in our real day-to-day lives. Tama was moved to write this book during a time of great personal struggle. When her hope was scarce, she asked God for help, and He gave her a strength that empowered her to restore a joyful spirit to her heart and her home. Tama shares with us:How to start seeing His divine presence even in the ordinary moments of lifeAdvice for setting a positive tone of joy and trust in your householdThe secret to holding happiness even during the “in-betweens” of lifeAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/tama-fortner-89

Raising our two sons has been one of the most rewarding journeys of our lives. If you have boys of your own, you know that parenting sons comes with its own unique set of blessings and challenges.One skill we strive to help our sons build is the ability to overcome the lies they encounter in life. We want to help them better understand what's true and false about who they are, what's really important in life, and where God is when things get hard.That's why we were so grateful for the opportunity to chat with today's guests, Erin and Jason Davis. They're the authors of Lies Boys Believe, a book that helps kids understand the truth of the Bible using strategies taken straight from Erin and Jason's experiences raising four sons.In this episode, you'll hear:How to use narratives from the Bible to counteract the lies society has told your sonTips for working the Word into daily life in a way that helps your sons appreciate the stories of ScriptureWhy grounding your sons in the truth of the gospel will help them identify lies for themselvesAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/erin-jason-davis-88

Our son entered middle school this year and he is growing in all sorts of new and fun ways! He outgrew his shoe size, his appetite is bigger, he's grown a wider circle of friends, and he's definitely sleeping longer and longer hours. Along with that growth, his desire and appetite for screen time is growing bigger too!Honestly, navigating our son's screen time isn't a new challenge to us. We've wondered for years how to set good boundaries so that screen time could be a blessing and not a burden as he grows.That's why we are glad to have our guest on the show today, Arlene Pellicane. She is the author of Screen Kids and is here to help us all navigate screen time with our kids.In this episode, you'll hear:How technology has been designed to be addictiveThe importance of managing your own screen timePractical tips for putting limits on screen time as a parentAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/arlene-pellicane-87

The goal of our ministry has always been to help you care for the soul of your family and help you nourish relationships that keep God at the center of your home.We know that many couples desire the closeness and encouragement of sharing their faith with their husband or wife. Instead, they feel a painful sense of disappointment when their spouse isn't stepping into the role of spiritual leader as they expected. It can feel lonely and like you are single-handedly trying to teach your children about Jesus and deepen your family's spiritual walk.That's why we are so glad to welcome today's guest, Dana Che Williams, to talk about what it really means to lead your family spiritually and how couples can find peace in this area of their marriage. Dana is a wife, mom, speaker, marriage coach, and the host of the Real Relationship Talk podcast.In this episode, you'll hear:A definition of spiritual leadershipWhat it looks like to be unequally yoked in your marriageThe impact of cultivating a deep relationship with the LordAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/dana-che-williams-86

Before you got married and into the first year of marriage, you probably spent hours dreaming about what your life would look like together. But today those dreams may feel far out of reach. Your marriage may have settled into a predictable routine that seems impossible to get out of. You may even feel like you're stuck in a rut and have lost your sense of excitement for what the future could hold for you as a couple.We've heard this from many other couples and even felt it at times in our own marriage. But the truth is you still have many exciting years ahead of you! They can be full of exciting adventures and dreams if you take the time to talk with your spouse and dream together.This is why we are so excited to have our good friends, Kathi & Roger Lipp, on the show today. They know what it is like to dream together and make those dreams become a reality. Kathi is a popular author and speaker as well as a marketing and writing coach. She hosts the popular Clutter Free Academy the Podcast! and the Writing at the Red House Podcast.Kathi and Roger are also homesteaders who traded their life in the city for the mountain life in California.In this episode, you'll hear:Practical tips for discussing your dreamsThe importance of knowing your limits and triggersHow chasing after a dream can bring out the best in youAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kathi-roger-lipp-85

I take you to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.Whether it's been one year, ten years, or 25 years since you uttered those vows, we can all agree that they have and will be tested! We all experience some kind of disappointment, loss, or pain. And even though we've vowed to walk through hard times together, grief can take a toll on our marriage, causing us to question how to communicate about the deep loss we feel, how to best support each other in grief, and even how to maintain our faith when life circumstances just don't make sense.Chuck & Ashley Elliott are popular speakers and workshop leaders, a pastor and a counselor who hold numerous psychoeducational certifications. After walking through miscarriage and grief in their own lives, they authored their new book, I Used to Be ___: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward. Chuck and Ashley are here today to help us understand how grief can actually draw us closer to God and each other.In this episode, you'll hear:How everyone responds to grief differentlyThe role “Switch Theory” can play in our outlook during hard timesPractical tools for navigating grief togetherAnd so much more!We hope you find this conversation insightful and valuable in your own relationship!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/chuck-ashley-elliott-84

