IMbetween Podcast on Marriage, Parenting, Faith, and Everything In Between

Sometimes our spouse can feel like our best friend. And, other times, they can drive us crazy! In episode 158, we want to give you 4 ways to stick together when you feel bored, irritated, or frustrated with your spouse. For the full show notes, including date night questions and journal prompts about this episode, go to IMbetween.org/episode158 Connect with us on: Facebook | Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No one wakes up and decides, "I'm going to ruin my marriage, neglect my kids, and cause mistrust in my family." Yet, sometimes our spouse and children can feel like they have taken second (or last) place to our personal goals and busyness.  In Episode 157, Dr. Josh and Christi Straub share with us how seven core decisions can help us put what's most important center stage in our lives. If you can carve out 20 minutes a day for your child, it can fuel their soul. Dr. Josh and Christi Straub are speakers, authors, and marriage and leadership coaches. Together they lead Famous at Home, an organization devoted to equipping leaders, organizations, military families, and churches in emotional intelligence and family wellness.  They host the weekly Famous At Home Podcast, lead a yearlong coaching cohort called The Leader's Heart, and have written children's books on emotional intelligence. Josh and Christi love spending time on the lake with their three sweet kids and their feisty Goldendoodle, Copper. For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode157 Connect with us on: Facebook | Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the rising costs of gas, groceries, and pretty much everything in life, are you feeling the financial strain like we are? In Episode 156, we're so thankful to be talking with the founders of SeedTime money, Bob and Linda Lotich. They answer the tough question, "Finances are killing my marriage. What do I do?" Bob and Linda Lotich have spent the last 15 years helping millions discover true financial freedom with their award-winning blog SeedTime.com and SeedTime Money podcast. Unlike most financial experts, they lead with grace over judgement and focus on creating hope while washing away the shame so many carry with money. In their new book Simple Money, Rich Life they share practical steps to save and earn more money in order to fund your God-given purpose and dreams. For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode156 Connect with us on: Facebook | Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The gift of Enneagram for relationships is that it offers us insights and perspectives of others. If you've ever found yourself questioning why your spouse does certain things in some ways or reacts to certain triggers in other ways, this episode is for you. In episode 155, we interview Enneagram coach, Dani Cooper, about how the Enneagram can help you understand your spouse at a deeper level. She also helps you learn how to love your spouse well by discovering the core lies they believe and how you can speak truth to their deepest wounds. Dani Cooper is a Certified Enneagram Teacher and Coach for individuals, couples and teams. She is the author of a new book, The Enneagram For Christian Couples. She is passionate about encouraging others to get on the road to self-discovery, and believes that only as we begin to understand ourselves, can we begin to truly love and care for the people in our lives and grow in our relationship with God and the world around us. For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode155 Connect with us on: Facebook | Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you're a bride-to-be, a mother-in-law-to-be, or a woman who has been braving the in-law relationship for decades, every daughter-in-law and mother-in-law needs help navigating their relationship sometimes. In Episode 154, we chat with mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo, Barbara and Stacy Reaoch, about practical ways the in-law relationship can genuinely thrive in the midst of difficulty. Barbara Reaoch, author of A Better Than Anything Christmas (2020), is the former director of the children's division at Bible Study Fellowship International. Her home is Minneapolis, Minn., with her husband Ron. Prior to her role at BSF, Barbara and Ron lived in Cape Town, South Africa, to teach Bible Study Fellowship classes. They also worked with the Rafiki Foundation to train young women in job and life skills. You can connect with her at www.barbarareaoch.com. Stacy Reaoch is a pastor's wife, mother of four, and the author of Wilderness Wanderings: Finding Contentment in the Desert Times of Life. She has written for various ministries including Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and Revive Our Hearts. Stacy and her husband, Ben, (Barbara's son) live in Pittsburgh, Penn., with their children. You can find more about Stacy and her writings at www.stacyreaoch.com. For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode154 Connect with us on: Facebook | Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Known as 40 days to give up chocolate, alcohol, social media, or a "quick" way to diet before Easter, the Lenten season can easily be misunderstood. It's not in the Bible and Jesus never told us to do it, yet the ancient Church declared the months before Easter a fasting season, and millions of Christians still observe it today. In Episode 153, we interview best-selling author, Tsh Oxenreider, about celebrating Lent as a family.  Whether you have been celebrating Lent for many years, or you are just wanting to dip your family's toes into this liturgical practice, this episode is full of practical tips and historical background of the why and how of observing Lent. Starting with Ash Wednesday, Tsh guides us to a better understanding of Jesus's sacrifice as we delight in His ultimate love. She opens up with a brief history of Lent, the importance of Lent's trifecta: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, as well as 5 questions to ask yourself when you're deciding what to give up. She also gives us some practical ideas about how to involve our children in this practice.  So, pull up a chair, get a warm drink, and listen to our conversation with Tsh. Consider this your invitation to go deeper this Lenten season. Tsh Oxenreider is the bestselling author of several books, most notably At Home in the World, her memoir about her family's year traveling around the world and living out of backpacks. She's also a travel guide, teacher, and podcaster, and she lives in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and three children. She is equally happy snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef with her family and putzing around her own backyard. For all the show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode153 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether you realize it or not, parenting happens in habits. We make meals, we get in cars, we answer SO many questions, we discipline, and we do bedtime. So much of our relationship with children happens through these ordinary rhythms of the day, and yet how often do we go through these motions as if they were meaningless? How often do we just blaze through these mundane “chores” to finally get some “me-time?”  In this episode, Justin will show us how ordinary routines are actually extraordinary opportunities to live out the love of God in a profound way. He'll give us the tools we need for parenting and discover spiritual meaning in the everyday moments of waking, mealtimes, screen time, and bedtimes.  We trust that you'll find this episode inspiring and useful in establishing new habits and intentional rhythms around your everyday routines. We hope that by seeing these mundane moments as spiritual practices, your family will have a greater sense of peace and purpose as your home becomes a place where everyone learns how to love.  Justin Earley is a writer, speaker, and lawyer from Richmond, Virginia, and the author of an award-winning book on habits and spiritual formation. But, most of all, he is a dad who is married to Lauren and spends a lot of time wrestling his four young boys. You can follow him online at justinwhitmelearley.com For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode152 Connect with us on: Facebook | Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we're going to be discussing how to support your hurting spouse when you are hurting too. This topic hits close to home because we've lived it this past year. In May of last year, we said goodbye to Daniel's dad after a brave 16 month battle with cancer. Thankfully, we were literally there to say goodbye to him. We had flown into Daniel's hometown on Sunday and his dad unexpectedly passed away two days later.  We weren't ready for this kind of grief. No one is.  Many of you have been grieving and hurting as well. Perhaps you've lost a loved one too. Maybe you've lost your job in these tumultuous times. Perhaps you've lost friends or family members over differences of opinion. It's been a difficult few years, to say the least.  So, how do you support your spouse when you're hurting too? How do you not ignore your own pain to be there for your spouse? How do you not resent your spouse for needing extra attention when they are not necessarily paying attention to your needs and wants? There are no easy answers, but we wanted to share with you a few tips that have helped us during these difficult times.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode151 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marcus and Chris have spent years studying human relationships and were previously on our podcast talking about the connection between joy and marriage. Now they offer parenting principles derived from the way our brains are hardwired. As you'll soon find out, joy isn't some abstract concept, but a neurochemical reality that arises from the choices we make.  Listen to this episode to learn how to make the parenting decisions that bring joy to yourself and then to those young lives in your hands. You'll never regret investing in joy!  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode150 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode is just in time for the holidays! Are you looking for the PERFECT gift to give to your loved one, friend, co-worker, or neighbor? Are you tired of dropping hints to your loved ones about what you want, only to be disappointed by their gift-giving? If you want to give or receive the perfect gift, the Enneagram can help guide you. Dr. Drew Moser takes us through the perfect gifts to indulge and/or to encourage each Enneagram type to grow into a healthier version of themselves. And as an added bonus, go to IMbetween.org/episode51 to grab your FREE Enneagram Gift Guide e-book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 149, we chat with Scott James about Celebrating Jesus in the Advent season with your family. For those of you that would like to observe Advent together as a family, but don't know where to start, this episode is for you. Or, if you have been celebrating Advent together as a family for a number of years, but looking to do something a little different, this interview is for you too.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode149 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 148, we are chatting with Karen Ehman about How to Break The Pattern of People Pleasing and Confidently Live Your Life. As we enter into the holidays, there are many times we bend over backward or say “YES!" to many situations that we look back and wish we had said no. Whether it's packing the calendar with holiday parties, or hosting Christmas dinner for the family because “No one else will do it and then what will happen?!” this episode will help you realize if you are a people pleaser or not. This interview will also give you practical steps about how you can implement boundaries with the pushers, pouters, guilt bombers, and others who try to call the shots in your life.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode148 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Episode 147, we have the great honor of interviewing Ruth Chou Simons. Y'all…this was such an incredible discussion as we jump right into why we need to stop pretending we have it altogether, the gospel of self-improvement and why we need to replace it with the gospel of life-transforming grace. We talk about growing up in a shame based household as we all grew up in first generation Asian families, and how she learned not to carry on the same way of parenting into her own family. We also talk about what it means to be a third-culture-kid and striving for approval. We could have talked to her for hours on end as we feel like we were just scratching the surface of what it means and how it feels to be an Asian North American during this time.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode147 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Research shows that worry has a trickle-down effect from parent to child. Thus, it's important that parents learn how to manage their worries so that they can cultivate a more peaceful environment for their children. It is possible to give your children (both young and older) the tools for coping with worry and the ability to think differently about the problems and challenges they encounter in the world around them.  In episode 146, Daniel and Christina interview Dr. Josh Straub about what tools to teach our kids to help them manage their worry and trust God. We can all choose to be brave and live free even when we worry. Here's how to do it.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode146 IMBETWEEN FB: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There has been a lot of talk about personal burnout as the result of everything we have been experiencing. In the same breath, there have been lots of conversations about how we can practice self-care to improve/protect our mental health and overall well-being. And while these conversations are important, one crucial piece of the puzzle has not been highlighted enough: marriage burnout.  In Episode 145, Daniel and Christina interview Carey and Toni Nieywhof about what marriage burnout is and how to prevent it. We also discuss the crucial link between getting healthier personally and having a healthier marriage. If you are currently experiencing marriage burnout, they share some really practical ways to heal and move forward together with your spouse. For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode145 IMBETWEEN FB: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After studying thousands of couples for over 4 decades, Dr. John Gottman found that the difference between happy and unhappy couples is not how much they fight, how often they have sex, or how much money is in their bank accounts. Instead, it is how often they turn toward each other instead of turning away from one another.  In episode 144, Daniel and Christina share how the first half of their marriage was a disaster waiting to happen and what changes they made to ensure the second half of their marriage was healthier.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a year of ups and downs, loss of power and control, children in and out of school, and working from home, our lives have become more chaotic than ever before. Are you ready to bring peace into your home? In Episode 143, Laura Hernandez shares with us her proven customized systems that have brought calm and order into her family of 12. If you feel like you are only reacting to your life instead of intentionally living your life, this episode is for you! Laura Hernandez and her husband Tony live in the Dallas area where they raise their 10 amazing children, 7 biological and 3 adopted. Laura created Mama Systems to help others bring peace to their homes through customized systems. She offers coaching and courses that help families live more intentionally.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode143 IMBETWEEN FB: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

