Podcasts about Relational

What if the reason you're not fully healing isn't because you haven't tried hard enough—but because you've been focusing on only one level of health?In this episode, JJ introduces the inspiration behind her upcoming live event, The 5 Levels to Restore Health, and revisits a powerful conversation with Dr. Miriam Rahav exploring Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's 5 Levels of Healing.The original framework proposes that healing extends far beyond the physical body. And while nutrition, movement, sleep, the microbiome, metabolic health, and other physical interventions are essential, they may represent only one piece of a much larger picture.JJ shares how this concept has influenced the way she now looks at health and healing—and why she believes the different levels must work in both directions. Your thoughts, emotions, nervous system, relationships, and environment can affect your physical health, while your physical health can profoundly influence your mood, resilience, emotional regulation, and ability to heal.This is the foundation for JJ's expanded approach to the five levels: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual.In this episode, you'll explore:Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's original Five Levels of Healing frameworkWhy addressing physical symptoms alone may not create lasting healingHow the physical, mental, emotional, relational, environmental, and spiritual aspects of health intersectWhy the body can affect emotional healing just as emotional stress can affect the bodyThe role of the nervous system, beliefs, perception, and environment in healthWhy one healing tool or modality may not be the answer for every person—or every levelHow to begin identifying the level of healing that may be asking for your attentionWhy healing requires more than accumulating information—it requires integration and experienceAs you listen, consider two important questions:Which level have you spent the MOST time trying to heal?And perhaps more importantly…Which level have you almost completely ignored?The 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJJ is bringing this framework to life in an intimate, interactive weekend designed to move beyond information and into experience, integration, and transformation.Special guest Dr. William Davis, New York Times bestselling author of Wheat Belly, Super Gut, and Undoctored, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Throughout the weekend, you'll explore all five levels through science, practical frameworks, guided exercises, meaningful conversations, and experiential learning designed to help you discover what may be missing from your own healing journey.Attendance is intentionally limited to approximately 40–50 people.Learn more and reserve your seat:https://jjflizanes.com/restoreGet 50% off before Sept 1st with code: 5LEVELS50Your body is part of your healing story—but it may not be the whole story.What level is asking for your attention?

The 5 Levels to Restore HealthWhat if the reason you're not fully healing isn't because you haven't tried hard enough—but because you've been focusing on only one level of health?In this episode, JJ introduces the inspiration behind her upcoming live event, The 5 Levels to Restore Health, and revisits a powerful conversation with Dr. Miriam Rahav exploring Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing.The original framework proposes that healing extends far beyond the physical body. And while nutrition, movement, sleep, the microbiome, metabolic health, and other physical interventions are essential, they may represent only one piece of a much larger picture.JJ shares how this concept has influenced the way she now looks at health and healing—and why she believes the different levels must work in both directions. Your thoughts, emotions, nervous system, relationships, and environment can affect your physical health, while your physical health can profoundly influence your mood, resilience, emotional regulation, and ability to heal.This is the foundation for JJ's expanded approach to the five levels: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual.In this episode, you'll explore:Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's original Five Levels of Healing frameworkWhy addressing physical symptoms alone may not create lasting healingHow the physical, mental, emotional, relational, environmental, and spiritual aspects of health intersectWhy the body can affect emotional healing just as emotional stress can affect the bodyThe role of the nervous system, beliefs, perception, and environment in healthWhy one healing tool or modality may not be the answer for every person—or every levelHow to begin identifying the level of healing that may be asking for your attentionWhy healing requires more than accumulating information—it requires integration and experienceAs you listen, consider two important questions:Which level have you spent the MOST time trying to heal?And perhaps more importantly…Which level have you almost completely ignored?The 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJJ is bringing this framework to life in an intimate, interactive weekend designed to move beyond information and into experience, integration, and transformation.Special guest Dr. William Davis, New York Times bestselling author of Wheat Belly, Super Gut, and Undoctored, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Throughout the weekend, you'll explore all five levels through science, practical frameworks, guided exercises, meaningful conversations, and experiential learning designed to help you discover what may be missing from your own healing journey.Attendance is intentionally limited to approximately 40–50 people.Learn more and reserve your seat:jjflizanes.com/restoreGet 50% off before Sept 1 use code 5LEVELS50Your body is part of your healing story—but it may not be the whole story.What level is asking for your attention?

Allan McGrath Isbell is a relationship and intimacy coach and teacher, and the founder of the men's work organization Thirteen Pines. Allan guides men, women, and couples on the path of sacred union, sexual polarity, and embodied transformation. For more than a decade, he has studied with some of the world's foremost teachers of embodiment, masculine-feminine dynamics, spirituality, and deep intimacy. Through in-person retreats, workshops, online programs, and guided practices, his work has reached thousands of people around the world, and he's become a highly sought-after coach, mentor, and teacher. His mission is to help people cultivate deeper intimacy and more freedom in life and love. Episode Highlights ▶ Sacred sexuality and relational intimacy as Allan's core work ▶ Safety, presence, and authenticity as the foundation of deep relational work ▶ Cultural shifts, initiation, and polarity in modern relationships ▶ Community, lineage, and skillful facilitation in sacred practice ▶ Why prescriptive rules about masculine and feminine roles fall short ▶ Sex as a mirror for the health of the whole relationship ▶ Relational and consciousness work as a path to societal healing    Allan McGrath Isbell's Links & Resources ▶ https://www.allanmcgrathisbell.com/ ▶ https://www.instagram.com/allanmcgrathisbell  ▶ Free 40-Minute Polarity Practice - His Presence, Her Receptivity: https://www.allanmcgrathisbell.com/free-polarity-practice    Download Beth's free trainings here:  Clarity to Clients: Start & Grow a Transformational Coaching, Healing, Spiritual, or Psychedelic Business:  https://bethaweinstein.com/grow-your-spiritual-business Integrating Psychedelics & Sacred Medicines Into Business: https://bethaweinstein.com/psychedelics-in-business ▶ Beth's Coaching & Guidance: https://bethaweinstein.com/coaching  ▶ Beth's Offerings & Courses: https://bethaweinstein.com/services ▶ Instagram:  @bethaweinstein  ▶ FB: / bethw.nyc + bethweinsteinbiz  Download Beth's free trainings here: Clarity to Clients: Start & Grow a Transformational Coaching, Healing, Spiritual, or Psychedelic Business: https://bethaweinstein.com/grow-your-spiritual-businessIntegrating Psychedelics & Sacred Medicines Into Business: https://bethaweinstein.com/psychedelics-in-business▶ Beth's Coaching & Guidance: https://bethaweinstein.com/coaching ▶ Beth's Offerings & Courses: https://bethaweinstein.com/services▶ Instagram: @bethaweinstein ▶ FB: / bethw.nyc + bethweinsteinbiz

The 5 Levels to Restore HealthWhat if the reason you're not fully healing isn't because you haven't tried hard enough—but because you've been focusing on only one level of health?In this episode, JJ introduces the inspiration behind her upcoming live event, The 5 Levels to Restore Health, and revisits a powerful conversation with Dr. Miriam Rahav exploring Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing.The original framework proposes that healing extends far beyond the physical body. And while nutrition, movement, sleep, the microbiome, metabolic health, and other physical interventions are essential, they may represent only one piece of a much larger picture.JJ shares how this concept has influenced the way she now looks at health and healing—and why she believes the different levels must work in both directions. Your thoughts, emotions, nervous system, relationships, and environment can affect your physical health, while your physical health can profoundly influence your mood, resilience, emotional regulation, and ability to heal.This is the foundation for JJ's expanded approach to the five levels: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual.In this episode, you'll explore:Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's original Five Levels of Healing frameworkWhy addressing physical symptoms alone may not create lasting healingHow the physical, mental, emotional, relational, environmental, and spiritual aspects of health intersectWhy the body can affect emotional healing just as emotional stress can affect the bodyThe role of the nervous system, beliefs, perception, and environment in healthWhy one healing tool or modality may not be the answer for every person—or every levelHow to begin identifying the level of healing that may be asking for your attentionWhy healing requires more than accumulating information—it requires integration and experienceAs you listen, consider two important questions:Which level have you spent the MOST time trying to heal?And perhaps more importantly…Which level have you almost completely ignored?The 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJJ is bringing this framework to life in an intimate, interactive weekend designed to move beyond information and into experience, integration, and transformation.Special guest Dr. William Davis, New York Times bestselling author of Wheat Belly, Super Gut, and Undoctored, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Throughout the weekend, you'll explore all five levels through science, practical frameworks, guided exercises, meaningful conversations, and experiential learning designed to help you discover what may be missing from your own healing journey.Attendance is intentionally limited to approximately 40–50 people.Learn more and reserve your seat:jjflizanes.com/restoreGet 50% off before Sept 1 use code 5LEVELS50Your body is part of your healing story—but it may not be the whole story.What level is asking for your attention?

Life is full of seasons. Personal seasons. Relational seasons. Professional seasons. In today's episode, host Travis Shelton explains where the Meaning Over Money guys have been these past five months, and now that we're back, where we're headed. We're so grateful you're here, and we hope this is the beginning of another great season of life…..in more ways than one. Podcast Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.travisshelton.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Daily Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://travisshelton.com/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the Daily Blog: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://eepurl.com/gB07Ef Podcast Facebook Group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/370457478238932⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Travis's Instagram:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/travis_shelton_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Travis's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travissheltonco/YouTube:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCasnj17-bOl_CZ0Cb9czmyQTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meaning_over_money

By Richard Schultz - When making a decision involving God's Way of Life, we need to ask ourselves, "How will this decision affect my relationship with God?". This sermon identifies relational issues between us and God which are pointed out in the Bible. These are there to help us make decisions to strengthen our