Words are powerful! They have the potential to tear down our relationships or build them up. Ever since I (Joanna) was a young girl, I loved words. I would spend hours writing stories and poems. When I went to college, it just made sense to pursue a major in communications. Even though I took numerous writing and even a public speaking class, I was never taught was how to talk to people with kindness and express my thoughts in a way that protected other people's hearts.If we are honest, we all could use some help understanding the power of words to impact our relationships. That's why we are excited to have Sarah Molitor with us. Sarah is a wife, mother of seven kids, and the author of Well Said: Choosing Words that Speak Life, Give Grace, and Strengthen Your Faith and Family. You may know Sarah from her thriving social media community at Modern Farmhouse Family.In this episode, you'll hear:The power words carry in our relationshipsHow God can sometimes do more in our lives when we hold our tongueCommon pitfalls our words can lead us intoAnd so much more!This conversation was such an honor, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/sarah-molitor-83

From the time we had the first of our five children, some of our most special moments were snuggling up to read books together. And some of those stories became like familiar old friends as we read them over and over until the kids could probably recite them by heart.We found so many gifts in reading together with our kids – the quality time, our children's enjoyment of language and artwork, and many sweet life lessons contained in the stories.We found a kindred spirit in a love of reading in our guest, Valerie Ellis. She is an author, speaker, certified teacher, and mom. Valerie knows the power of a story to connect children to their families and to the love of God. We are excited to hear about her latest children's book and how through this story we can help our kids to share the joy of Christmas this year.In this episode, you'll hear:How God created us to learn through storiesTips to engage all ages in readingWays to connect reading to our faithAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/valerie-ellis-82

We got married young and it felt like we were launching out of a starting gate with other couples we knew who got married around the same time. As the years have gone by, one of the hardest things to hear is when one of the couples we care about has fallen to sexual sin and some have even chosen to get a divorce.It's a sad reality that many marriage partners struggle against the pull of pornography. This sin is wreaking havoc on the trust and intimacy of the marriage relationship. Based on statistics, it's a sure thing that some couples listening here or sitting next to us in church are walking wounded because of this sin that is damaging their marriage.That's why we are so grateful to have Dannah Gresh join us for this episode. She shares her own story of heartbreak and marriage in her book, Happily Even After. Dannah is the co-host of the Revive Our Hearts podcast, a speaker, a best-selling author, and a wife who has experienced the power of God to redeem her marriage.In this episode, you'll hear:The physical and neurochemical impacts of pornographyWhy this is not an issue exclusive to menHope for healing and redemptionAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/dannah-gresh-81

Many of us have the perception that prayer is a one-size-fits-all aspect of our faith with God. We may think that we are getting it wrong or failing that aspect of our Christian life.We believe that prayer is a deeply personal practice. It is an essential way to invite God's power and wisdom into our lives, marriages, and relationships with our kids.We are so excited to welcome Janet McHenry back to the podcast today. Janet is a national speaker who has authored 27 books, including PrayerWalk and her newest title, Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style. Janet serves on the California leadership team for the National Day of Prayer and she has been helping others build their lives on prayer for over 20 years.In this episode, Janet is sharing how, just like our personalities are unique, how we connect with God through prayer should be unique too! It's not about doing it right or wrong, it's about praying in line with how God has created us. Janet's perspective will definitely grow our hope and confidence in prayer today.In this episode, you'll hear:The connection between our personality and our prayerExamples of prayer styles from ScriptureThe four praying personalitiesAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/janet-mchenry-80/

Most couples have encountered situations where they feel stuck. Maybe there's a recurring area of conflict. Or a pain from the past that keeps showing up in the present. Maybe you wish your spouse would utilize your love language more, or that the two of you would be more unified in your parenting.No matter the area of your marriage that feels stuck, the good news is that change in your marriage is possible! The Bible says when we seek God through prayer, He will do something new in our lives.We are excited to have Jodie Berndt back on the show with us. She is the bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, which includes her latest book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. Jodie has been a trusted speaker, Bible teacher, and prayer warrior for 30 years, and she's here to give us a word of encouragement in our marriages.In this episode, you'll hear:How to start a habit of prayer with your spouseThe ways prayer can powerfully strengthen your relationshipPractical guidelines for hard conversationsAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/jodie-berndt-79