Is it possible for you and your spouse to live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, eat dinner around the same table, be quarantined in the same space, and feel utterly alone? Absolutely. And if you feel this way, you are not alone. It happens more often than couples talk about or are willing to confess. Researcher and psychologist, Dr. John Gottman, discovered that the #1 thing couples fight about is not about money, or in-laws, or sex. Instead, most arguments in relationships are about a failure to connect emotionally. That’s why, in today’s episode, we want to share with you 4 simple ways to reconnect with your spouse when you are feeling disconnected. After more than a year of this pandemic, there has been a lot said (or maybe unsaid) that may have left the both of you feeling more weary and alone. We want to help redirect you to one another instead of continuing to let the wedge grow between you and your spouse. IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode142 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

What is the purpose behind your parenting? What are you aiming for? In Episode 141, we interview Dave and Ann Wilson about the parenting secret that changes everything. Dave and Ann share their hard-earned but easy-to-apply principles that ensure a strong parent-to-child relationship and a strong foundation for your child in every stage of their lives. Get ready to laugh until your belly hurts as they share their parenting wins, mistakes, and the lessons they have learned raising three (now grown) sons as imperfect parents. Dave Wilson was the Detroit Lions chaplain for 33 seasons, a lead pastor, co-founder of Kensington Community Church, and a nationally touring speaker as well as the radio host with his wife, Ann, of the nationally syndicated radio show Family Life Today. Ann Wilson has served alongside her husband for more than twenty-five years, cofounding Kensington Community Church, speaking at FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember®, and hosting their own marriage conferences across the country. They live in the Detroit area, and they have three grown sons, CJ, Austin, and Cody; three daughters-in-law; and five grandchildren.

Have you ever considered going to couples counseling, but were afraid of the unknown? The first step is often the hardest because you are not sure what to expect. In Episode 140, we interview Monica DiCristina, a Licensed Professional Counselor, about some tell-tale signs your relationship could benefit from counseling. We also discuss what to expect during your initial counseling session, how to know if you and your therapist are a good fit, and what to do if one partner is more willing to pursue counseling than the other. We also ask Monica to take us through a counseling session using a real-life example that plagued our marriage for almost 7 years! We hope that our vulnerability will help demystify what happens during a counseling session and help you take the next step toward healing and wholeness in your relationship. IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode140 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

Parenting isn’t for wimps, especially when it comes to navigating the crucial conversations that we must have with our kids. Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins have had plenty of crucial conversations in their lives—not only with their own eight children but with parents who are scared and seeking wisdom. In Episode 139, Jimmy and Kristin share the "conversation map” to work through any tough conversations you will have with your children. IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode139 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

12 years ago, Emily Ley found herself with a life she didn’t love. But instead of just settling, she dug deep and did the hard work of changing her life. In Episode 138, Emily shares with us about her journey from "Unsatisfied Emily" to the founder of Simplified, a successful brand of planners and home organizational tools for busy women. Emily created a life she loves using the BUILD philosophy, and she’s on a mission to help others do the same.  IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode138 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

In every conflict, there are two options: to go down the road of an argument or open the doors to a deeper conversation which can lead to a greater understanding between you and your spouse. As John Gottman’s research has shown, it doesn’t actually matter what you fight about. What matters is how you repair your relationship after the fight. In Episode 137, we want to give you the framework of how to repair your relationship after a big fight. Because, if you don’t process your conflicts, you may both find yourselves feeling disrespected, unheard, lonely, and festering in your anger. The little fights will become huge arguments because you don’t feel safe with one another.  IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode137 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

Toxic relationships drain us, consume our brain space, and steal our joy. We've all experienced the aftermath of a toxic person's destruction, but do we all know what to do next? In Episode 136, we interview Gary Thomas about the tall-tell signs of a toxic person and how to walk away from this relationship in freedom and without guilt. We can't let others steal our joy or our mission. Listen in to learn how to set good boundaries and protect your life's calling. MBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode136 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

Do you live your life trying to avoid pain? Maybe you've pretended everything is fine even though you feel like you are crumbling inside. While most people would never choose to go through a difficult season, we have all walked through some very dark days. In Episode 135, we interview Lisa Harper about the hidden treasure of difficult times and why it's important not to fake it through the hard stuff of life.  In This Episode, You Will Hear About: What this pandemic can help us learn. Why "faking it 'till we make it" is a horrible idea. How to stop pretending everything is fine and what to do instead. How Jesus is enough...even in really difficult circumstances: When you are single and parenting When you lose a loved one When you are hurt by other people, especially Christians When you are learning what it means to grieve with hope IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode135