SYNOPSIS:What if the autonomic nervous system is more than a mechanism to regulate – and part of the extraordinary way our bodies are in relationship with one another?In this expansive conversation, dance/movement therapist, human rights psychotherapist and author Dr. Amber Elizabeth Gray joins Ali Mezey to explore the autonomic nervous system through the lenses of Polyvagal Theory, movement, trauma, relationship and the lived intelligence of the body. Drawing on nearly three decades of work with survivors of torture, war and human rights abuses – as well as her long collaboration and exchange of ideas with Stephen Porges – Amber takes the conversation beyond simplified notions of sympathetic “bad,” parasympathetic “good,” and regulation as the goal. Instead, she invites listeners into a nervous system that protects, mobilizes, settles, connects, plays, dances, loves – and continually responds to the bodies and world around it. Ali and Amber explore the vagus nerve and the promises and controversies of Polyvagal Theory; why “safety” isn't equally available to every body; the danger of privileging particular nervous-system states; and what changes when survival responses are understood not as failures, but as expressions of an organism doing its best to remain whole. Amber also shares how movement became central to her work with profoundly traumatized people, and how her own embodied inquiry has led her toward a practice of restoration, reclamation and resistance. Along the way, the conversation wanders – as bodies do – through whales and dolphins, evolution, intuition, pattern recognition, the natural world, and the possibility that our nervous systems may be far less individual than we imagine. Ultimately, this is a conversation about relationship: within our bodies, between bodies, and between ourselves and the larger living world. What becomes possible when we stop trying simply to “regulate” the nervous system and begin listening to the complexity, creativity and intelligence of what it is already doing?To subscribe now, click hereTo be an angel to the podcast, click here To read more about the podcast, click here FOR MORE ALI MEZEY:Website: https://www.alimezey.comPersonal Geometry® and the Magic of Mat Work Course information:FREE Guided Body Mapping Taster: Heart/Sexuality SplitFive-films series (made by Ali Mezey) on renowned Family Constellation Facilitator, Stephan Hausner's work with transgenerational influences on illnessFOR MORE DR AMBER ELIZABETH GRAY: BIO: Dr. Amber Elizabeth Gray is an award-winning dance movement therapist, human rights psychotherapist, and Continuum teacher. She has worked for 29 years with survivors of human rights abuses, war, torture, natural disasters,  and historical and intergenerational trauma. Equally artist, advocate, author, educator, poet, mystic and therapist, she, her clients, Ancestors and mentors co-create, ongoing, survivor- & Spirit-centered, Polyvagal-informed approaches to DMT for trauma and resilience  that are holistic and emergent. A lover of all things wild, Amber regularly facilitates eco-somatic and movement retreats for survivors  and caregivers. She brings her RightToEmbody human rights and  BodyOfChange planetary rights work to survivors, therapists, educators, change agents and advocates worldwide.  Her book, Polyvagal-Informed Restorative Movement Psychotherapy: Roots, Rhythm, and Reciprocity will be released August 11, 2026.CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNTED COPY HERE AMBER SOCIALS:Website: | https://ambergray.com/Facebook: | Amber Elizabeth Gray YouTube: | Amber Gray@ambergray127LinkedIn: | Dr. Amber Elizabeth L. GrayInstagram: | Restorativeresources PREVIOUS TBBP EPISODES WITH AMBER:Trauma and the Body with Amber Gray: Regulation, Restoration, & The Patience of Whales...REPRISEDTrauma Healing, Somatic Psychology, and Human Rights Advocacy: LIVE AUDIENCE Q&A RECORDING W/ AMBER GRAYEarth Body Meditation: Rooting into Beloved Ground w/ AMBER GRAYDEFINITIONS, RESOURCES & INSPIRATION:Nervous System & Polyvagal TheoryAutonomic nervous system (ANS): The part of the nervous system that largely regulates involuntary bodily functions – including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing patterns, temperature regulation and sexual arousal. It continually responds to conditions inside and outside the body, helping us mobilize, rest, protect ourselves, connect and adapt.Somatic nervous system: The part of the peripheral nervous system primarily involved in voluntary movement and in carrying sensory information between the body and central nervous system. It allows us to consciously move skeletal muscles and perceive sensations such as touch, pressure, temperature, pain and body position.Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems: Two major divisions of the autonomic nervous system that work together to continually adjust bodily functions. The sympathetic nervous system is often associated with mobilization and action, while the parasympathetic is often associated with rest, digestion and restoration. These are not simple opposites or “on/off” systems; both participate dynamically in healthy functioning, movement, relationship and responses to our environment.Ventral vagal: Within Polyvagal Theory, a term for vagal pathways associated with the nucleus ambiguus in the brainstem and with social engagement, connection, physiological flexibility and the capacity to remain engaged with others in conditions of relative safety.Dorsal vagal: Within Polyvagal Theory, a term for vagal pathways associated with the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the brainstem. The theory associates these pathways wit...