We are keeping it real today! You've likely heard us say that we are committed to quality time as a couple. Even when our kids were small, once a month we would scrape together whatever money we had left in our budget to pay a sitter to make sure we got quality time together.Date night has always been a big deal for us, but lately these last months we've fallen out of our routine. It's felt like a struggle to find time alone together where we can have conversation and fun! We are definitely feeling the effects of not being able to get quality time together.To help us get back into our routine, we want to invite you along as we take a deep dive into conversation cards and how they can help you build intentional connection time with your spouse.Rob and I share:How intentional time can benefit you as a couplePractical ways to use conversation cardsA real life conversation prompted by conversation cardsAnd more!We hope you enjoy this episode!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/conversation-cards-78/

Did you know that we've been parents for over 30 years? We can still remember holding each of our children as newborns and feeling overwhelmed by our love for them. But we also had many fears about raising our children in a world that is so broken and full of dangers. While we knew we couldn't change the world, we did have hope that our children would grow resilient, full of faith in God, and able to cope with whatever life throws their way.That's what we all hope for as parents, isn't it? We want our kids to be strong, brave, and emotionally prepared to face the world. But how can we raise kids who will be strong and resilient when we still know we have areas to grow as parents? To help us answer this question and more, we are excited to welcome Lauren Gaines to the podcast.Lauren is an author, speaker, teacher, and mother. She is the creator of Inspired Motherhood, a thriving online community for moms to find practical tools to raise spiritually and emotionally healthy kids. Lauren also holds a master's degree in school psychology and is about to release her first book, Unshakable Kids.Lauren shares with us:The best way to increase our child's resilience Why we should be thinking about our thoughtsHow our brains are constantly learningAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/lauren-gaines-77/

I have to be honest with you. This month is just giving me all the excuses to lay awake at night and worry about my kids. I have one that is headed into middle school and it's just so easy to spiral into worrying about his friend group, how he is going to manage academically, and what kinds of influences might drag him down this year. Not to mention we have a daughter who is moving away to college for the first time.I think we would all agree that parenthood brings one worry after another. But how do we tell when our worry is something more? How do we recognize when we have a mental health issue with anxiety? And if we do, how do we cope as moms and dads? How does it affect our faith in God?To help us answer these questions is my guest, Courtney Devich. Courtney is a former human resources professional who is using her leadership skills to manage her three kids as a stay-at-home mom. She has authored a new book called Mama's Got Anxiety: But It's Not Going to Steal Her Joy. In this book, Courtney shares her story and so much insight to encourage moms who struggle with anxiety or depression.Courtney shares with us:The difference between “mom worry” and anxietyIf anxiety should be considered a faith issueHow to help your kids understand anxiety in age-appropriate waysAnd more!We hope this conversation helps you navigate worries and stressors in your everyday life!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/courtney-devich-76/

Recently, I (Joanna) have been meditating on the story of Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12. In the story, Abram becomes afraid that someone will murder him because his wife, Sarai, is so beautiful. It can seem like a pretty crazy story. But it shows how we can look at our spouse's assets and view them not as gifts, but liabilities.In this episode, Rob and I want to look at why we can struggle to celebrate our spouse's strengths, skills, talents, and qualities that make them special. In our own marriage, we encountered moments where the character we love about our spouse is also the thing that costs us something. For me, it was when Rob's passion for learning inspired him to pursue a master's degree. However, that also meant it would cost us a lot of time and money. For Rob, it is when my gift of hospitality causes stress and takes him out of his comfort zone to open our house to others.Do you see your spouse's differences and talents as an asset or a liability? Join us as we discuss the ways we can view our spouse's gifts and how to see them as an asset to the relationship.Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/asset-liability-75/