The Enneagram is a tool that can help us grow in our understanding of ourselves and each other. In Episode 134, we want to take a deeper dive into the Enneagram as it pertains to parenting. Many teachers of the Enneagram do not recommend typing your children, so that is not what we will be doing in this episode. Instead, we will be discussing each type’s parenting strengths, certain areas each type needs to watch out for, and the paths of growth in our relationships with our children. A Healthy Person Leads To A Healthy Parent: We have talked to hundreds of parents and most would say that they are trying to be the very best parents to their children given the tools that they have. Maybe you've taken a parenting course, read a few books, or are raising your kids the way your parents raised you. And, yet you are still stumped about your relationship with your child. "Why do I react the way that I do when my child doesn't want to spend time with me?" or "Why is it easier to get along with my older children than my younger children?" While we will never know all the answers to our parenting questions, what we do know is that perfect parents don’t exist —and that should not be our goal. However, the longer that we parent, the more we realize that being emotionally healthy is really a huge component of parenting. It’s really difficult to model and teach our children how to be in a relationship with others if we don’t know how to be in a healthy relationship ourselves. As we further unpack the Enneagram within the parenting lens, you will see that no matter what type you are, the healthier you become, the better your parenting skills will be. IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode134

The 5 Love Languages has helped millions of relationships, marriages, and families grow in their love and understanding for one another. In a blended family, The 5 Love Languages can help build your love for each other too, but with some unique parameters. In Episode 133, we interview Ron Deal—the leading national expert and the most widely read and viewed author on blended families in the country—about how to use the 5 Love Languages to create a loving and safe environment for your stepfamily. The 5 Love Languages For Blended Families? .Maybe you have read other titles in the 5 Love Languages Series and your marriage and parenting have benefited from lessons learned. However, you are beginning to realize that what was successful with your own children or previous spouse is not succeeding as well with your current family. Perhaps you are confused as to why your stepchild’s love language is physical touch, but when you try to hug your step-child, they respond in anger or walk away. There are unique challenges to using the 5 love languages with the blending of two families. Ron provides the context surrounding the challenges that stepfamilies face when expressing and receiving love based on the 5 Love Languages. While empathetically reminding us that loss is a fundamental storyline in the backstory of every blended family, he also presents hope and encouragement for each stepfamily. He shares how we can avoid common mistakes and gives practical recommendations to help family members take steps forward with patience, persistence, love, and intentionality. By using the 5 Love Languages, and learning the unique dialects your family speaks, you can grow in your coupleness and your family togetherness. 

Why is it so hard to say, "I'm sorry?" If you’ve been married longer than a week, you’ve probably already realized that there is no such thing as a perfect marriage. You will have disagreements, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, or trust broken. Making mistakes is what makes us human. But, when you’ve hurt your spouse, knowing the right way to apologize makes all the difference. True apologies strengthen your relationship and bring you closer together, not further apart. That’s why we want to give you 4 steps to healing hurts with your spouse by learning the art of apologizing. An Important Note: Before we dive in, we do want to note that some mistakes are bigger than others. Sometimes saying sorry is not enough, especially if there is a big betrayal like an affair. If you are walking through this journey, these 4 steps are a good start, but we highly recommend counseling both for you as a couple, and also as individuals. There is much more that needs to be worked through than we have time to discuss today. Apologizing is About Repairing Connection: Knowing you’ve hurt the one you love feels awful, right? And it may feel quite frustrating when it seems like whatever you do or say makes things worse. "I said I’m sorry! What else do you want?!" Apologizing to your spouse and healing your relationship involves more than just saying “I’m sorry.” It’s about repairing your connection. As Dr. John Gottman, says, “Successful relationships master the art of apology.” Knowing how to apologize well is one of the keys to successful relationships. It’s not about accepting the blame for something. But, instead, it’s about acknowledging and responding to your spouse’s emotional pain. You can and should be accountable, but as we talked about in last week’s episode about boundaries, everyone is responsible for their emotional reactions. Relationships are a tender dance that can have many stepping on toes moments from both dance partners. But, by knowing how to apologize well, these "stepping on toes" moments can go from hurting each other to learning to work together and repair your emotional connection. IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode132

Many times we do not set boundaries because we feel the need to help others or we fear disappointing them. While helping others is not wrong, if you feel like you can’t say no because you’re afraid of disappointing the other person, or you feel like you are giving so much of yourself that you are exhausted or in deep emotional pain, it has crossed the line of helping to hurting. That’s why, in Episode 131, we want to teach you how you can learn to set boundaries…even if you’re a people-pleaser! This is the year you learn to set boundaries. We’ll also address some common myths about boundaries, which may be the reason why you aren’t setting them. What is a boundary? Boundaries are what define us. They define what is you and what is not you. In its simplest sense, a boundary is a property line. It outlines the beginning and end of something. By having boundaries, you are able to know what we are to own and take responsibility for. In relationships, ownership is really important. If you know where the boundaries are in a relationship, you know who “owns” things such as feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. You don’t own someone else's feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. Neither do they own your feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. It's important to note that boundaries are not walls. They are not meant to keep people out. It isn’t an excuse for you to be a hermit or unkind to those who are outside of your boundaries. In John 17:11, it says that we are to be “one." We are to be in community with others. But, in every community, all members have their own space and property. Like author Dr. Henry Cloud says, "The important thing is that property lines be permeable enough to allow passing and strong enough to keep out danger. Boundaries help us distinguish our property so that we can take care of it.” In other words, boundaries help you take care and improve your own life. Instead of being SO concerned about what others are thinking or doing, you focus on your own health and well-being.  IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode131

Money is often the source of many marital conflicts and has been one of the top reasons for divorce. But, it doesn't have to be this way! In Episode 130, we interview #1 New York Times bestselling author and money expert Rachel Cruze about the money advice married couples should not ignore. When couples understand why they handle money the way they do it changes everything. You can partner with your spouse more effectively, you can build on your strengths, change your bad habits for good, see some serious life-change, and have the freedom to do the things that matter most to you. In This Episode, You Will Hear About: Discover how the way you grew up influences your money decisions. The 4 money classrooms: Anxious Classroom - emotionally stressed and verbally closed Unstable Classroom - emotionally stressed and verbally open Unaware Classroom - emotionally calm and verbally closed Secure Classroom - emotionally calm and verbally open Why it is important to set a value system about money with your spouse. The 7 money fears and how fear can signal what financial changes need to take place in your family. How working together on your money will improve other parts of your relationship. IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode130

As a family, the New Year is a great opportunity to decide together what habits and rhythms of life you want to live out in 2021. It’s also a great time to come together and set some family goals for the upcoming year too. And, that’s why in today’s episode, we want to share 4 Life-Changing Near Year’s Resolutions for your family to make this year. These ideas will grow your closeness with one another, but they will also set healthy rhythms for your children to take with them into adulthood.  When we think of New Year’s Resolutions, many times we are very aware of what changes we want to make in ourselves like losing the last bit of baby weight or wanting to read more books. And sometimes we are keenly aware of what changes we hope to make in our spouses. Har, har..just kidding…this episode has nothing to do with that. Until the pandemic hit last year, we had never thought about making meaningful family resolutions. In a previous episode, we talked about discussing with your family about what stays and what goes. It was in the middle of our country’s lockdown when we were all working and learning from home. Everything else but grocery stores were shut down…so literally, we lived, worked, and played at home. But, in the middle of this mess, we were able to look at everything we used to have in our schedules and take a proactive step in choosing if we will put those activities back in. In This Episode, You Will Hear About: The 4 life-changing resolutions to make with your family: Adopt a growth mindset. Try things that we will fail at. Practice "secrecy." Learn to apologize. Why having a growth mindset is crucial to your family's well-being. We'll discuss why we need to teach our kids to fail. We will break down the practice of "secrecy" (and no..it's not about keeping secrets from one another). We'll talk about all things apologies and how to avoid the tricky "I"m sorry" traps. IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode129