We must work to connect more men to wives and children.  __________ Download the Colson Educators app today on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Michelle Drake, a Christian health coach, Pilates instructor, and host of the Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast. After overcoming years of eating disorders, perfectionism, and an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise, Michelle now helps Christian moms pursue health from a place of stewardship rather than striving. In this conversation, she offers a compassionate and practical perspective on creating healthier rhythms for women in ministry. The invisible weight moms carry. // Michelle explains that one of the greatest challenges for working moms is the constant “mental load” they carry. Beyond their ministry responsibilities, they’re managing family schedules, meals, appointments, school decisions, friendships, finances, household responsibilities, and countless unseen details. Many simultaneously wrestle with guilt, feeling they’re never doing enough at home or at work. While they often appear highly capable, many are quietly carrying an exhausting emotional burden that supervisors rarely see. When health becomes another burden. // Modern culture often frames health through pressure, perfection, and appearance. Instead of becoming a source of strength, health can become one more impossible standard moms feel they must achieve. Michelle describes how many women believe they must exercise perfectly, prepare flawless meals, and meet unrealistic expectations, or they shouldn’t bother trying at all. This “all-or-nothing” mindset creates shame rather than freedom and often pushes healthy habits further out of reach. Create a culture of rest. // One of the greatest gifts church leaders can offer their teams is permission to embrace rhythms of rest. Michelle points to Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30, reminding leaders that rest isn’t a distraction from ministry. Rather, it is part of faithful ministry. Churches that consistently model healthy rhythms help staff understand that their worth isn’t tied to constant productivity. When leaders prioritize abiding in Christ over endless activity, they create healthier teams capable of sustaining long-term ministry. Recognize the warning signs. // Burnout rarely appears overnight. Michelle encourages leaders to watch for subtle changes in previously engaged team members: withdrawing from conversations, reduced enthusiasm, difficulty making decisions, unusual forgetfulness, or becoming overwhelmed by tasks they normally handled with ease. These outward behaviors often reflect burdens that have been accumulating beneath the surface for months. Rather than immediately trying to solve the problem, leaders should view these moments as invitations for compassionate conversation. Movement supports more than physical health. // As a Pilates instructor, Michelle sees firsthand how exercise isn’t simply about fitness—it helps people release accumulated stress, become present, and create space for clarity. Setting aside time for movement also communicates something important: “I matter too.” For busy moms who spend much of their lives caring for others, intentional physical activity becomes an act of stewardship rather than selfishness, allowing them to show up with greater energy for their families and ministries. Start with listening, not fixing. // Michelle believes the most practical step leaders can take is surprisingly simple: have intentional conversations. Rather than assuming they know what someone needs, supervisors should ask questions like, “What’s taking the most energy from you in this season?” Then simply listen. Many moms don’t need immediate solutions as much as they need to feel seen, understood, and supported. Relational leadership builds trust long before organizational changes become necessary. Small habits create lasting change. // Through her Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast, Michelle encourages women to reject perfectionism and instead build simple, sustainable habits that fit their current season of life. Whether it’s preparing healthy meals in practical ways, fitting in ten-minute workouts, or reframing health through a biblical lens, the focus is always on consistency over intensity. To learn more about Michelle Drake visit michelledrake.co and listen to her Health Habits for Christian Moms podcast. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Intulse If you’re committed to the growth of your church, make sure your communication systems are set up so nobody feels left behind. When your church is smaller, that comes easy. You know people by name. A guest doesn’t get lost in the shuffle—someone follows up, every guest, every time. But growth can change that—unless your systems grow with you. Perhaps this church using Intulse says it best: “Intulse has revolutionized the way we communicate with people, giving us the ability to make a big church feel small because of that personal connection.” The Intulse app gives your team members a working church number, so anyone can call or text without ever handing out a personal number. Every conversation syncs straight into your ChMS, like Planning Center, so your whole staff stays on the same page—no matter who a person talks to. That’s how you keep every person feeling known, no matter how big your church gets. Want to know if your communication systems are ready for growth? Download Intulse's free guide, “10 Communication Blind Spots That Hinder Church Growth,” at Intulse.com/unseminary. And if any of those blind spots hit home for you, schedule a call with one of their church communication specialists to learn how Intulse can help. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. So glad that you have decided to tune in. Listen, if you’re an executive pastor, senior leader, person that’s like over leading people in your church, you’re going to want to tune into today’s episode. You’re going to want to stay connected all the way to the end because I suspect that today’s thing that we’re talking about, you’ve either reflected on and thought, hmm, that’s something that I’ve got to work on. We’ve got to think through as an organization. Or we’re going to name an issue today that I think you should work on and be thinking about. So whether you think it or you should just want to listen to me you should tune in and be a part of this conversation.Rich Birch — I'm excited to have a new friend of mine, Michelle Drake, on the on the phone on the phone. We’re not on phones, on the internet, on the not even on the internet, on the podcast. Michelle and I attend the same church, Connexus Church, and have a mutual friend and made the connection. And we got talking, got to know each other. And I said, hey, Michelle, I got to get you on the podcast. I want I want people to hear from you and learn from you. Rich Birch — So Michelle, why don’t we start with kind of tell us a little of your background. What do you do? Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself.Michelle Drake — So hi, I’m Michelle. I am a mom. I am a Pilates instructor. But most importantly, I am a daughter of the king. I am a Jesus lover, follower. And really, I think that why I’m landing here today is because I spent a lot of my life feeling like I was never enough. I was a perfectionist really early on. I was always trying to prove my worth. And, you know throughout my teenage years, I really used food and exercise as a way to cope and gain control over my life. And that quickly spiraled into multiple eating disorders and that I battled. And I was in and out of the hospital throughout my whole teenage life, basically.Rich Birch — Wow. Michelle Drake — So yeah, so it was really chaos. So that’s kind of the foundation of like ah the where I have where I am at now. Rich Birch — Yep. Michelle Drake — You know, so even like I went to university when I went to university, I was like trying to go to the furthest university way to run away from my problems, but of course they followed me there. Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — And instead of things getting better, unfortunately, they spiraled more, more extreme. I kind of swung to the opposite extreme. So where I once was like overly controlled with like food and exercise, I lost control completely. And so, you know, where I had once been like super underweight and ended up the hospital with severe eating disorders, I was like now gaining a ton of weight. Like I wasn’t moving, I wasn’t going to class. It was just super chaotic.Rich Birch — Wow.Michelle Drake — So eventually I started to you know do some inner work and found some spiritual practices. And I even back back in the day, like in my mid-20s, I started a coaching practice because I had found some freedom, a little bit of freedom in like my food and exercise journey. But I was still very much in my own process. And I also didn’t know Jesus at the time. Michelle Drake — But then im met Jesus And everything changed. And, um you know, within six months, six months, I was married. And then two years later, I had my first daughter, Daisy. And it was really becoming a mom that really brought everything into focus in a new way for my health in particular.Michelle Drake — So I chose to have an unmedicated home birth. And I had this very like ideal, ideal picture. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — Idealized, I guess, kind of vision of like what I wanted it to be. So I really wanted to be like peaceful with worship music and, the sense of like calm and control. And of course, like it was absolutely nothing like that. It was beautiful, but I realized like I actually wasn’t in control of anything. And it was really intense and it was super primal and it was just far beyond anything that I was prepared for. Michelle Drake — And but that was a really beautiful moment for me because somewhere like in within that process, I hit this point of like surrender. Like, okay, I can’t actually do anything here. I just have to like let go and let my body do this work. And so, yeah, I I realized that there was really nothing I could do to control what was happening. I just had to trust my body.Michelle Drake — And it really struck me that this was my body doing something that I could not will my way through, but that it was really designed for. And, you know, it carried me through something that I could not do on my own.Michelle Drake — And so that that experience, it shifted something in me. It made me realize, and this is a piece that I was missing, is that my body isn’t something to control or to punish, but really it’s something that God designed as a vessel. And it’s really how we become, you know, his hands and feet in the world.Michelle Drake — And so, you know, after that point, I became like after birth and realizing like, okay, my body is designed as a vessel. Like it’s it’s actually God’s. So at that point, I became I began to bring more like intentionality into the way that I cared for my body.Rich Birch — That’s cool.Michelle Drake — And not from a place of obsession, but a place of stewardship. Yeah.Rich Birch — That’s pretty cool.Michelle Drake — Yeah. And so, you know, the result of that is feeling like the best that I’ve ever felt, more confident in the way that I take care of myself. And and actually that allows me to become more outward focused because, you know, my habits are sustaining my health in a way that supports how I can show up for my family.Michelle Drake — And so, yeah, I just feel like, you know, I I feel the sense of God inviting me into something that I can like share my story to help other moms, you know, step into that same place of stewardship, like free from that shame or guilt. Rich Birch — So good. Michelle Drake — So yeah, that’s kind of, a sorry, that’s like a lot.Rich Birch — No, no, it’s wonderful. Don’t apologize. That’s fantastic. I think that’s that’s great. Like the thing, um friends that listening in, obviously we talk to church leaders every week and trying to provide help. And, you know, I’m honored that you would take some time to be with us today for a couple of reasons. Rich Birch — First of all, um you know when a allow we have a lot of executive pastors listening. And if I was to go and speak at a conference of executive pastors, maybe there’s 500 leaders in the room and 15 of them would be women. And they’re, unfortunately, in the minority.Rich Birch — And then when I think about there’s like a thing I’m going to name publicly that I don’t think I’ve ever said publicly in whatever, 800, over 800 episodes. Like there’s I know on the staff teams that I’ve led that when I think about the people that I led, it was the moms that are like amazing leaders. They’re just incredible, like doing so much. And it’s like a secret hack. Find them a mom and they’ll get stuff done because they they have to.Michelle Drake — Yes. Yes.Rich Birch — And so today, I’m honored that you would help us kind of think help us think more critically on behalf of the moms on our teams and to think through you know, what we, you know, some, maybe some ways we should be leading. That’s the kind of conversation that we’re going to have here, friends that are listening in.Michelle Drake — Yes. Totally.Rich Birch — So when you think of the, you know, Christian moms… Michelle Drake — Yeah. Rich Birch — …you know, assuming that they’re Christians who are working for us on our teams as staff at church, which that should be the case.Michelle Drake — Hopefully.Rich Birch — What are some pressures that these people are carrying around them that especially as they’re you know, as their leaders, employers, that we maybe don’t see, that isn’t isn’t clear, that maybe isn’t on the surface? Because I look at moms and I’m like, those people are superheroes. They’re getting tons done. But what are some of those pressures that they might not see?Michelle Drake — Yeah. I think that, you know, mental load is a huge thing for moms. You know, and depending on like what season of life that they’re actually in with their families and children, you know, they’re thinking about like scheduling appointments and like socializing their kids and, you know, how they even like want to educate their children. That’s a big conversation, like the Christian kind of sphere. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Michelle Drake — And then, you know, also what’s for dinner and doing laundry and organizing their homes and making time for friends and, you know, getting the kids and all these different activities and like, everything else that doesn’t really to a huge degree include themselves.Michelle Drake — And, you know, oh ah then if we’re talking about women in ministry um and leaders on on ministry teams and they’re working outside the home. And then maybe that there’s this sense of guilt for like working outside the home and then, you know, not being home enough or not being at work enough or, you know, not contributing enough in the household or not contributing enough at work. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — And so like there’s there’s this tension of like, I feel like there’s this tension of moms um of like they’re doing so much and at the same time feeling like they’re still not doing enough. And so, you know, yeah, I just think like, and then and then also in the in this sphere of health, as it kind of falls to the back burner because they have all this going on in their heads of like… Rich Birch — Other things happening. Yeah. Michelle Drake — …all of these things is like, okay, well, and then there’s also this thing of like exercise and like eating healthy and how do I feed my kids healthy and how do I eat healthy and how do I feel good and exercise and look this certain way and, you know, it just a lot. Rich Birch — Yeah, 100%. Michelle Drake — So these are some of the mental things that moms are carrying. Rich Birch — Yeah, just a few of the things that are that are bubbling around. Michelle Drake — Just a few of the things. Yeah. Yeah. Rich Birch — You know, it feels it feels like as a guy watching messaging that is pointed at moms particularly, women generally, but moms particularly, there’s like so much on the health front that… Michelle Drake — Yes. Rich Birch — …that runs pressure, you know, guilt, perfection. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — It’s like tapping and and a negative emotion. Help us understand what does that do to someone over time? How does that, how does that impact the people on our teams? Michelle Drake — Well, yes, I think that and definitely the culture, there’s like a lot of cultural messaging around health. For moms that’s rooted in like pressure and guilt and perfection. And over time, you know, instead of like health being a thing that is like supporting your life, it actually becomes something that like drains you. And I know because that’s like, you know, the exact kind of messaging that pulled me into the extremes and the extreme patterns in my own life. Michelle Drake — And so, so much of what the world offers is really centered on either like aesthetics, like how you look or and this like hyper vigilant pursuit of like doing it perfectly. And, um you know, I think a both of those things carry a lot of shame and that’s really the world’s framework for health is like, you’re not doing enough and you’re not where you need to be, you know? Michelle Drake — But again, like we just spoke about, like moms are already carrying so much and there’s, you know, not enough time or energy or mental space or even like finances, because that’s a huge thing now, like spending as much money as you can on your health and on the best foods to do health in the way that culture says that you’re supposed to do it. Michelle Drake — You know, whether that’s like the hour long workouts or perfect, perfect meals and, you know, um buying all organic even and, you know, doing all the right things. Michelle Drake — So the message underneath all that is like, if you’re not doing it all, you’re not doing enough. So, you know, I think a lot of moms believe that health is only really worth pursuing if it’s, you know, looking a certain way and doing a certain way. And if they can’t do it that way, then often, you know, they’re not doing it at all. It’s just far too overwhelming to even start. Michelle Drake — Yeah. So, you know, I think that then the shame cycle kind of kicks in where like, you know they’re feeling behind. They’re feeling guilty about their bodies and about their habits and about not being more disciplined and because they can’t like live up to this cultural standard. And that creates this like inward spiral that actually pulls them away the presence with their families, the presence in their workplace, you know, that’s that really is what health should support.Michelle Drake — So the thing that’s really supposed to become this like supportive mechanism for the rest of their life… Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — …becomes another source of burden. Rich Birch — So as a supervisor, like I want to create a culture where my team can thrive, where people have, you know, it’s it’s a great experience. And, you know, we’re obviously talking about moms specifically today. Like often without realizing it, I can imagine a world where work can become a negative force in that cycle that we’re talking about there. That actually just being a part of the kind of the pressure of that environment.Rich Birch — And I don’t want that to happen. I want it to be a positive force. I want to create a kind of culture where like, where, you know, pro moms, moms can have a great experience. It’s a great, you know, it’s a great experience for them.