Next month, our family remembers one of the most important anniversaries of our life together–the adoption day of our youngest son. We view this day as a blessing and a celebration, but for our son, that day holds a whole mix of feelings. While he loves us and is securely knit in the love of our family, his story holds confusion and loss that are an inherent part of a child's separation from their birth parents.As our son grows, we want to create space in our home for him to express his emotions, ask questions, and be confident that he is a wonderful and valuable person. This can be challenging and requires a special set of skills as well as an extra dose of understanding.As parents, it can be hard to know what is happening inside your adopted child. They don't always share what they are going through. And they may even be acting out on emotions or beliefs that they are hiding. As a parent, you may be wondering how can we understand your child and their experiences.Our guest today is Susan TeBos. Susan is a writer, speaker, Bible study leader, adoption advocate, and adoptive mom of three children. She is the author of We've Been There: True Stories, Surprising Insights, and Aha Moments for Adopted Teens.Susan shares with us:Her story of international adoptionWhy adopted teens may resist bringing up the pastThe importance of honing your observation skillsAnd more!We hope this conversation is an encouragement to you as you help your adopted child navigate the teenage years!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/susan-tebos-74

You may have heard of decision fatigue where you just have so many choices to make it can kind of be exhausting. Well, our family has been going through transition fatigue.We have had so many transitions both as a family and as individuals over the last year and a half. These transitions have been everything from switching jobs, moving to a new house, saying our goodbyes as a family member moves overseas, and having a daughter graduate college. Each of these transitions on their own are a major event, but we have begun to feel the wear and tear as it has felt that life has been constantly changing.As we approach this topic of transition fatigue and share what has been going on in our own life, this episode will look a little different from our normal. We hope this is an encouragement for you in whatever season of life you are currently in!Rob and I share:Some of the transitions our family has experienced recentlyPractical tips as you experience transitionsHow prayer can bind your family togetherAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation as we discuss how to navigate transition fatigue!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/transition-fatigue-73

We have five children and in recent months they have been asking some significant questions about their money and their future. Everything from how health insurance will handle a pregnancy, how to find a good job and a reasonable apartment, and how to sell old video games to finance purchasing a new game.Each of our kids is at a different age and stage but they all have questions about money that are significant to their life and how they are moving forward. As we listen to their questions, we are wondering how to prepare them to find answers and make sure they understand how today's decisions might affect tomorrow. Do they know the spiritual implications of how they relate to money?Our guest puts it so well when he says, “Get the money thing wrong and it can shipwreck your life. Get the money thing right and it can contribute mightily to a life of great joy and impact.” We all want our kids to get the money thing right, so we are excited to dig into this topic with our guest, Matt Bell.Matt is the managing editor at Sound Mind Investing as well as an author, speaker, and dad to three kids. Matt has a powerful testimony about his faith and his finances. He is passionate about helping others manage their finances well.Matt shares with us:How money management reveals what we believe about GodIf allowances are a helpful tool or hurtful handoutLittle ways you can prepare your children to handle financesAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation and feel better equipped to teach your children about finances!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/matt-bell-72

Even before we were married, we dreamed about becoming parents. We're so grateful to God that today we have two wonderful sons and three beautiful daughters.While parenting truly is incredible, it is not easy! For Rob, if he had to pick one of the hardest parts of parenting, it's when our kids break down and cry. As a dad that just breaks his heart and he wants to make it all better as quickly as possible. It's hard to see them feeling those emotions and know how to best respond!The truth is that our kids deal with such heavy things in this world. If you have wondered the best way to comfort your child, how to help them understand themselves, or explain to them how God can meet them in their sadness, then you will want to pay special attention to this episode.Michelle Nietert is a professional counselor of 25 years, speaker, and frequent guest on national television and podcasts. She hosts her own podcast called Raising Mentally Healthy Kids. Michelle is also an accomplished author and just released her latest book, God, I Feel Sad: Bringing Big Emotions to a Bigger God.Michelle shares with us:Why you should ask your kids when they cried lastHow to know when your child needs professional helpThe importance of acknowledging emotionsWhy we shouldn't ignore meltdowns over something that feels small to usAnd more!We hope this conversation helps you support your kids even more intentionally in their sadness and emotions this week.Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/michelle-nietert-71

It's a very common story. You have an idea of how life will be with your spouse. You probably imagined a picture-perfect idea of a marriage with no conflict where you would just click together. But then once you start living with them day in and day out, it is all too easy to get hung up on their flaws and notice all the ways you are different from one another.This happened to Rob and me when we were first married and living in Chicago. Every day Rob and I would commute home through terrible rush-hour traffic. As Rob would take very sensible and cautious routes home, I began to perceive this as driving like an old man and as the negative thoughts spun out of control I soon found myself thinking that he was not being confident or assertive enough. My negative thoughts had given me a false sense of reality and were straining our relationship.At some point, God smacked me upside the head to show me that I was letting negative thinking steal my joy and come between us. It was a lesson I needed to learn as a young wife for sure!Rob and I aren't alone. There are so many couples, marriages, and relationships that are impacted when we get stuck in negative thinking. That is why we are so excited to introduce you to our guest, Kendra Burrows. Kendra is a writer, speaker, and personal coach who helps bright, successful overthinkers overcome their negative thoughts using Scripture and the science of how God made us. With her Bible in one hand and her advanced psych degree in the other, Kendra is going to show us how to shift our mindset for stronger relationships with the ones that we love.Kendra shares with us:How everyday thoughts can become negativePractical tips for preventing negative thoughts from ruining relationshipsWays you can practice asking and not assuming in your marriageAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/kendra-burrows-70