When the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, many of us breathed a sigh of relief. Finally…2020 is over! Kiss me, we survived! What many of us may have not done is talk about how the last year has been because how do you put into words what 2020 has done to us? In many ways, 2020 has been traumatizing. What was is no longer what is. That much change in such a short period of time is exhausting and unnerving. Many times the new year offers us the chance of a “do-over”. What we didn’t like about the previous year is what we hopefully won’t bring into the new year. However, this year when we realize that what we wanted to leave in 2020 is most likely sliding in through the door of 2021, it’s really important that we take the time to check-in with one another.   That’s why in Episode 128, we want to walk you through how to do a new year’s relationship check-in and help you carve out the space to think through what relationship resolutions you may want to make for 2021. Psst...Looking for the Relationship Check-In quiz mentioned in the episode? Visit IMbetween.org to grab this free resource right away. IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode128

When you’re sitting down with your not-yet-born children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, what are you going to say about 2020? And when you read through the not-yet-written history books outlining the COVID-19/coronavirus global pandemic of 2020, what lens will you be looking through? What words will you use to describe this unprecedented year? What sorrows, joys, and silver-linings will you share? 2020 was the year that literally felt like the world had stopped spinning. We quickly learned to have all of our plans written in pencil so that they could be erased, put on hold, or put aside. We learned how to be bosses, workers, teachers, personal chefs, and sanitation engineers,..sometimes all at once. We learned that toilet paper, sanitizer, masks, and wipes are treasures more valuable than gold. There was a LOT to process, to grieve over, to cry about, to be frustrated about, and to rejoice over. What lessons did you learn in 2020? In episode 127, we share the 7 lessons we learned from a year that did not go as planned. In This Episode, You Will Hear About: The importance of taking the time to pause and reflect about 2020 Why naming your emotions is a vital part of processing all that happened this past year The 7 lessons we learned from a year that did not go as planned How these 7 lessons will help you walk in freedom in 2021   Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Purchase a copy of Daniel's book, You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies About Work, Life, and Love Pause and Pray Daily Devotional Listen to our previous episodes: What To Do When Life Doesn't Go As Planned The Lies We Believe About Ourselves The Lies We Believe About Parenting The Lies We Believe About Marriage The Truth Will Set You Free  Quotes and Tweets: You are not what you do. You are a child of God. @imbetweenshow You are not what you experience. You are a new creation in Christ. @imbetweenshow You are not who you know. Rather, you are fully known by our loving saviour Jesus  @imbetweenshow You aren't what you own. You are complete in Jesus. @imbetweenshow You aren't who you raise because you are God's masterpiece. @imbetweenshow You are not your past because you are free from all condemnation in Christ Jesus. @imbetweenshow I will choose a life of resistance. The kind of resistance that opts for love over hate, light over darkness, forgiveness over shame, and generosity over greed. @imbetweenshow What a beautiful 2021 this will be when we fully know, deeply understand, and live out the truth that we are children of God. Walk-in freedom. @imbetweenshow   Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode!

Shutdowns. Stay-at-home orders. Cancelled holiday plans. Christmas certainly looks different this year. And while we may feel like we can't celebrate anything, does everything need to be perfect for us to have a reason to celebrate? Can we experience joy even when we are suffering? In Episode 126, Daniel and Christina interview author and advocate, Katherine Wolf. At the age of 26, Katherine experienced a near-fatal stroke when her son was only 6 months old. Katherine shares her inspiring story of recovery and how she learned to celebrate everything even in the midst of pain and suffering.     Looking for the PERFECT Gift For A Friend, Co-Worker, or Loved One? Download our FREE eBook: The Perfect Gift for Every Enneagram Type In This Episode, You Will Hear About: Learn how to survive anything by redefining everything. Hear how celebration and suffering are not mutually exclusive. Disrupting the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life. How celebration can be an act of worship, community, faith, and joyful rebellion. Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Purchase a copy of Katherine and Jay Wolf's book, Suffer Strong: How to Survive Anything by Redefining Everything Check out Katherine and Jay's first book, Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and an Overcoming Love To find out more about Katherine and Jay, visit them at​ Hopeheals.com Listen to our previous episodes: What To Do When Life Doesn't Go As Planned 5 Ways To Reduce Holiday Stress (with Michelle Harris) Unconventional Christmas Traditions Quotes and Tweets: Life defines us, suffering redefines us, and hope refines us. @hopeheals Worship in its purest form doesn't happen when everything comes perfectly together; it's most powerful when everything is falling apart. @hopeheals Celebration can be an act of worship and an act of hope and perhaps, in a way, an act of joyful rebellion against fear. @hopeheals We all have a seat at this table, at God's table, if we're willing to be vulnerable and brave enough to sit down to the life we have and celebrate the life we can't yet see. @hopeheals Even in the face of the unknown, we can remember what and who we do know, and help each other remember it too. In so doing, we can start to know the truest things again. We can preach them to our own hearts until we actually believe them. @hopeheals Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. - Corrie ten Boom God made you to do the hard thing in the good story He's writing for your life. Whether tomorrow is the best or worst or last day of our lives, we pray that God will give us everything we need to live it out to the fullest with courage and joy. @hopeheals Celebration and joy can be part of the hard stories of suffering. Celebration and suffering are not mutually exclusive. @hopeheals Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode! _________________________________________________________________ Meet Katherine Wolf:  At the age of 26 years old, Katherine Wolf experienced a near-fatal stroke. Miraculously, she survived and continues her rockery to this day, including having a miracle baby boy in 2015. Today, Katherine and her husband Jay, run the non-profit ministry Hope Heals and are advocates for disabled individuals and their families. The couple, and their two sons, live in the Atlanta area. To find out more about Katherine and Jay, visit hopeheals.com

Fake news. Online rage. Cancelled out. Silenced. Echo chambers. These phrases did not mean much a decade ago, but they are prevalent today. In a world that relies heavily on digital communication, it is becoming more and more difficult to tease out what is real and what is fake. In Episode 125, Daniel and Christina interview Dan Darling about the importance of "online discernment" and how you can use your online conversations for good.     In This Episode, You Will Hear About: How you can use your online conversations for good Learn to use "online discernment" before posting something or responding to someone on social media Hear about when it is appropriate to “silence” or “cancel out” someone on your social media A framework of discernment to use when reading the news to know what’s real and what’s fake news Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Pick up a copy of Dan Darling's newest book, A Way With Words: Using Our Online Conversations For Good The Characters of Christmas: The Unlikely People Caught Up In The Story Of Jesus by Dan Darling Surprised By Paradox: The Promise of "And" In An Either-Or World by Jen Pollock Michael  Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, And Romance Became Our New Romance (and what to do about it) by David Zahl To find out more about Dan, go to Danieldarling.com Quotes and Tweets: God cares about the words that we speak. @dandarling Discernment is distinguishing between what is true and beautiful and what is not. @dandarling The idea that I'm not God and I don't know things means that I need to be curious. The curiosity we have for wisdom and knowledge is good and God-given. @dandarling Let everyone be quick to get the whole story, slow to post, and slow to digital rage. @dandarling Remember that when you are online, you are in public. You're not just behind a keyboard. @dandarling The quality of our offline life will determine the health of our online life. @dandarling If you understand that God loves the real version of you - the offline, uncurated, messy version of you - you won't have to seek affirmation from a tribe online. @dandarling What is at the heart of our endless need to check in on social media, our never-ending Google searches for fruitless information, and our restlessness in this age of information? @dandarling One of the lies my phone tells me is that I don't actually feed God. I can control my life and my destiny and the well-being of my family and friends because with this digital device, I have access to power. @dandarling We are susceptible to believe news, to jump ahead of the facts, to not wait for the full story because we want to believe the worst about the people with whom we disagree. @dandarling Jesus calls us to something better. Rather than erasing people with whom we disagree, he calls us to see everyone, even the person who offends our sensibilities the most, as an image-bearer of God. @dandarling Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode! _________________________________________________________________ Meet Dan Darling : Daniel Darling is the Senior VP for Communications at National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) and served for six years as VP of Communications for ERLC. Dan is the author of nine books, including most recently, "A Way with Words" and the bestselling “The Characters of Christmas.” Dan's work has been featured in outlets such as USA Today, Washington Post, National Review, and Christianity Today. He and his wife Angela have four children. They attend Green Hill Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where Dan serves as Pastor of Teaching and Discipleship.