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — What does that look like? How, what, what would be, how could you coach us, you know, to, to try to make this a kind of environment that particularly for moms could be, and even maybe particularly around these health issues, how do we make it a more positive environment for them?Michelle Drake — So I guess the question, yeah like how do you support these moms and how do you create environments that supports these moms?Rich Birch — Sure.Michelle Drake — And, um you know, I think that the best place for leaders is not like about like jumping in and saving the day or something like that. Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — Or like start like changing whole environments. But I think just like relational. I think that’s the first thing is just like understanding the weight that moms are carrying.Michelle Drake — And because like, again, like moms in ministry are wearing those multiple hats are not only like the leaders and the employees, but they’re also wife and mom and homemaker, and they’re constantly shifting between them. So, you know, that’s a really heavy mental load, like we discussed. And yeah, so when you’re carrying that much, it’s really easy to kind of start believing that your value is tied to, you know, your productivity or how well you’re like, holding it all together.Michelle Drake — And so, you know, like I know that because I’ve also lived that. And and there’s a season where I felt weighed down by so many, all these different responsibilities and felt like it all came down on me. And then if I dropped the ball, like everything would fall apart. Michelle Drake — But I think the reframe here is like looking to what Jesus offers. And that is, you know, in Matthew 11, where he says, come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I’m gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. And so I think like, I think that really creating a culture of rest and a culture and a rhythm of rest within these workplaces, within these ministry pursuits is like that rest isn’t like rest is encouraged and is part of, is part of the kingdom work and it’s not taking away from the kingdom work, but it’s actually how, you know, we are able to be filled and overflow into, you know, everything else that we’re supposed to do.Michelle Drake — So I think like, I think that if leaders can really establish that rhythm for moms, because again, that’s not only going to benefit moms who already have so much, you know, to carry, but everybody else on the ministry team really is that, is that like rest is part of this. And that is, you know, abiding in Christ. Like when we can do that, like our priorities begin to shift. We begin to like lay down some of those heavy burdens and just making that, you know, really central to the mission is, yeah.Rich Birch — That’s good.Michelle Drake — Yeah. I think that’s, I think that’s really one of the greatest gifts that leaders can give to the moms and their team.Rich Birch — Yeah. Rest in the midst of it. Yeah.Michelle Drake — Yeah. Just a culture that consistently points them back to Jesus.Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. If if there was a mom on our my team who was running on empty, I feel like it’d be easy for me to miss the signals, that there would be like signals that are sent that and it could be… Listen, I like feel like I’m fairly in touch, but like maybe I’m just an idiot guy and I just don’t see it. Rich Birch — What are you know those early warning signs that like, hey, maybe there’s something here that’s not going correctly that that, and and it might not be that like, hey, I’m like you say, it’s not my job to necessarily jump in and, you know, fix it. But it’s but, you know, we want to provide a a culture that can support women in the midst of that. So what would be some of those early signs that kind of we should pay attention to before it becomes a crisis?Michelle Drake — Yeah, I think, so if there’s a woman who’s like, yeah, generally like quite engaged and then all of a sudden they’re starting to become a little bit more withdrawn or, you know, like a little bit less, whether it’s talkative or energetic or whatever within those settings, I think that’s a really good sign. um you know, and then also to like showing up physically, but and maybe not like emotionally invested into the mission. Maybe it’s taking longer to make decisions or, or, you know, decision-making becomes harder.Michelle Drake — I think also to forgetfulness, like forgetting things. So if you notice like a mom, Oh, like I asked her to things. She’s not do, she didn’t do it. Like, and usually she does or ah overwhelmed by, you know, seemingly menial tasks.Rich Birch — Right.Michelle Drake — I think that’s things that she would normally handle. Well, I think that’s a good sign that maybe she’s carrying a little bit too much. Yeah. And, and, you know burnout, it doesn’t happen overnight. And I think that a lot of ah a lot of these signs are actually just like finally the physical manifestation of something that she’s been carrying for a while.Rich Birch — Right. Been bubbling.Michelle Drake — Yeah, so…Rich Birch — Talk to us, at you know, from your perspective as a person who spends their days, like you said, you’re a Pilates instructor, you spend a large portion of your day helping people be active and stay active and do that in a healthy way, in a way that’s not, like you say, focused on the kind of negative reasons for that.Rich Birch — Talk to us about the connection between being active, and this would really be for anyone, moms included, being active and dealing with stress, the stuff that’s going on in life. How are those two connected to each other?Michelle Drake — Yeah, I think that they’re hugely, hugely connected. Because being active is like taking the time to be active and setting apart that time is, you know, is not only like you’re getting the physical benefits and and and the actual neurochemical benefits of that and of that activity. And but you’re also saying to yourself, like I deserve this time too.Michelle Drake — Like I’m pouring constantly out into everyone else, into my ministry, into my family. And so setting apart this time for me is doing something good for myself. But that, that has like these reverberation effects on everything else that I do.Michelle Drake — And so, um, yeah, I think that, sorry, I forget what the question was.Rich Birch — No, it’s just what’s the connection between you know being active and dealing with stress?Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — How do those two work together from your perspective as someone who helps people stay active?Michelle Drake — Yeah. Yeah, I think also too, like just the the physical, like being physically active, there’s something like there’s like the psychosomatic thing where you can like be active and, and, and like get your heart rate pumping and sweat. And it’s like releasing something. Michelle Drake — I don’t know what it is. Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — But like, often too, we’re carrying stress in our body and and we can feel it in our body and we’re tense and stuff. So then when you’re able to, and I teach like hot Pilates, so you’re sweating a lot… Rich Birch — Right. Michelle Drake — …and you’re just like releasing all this. And, you know, and you see people get like so intense, like in the burpees and, and they’re just getting really into it. And, and you know, a line I often use is just like in those burpee moments, in those moments where it’s like really, really intense. I’m just like, I’m just saying like, let everything go that you do not need to carry anymore. Like let it go. Michelle Drake — And I don’t know what it is about that, but yeah, something does release when we are moving physically and it just creates this like space of clarity. And I think also to like presence, like you’re so present when you are moving your body in like maybe an intense way, maybe a less intense way, but when you are like intentionally moving your body does require a sense of presence. And when you’re present, like, i don’t know, stress doesn’t really exist in the present.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, yeah. Right. Michelle Drake — So I think it’s really beneficial in that way for sure.Rich Birch — So true. Yeah. During COVID, I was one of those people that bought a Peloton and, and I’m over a thousand rides in love it. Michelle Drake — Amazing.Rich Birch — It’s like, it’s incredible. And I would say, it has changed my, my view on all of this. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — Like I used to, I used to go to the gym and all that. And it was, but it was like a, I did it because it was like, I got to check the box. I got to do this. I know this is an important thing. Michelle Drake — Yes. Yes. Rich Birch — But I look forward to those experiences and the days I don’t do that, I can feel it. I’m not as sharp. Michelle Drake — Yep. Rich Birch — And, you know, and I don’t deal with stress as well. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — And I’ve even joked with other friends. It’s like, don’t get me started talking about Peloton. You know, I’ve talked with other friends. I’m like, there’s something about, obviously they’ve, obviously spent a lot of time listening to their and instructors and it’s always positive. It’s always, you know, there’s, they’re, they’re not like, um, even though you’re working hard, there’s no, it’s never a negative. It’s always, you know, they’re always using positive reinforcement. Rich Birch — And I’ve, I’ve joked with friends. I’ve said, listen, even just having 30 minutes in a day of someone telling me like, you can do this, like you, you got this, you know, is… Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — …cause there’s a lot of things in life where we don’t have that, you know, i don’t have that kind of… Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — …you know, reinforcement, which has been, it’s been transformative for me for sure. Michelle Drake — Yeah, and I think in those moments too when you’re like working really hard like and you’re sweating and it’s in it you’re like, oh, man, I don’t know if I could go anymore. And you have that story playing in your head of like, I can’t do it.Michelle Drake — But then somebody says, you can do it. Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — You’re like, okay, you’re you’re instantly being reframed. Rich Birch — Yes. Michelle Drake — Like, okay, in my head I said I can’t, but then this person is saying I can. So there’s like, yeah, that that instantaneous like kind of moment of like, oh, no, yeah, I am doing it actually. Yeah. Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely. Well, and it was, I’m the slow learner. I was hundreds, maybe four or 500 rides in before I realized this is actually mostly a mental thing than it is a physical thing. Michelle Drake — Totally. Rich Birch — Like I’m, it’s mostly between my, my ears where I’m like… Michelle Drake — Yes.Rich Birch — …you know, my body can keep going, but it’s in my head. I’m like, oh, OK, I’m done. I’m done. I just don’t want to keep going. And I never quit a ride, but you can you know, you can bail on a ride before you know you actually stop turning. And so, yeah, that’s interesting. That’s been an interesting journey for me, for sure, in a in a great way. And it and it for sure has helped me be better at what I do to be more show, you know, show up more in the rest of my life, for sure.Michelle Drake — Yeah, that’s beautiful.Rich Birch — So you actually built a podcast around this, which I think is exciting. Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — And I’d love to hear us a little bit more about this. It’s called it’s called Health Habits for Christian Moms.Michelle Drake — Yeah.Rich Birch — We’ll put a link to it in the show notes, but tell us about the podcast. How you know how is it helping? What’s your heart behind it? I know as a podcaster, it’s a lot of work to pull the podcast together. So talk to me about the podcast.Michelle Drake — Yeah. So, ah you know, Health Habits for Christian Moms is is really something that I felt drawn and into or invited into by the Lord, you know, after like what I told you with my story and everything like that. But it really exists because, you know, I see that this pattern from moms of like moms who like love God and love their families and want to take care of their health, but, you know, feel exhausted and overwhelmed and stuck in this all or nothing mentality. And so, you know, this podcast is for moms who like know that their health matters, but struggle to make it a priority in the middle of like all of those things that we talked about, all of the real life things.Rich Birch — Yes, yes.Michelle Drake — You know, she’s busy. She’s carrying a lot of responsibility. And then and then I think a big thing is that she feels guilty taking that time away from herself, like away from every all the other responsibilities to put into her health, into herself.Michelle Drake — So like instead of adding more pressure, like how the world would with with health, I am, my aim is to help this mom build simple, sustainable habits, you know, that fit into the season of life that she’s actually in, and honor all the responsibilities that she already has.Michelle Drake — And I also really try to frame it in a biblical lens. So it’s not about like chasing a gut and like not about chasing perfection or, you know, not trying to earn worth through the way that we look or whatever it is. But but it’s about stewardship and caring and like really talking about like how do we care for the body God gave us. So that actually we can have more energy, more stamina, more capacity to serve the people that God has put in our life.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. I love it.Michelle Drake — YeahRich Birch — I would, give me a sense of what, you know, maybe a couple episodes, the kind of thing that you cover on the podcast.Michelle Drake — So it’s it’s honestly mostly super practical tips. Rich Birch — Yep. Michelle Drake — So it would be super practical tips like meal planning, like how to do that in a way that’s ah not overwhelming, um how to get dinner on the table in 10 minutes in a way that’s like still healthy food, um you know, habit formation, 10-minute workouts, like things that are super applicable and immediately applicable to her life. Michelle Drake — And then, but then also we’re talking about like these underlying issues and underlying struggles as well, whether it be like that guilt piece or the comparison piece, the people pleasing piece or believing, you know, that everyone’s, everyone else’s needs comes, comes first, comes above like her own needs.Rich Birch — Yep.Michelle Drake — And so, yeah, I think that’s that’s kind of how I I start with the practical. I lead with the practical. And then I’m sprinkling in that that encouragement of like reframing health into that biblical perspective.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Yeah, that’s fantastic. You know, what struck me about this, even in this conversation is like, this could be a great thing to hand off if I’m an executive pastor or senior leader type person in the church. Like, this could be a great thing to pass off to your team and say like, hey, here’s here’s a resource for you, you know. You’re doing a great job. You’ve got lots of health habits, healthy habits, you know, person on our team, people on our team, but like this might help. And here’s a, you know, here’s a link to it. That could be a great way to pass it along ah to, you know, just help ah the folks even to just acknowledge, hey, I understand that here’s some things that you’re, you know, you’re thinking about.Rich Birch — So just as we’re kind of closing up today’s episode or thinking about, you know, bringing it down, you know, for a leader that’s listening in today who wants to do something this week to kind of take a first step to better support, particularly the moms on their team, what would you tell them? What advice would you give them that they could they could take a step this week to help support ah those and just incredible people on their teams?Michelle Drake — I think intentional connection and conversation. And, you know, I think asking the mom on your team, you know, what is taking the most energy from her in this season? I think moms really thrive on, on like that, that kind of connection piece and sharing burdens.Rich Birch — That’s good.Michelle Drake — And so I think, and and just listening to her and not trying to fix it, because I think that good leadership really starts with like, understanding your team in a relational way. So I would say that and and and trying to help kind of take off some of her burden simply just by listening, you know. And then um and then those other pieces of like creating cultures of of rest and and rhythms of rest is is really important. But something immediately applicable is just establishing like a relational, like truly caring conversation with with the mom on your team.Rich Birch — So good. Super helpful. Well, we’ll link to Health Habits for Christian Moms in the show notes. We want people to go over there and check it out. Is there anywhere else we want to send people online to connect with you, to kind of follow with your journey? Where do we want to send people? Michelle Drake — So definitely the podcast is the first the first place that I would send people. I am in the process of publishing my web website. So that will be published probably within the next week or so. I’m sure I would imagine that it’s going to take a while for this podcast to come out, but I don’t know what the timeline is.Rich Birch — Yeah.Michelle Drake — But but yeah, people will be able to find me at my website as well.Rich Birch — Great. What’s the address there?Michelle Drake — So the address is michelledrake.co.Rich Birch — Dot co. Great. Well, thanks, Michelle. I really appreciate being on today. So fun to connect over the internets for the podcast and all the best at Health Habits for Christian Moms. It was fun getting to know you a little bit more better today. Thanks so much.Michelle Drake — Thanks, Rich.