Recently, I was talking to a good friend of mine who has an older teenager. We talked about the struggle we feel as parents to help our kids hold onto their faith while they have the world's voice in their ears all the time. Like so many parents, she has watched her child turn from the truth of God to believe the lies of the world.How can we help our kids have confidence in the Bible? Why does the world's philosophy seem so compelling to our children? What do we say when our kids as tough questions about sexuality, heaven, hell, or the suffering they see all around us in the world? If you've been asking these tough questions, then this episode is especially for you!To help us start finding answers is our guest, Elizabeth Urbanowicz. Elizabeth is an educator and Biblical apologist who is passionate about equipping kids to understand the truth of the Christian worldview. She is the founder and CEO of Foundation Worldview, which creates a huge array of resources to equip the next generation to be lifelong critical thinkers as well as disciples of Jesus.Elizabeth shares with us:The importance of equipping yourself to evaluate ideasTips to prepare your kid's faith for the outside worldHelpful ways we can train our children to discover Biblical truthsAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/elizabeth-urbanowicz-69

While we love each other very much, marriage is not always easy. Joanna and I are in this for the long haul, but it isn't easy for two imperfect people to stay close, connected, and happy for a lifetime. Maybe you are feeling this struggle in your marriage today. Your spouse's habits are making you crazy, or you may not be feeling cared for, or you are constantly in conflict that drives a wedge between you.The topic we are going to talk about in this episode is how can we keep showing up instead of giving up in our marriages. Karen Ehman is here to help us discuss this! Karen is a New York Times bestselling author, a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker, and a writer for Encouragement for Today. She knows the joys and challenges of marriage and how, with God's help, love can last.Karen shares with us:How to respond when your spouse's weaknesses are showingThe importance of being on the same teamPractical ways you can express your needs to your spouseAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/karen-ehman-68

Fifteen years ago, our lives were filled with stress and busyness. While I thought I was doing everything right to work FOR my family by homeschooling during the day and working at night, I didn't see that my relationship with my husband and my kids was struggling.Have you ever felt that way? We can get so wrapped up in doing and being productive that we miss out on what matters most. That's not to say that doing things is wrong, but we often sacrifice necessary good things to pursue other good things. And when this happens, we forget to care for our souls with the things that matter most.In this episode, we are exploring how to move into a life where we can work with purpose and passion, all while having a deep sense of peace and rest at the same time. To help us do that is our guest, Dr. Laurel Emory. Laurel is a writer, speaker, podcaster, and accomplished business and leadership coach. Her heart is centered on helping others cultivate confidence and joy in life and work.Laurel shares with us:The importance of valuing things outside of what is productiveSigns that God is inviting you to restAdditional resources to help you as you pursue restAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/laurel-emory-67

In our previous episode, we discussed how to prepare ourselves to launch our children into adulthood. Continuing on this theme, this episode focuses on parenting young adults, which is particularly important to Rob and me since it's a topic that's close to our hearts.We delve into the heartache that comes with parenting a wayward child and aim to offer you the hope and encouragement you need. Joining us in this discussion is our guest and friend, Mary DeMuth, who is the author of the book, Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy. Mary is an international speaker, podcaster, and author of over 40 books. She understands firsthand what it's like to overcome a difficult past and helps others write a new story in their lives.Mary shares with us:Why our joy shouldn't be dependent on our children's decisionsThe role our convictions should and shouldn't have in our relationship with our childrenHow having a wayward child can bring you closer to JesusAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/mary-demuth-66

In this episode, we are going to discuss a stage of parenting that isn't talked about as much. It's what is known as the “messy middle” of parenting, where your kids are preparing to leave the nest for good. The questions and situations you have to deal with as your children start to assert their independence can be quite challenging.We are excited to have Brenda Yoder with us to discuss how we can prepare our hearts and our homes for our kids to leave the nest. Brenda is the author of Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind, a mom, speaker, podcaster, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and life coach who gives biblical wisdom to parents who want to launch their children well.Brenda shares with us:The reality of “mom grief”How to be kid-led in your parentingPreparing your own heart for shifting your roleWe hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/brenda-yoder-65