The holidays are known to be the most stressful time of the year. And perhaps this statement rings true in your own life. But, it doesn't have to be this way! In episode 124, Daniel and Christina share the 5 questions you need to ask your spouse before the holidays start. With a little bit of planning ahead, and some cozy couch discussions, this Christmas can be a celebration worth remembering, even if it is in the midst of a global pandemic.   In This Episode, You Will Hear About: The 5 discussion questions to have with your spouse before the holidays: What did Christmas feel like in your own home while growing up? What boundaries do we need to set? How can we play to each other’s strengths? What do you need to feel recharged during this season, especially when visiting family? Do we need a Plan A and Plan B? Looking for the PERFECT Gift For A Friend, Co-Worker, or Loved One? Download our FREE eBook: The Perfect Gift for Every Enneagram Type Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Episode 74: Blended Families: Strategies To Help Your Stepfamily Blend Episode 75: Common Pitfalls In Blended Families And How To Overcome Them Episode 118: Adult Friendships 101: What They Didn't Teach You In School Episode 120: Adult Friendships 201: Why Some Friendships Change Over Time (and how to be okay with that) Episode 79: The 5 Money Personalities and Why They Matter Episode 3: How To Not Hate Your In-Laws Episode 59: Learning To Love Your In-Laws (Part 1) Episode 60: Learning To Love Your In-Laws (Part 2) Quotes and Tweets: Sometimes we tend to hold onto traditions because of the feelings they brought us. When looking back, maybe it wasn’t what you actually did that was important, but more of the feelings behind it.  @imbetweenshow Many times our holidays are stressful because we are trying to implement and incorporate our traditions, when in reality, perhaps we are just reminiscing about the feelings and emotions that these traditions brought us. @imbetweenshow The tradition to “go into debt during Christmas” is not one you have to carry on. @imbetweenshow Christmas can be a stressful time because of family dynamics that are not always starring us in the face. If that is your current situation, planning ahead will be SO helpful. @imbetweenshow Having a joyful, connected holiday season is absolutely possible. But, it’s just going to take a little bit of intention and conversation to make it happen. @imbetweenshow Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode!

In light of November being National Adoption Month, Daniel and Christina Im interview Jamie and Aaron Ivey about their adoption story. They have four children, three of which are teenagers, and one preteen. 15 years ago, they started building their family through adoption — 2 international and 1 domestic. Jamie and Aaron honestly share about their experience, how they continue to talk about adoption with their children, and how their approach to adoption has changed over the years.    In This Episode, You Will Hear About: Jamie and Aaron's adoption story How to talk to your children about adoption How we are all called to care for the orphans, but how we may not all be called to adopt Practical ways to help and support those who are going through the adoption process Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Check out Jamie Ivey's books: You Be You: Why Satisfaction and Success Are Closer Than You Think and If You Only Knew Take a look at Aaron Ivey's book, Steal Away Home Listen to Jamie Ivey's podcast The Happy Hour  and Jamie and Aaron's newest podcast, On The Other Side Watch the Netflix original series called Mascots, which documents the behind-the-scene lives of those who are mascots Quotables: "All of us do have a responsibility and a role to play in caring for the orphan. It just might not always mean adoption." - Aaron Ivey "Education is so important. The truth of the matter is, adoption is always built on loss. Families need to be equipped to be able to handle that." - Jamie Ivey "You may not understand the complexities of a friend's adoption. And, you don't have to understand the complexities of a friend's adoption. But, you can be present. You can be there." - Aaron Ivey "Raising children is really about raising future adults whom have their identities rooted in Christ." - Aaron Ivey "Every conversation has the potential to form and shape your child's identity about themselves, the world, and God that made the world. - Aaron Ivey "Every parent has the opportunity to teach their kids about the beautiful world God has made — the different cultures, countries, and languages — and help their kids celebrate the beauty of that. - Aaron Ivey    Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode! _________________________________________________________________________________________ Meet Jamie and Aaron Ivey: Jamie and Aaron have been married for almost two decades and have four kids that they’re responsible for on a daily basis. Three of those cute kids joined their family through adoption – domestic and international. Their very loud family lives in Austin, Texas where they are all fans of breakfast tacos, chips & salsa, and vegan queso. Nope, they’re not vegan, but they still like a good vegan queso. In 2011 Jamie won a contest to become a DJ on a country radio station in Austin, and although that job was short-lived it put a love for audio in her that she couldn’t shake. In 2014 she launched her podcast, The Happy Hour, and ladies (and a few men) everywhere loved it! That opened opportunities for her to write a book and have people invite her to speak at their churches and events. Jamie's book, You Be You: Why Satisfaction and Success Are Closer Than You Think released in late 2020 and she is currently daydreaming about what she'll say next!   

Raise your hand if you've ever yelled at your child? And in the moment it felt good to blow off some steam, but afterward, you feel terribly guilty, right? We know how it feels because we used to be serial screamers. Thankfully, both of us have learned and grown through these experiences. In episode 122, Daniel and Christina share what it means to be a mindful parent and how we can learn to respond to our feelings of stress, anger, and frustration, instead of scream.   In This Episode, You Will Hear About: What mindful parenting is Why we tend to scream at our kids when we are stressed How to recognize your emotional triggers and hotspots The importance of self-care 3 key factors to mindful parenting: Notice your own feelings when you’re in conflict with your child Learn to pause before responding in anger Listen carefully to a child’s viewpoint even when you disagree with it Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Episode 102: How Our Brains React In Crisis Episode 91: Why COVID Is Making Us Break Up With Our Phones Episode 108: 7 Keys To Resiliency For The Exhausted Parent The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel Mindful Parenting: Simple and Powerful Solutions for Raising Creative, Engaged, Happy Kids in Today’s Hectic World by Kristen Race Printable Feeling Wheel by The Gottman Institute Quotes and Tweets: We get to model to our kids how grown-ups react to stress. We can teach our kids that they can pause and choose to respond instead of yell. But, it starts with us. @imbetweenshow Mindful parenting means learning to manage our own emotions and behaviors in order to teach our kids how to manage theirs. It’s learning to regulate ourselves before we can model regulation for our children. @imbetweenshow Unfortunately, when we’re stressed out, exhausted, and overwhelmed, we can’t be available for our children. @imbetweenshow Mindful parenting does not mean being the perfect parent. @imbetweenshow Being a mindful parent means that you pay attention to what you’re feeling. @imbetweenshow Mindful parenting means that instead of pulling out your phone to mindlessly scroll to ignore what you are feeling, you choose to ask yourself, “What is going on in my mind, my heart, and my body?” @imbetweenshow Mindful parenting does not mean that you will not get angry or upset, but acting on these difficult emotions mindlessly is what compromises our parenting. @imbetweenshow We get to choose how we respond and how we react if we take the time to slow down. @imbetweenshow Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary. @imbetweenshow Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode!