In this episode of The Estranged Heart podcast, Kreed explores the impact of emotional neglect and the importance of curiosity in healing family estrangement. This episode highlights how patterns of disconnection are passed down and how parents and adult children can foster understanding through genuine curiosity.TakeawaysMost family patterns are stored in the nervous system, not consciously remembered.Relational patterns are often automatic, like balancing on a bike.Parents may parent from their inherited nervous system without awareness.Absence of curiosity creates a gap that affects future generations.RESOURCES & SUPPORTFacebook Support Group (facilitated by Kreed) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/estrangedmotherssupportgroupOne-on-One ServicesPrivate coachingConsultingMediation servicesConnect with Kreed:Website: theestrangedheart.comEmail: hello@theestrangedheart.comSupport the work: Buy Me a Coffee (donation platform)Disclaimer: Kreed Revere is not a licensed therapist. Nothing in this podcast should be considered or taken as therapy. If you need therapeutic support, please seek out a therapist near you.

TMC Program Staff Adam Borneman, Adam Mixon, Beth Daniel, and Mark Ramsey speak about the critical importance of context, the powerful fear of loss, and the persistent joys and good news of ministry.Episode Transcript.

The Signs Your Body Is Giving You That You're Not HealingYou may be getting everything done. You're showing up for work, taking care of your responsibilities, exercising, eating well, and doing all the things you've been told will make you healthier.But what if your body is telling you a different story?In this episode, JJ explores the difference between actually healing and simply becoming really good at coping or high functioning. Poor sleep, digestive issues, constant worry, difficulty recovering, recurring illness or injury, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, and a lack of joy can all be signals worth paying attention to.And healing works in both directions. Your mental and emotional state can influence your physical health—but your physical health can also affect your mood, resilience, energy, and ability to regulate your emotions.JJ introduces the 5 Levels to Restore Health—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual—and invites you to consider whether you've been trying to address your health through only one level while another has been asking for your attention.In this episode:The difference between healing, coping, and high functioningPhysical signs that your system may be strugglingWhy knowing your patterns doesn't necessarily mean you've healed themHow sleep, digestion, stress, inflammation, and recovery can affect emotional healthHow thoughts, emotions, relationships, and environment can influence the bodyWhy healing needs to work in both directionsHow to identify which of the Five Levels may be missing from your healing journeyWhy healing is when you become different in the same situationTake the Quiz: Are You Healing or Just Coping?Discover whether you're creating lasting change—or simply getting better at functioning around patterns that haven't changed.https://jjflizanes.com/stuckThe 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJoin JJ Flizanes for an intimate, interactive weekend exploring the five interconnected levels that influence your health and ability to heal. Inspired by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing and expanded with science and practical applications in functional health, neuroscience, epigenetics, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, relationships, and purpose.Special guest Dr. William Davis, bestselling author of Wheat Belly and Super Gut, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Early Bird: 50% off through September 1st.Learn more and reserve your seat:https://jjflizanes.com/restoreUSE code: 5LEVELS50

The Signs Your Body Is Giving You That You're Not HealingYou may be getting everything done. You're showing up for work, taking care of your responsibilities, exercising, eating well, and doing all the things you've been told will make you healthier.But what if your body is telling you a different story?In this episode, JJ explores the difference between actually healing and simply becoming really good at coping or high functioning. Poor sleep, digestive issues, constant worry, difficulty recovering, recurring illness or injury, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, and a lack of joy can all be signals worth paying attention to.And healing works in both directions. Your mental and emotional state can influence your physical health—but your physical health can also affect your mood, resilience, energy, and ability to regulate your emotions.JJ introduces the 5 Levels to Restore Health—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual—and invites you to consider whether you've been trying to address your health through only one level while another has been asking for your attention.In this episode:The difference between healing, coping, and high functioningPhysical signs that your system may be strugglingWhy knowing your patterns doesn't necessarily mean you've healed themHow sleep, digestion, stress, inflammation, and recovery can affect emotional healthHow thoughts, emotions, relationships, and environment can influence the bodyWhy healing needs to work in both directionsHow to identify which of the Five Levels may be missing from your healing journeyWhy healing is when you become different in the same situationTake the Quiz: Are You Healing or Just Coping?Discover whether you're creating lasting change—or simply getting better at functioning around patterns that haven't changed.https://jjflizanes.com/stuckThe 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJoin JJ Flizanes for an intimate, interactive weekend exploring the five interconnected levels that influence your health and ability to heal. Inspired by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing and expanded with science and practical applications in functional health, neuroscience, epigenetics, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, relationships, and purpose.Special guest Dr. William Davis, bestselling author of Wheat Belly and Super Gut, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Early Bird: 50% off through September 1st.Learn more and reserve your seat:https://jjflizanes.com/restoreUSE code: 5LEVELS50

I gave a lecture about "Blending the Elements of Experiential Design" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Seattle XR in Seattle, Washington. (PDF of Slides]. At the end, I run through some examples of the types of interdisciplinary fusion that I see within the context of immersive storytelling and immersive art. This lecture also digs into the process-relational philosophical foundations, as well as how I'm gaining additional inspiration from Empedocles, Aristotle, and the Classical Quadrivium (Four Arts) of Math, Music, Geometry, and Astronomy. For my 30+ hours of coverage of Venice Immersive, then I apply this archetypal framework to help describe the context, quality, character, and story of each of these projects. You can see an overview of how I've been using this framework in this PDF on "Venice Immersive 2025 Archetypal Categorizations" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01M5NcOYzx0 One of goals of this talk was to further define the archetypal nature of the elements, and how I'm conceiving of them as a possibility space of design tradeoffs (C.S. Peirce's "Firstness"), but also as the concrete decisions that an experiential designer makes ("Secondness"), and then finally how these decisions are experienced more from a phenomenological experience as the audience as we feel, sense, act, and make sense of these experiences, and what they might mean ("Thirdness"). I do not actually dive into Peirce's concepts of Firstness, Secondness, or Thirdness in this specific talk, but I wanted to elaborate on these concepts in this write-up as these have been crucial concepts to help translate the overall abstract Firstness quality of my talk, and ground it into the Secondness of something that is a bit more practical and pragmatic. For Peirce, his semiology is grounded into a triune theory of actualization that goes from a non-Boolean possibility space as Firstness, and then grounds into a Boolean actualization of secondness, and then an interpretant mediates from the concreteness of the Secondness object back to the Firstness of the fundamental archetypal qualities or meaning. I find speculative philosopher James Bradley's summary of the Peirce's triune semiology to be the most easy to digest in his essay titled, "Beyond Hermeneutics: Peirce's Semiology as a Trinitarian Metaphysics of Communication." I can also recommend this article on "Peirce's Theory of Signs" from the The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy for a comprehensive recap, and there's also this excellent YouTube series primer by Philosign's Markus Raninen titled The Basics of Semiotics. But here's Bradley's description of Firstness, Secondness, and Thirdness, which I find myself coming back to again and again. "Within the fundamental speculative triunity of activity, difference and order, or firstness, secondness and thirdness, semiology is an analysis of order or thirdness… Thirdness is analyzed as idea or sign, as the exchange of information between individual entities, and as interpretation; in other words, thirdness is itself a threefold of sign, object and interpretant. Here, sign occupies the position of firstness because it is the potentiality for interpretation; object occupies that of secondness because it is determinate; and the interpretant occupies that of thirdness because the interpretant has the sign-interpreting or sign-ordering role, and so has the status of a third. [24] Thus for Peirce semiology is the analysis of the triune relation of sign, object and interpretant." It's still a bit obtuse, and one way that I like to think about it is through the experience of communication. You have a possibility space of meaning you want to convey (Firstness of the sign/potential), then you choose specific words that convey that meaning (Secondness of the object), then someone listens to those words and phrases, and then connects those words back to a meaning space (Thirdness of the interpretant mediating between the two). For Peirce, each of the Firstness, Secondness, and Thirdness can also refer to themselves, like you can have a Firstness of Thirdness or Secondness of Firstness. It gets a little bit confusing, but I found the following graphic from Collected Essays in Speculative Philosophy (2021) by James Bradley and edited by Sean McGrath to be very useful. Within the context of immersive storytelling, then it's a semiotic process of communication of meaning where you're able to use all sorts of affordances from game design, literature, social dynamics and relations, music, film, lighting, architecture, dance, theme park design, sensory design, and embodiment. My Elemental Theory of Presence attempts to simplify this into the following: Fire Element of Active Presence: Interactivity, Agency, Game Design Air Element of Mental & Social Presence: Meaning, Semiotics, Language, Possibility, Form, Relationality Water Element of Emotional Presence: Experiential Processes, Story, Film, Music, Cycles, Time Earth Element of Environmental & Embodied Presence: Sensory, Immersive, Worldbuilding, Space I elaborate on the various philosophical frameworks that I'm leaning up within this talk that I gave on June 6, 2026, but since then I've been diving more into Peirce and his Triune Metaphysics and Semiology of Firstness, Secondness, and Thirdness, which has been a helpful framework as I've been applying the elements to my Venice Immersive Coverage and categorizing the elemental center of gravity for each of the nearly 40 projects that I covered. Again see this framework in this PDF on "Venice Immersive 2025 Archetypal Categorizations" to see how I have been thinking about each of these projects. I used this approach in the introductions for each of my podcast episodes from Venice (see the links down below). Firstness of Fire: Creativity, Novelty, Intention, Purpose, Goals, & Aristotle's Final Cause Secondness of Fire: Interactivity & Core Gameplay Loops Thirdness of Fire: Agency & Will For Active Presence Examples of Fire: Game Design, Locomotion Options: No Movement, Automatic movement, Teleportation, or free roaming. The LIVENESS of the Live, To what degree does the experience encourage the expression of will and agency? And to what degree does that alter how the narrative unfolds (narrative agency vs participatory interactive moments that customize and flavor the experience)? Adventure, Exploration, Creativity, Novelty, Freedom, Will, and Collective Action. System Dynamics, & iterative feedback loops Firstness of Air: Peirce's "Sign," Intended Meaning, Pattern & Form, Archetypal Possibility Spaces, Relationality, & Aristotle's Formal Cause Secondness of Air: Peirce's "Object" Within A Triadic Semiotic Process (i.e. a specific action, word, harmonic, or action that points to a larger meaning.) Thirdness of Air: Peirce's "Interpretant," Sensemaking Thoughts, Expectations, & Social Dynamics For Mental & Social Presence Examples of Air: Literature, Language, Semiotics, Communication, Symbols, Abstractions. Single Player vs Multi-Player, Suspension of Disbelief and Plausibility, Social Dynamics, Anticipation of the Future, Possibility Spaces, Types of Choices. Realms of Speculative Imagination, How is meaning communicated? Dialogue amongst characters, voice-over narration, environmental storytelling, non-verbal associative dream logic. Mental friction from puzzles. Rules & Mechanics. Use of certain types of AI and Conversational Interfaces with Virtual Beings Firstness of Water: Time, Cycles, Harmonics, Value, & Aristotle's "Material Cause" (in Whitehead's event ontology, then base reality is processes, relationships, and possibilities of value & not Substance) Secondness of Water: Experiential Processes That Provide Contrasts Thirdness of Water: Feelings for Emotional Presence Examples of Water: Cinematic Film Tradition, Music, Harmonics, Rhythm, Pacing, Editing, Contrasts, Emotion, Memory, Dreams, Images, Soul, Psyche, Symbols, Lighting, Mood, Collective Unconscious Firstness of Earth: Space, World, Context, & Aristotle's Efficient Cause Secondness of Earth: Environment & Worldbuilding With Situated Perspectives in that Context Thirdness of Earth: Sensory Perception & Sense of Place for Embodied & Environmental Presence Examples of Earth: Worldbuilding of a spatial context & culture. Architecture, Theater, Theme Park Design, Dance, Are you a ghost or an embodied character? Sensory Experience: Touch/Haptics, Hearing/Spatial Sound, Smells, Vision. Relation of Immersive Tech to Environment as either VR, MR, or AR. Virtual CGI vs Cinematic 180/360 Video, Again, check out this PDF on "Venice Immersive 2025 Archetypal Categorizations" to see how I've ranked nearly 40 projects from Venice Immersive 2025 on the relative elemental center of gravity. Some projects feel more like a cinematic immersive film, which would be a bit more biased towards the Water Element. Some projects are more focused on the experience of a world that was build, and more focused on the Earth Element. Some projects are asking you to Read a book together with other people, which is more focused on the Air Element. And then other more game-like experiences are focused on using interactions as their primary mode of engagement, and so they're more focused on the fire element. There are 64 total combinations of the elements in terms of the first, second, third, or four centers of gravity, and you can see the comprehensive visualization here: Technically, all four elements are always happening all at once all at the same time. However, in experiential design, then creators can emphasize and blend elements together. So I find that ranking the elements can be helpful in determining an overall center of gravity, and that looking at the first two centers of gravity can achieve a sufficient job of creating some ad hoc, immersive and "elemental genres....