We know many couples who have split up or who are seriously questioning their future together, and the one thing that is crystal clear with all of them is that their relationship did not break down overnight. You may be wondering where your marriage will stand in 2023 or if you can overcome the hurts and conflicts that have happened in your marriage. If you have been looking for a change but don't know where to start then you'll want to pay special attention to this episode!Our guests, Mark and Jill Savage know the stress and pain that comes with a broken marriage. They know the habits, assumptions, and choices that can pull couples apart. Jill is the author of 14 books, two of which are co-authored with Mark. They frequently speak about marriage and offer coaching to other couples.Mark & Jill share with us:Their personal story of repairing their marriageThe slow fades that can erode a marriageThe difference between forgiveness and making amendsAnd ways to reignite your marriage!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/mark-jill-savage-64

For the majority of our marriage, we had a traditional schedule where Rob would head off to an office job in the morning while I would stay at home with the children. But a few years ago, we flipped our lives upside down to pursue self-employment together as partners. This transition made us realize that we had a lot to learn, not just as marriage partners but as life and business partners.That is why we are so excited to introduce Robert and Kay Lee Fukui. They have a consulting business where they guide other married entrepreneurs to create a thriving marriage and a prosperous business.Robert and Kay Lee share with us:The importance of knowing how to resolve conflictWhy more sales aren't the solution to business stressHow setting aside time for rest is the most productive thing you can doThe focus of their book Tandem: The Married Entrepreneurs' Guide for Greater Work-Life BalanceAnd more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/Robert-Kay-Lee-Fukui-63

Every married couple will face challenges throughout their marriage. It could be dealing with a serious health crisis, mental illness, parenting prodigal children, infertility, financial setbacks, or overwhelming work and responsibilities. From the day a couple says “I do,” they set out on a journey that holds inevitable struggles and threats to a happy and lasting marriage relationship.Today's guest, Gary Thomas, offers a powerful teaching on how to make your marriage a fortress that can stand up to the battles you will face with your spouse. In this episode, we are going to hone in on just one of those battles: the pain and brokenness from our past that we each bring into a marriage. He also helps us to understand:- The effect the world has on our marriages- How your past has shaped who you are and how you react- The importance of getting curious about your behaviors- The power of God to redeem your past hurts and strengthen your marriage- And more!We are praying that you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/gary-thomas-62

If you're married, you likely stood up at the altar on your wedding day and made vows to stick together for better and for worse, in sickness and in health. And maybe, like many couples, your vows have been tested because of an injury, illness, or chronic condition affecting your daily life. The challenge of chronic pain puts a unique kind of stress on a marriage—it can bring you together and grow your relationship in new ways, or it can wear down the joy and closeness that you share.Our returning guests for this episode are Chris and Jamie Bailey. They have walked their own road filled with medical issues, back pain, and other chronic conditions. In this episode, they offer their unique insight into building a strong marriage despite difficult circumstances.Chris and Jamie share with us:- The importance of choosing to depend on God and each other- How chronic pain and health issues can negatively impact your marriage- Ways to stay connected and keep stressors from stealing your joy- Practical ways to help and encourage your spouse dealing with pain- And ways to prepare your marriage now to withstand whatever the future may holdWe hope this episode brings you encouragement today!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/chris-jamie-bailey-61

Do you ever feel disappointed or discouraged in your marriage? As wives, I (Joanna) know we want to know how to bring life to our marriages when we're losing hope. I know so many women, despite their love for their husbands, feel discouraged in their marriages. Their husbands may seem distant and like he doesn't want to work on a close relationship, or the communication has broken down, and they find themselves often in conflict. Can you relate?Today, I am having a conversation with Estrella Rogers, a licensed counselor, author, speaker, and founder of Star Level Coaching, where she coaches couples to build strong and lasting relationships. She is also a wife and a mom that has experienced the power of prayer in her own family. Listen in as Estrella shares how wives can encourage, pray, and love their husbands through life's challenges.Estrella shares with us:- What to do when you “hit a wall” in your marriage- The power of praying for your husband- How to be supportive when it feels like you can't fix the circumstances- The importance of self-evaluation- And more!We hope you enjoy this conversation!Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/estrella-rogers-60