Have you ever made a decision that you later regretted? Do you wish you knew how to make wiser choices instead of repeating the mistakes over and over again? In Episode 121, Daniel and Christina interview Enneagram teacher, Dr. Drew Moser, about how you can make wiser decisions by asking yourself these nine Enneagram questions.  In This Episode, You Will Hear About: How The Enneagram can give you a good framework to help you make wiser decisions The different centers of intelligence and how they can help you in your decision-making process The importance of looking at the past, present, and future (the fullness of time) as you navigate a decision Should Christians use The Enneagram? Looking For The PERFECT Gift To Give The Special People In Your Life?  Download our FREE eBook: The Perfect Gift for Every Enneagram Type to find out what your loved ones really want this holiday season.  Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Pick up a copy of Drew's latest book, The Enneagram of Discernment: The Way of Vocation, Wisdom, and Practice  Use the coupon code PODCAST for 15% off of Drew's book, The Enneagram of Discernment Listen to our previous interview with Dr. Drew Moser about The Perfect Gift For Every Enneagram Type Want to learn more about The Enneagram? Listen to our previous episodes about the Enneagram here: Episode 69: Enneagram and Communication Styles with Lauren Gray Episode 70: Resolving Conflict with The Enneagram with Lauren Gray Episode 98: How The Enneagram Can Deepen Your Marriage Connection  Want to jump into an Enneagram 3's brain? Read Daniel's newest book, You Are What You Do: and Six Other Lies About Work, Life, and Love Quotes and Tweets: Discernment is living with wisdom; it is a gift that we receive and a practice that we cultivate. @drewmoser When we discern, we apply wisdom to our lives. @drewmoser The way we go about making decisions often comes out of our personalities, which can both help us and/or hinder us. @drewmoser  The Enneagram can help us raise awareness of how our personalities can help or hinder us when we try to make good and wise decisions. @drewmoser By going through these nine questions, each type is forced to confront some questions that they would otherwise not. @drewmoser Discernment is both an act of solitude and a communal act. We need to surround ourselves with people who we trust; They can speak wisdom into our decisions and opportunities. @drewmoser Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode! _________________________________________________________________ Meet Dr. Drew Moser : Drew Moser, Ph.D. is a certified enneagram teacher, co-host of Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast, and a professional member of the International Enneagram Association. He travels the country teaching the enneagram, and is the author/editor of four books. Drew is also a professor and dean at Taylor University and resides in Upland, Indiana with his family. 

Do you find yourself currently frustrated with a relationship in your life? Perhaps you've been ghosted and you aren't sure what you did. Perhaps you constantly feel aggravated by a person who you were one close with. It is natural for friendships to change over time, but it can cause hurt, confusion, and frustration if you aren't sure why it happened. In Episode 120, Daniel and Christina continue their conversation about Adult Friendships. They discuss how to know which category of relationship a person belongs in, and how to discern if you are expecting someone to give what they are incapable or unwilling to give.   In This Episode, You Will Hear About: The reason why some friendships change over time and what to do about it (especially if you are hurt) The next steps to take after understanding the 4 categories of relationships Learn to discern who is in your life, what category they are currently in, and whether they should actually be there How to readjust relationships to lessen frustration and journey with others in love, grace, and freedom Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Relational Intelligence: The People Skills You Need For The Life Of Purpose You Want by Dharius Daniels Why Friendship Still Matters Enneagram and Communication Styles Resolving Conflict with the Enneagram Adult Friendships 101: What They Didn't Teach You In School  Printable Feeling Wheel  Quotes and Tweets: All of us must be willing to hit the pause button on certain relationships when necessary to allow time for reflection. This is an important aspect of Relational Intelligence. @DhariusDaniels Our emotions are messengers. They can vocalize the inner workings of our soul. - Dan Allender and Tremper Longman Unfortunately, our emotional attachment to others will sometimes blind us to the reality of where they are in life and whether it is safe for us to be in relationship with them. @DhariusDaniels Why do you need to spend so much time reflecting and evaluating your relationships? Because who you choose to be in relationship matters. It effects your life and theirs. It's not being self-centered; it’s about stewardship. You must be a good steward of your life and be clear relationally on what you need. @DhariusDaniels While reflection is an internal process, evaluation is an external exercise. This exercise should not be confused with making judgement’s about someone’s character. It is more about evaluating your personal experiences with a person and determining what that means and says to you.@DhariusDaniels If we are frequently frustrated in our relationships, we must learn to see frustration as our friend. Frustration is an indication that some adjustments need to be made. @DhariusDaniels Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode!

A recent survey shows that 8 out of 10 people feel we are completely, hopelessly divided from one another. Do you feel the same way? We have come to the point where we are valuing being right over valuing those around us. In a culture of polarization, do we have to join in? In Episode 119, Daniel and Christina interview Sharon Hersh about how peace and common grace can be the transformation that we all desperately need.    In This Episode, You'll Hear About: How to be a voice of peace in a culture of polarization on social media/in-person What relational violence is and what to do when you've been the receiver/giver Why we all need common grace Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Sharon's book, Belonging: Finding the Way Back to One Another  To find out more about Sharon, check out her website How To Raise Kids That Change The World 5 Practical Ways To Show Grace To Your Family Even When They Are Driving You Crazy When You Can't Sleep, Try This Quotes and Tweets: Over 75 percent of social media interaction is generated by well-meaning people who take their passionate opinions into relationally violent conversations.  @sharonhersh Relational violence is when you take your opinion and it becomes more important than the person you are talking to; you speak before listening. @sharonhersh God created us to be in a relationship that is face to face, eye to eye, and soul to soul. @sharonhersh Whenever we feel out of control, we are apt to raise our fists to the sky and say, "How dare you?" We end up moving from our whole brain to our left brain that analyzes, criticizes, and corrects. When we are in our left brain, we cannot be fully present. We are not there with our whole hearts. @sharonhersh If we were fully present, we might be curious instead of judgemental, we might be compassionate instead of critical. We might think of our own flaws instead of pointing them out in others. We might feel more of a sense of belonging. @sharonhersh The question that I ask myself whenever I post on social media is "Will this add value?" @sharonhersh Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Psalm 146 Common grace is a desire on God's part to give out good gifts of wisdom, talent, beauty, and skill 'graciously'--that is, in a completely unmerited way. He casts them across all humanity, regardless of religious conviction, race, gender, or any other attribute to enrich, brighten, and preserve the world. @timkeller If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. - Mother Teresa Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast _____ Sharon Hersh is a licensed professional counselor, an adjunct professor in graduate counseling programs, a sought-after speaker, and the author of several books, including The Last Addiction: Why Self Help Is Not Enough, the popular Bravehearts: Unlocking the Courage to Love With Abandon, and the award-winning Mothering Without Guilt. Her latest book, Belonging: Finding the Way Back to One Another, was released from NavPress in August 2020. 

Do you remember how easy it was to make friends in kindergarten? Do you wish it was still as simple? With the amount of people we meet in-person and online, work with, and become friends with in our lifetime, learning how to be successful in friendships is a crucial life skill to have. That’s why in today’s episode, we want to do a crash course on everything that they didn’t teach you in school. Welcome to Adult Friendships 101.  In This Episode, You Will Hear About: Why you may be feeling frustrated with your current relationships  What relational intelligence is and why it matters The difference between doing things versus doing life with others The four categories of relationships: Friends - individuals who are relational assets and not liabilities; a relationship where you can be your authentic self Associates - a relationship where a common interest or intersecting schedules brings individuals together. The nature of the relationship is friendly, but there isn't a desire to go deeper in the relationship or you don’t know enough about the person to really trust them. Assignments - a trainee, a mentee, and/or advisee. It is a mentoring relationship where you are the mentor Advisors - when an individual is mentoring you for a limited amount of time Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Relational Intelligence: The People Skills You Need For The Life Of Purpose You Want by Dharius Daniels Why Friendship Still Matters  Enneagram and Communication Styles Resolving Conflict with the Enneagram  Quotes and Tweets: Relational intelligence is the ability to discern if someone should be a part of our lives and what place they should occupy. While everyone should be loved appropriately and valued equally, it doesn’t mean that we should treat everyone the same. @DhariusDaniels Relating to people properly should not be confused with treating them equally. Although everyone is equally valuable, not everyone adds equal value to you. @DhariusDaniels If we put people in the wrong categories of our lives, it’s not just detrimental to me, but detrimental to them also. When misplacement happens, some relationships are destroyed that were salvageable. @DhariusDaniels Bottom line, they [friendships] are vessels for an enormous manifestation of God’s unconditional love for us. @DhariusDaniels It’s one thing to do things in life with somebody, but doing life with someone is a friend. @DhariusDaniels If we are frequently frustrated in our relationships, we must learn to see frustration as our friend. Frustration is an indication that some adjustments need to be made. @DhariusDaniels Frustration is also a result of failed expectations. In the context of relationships, it means we must discern whether we are expecting someone to give what they are incapable or unwilling to give. We will stay in frustration when we continually expect someone who belongs in a certain relational category to behave like they belong to another. @DhariusDaniels Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode!