If relationships are your greatest strength as a leader, this episode is for you! Alex shares four actions highly relational leaders can take to amplify and double down on their strengths (while avoiding some common pitfalls). He also explains how leaders who operate differently can empower their highly relational team members to find new levels of success. Want a clearer picture of what's working in your business—and what needs attention? Take the free 12 Fundamentals Assessment for a personalized score and your clearest next step: 12fundamentals.comEpisode Recap:What does it look like for a highly relational leader to amplify their strengths? 4 actions to double down on your strengths as a highly relational leader 1. Never stop connecting with new people!Here are 5 benefits that come from connecting with new people2. Stay anchored to your core connections3. Don't become so focused on internal relationships that you miss external relationships4. Never allow relationships to become a burden Not sure where to start? Describe what's happening in your business or team, then explore 400+ practical resources to help you take the next right step: resources.pathforgrowth.comResources:Follow the podcast on Apple or SpotifySchedule a call to learn more about Path for Growth Coaching and CommunityDownload the Free Reading GuideConnect with our Founder Alex Judd on LinkedIn and Instagram

Can recovery itself become a form of avoidance?This week, Alana Gordon explores a pattern that can quietly interfere with healing from compulsive sexual behavior and betrayal: using individual recovery work to avoid relational repair—or using couples work to avoid personal accountability.Listen in to learn how to avoid these pitfalls and gauge if your recovery work is actually healing you and your relationship.Journaling prompts for the person who acted outside their values: Am I asking for space to regulate or to escape accountability? How is my individual work helping me become more relationally available? Am I initiating repair or am I requiring my partner to still pursue me?  Can I hear my partner's experience without explaining my own first? What changes should my partner realistically expect to see from me, and am I doing that?Journaling prompts for the injured partner: Is this space creating stability or prolonged uncertainty?  Is my partner returning when they say they will? Are they initiating the repair? Am I seeing greater empathy, accountability, and engagement? Is the individual work changing behavior or are they only explaining it? What do I need to do in order to remain emotionally safe? LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!***Use code PODCAST150 to get $150 off any Choose intensive or retreat in 2026!***Courage to Thrive - Join us for this healing retreat for women who have experienced betrayal trauma. It offers a safe, supportive space to process pain, reconnect with yourself, and begin moving forward with strength and hope. Through guided workshops, therapeutic support, and restorative experiences, women leave feeling seen, empowered, and less alone. August 25-28, 2026 in Spanish Fork, Utah. Reclaimed: A Men's Parts-Work Intensive - A transformative 4-day intensive for men in recovery from problematic sexual behaviors, using the Internal Family Systems model to help participants deepen emotional healing, reduce shame, understand their inner world, and live with greater authenticity and wholeness. August 18-21 in Spanish Fork, UT. Housing accommodations available here.

The Signs Your Body Is Giving You That You're Not HealingYou may be getting everything done. You're showing up for work, taking care of your responsibilities, exercising, eating well, and doing all the things you've been told will make you healthier.But what if your body is telling you a different story?In this episode, JJ explores the difference between actually healing and simply becoming really good at coping or high functioning. Poor sleep, digestive issues, constant worry, difficulty recovering, recurring illness or injury, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, and a lack of joy can all be signals worth paying attention to.And healing works in both directions. Your mental and emotional state can influence your physical health—but your physical health can also affect your mood, resilience, energy, and ability to regulate your emotions.JJ introduces the 5 Levels to Restore Health—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual—and invites you to consider whether you've been trying to address your health through only one level while another has been asking for your attention.In this episode:The difference between healing, coping, and high functioningPhysical signs that your system may be strugglingWhy knowing your patterns doesn't necessarily mean you've healed themHow sleep, digestion, stress, inflammation, and recovery can affect emotional healthHow thoughts, emotions, relationships, and environment can influence the bodyWhy healing needs to work in both directionsHow to identify which of the Five Levels may be missing from your healing journeyWhy healing is when you become different in the same situationTake the Quiz: Are You Healing or Just Coping?Discover whether you're creating lasting change—or simply getting better at functioning around patterns that haven't changed.https://jjflizanes.com/stuckThe 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJoin JJ Flizanes for an intimate, interactive weekend exploring the five interconnected levels that influence your health and ability to heal. Inspired by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing and expanded with science and practical applications in functional health, neuroscience, epigenetics, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, relationships, and purpose.Special guest Dr. William Davis, bestselling author of Wheat Belly and Super Gut, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Early Bird: 50% off through September 1st.Learn more and reserve your seat:https://jjflizanes.com/restoreUSE code: 5LEVELS50

The Signs Your Body Is Giving You That You're Not HealingYou may be getting everything done. You're showing up for work, taking care of your responsibilities, exercising, eating well, and doing all the things you've been told will make you healthier.But what if your body is telling you a different story?In this episode, JJ explores the difference between actually healing and simply becoming really good at coping or high functioning. Poor sleep, digestive issues, constant worry, difficulty recovering, recurring illness or injury, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, and a lack of joy can all be signals worth paying attention to.And healing works in both directions. Your mental and emotional state can influence your physical health—but your physical health can also affect your mood, resilience, energy, and ability to regulate your emotions.JJ introduces the 5 Levels to Restore Health—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual—and invites you to consider whether you've been trying to address your health through only one level while another has been asking for your attention.In this episode:The difference between healing, coping, and high functioningPhysical signs that your system may be strugglingWhy knowing your patterns doesn't necessarily mean you've healed themHow sleep, digestion, stress, inflammation, and recovery can affect emotional healthHow thoughts, emotions, relationships, and environment can influence the bodyWhy healing needs to work in both directionsHow to identify which of the Five Levels may be missing from your healing journeyWhy healing is when you become different in the same situationTake the Quiz: Are You Healing or Just Coping?Discover whether you're creating lasting change—or simply getting better at functioning around patterns that haven't changed.https://jjflizanes.com/stuckThe 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJoin JJ Flizanes for an intimate, interactive weekend exploring the five interconnected levels that influence your health and ability to heal. Inspired by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing and expanded with science and practical applications in functional health, neuroscience, epigenetics, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, relationships, and purpose.Special guest Dr. William Davis, bestselling author of Wheat Belly and Super Gut, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Early Bird: 50% off through September 1st.Learn more and reserve your seat:https://jjflizanes.com/restoreUSE code: 5LEVELS50

In this episode of Regulated & Relational, hosts Tracy Leonard and Ginger Healy welcome Karen Buckwalter, a therapist, supervisor, trainer, and consultant with more than 30 years of experience supporting children, families, and professionals navigating complex mental health challenges.Grounded in attachment theory and relationship-based healing, Karen has dedicated her career to helping people feel safer, more connected, and more supported. Her work emphasizes the importance of creating both a safe haven and a secure base for growth, whether working directly with children and families or mentoring the professionals who serve them.Soon we have the opportunity to learn more from Karen as she will be a featured speaker at the Attachment & Trauma Network's virtual Building Resilient Communities for Children Conference September 17 and 18, where she will continue to share practical insights for creating stronger, more supportive communities for children and families.Find Karen's book and other resources mentioned in the podcast at the links below:Karen's website  - https://www.karendoylebuckwalter.com/Karen's resources www.karendoylebuckwalter.com/resourcesKaren's Book- Raising The Challenging Child -https://a.co/d/08H1bAbUKaren's Podcast The Attachment Panel:https://youtu.be/w7AZoBFn774?si=q22UAteMxc5RLz7NTrust‑Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®)  - https://child.tcu.edu/tbri/social media handles for tagging:https://www.facebook.com/karendoylebuckwalterhttps://www.instagram.com/karendoylebuckwalter/https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-doyle-buckwalter-2757593b/Suggested attachment book- The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relationships Are the Secret to Building Intimacy, Resilience, and Trust by Ed Tronick https://a.co/d/0cvkAOCQLink to the Building Resilient Children virtual Conference: https://attachmenttraumanetwork.org/brcc/ 

The Signs Your Body Is Giving You That You're Not HealingYou may be getting everything done. You're showing up for work, taking care of your responsibilities, exercising, eating well, and doing all the things you've been told will make you healthier.But what if your body is telling you a different story?In this episode, JJ explores the difference between actually healing and simply becoming really good at coping or high functioning. Poor sleep, digestive issues, constant worry, difficulty recovering, recurring illness or injury, chronic tension, emotional reactivity, and a lack of joy can all be signals worth paying attention to.And healing works in both directions. Your mental and emotional state can influence your physical health—but your physical health can also affect your mood, resilience, energy, and ability to regulate your emotions.JJ introduces the 5 Levels to Restore Health—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational & Environmental, and Purpose & Spiritual—and invites you to consider whether you've been trying to address your health through only one level while another has been asking for your attention.In this episode:The difference between healing, coping, and high functioningPhysical signs that your system may be strugglingWhy knowing your patterns doesn't necessarily mean you've healed themHow sleep, digestion, stress, inflammation, and recovery can affect emotional healthHow thoughts, emotions, relationships, and environment can influence the bodyWhy healing needs to work in both directionsHow to identify which of the Five Levels may be missing from your healing journeyWhy healing is when you become different in the same situationTake the Quiz: Are You Healing or Just Coping?Discover whether you're creating lasting change—or simply getting better at functioning around patterns that haven't changed.https://jjflizanes.com/stuckThe 5 Levels to Restore Health — LIVENovember 6–8, 2026 | Redondo Beach, CaliforniaJoin JJ Flizanes for an intimate, interactive weekend exploring the five interconnected levels that influence your health and ability to heal. Inspired by Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt's Five Levels of Healing and expanded with science and practical applications in functional health, neuroscience, epigenetics, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, relationships, and purpose.Special guest Dr. William Davis, bestselling author of Wheat Belly and Super Gut, will join JJ to explore the physical foundations of restoring health.Early Bird: 50% off through September 1st.Learn more and reserve your seat:https://jjflizanes.com/restoreUSE code: 5LEVELS50

At THRIVEtoday, we describe relational skills as emotional intelligence put into practice through an attachment-based, Christ-centered framework. While emotional intelligence helps us understand emotions, relational skills help us stay connected—to God, to ourselves, and to others—especially in the midst of life's challenges.

What if the renewal of our communities does not begin with politics, programs or institutions—but with the transformation of the human heart?In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Steve talks with Rob Loughery, author of Building Redemptive Community: What Christians Can Do to Make Community Great Again.Rob has spent more than thirty years working at the intersection of business, real estate development, public service and community revitalization. But his deeper journey began when God showed him that restoring buildings and neighborhoods could never be separated from restoring people.Rob shares how a phrase he heard more than twenty years ago—“redemptive community”—captured his heart and eventually became both a calling and a way of life. He also opens up about growing up as a pastor's kid, mistaking salvation for a spiritual “get-out-of-jail-free card,” and discovering that Jesus wanted to heal and transform the heart he had spent years protecting through performance and success.Together, Steve and Rob explore:• Why transformed communities require transformed hearts• What the Church may be getting wrong about discipleship• Why Christians must do more than attend, give and leave the work to others• How our gifts, passions and stories reveal our unique Kingdom assignments• What Nehemiah teaches us about prayer, courage and rebuilding• How ordinary believers can participate in God's work of redeeming all thingsGod is already at work restoring people and places. The question is not whether He will accomplish His purposes. The question is whether we will recognize and embrace the role He has invited us to play.CONNECT WITH ROB LOUGHERYLearn more about Rob's work and Building Redemptive Community:Building Redemptive Community:https://www.buildingredemptivecommunity.com/Nehemiah Development Company:https://www.nehemiahdevco.com/The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.00:00 Guarding the Heart01:05 What Transforms a Community?03:05 Fast Five05:35 Rob's Story and Calling11:54 The Birth of Redemptive Community16:21 Physical, Relational and Spiritual Renewal19:33 More Than a Ticket to Heaven23:05 Losing the Life He Was Trying to Save26:28 What It Means to Guard Your Heart29:25 It Is Never Too Late32:12 What Is Wrong with Discipleship?34:58 Has the Church Outsourced Its Mission?40:58 Giving Is Not Enough45:22 Pay Attention to Your Heart47:29 Nehemiah's Roadmap51:56 What Can You Help Redeem?53:12 If Jesus Gave You One Square Mile57:25 Redemptive Community Starts Within59:33 Find Your Role in God's Story01:01:30 Where to Find Rob's Book

Passing The TESTS: Our God-Given Opportunities James 1:2-6; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:13 August 9, 2026 The Power of Joy! James 1:2 - A decision must be made … and reinforced! Tests are inevitable. A promised powerful result! 1 Corinthians 13:4 – remembering God's main motive and character! (Ephesians 2:4; 1 John 4:7,8,16; Romans 5:8) Patience; patient endurance is critical in our development. (See Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13; Romans 8:29) Tests, Trials, Temptations are inevitable in this fallen world (due to the world system, our flesh, the devil). These tests come in varied, multiple ways! (Relational, physical, spiritual, financial, etc.) The enemy's agenda is to attack our Faith! God can and does USE tests, trials to develop our Faith, increase our connection to Him! Enemy agenda - destroy; God's agenda - development. James 1:3,4 – God is “working on something”! (Hebrews 6:15) Faith and Patience are Partners! The Test won't endure forever or destroy you (1 Corinthians 10:18) Joy is supernatural energy! Joy is given by the Lord and deposited in your re-born spirit by the Holy Spirit. (John 17:13; Romans 15:3; Galatians 5:22) The Joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10)

Episode Summary: Photographs tell the story of time passed. People move in and out of the frame. Babies grow from child to adult. Moms and dad gain wrinkles and gray hair. Just as our physical selves change over time, so do relationships, including friendships. Friendships are one of God’s sweetest gifts, but they can be one of life’s most painful areas of change. Some friendships deepen over time. Some drift and some end unexpectedly. Yet God, our forever friend, remains faithful through every changing season. Quotables from the episode: Friendships rarely end all at once. Most often, they change quietly, little by little, until one day we realize something is different. We may be closer or we may have drifted apart. Our lives may be richer because of the deepening friendship, or we may feel the pain of a lost companion. In honor of National Friendship Day, today we’re going talking about when friendships change and how to trust God through seasons of relational transition. The memories between two friends become a sacred space. Within that space we found safety and belonging. Losing closeness can feel like grief. We grieve a version of life we once enjoyed and found the comfort our hearts needed. We often expect friendships to remain unchanged forever, forgetting that life isn’t static. It’s dynamic. We mature, heal, and find hope. Friendships also change. Sometimes for the better, like gold refined in fire. Other times, they go through the fire and don’t make it out. But not every drifting relationship is evidence of rejection. Sometimes friendships were meant for a particular season, assignment, or stage of growth. What feels like abandonment may actually be God lovingly reshaping your circle, pruning unhealthy dependence, or making room for new connections that better align with where he is taking you. Not all friendships are meant to look the same forever—and that doesn’t always mean something went wrong. Not every friend can meet our every need for the rest of our lives. That’s Jesus’ job and he does it better than any expectation we might place on a friend. Some people are meant to walk beside you forever. Others were meant to help carry you through a portion of the journey. Both are gifts and because of God’s constant faithfulness we can thank him for both. Scripture References: Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Rev. Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to stop checking up on your ex, replaying old arguments, or wanting them back—even when you know the relationship was chaotic and painful? In this episode, we build on our work in Guarding Your Peace by turning the lens inward. We expose the hidden culprit keeping you stuck: a neurochemical addiction to relationship drama. Explore why our brains crave drama much like we get hooked on reality TV, how each Default Emotional Operating System (Anxious DEOS, Dismissive-Avoidant DEOS, and Fearful-Avoidant DEOS) gets trapped in the chaos, and how to use our Thought Exploration and Override framework to detox from relational volatility and make peace feel safe again. Ready to Fast-Track Your Breakup Recovery? Stop waiting for "time" to heal you and start your journey back to happy with a personalized roadmap. I am now accepting a limited number of 1:1 coaching clients. Let's turn your heartbreak into a catalyst for your greatest transformation. Claim your Free 30-Minute Strategy Call here: https://www.angieday.com/join/ Discover your Unique Breakup Style (Diagnose Your DEOS): This is a crucial first step to taking back your power. Your emotional reactions are driven by a subconscious operating system (your attachment style). By identifying your DEOS, you gain a clear blueprint for your behavior. This transforms your healing from a frustrating, chaotic storm into a strategic, predictable, and conquerable process. Take the quiz here: https://www.angieday.com/free-quiz/ Connect with Angie: If you or someone you love is struggling after a breakup or divorce and you'd like professional support to navigate the aftermath, I'm here to help. Email me at: angie@contactangieday.com Leave a Voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheBacktoHappyPodcast

Relational health

Have you ever walked into a room and felt your body relax—or tense up—before anything even happened?In this episode of the Building Resilience Podcast, Leah explores what safety really means for the nervous system. She explains why safety is not a series of stages, how predictability and choice shape your body's response, and why another person can support your regulation without being responsible for it.You'll also learn why healthy relationships are not free from conflict, why repair builds trust, and how psychological, spiritual, and cultural safety influence the way we connect with others.Key TakeawaysSafety is something your nervous system continually evaluates.Predictability, privacy, and choice help the body feel safe.Co-regulation matters, but no one can create safety for you.Relational safety comes from repair, not avoiding conflict.People feel safer when they can speak honestly without punishment.Safety must be defined by the person experiencing it.LINKS AND RESOURCES:Advanced Training in Nervous System Resilience : https://leahdavidsonlifecoaching.com/coach-training-join COMMUNITYMIDLIFE NERVOUS SYSTEM REWIRE COMMUNITY

You know that moment when you're up at midnight building web pages, running project ideas through Claude and feeling incredibly productive... and meanwhile there are two real humans waiting for you to send a simple follow-up email that would actually make you money?Yeah. That's where this episode went. I sat down with Laura Schoenfeld and expected a conversation about how she uses AI in her business. What I got was a full mirror held up to every expert-based entrepreneur (myself included) who's gotten so swept up in what AI can do that they've completely lost track of what their business actually needs them to do.Laura's a business coach who works with established experts already at six figures and beyond, and she's watching smart, talented people outsource the one thing that makes them money (their voice, their thought leadership, their sales conversations) to AI while spending hours building systems nobody asked for. The examples she shared will make you cringe. And the litmus test she uses to decide what AI should and shouldn't touch in your business is something I'm stealing immediately.What you'll learn:Laura's test for deciding what belongs with AI and what doesn'tWhy competing on content volume is dead and what you're actually competing on nowThe real reason AI-generated sales copy falls flatHow to identify the four core money-making activities in your business and protect them from over-automationWhy AI might actually be making you less productive, not more, and how to set boundaries around it00:19 – Welcome and Guest Intro02:10 – AI Hype and Shiny Objects06:43 – AI FOMO and Business Fit07:02 – When AI Outsourcing Backfires10:56 – The Outsource Litmus Test14:19 – Quality Over Volume Content17:58 – Podcast Workflow Automation28:00 – Priorities and Guardrails32:15 – Money Making Activities First35:45 – AI as Admin Assistant41:55 – Boundaries and Final Takeaways45:22 – Where to Find Laura>MEET LAURAThanks for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please help us share it by:Following the show—this helps you stay updated and supports us!Leaving a positive review—this boosts our ranking and helps more entrepreneurs find the podcast.--------------------------Entrepreneur School is proud to be featured on the Feedspot list of 30 Best Canada CEO Podcasts! https://blog.feedspot.com/canadaceopodcasts/

The Three Quivering Questions of Modern Society:How can I achieve my goals with less effort?How can I achieve my goals in less time?How and where can I find pleasure?These are the “How to…” questions.(I call them the Quivering Questions because they contain an anxious energy similar to that of an addict looking for his or her next “fix.”)Shortcuts, pro tips, life hacks, and insider secrets are snippets that exist to tell you “How to…”Schools, seminars, master mind groups, and countless consultants exist to tell you “How to…”Millions of books and Youtube videos have been written and produced to tell you “How to…”The answers to the “How to” questions are always Informational.The Three Ancient Questions That Echo Within Us:Who Am I? (Identity)Why Am I Here? (Purpose)What Must I Overcome? (Adventure)Those are the “Fascination” questions.Fascination is the drive behind our search for God and our hunger for entertainment.Faith and entertainment seem incongruent until you realize that both of them fascinate us because they change our mood and lift us higher.The answers to the “Fascination” questions are always Relational.When you understand these 6 questions, you understand the essence, attraction, and purpose of social media.Youtube offers only “How to” videos and “Fascination” videos.Likewise, every book is either a “How to” book or a “Fascination” book.Television shows are either “How to” or “Fascination.” Movies and music lend themselves mostly to fascination.I told you, “Fascination is the drive behind our search for God and our hunger for entertainment.”When we contemplate our existence and the possibility of God, we ask,Who Am I?Why Am I Here?What Must I Overcome?Your answers to those questions will determine your faith, whether it be Judeo-Christian, Hindu, Moslem, Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic, or one of the many other belief systems with millions of followers.When entertainment elevates our mood, our fascination comes from identity reinforcement.The books, movies, and television shows that we love are the ones that show us a reflection of ourselves.When we identify with a character, we vicariously experience the challenges they face. These challenges are known as the plot or the “narractive arc.”We likewise experience the evolution of that character when they are changed by those challenges. This is known as the “character arc.”The characters with whom we identify remind us of who we are.Identity reinforcement is the essence of affinity groups.An affinity group is any group of people who are attracted to the same thing.Every religion is an affinity group.The fans of a sports team are an affinity group.People who follow fashion are an affinity group.If you like jazz music, or hip-hop, or Jeeps or NASCAR or backpacking or sewing or science fiction or romance or current events or capitalism or gossip, you are in an affinity group.Mass media and social media exist to attract and serve affinity groups.The size of a business opportunity is largely determined by size of the affinity group it serves.If you are an electrician, a plumber, or an HVAC technician, your affinity groups will be people who like and need electricity, running water, and comfortable temperatures. Your limiting factors will bethe population of your trade areathe strength of your competitors.how often the average person needs your servicesWhether or not your name is the one people think of first and feel the best about.If you are a dentist, a jeweler, a lawyer, or a tree trimmer, your limiting factors will bethe population of your trade areathe strength of your competitorshow often the average person needs your servicesWhether or not your name is the one people think of first and feel the best about.If you own a restaurant, a grocery store, or sell some other product that people need weekly, your limiting factors will bethe population of the neighborhood in which you are locatedthe quality of the customer's experiencethe visibility of your locationBelieve it or not, everything I have told you in these 727 words is extremely important when you are creating the messages that you will spend your advertising budget to deliver.I understand if you are surprised by this, but it is true, nonetheless.Roy H. WilliamsFacebook has 3.07 billion monthly active usersYouTube has 2.5 billion monthly active usersInstagram has 2 billion monthly active usersTikTok has 1.58 billion monthly active usersLinkedIn has 930 million monthly active usersNOTE: Monthly Active Users tells you only the Reach of these platforms. But to compare Effectiveness, you would need to know how much time each week a user spends on each platform. You would also need to know how many times each week the same user could be reached on that platform. I'm Indy BeagleTHIS WEEK on Monday Morning Radio: Steven Mercer speaks from personal experience when he tells entrepreneurs how to build a service practice without sacrificing their values, their time, or their financial stability.Deputy rover Maxwell Rotbart asks brilliant questions and scribbles notes while Steven Mercer explains how to transition gradually from current employment to independent practice. He then explains how to attract clients through referrals and valuable content. He also explains how to decide when advertising makes sense.Do you want to know the best ways to set fees, establish boundaries, and handle difficult clients?Class will begin the moment you arrive at MondayMorningRadio.com.