During the Strengths Based Parenting episode, we mentioned 10 themes that you can start to spot in your child. Here is how to spot the Relating Theme in your child. The Relating Theme: 0:54 Characteristics of the Relating child 1:44 Emerging signs of the Relating theme 3:08 Action items for parents with a Relating themed child Resources And Quotes Mentioned During This Episode: Listen to our previous episode about Strengths Based Parenting Listen to our previous mini episode about The Achiever Child, The Caring Child, The Competing Child, The Confident Child, The Dependable Child, The Discoverer Child, The Future Thinker Child,The Organizer Child,The Relating Child  If you don't know your own strengths, read StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Gallup Have a child that is 15 years old and above? Read CliftonStrengths for Students Have a child between 10 to 14? Read StrengthsExplorer for Ages 10 to 14 Strengths Based Parenting: Developing Your Children's Innate Talents  Listen to our episode about a Strengths Based Marriage  Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast

If there’s anything that’s tested our resilience as parents, it’s COVID. Schooling at home or in person, masks/no masks, bus/no bus, having others over or not; the choices seem endless and the stakes seem really high. In the midst of all of these difficult decisions, parenting sometimes feels very weighty. On Episode 117, Daniel and Christina interview Leslie Leyland Fields about what we can do when parenting feels so hard.     In This Episode, You Will Hear About: Should parenting feel this hard? Is there a parenting hack to make things easier? Myths about parenting that many of us believe and the truth behind them How you can tell the difference between the myths you believe about parenting and the truth The importance of laughter and fun, especially during a pandemic Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Listen to our previous mini episode with Leslie, Finding Beauty In The Mundane Through Journaling Pick up a copy of Leslie's book, Parenting Is Your Highest Calling: And Eight Other Myths That Trap Us In Worry And Guilt To find out more about Leslie, check out her website Pick up a copy of Leslie’s copy of her newest book: Your Story Matters: Finding, Writing, and Living The Truth Of Your Life What Your Child Really Needs From You 7 Keys To Resiliency For The Exhausted Parent Quotes and Tweets: Don't let schoolwork be the be all and end all of your days. Remember the bigger goal here is to help your family come out of this pandemic loving each other and loving God. @lesliefields There needs to be a freedom to embrace routine when it is needed and a freedom to break out of the routine when it is needed. @lesliefields The notion that you can define your success as parents by how Godly your children are or how your children turn out is false. @lesliefields Let's re-define" successful parenting" to mean being faithful parents. @lesliefields I don't produce Godly children; God does. It's not so much about what we do. It's more about who we are. Live a God-seeking life before your kids. @lesliefields When we find our joy, our fulfillment, and our needs met by God, we aren't going to require those things from our kids. @lesliefields  Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode! _________________________________________________________________ Meet Leslie Leyland Fields: Leslie Leyland Fields is an award-winning author of twelve books, an international speaker, a popular radio guest, the founder of the Harvester Island Wilderness Workshop and a commercial fisherwoman for four decades, working with her husband and six children in a salmon-fishing operation on a remote island in Alaska. Her newest book, Your Story Matters: Finding, Writing and Living the Truth of Your Life presents the fruit of her 30+ years of writing, editing and teaching story-making around the world. 

The Presence Theme: 0:56 Characteristics of the Presence child 2:16 Emerging signs of the Presence theme 3:14 Action items for parents with a Presence themed child Resources And Quotes Mentioned During This Episode: Listen to our previous episode about Strengths Based Parenting Listen to our previous mini episode about The Achiever Child, The Caring Child, The Competing Child, The Confident Child, The Dependable Child, The Discoverer Child, The Future Thinker Child,The Organizer Child If you don't know your own strengths, read StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Gallup Have a child that is 15 years old and above? Read CliftonStrengths for Students Have a child between 10 to 14? Read StrengthsExplorer for Ages 10 to 14 Strengths Based Parenting: Developing Your Children's Innate Talents  Listen to our episode about a Strengths Based Marriage  The IMbetween Podcast Drops Twice a Week Now?! Got 10 minutes? Tune in every Friday to hear practical ways of how you can continue to build strong, connected, and joy-filled marriages and families. Make sure to subscribe to The IMbetween Podcast, so you don't miss any episodes NOW dropping on Tuesdays and Fridays! Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast

Having choices is both a blessing and a curse; it is a blessing to be able to make choices and not be forced into a decision. However, when you cannot decide —when there are too many choices — you can start to feel overwhelmed or stuck. On Episode 116, Daniel and Christina give you 3 things to do when you cannot make a decision.  In This Episode, You Will Hear About: How to figure out what is essential in your life Learn how to clear your soul clutter When is quitting the right decision? 3 Decisions You Can Make: What’s essential in your life Wait for more information Try on your decision Resources Mentioned During the Episode: The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice For Making Life Decisions by Emily P. Freeman 5 Keys To Help You Make Decisions Finding Beauty In The Mundane Through Journaling (Interview With Leslie Leyland Fields) It's Time To Decide What Stays And What Goes When You're Feeling Overwhelmed, Remember This A Simple Grounding Exercise To Help With Anxiety Quotes and Tweets: Essentialism is not about how to get more things done, it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing on what is essential. - Greg McKewon It doesn’t really matter what it is that you quit. And it doesn’t have to be something big. When you say no to something small, it can help you build your courage to say no to something bigger. It’s not really about saying no, it's about making room to saying yes to the things that matter. @emilypfreeman Clarity cannot be rushed. - Marie Forleo Our next right thing will often be to wait. Give time to allow the clutter to clear. Create space for your soul to breathe. Make room for your desire to show up at the table. Wait. Listen. Repeat. It’s not a black and white world, which means decisions are rarely right or wrong. It doesn’t always matter which road you choose. What matters is God is with you. @emilypfreeman Decisions are God's way of saying I love you. @emilypfreeman Just because someone gives you advice, it doesn't mean you have to pick it up and put it in your pocket. You don't have to carry someone else's life choices around. @imbetweenshow Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode!

During the Strengths Based Parenting episode, we mentioned 10 themes that you can start to spot in your child. Here is how to spot the Organizer Theme in your child.   The Future Thinker Theme: 1:18 Characteristics of the Organizer child 2:33 Emerging signs of the Organizer theme 4:07 Action items for parents with an Organizer themed child Resources And Quotes Mentioned During This Episode: Grab a copy of Daniel's book, You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies About Work, Life, and Love Listen to our previous episode about Strengths Based Parenting Listen to our previous mini episode about The Achiever Child, The Caring Child, The Competing Child, The Confident Child, The Dependable Child, The Discoverer Child, The Future Thinker Child If you don't know your own strengths, read StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Gallup Have a child that is 15 years old and above? Read CliftonStrengths for Students Have a child between 10 to 14? Read StrengthsExplorer for Ages 10 to 14 Strengths Based Parenting: Developing Your Children's Innate Talents  Listen to our episode about a Strengths Based Marriage  The IMbetween Podcast Drops Twice a Week Now?! Got 10 minutes? Tune in every Friday to hear practical ways of how you can continue to build strong, connected, and joy-filled marriages and families. Make sure to subscribe to The IMBetween Podcast, so you don't miss any episodes NOW dropping on Tuesdays and Fridays! Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast

On Episode 115, Daniel and Christina interview Myquillyn Smith about how you can practice hospitality in every season of life including hosting others during a pandemic.  In This Episode, You Will Hear About: How to transition your home from one season to the next, even if the weather isn't co-operating How "shopping your own home" will save you time and money The meaning of hospitality How to host a meaningful and beautiful party, even during a pandemic The importance of shifting your mindset to hospitality really not being about your house The importance of being mindful of the personalities in your own family when hosting others Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Pick up a copy of Myquillyn's newest book, Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have To Be Perfect To Be Beautiful  Follow Myquillyn on her blog, The Nester Teaching Our Kids To Love Others By Gathering Around The Kitchen Table Quotes and Tweets: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. @thenester Having a layered seasonal home is so much more than just the visual decor. @thenester Editing out is a quiet step to simplify things. What are we no longer using in our home for this season? @thenester Risk-taking is such a good skill to hone and that can start at home. Making a nail hole in your wall is a wonderful way to start risk-taking practice. @thenester Hospitality is grace with throw pillows. @thenester There's a way to be hospitable that honors all of our personalities. @thenester Honor your guests, your family, and yourself by knowing what you can and cannot handle when it comes to hosting. @imbetweenshow Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode! _________________________________________________________________ Meet Myquillyn Smith: For the past 12 years, Myquillyn Smith, known online as “The Nester,” has encouraged women to embrace their homes - imperfections and all. She is a self-taught, design school dropout who took a week-long course so she could be a certified home stager and redesigner. She and her family have lived in 13 different houses, apartments, and condos and spent plenty of time getting real world design experience.

Is there a way to fight with your spouse without the argument blowing up into World War III? We previously discussed what to do with perpetual conflicts and how a conflict-free marriage should not be your goal because it’s impossible. On Episode 114, we want to dive deeper into those “solvable conflicts” and how you can fight with your spouse without ruining your marriage.  While conflict is inevitable in a marriage, we’ve learned through experience that there are many different ways we can fight; and some fights may last longer or hurt deeper than we intended because of the “weapon of choice” we choose to battle with. Here are 5 tools you can use during your next argument to help defuse the flames of a fight.  In This Episode, You Will Hear About: The difference between solvable and perpetual conflicts A new model for solving your solvable problems in your marriage 5 steps to helping you fight with your spouse without ruining your marriage:  Soften your start-up Learn to send and receive repair attempts Sooth yourself and each other Finding common ground Address emotional injuries  Questions to ask your spouse about soothing and self-soothing: What makes us feel flooded? How do we bring up issues or complaints? When you feel flooded, is there something I can do to soothe you? How do you think you could soothe me when I feel flooded? What signals can we send each other when we feel flooded so we can take breaks and soothe each other? Resources Mentioned During the Episode: Episode 106: A Conflict-Free Marriage Is Not The Goal  The 7 Principals For Making Marriage work by Dr. John Gottman Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr. John Gottman The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide To Strengthening Your Marriage by Dr. John Gottman When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed, Remember This Palms Up, Palms Down Prayer Centering Prayer  Quotes and Tweets: 69% of problems in a relationship are perpetual. They are unsolvable. @Gottmaninst How a conversation starts predicts how it will end. @imbetweenshow If you start off your conversation harshly, chances are that the discussion will continue to escalate and it will turn into a full blown fight. @imbetweenshow When a spouse starts the conversation gently, it communicates respect and causes both partners to feel positive about themselves and their marriage. @Gottmaninst Flooding makes repair attempts physically impossible to hear. @Gottmaninst If emotional injuries aren’t addressed, they tend to become constant irritants. @Gottmaninst it's impossible to come to an agreement unless you accept your spouse's flaws and quirks. We all know no one is perfect, but somehow during conflicts, we can get stuck and weighed down by the “if only…” @imbetweenshow Coming to an agreement or compromise is not about one person changing or “giving up". It’s about negotiating and discovering ways to accommodate each other. @Gottmaninst Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode!

Prayer can feel daunting, especially with the busyness of life. Where to begin? What to say? How do you make time to pray when you don't even have time to think? On today's mini episode, Chrystal Evans Hurst takes us on a guided journey to develop a powerful daily prayer life.    Transforming Your Conversation With God: 1:24 What does "pray without ceasing" mean? 1:50 What a day of prayer looks like.  6:50 Prayer as a conversation with God. 7:07 How you can hear from God.  10:00 Time of reflection.  Resources And Quotes Mentioned During This Episode: To find out more about Chrystal, check out her website Pick up a copy of Chrystal's newest book: The 28-Day Prayer Journey: A Daily Guide to Conversations with God Anytime is a good time to have a conversation with God. @chrystalhurst Praying without ceasing is an invitation to talk with God. @chrystalhurst If you want to hear from God, you start with His word. And then if you want His word to resound in application in your life, then you have to make time for Him to allow that word to take seed, to sprout out, and then infect and inform the way you think, the way you feel and, in return, what you do. @chrystalhurst Prayer is our conduit into relationship with God. Just like any relationship, our relationship with God requires time, intentionality, and consistent deposits of our hearts while listening to His. @chrystalhurst Don't let distraction or forgetfulness throw you; just pick up where you left off with God. He is ready and willing to listen and wants to talk to you, no matter how long it has been. @chrystalhurst The IMbetween Podcast Drops Twice a Week Now?! Got 10 minutes? Tune in every Friday to hear practical ways of how you can continue to build strong, connected, and joy-filled marriages and families. Make sure to subscribe to The IMBetween Podcast, so you don't miss any episodes NOW dropping on Tuesdays and Fridays!   Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play Spotify Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow _________________________________________________________________ Meet Chrystal Evans Hurst: Chrystal Evans Hurst is an encourager who teaches people to love God, to love others, and to love themselves. Chrystal is a wife, mother of five and grandmother of two. She is also a speaker and the best-selling author of She’s Still There and Kingdom Woman and the newly released, The 28-Day Prayer Journey.  Chrystal is an energetic, life-loving “girl-next-door” who loves encouraging others to fulfill their potential in Christ. With humor and vulnerability, Chrystal tells it like it is but does so with grace, integrity, and love. You can find Chrystal regularly sharing encouragement via her podcasts and blogs, where she poignantly reflects on faith and speaks with frank honesty about the everyday experiences of women. 

In This Episode, You Will Hear About: Who International Justice Mission (IJM) is and what they do  What modern day slavery is How to talk to your kids about injustice How you and your family can take part in the fight against modern day slavery  Find out more about Freedom Sunday  Resources Mentioned During the Episode: To find out more about International Justice Mission, go to IJM.org Follow IJM on Instagram, Youtube, Twitter Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen Just Courage: God's Great Expedition For The Restless Christian by Gary Haugen Listen to Richard Lee's podcast, The Pursuit Join a movement of churches ending slavery by participating in Freedom Sunday Quotes and Tweets: The issue of trafficking is going on everywhere. It is illegal in every country, but it is also present in every country. @richardl_ee When you have people in power next to people in poverty it becomes a recipe for explotation and at worse enslavement. @richardl_ee Ignorance does not mean eradication. @richardl_ee There are an estimated 40 million people trapped in slavery around the world. If that's the reality for 40 million people, I can no longer choose ignorance of this issue. @richardl_ee Help your teens process the news headlines through a lens of justice. @richardl_ee As we take more and more steps into the heart of injustice, we will be able to see how our hearts and minds are turned to justice. @richardl_ee Subscribe and Connect With Us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Google Podcasts Google Play Instagram - @imbetweenshow Twitter - @imbetweenshow Facebook - @imbetweenshow Pinterest - @imbetweenshow YouTube - @imbetweenpodcast And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, so that you will never miss an episode! _________________________________________________________________ Meet Richard Lee: Richard Lee is a sought-after speaker on issues of justice and the Church, speaking at churches across the nation for the last 20 years. His talk “Slavery Still Exists. Here’s How to End It.” can be found on the TED.com website. Additionally, he is the host of The Pursuit with Richard Lee, a podcast with unfiltered conversations with faith leaders about their journey to pursue God. (Pursuit URL: http://bit.ly/thepursuitcast). He has been interviewed on dozens of podcasts and radio stations and his writings have been read on churchleaders.com & medium.com.   In his role as Global Officer of Public Engagement with International Justice Mission (IJM), he trains and equips IJM staff and survivors to carry the message of ending injustice on the global stage. Before joining IJM, Richard served 20 years in pastoral ministry at churches like Liquid Church and Bethany Well Church in New Jersey. In addition, he currently serves as an advisory board member for One Days Wages, a global poverty organization.   Richard received his degree in Mathematics from Columbia College (NYC) and his master’s of divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He resides in New Jersey with his wife Theresa and their two children.