Flo Esho is the founder of The Easy Flow Life, a U.S.-based executive support agency that helps founders and executives step out of the day-to-day and back into true leadership.In this episode of The Leader Assistant Podcast, Flo talks about supporting executives in their personal and professional lives, tips for hiring an assistant, encouragement for those considering becoming a virtual assistant, travel planning tips, and more.Show notes → leaderassistant.com/387--It's the last day of the offsite and it was exactly what the team needed. The CEO pulls you aside to say, “Thank you. This was next level.”Your secret? You used Offsite. They handled the venues, negotiations, and logistics – so you could focus on shaping the experience.Sound too good to be true? It's actually within reach. (And it can even save you money.)See how at leaderassistant.com/offsite. --Are you ready to level up? Enroll in The Leader Assistant Academy at leaderassistant.com/academy to embrace the Leader Assistant frameworks used by thousands of assistants.More from The Leader Assistant...Book, Audiobook, and Workbook -> leaderassistantbook.comThe Leader Assistant Academy -> leaderassistantbook.com/academy Premium Membership -> leaderassistant.com/membershipEvents -> leaderassistantlive.comFree Community -> leaderassistant.com/community

In this episode, Farah talks about how she defines Relational Horsemanship and how it transformed the way she trains and rehabilitates horses.

OneCry Podcast host Kyle Reno unpacks Jesus' baptism from Luke 3 to show the spiritual significance of baptism, the power of relational prayer, and the courage required for true obedience. He highlights how prayer and obedience position us for the Holy Spirit to move and for an "open heaven" to be experienced in personal lives and communities. This episode calls listeners to take practical steps—considering baptism, deepening prayer as relationship rather than ritual, and obeying God courageously—to prepare for revival and a fresh work of the Spirit. Please let us know how the OneCry Podcast has impacted your own story by emailing us at info@onecry.com You can find many more downloadable revival resources and join the movement at www.onecry.com   

What if the greatest evangelism strategy isn't a strategy at all?In this episode of the Open ARMS Podcast, we explore Chapter 6: "We're Relational to BLESS Others." In a world that prizes efficiency, productivity, and technology, God continues to accomplish His greatest work through ordinary people who intentionally love and bless the people around them.Jesus rarely treated people like projects. He built relationships. He listened. He ate meals. He served. He forgave. He loved. Long before people believed His message, they experienced His presence.The same is true today.We'll explore the biblical foundation for living a life that intentionally BLESSES others, practical ways to deepen relationships with neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family, and why genuine love often opens doors that arguments never can.Whether you're naturally outgoing or quietly introverted, God has uniquely positioned you to become a blessing exactly where you live, work, learn, and play.Because changed lives usually begin with trusted relationships.In this episode you'll discover:Why relationships are God's preferred mission fieldHow Jesus modeled relational evangelismWhat it really means to BLESS someoneSimple ways to become more intentional every dayWhy loving people often speaks louder than winning argumentsIf this conversation encourages you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who wants to make a greater difference for Christ.You can also pick up a copy of Open ARMS: Connecting People to Jesus and learn how God can use ordinary relationships to accomplish extraordinary things.

Wexford Campus Executive Pastor Russ Brasher teaches out of Romans sharing methods of grace easier received by other than given to others.Subscribe to Orchard Hill Plus! - https://orchardhillplus.buzzsprout.com/shareConnect with Orchard Hill ChurchWebsite | https://www.orchardhillchurch.comMobile App | https://https://www.orchardhillchurch.com/appYouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/OrchardHillChurchPAFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/orchardhillchurch/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/orchardhillchurch/Twitter | https://twitter.com/orchard_hill

Goodwill is essential in order for any relationship to be mature and healthy.  It is kindness in action.  It is positive intent.  It is benevolence towards others.  Dr. Rick discusses the role of goodwill and its importance to healthy and mature relationships.

Dr. Kurt Bjorklund walks through Romans 12:9–21 to show that real love isn't another thing to "max out," but the natural overflow of a life shaped by grace. He unpacks twelve simple, unglamorous qualities—like honesty, patience, and hospitality—that quietly transform our closest relationships when we stop trading love for love and start giving it away.Blog Post and Transcript - https://www.orchardhillchurch.com/blog-post/2026/7/27/impact-of-grace-3-relational-benefitSubscribe to Orchard Hill Plus! - https://orchardhillplus.buzzsprout.com/shareConnect with Orchard Hill ChurchWebsite | https://www.orchardhillchurch.comMobile App | https://https://www.orchardhillchurch.com/appYouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/OrchardHillChurchPAFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/orchardhillchurch/Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/orchardhillchurch/Twitter | https://twitter.com/orchard_hill

Most marriages don't drift apart because of a major crisis, but because they lose their daily rhythm of connection. In this episode, discover six practical ways relational skills help couples sustain joy, navigate conflict, and protect their marriage from emotional drifting. Tune in to discover how small, everyday interactions build lasting resilience, and stick around for a simple connection exercise you and your spouse can start practicing tonight.

Following a very welcome request from a listener, we return to a conversation about the strength to be open and affected by others, to reshape ourselves from what we receive, and to influence others only after being influenced by them. And how that capacity underpins trustability, the extension of safety to one another, purpose, and staying-with appropriately in each kind of relationship.This week is hosted as always by Lizzie Winn and Justin Wise of Thirdspace.This is Turning Towards Life, a weekly live 30 minute conversation hosted by Thirdspace in which Justin Wise and Lizzie Winn dive deep into big questions of human living. Find us on FaceBook to join in the lively conversation on this episode. You can find videos of every episode, and more about the project on the Turning Towards Life website, and you can also watch and listen on Instagram, YouTube, and as a podcast in all the usual podcast places.Episode Overview00:00 Continuing the conversation on relational power05:40 This week's source09:38 Recognition, commitment, and change17:30 Purpose in relationship21:23 Making room for sense making26:17 Strength, repair, and time29:03 From safety to trustability35:11 Keeping the questions openOur source for this week:It is not our power to remain unaffected, or even the power to control others, that makes our lives richer and more valuable. It is our amazing capacity to be affected by the incredible richness and complexity of the relational web in which we live… Relational power includes three components: (1) the ability to be actively open and affected by the world around us; (2) the ability to create ourselves out of what we have taken in; and (3) the ability to influence those around us by first having been affected by them… Everything actual exercises some power - either to affect or be affected. [But] there is a crucial, life-shaping difference between the power to control others and the strength that enables us to be active and open to the world around us. There is an equally vital difference between the power to control others by shutting them out of our lives and the power to engage the lives of others in ways that enrich us all… The world of the individual who can be influenced by another without losing his or her identity or freedom is larger than the world of the individual who fears being influenced. The stature of the individual who can let another exist in her or his own creative freedom is larger than the size of the individual who insists that others must conform to their own purposes and understandings.From Process Relational Philosophy, Chapter 8 on ‘Relational Power',by C Robert MeslePhoto by Yuri Antonenko on Unsplash---Join Us Live in 2026Foundations of Integral Development Coaching, led by Lizzie and JustinSept 9-10 2026, Online, Book HereOur two-day immersive introduction to integral development coaching, led by Lizzie and Justin from Turning Towards Life. An opportunity to begin to learn to support others in deep, life giving discovery and development.You can read more 'Foundations' and book a place here:www.wearethirdspace.org/foundations-of-coachingYou can hear us talk about the philosophy of our coaching programmes here:www.turningtowards.life/coachingAnd our year-long Professional Coaching Course details are here:www.wearethirdspace.org/professional-coaching-courseTurning Towards Life Live Season 3, from September 2026Our Turning Towards Life live programme of community, learning and reflection runs in six month seasons, in person on Zoom once a month. We're very excited about it. A chance to expand beyond the bounds of a podcast into forming a community of learning and practice.You can find out more and join us here: www.turningtowards.life/live----About Turning Towards LifeTurning Towards Life, a week-by-week conversation inviting us deeply into our lives, is a live 30 minute conversation hosted by Justin Wise and Lizzie Winn of Thirdspace.  Find us on FaceBook to join in the lively conversation on this episode. You can find videos of every episode, and more about the project on the Turning Towards Life website, and you can also watch and listen on Instagram, YouTube, and as a podcast on Apple, Amazon Music and Spotify.Join Our Weekly Mailing: www.turningtowards.life/subscribeSupport Us: www.buymeacoffee.com/turningtowardslife

What if the future of hospitality isn't just about exceptional service—but about creating meaningful human connection?In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran welcome Elizabeth Mullins, President of Evermore Hospitality and former executive with Ritz-Carlton and Disney, for an inspiring conversation on the future of guest experiences.Elizabeth shares her remarkable journey from discovering her passion for hospitality at just five years old to leading some of the world's most iconic hospitality brands. Drawing on decades of leadership across Ritz-Carlton, Disney, The Fifth Avenue Hotel, and Evermore Hospitality, she reveals why the industry's next competitive advantage is creating spaces that foster togetherness.The conversation explores Evermore Hospitality's innovative concept of relational wellness, designing destinations that help families, friends, and groups reconnect in an increasingly disconnected world. Elizabeth explains how hospitality can move beyond delivering outstanding service to creating transformational experiences that guests remember long after checkout.The episode also covers the evolution of independent luxury hotels, lessons from leading global hospitality brands, the growing role of AI in enhancing—not replacing—human hospitality, and practical ways hoteliers can intentionally design experiences that build lasting memories.In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why relational wellness is emerging as one of the industry's most important trends and how it helps combat loneliness through meaningful travel experiences.What it takes to design hotels and resorts that foster authentic human connection rather than simply providing accommodations.How AI can remove friction from the guest journey while allowing hospitality professionals to create more personalized, memorable experiences.The leadership principles Elizabeth learned from decades at luxury hospitality brands, including Ritz-Carlton, Disney, and The Fifth Avenue Hotel.How intentional service design and thoughtful programming help build unforgettable guest memories that inspire lifelong loyalty.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v7xVRPx4e1oLinks:Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-mullins-263935127/ Evermore Hospitality: https://evermoreresort.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/312Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Send us a message!My guest today is Phil Chu.I had the privilege of meeting Phil through our mutual friend, Ravi Ram -- thank you Ravi!Phil is the founder and head coach of SEEN, a relational fitness training company.  In our conversation today Phil shares about his journey to starting SEEN, what relational fitness is and means, the payoff of learning to step into conflict with a framework bigger than win/lose.Phil shares his story of learning how to listen well (and learning that he needed to learn how to listen well!).  We talk about trust and its importance in relational fitness, and the value of feedback in relationships.Phil, thank you for this inspiring conversation.  Thank you for sharing the stories of your journey in strengthening your relationships, both at work and at home.  And for creating resources to help others improve their relational and social fitness.I've included links in the show notes for more information on Phil and his work as well as where you can find more information on some of the frameworks Phil mentions, such as the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and The Trust Equation.Phil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipchu/Seen.healthThe Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Modes: https://kilmanndiagnostics.com/overview-thomas-kilmann-conflict-mode-instrument-tki/The Trust Equation: https://trustedadvisor.com/build-trust/trust-equationSupport the showMake Life Less Difficult~   Support:buymeacoffee.com/lisatilstra

What if your relationship struggles aren’t just personal—but shaped by the systems you live in? Akilah Riley Richardson returns to explore how systemic trauma quietly shapes our relationships, nervous systems, and sense of self. Drawing from her work with marginalized couples, she introduces the concept of relational privilege and explains why healing cannot be separated from the social systems we live in. Together, Akilah and Sue challenge traditional Western therapy models, discuss the importance of “responsible externalizing,” and explore how therapists can create space for grief, imagination, and genuine connection instead of trying to fix what cannot simply be solved. “The experiences of marginalized people are often devalued even by helping professionals, and this text is my dedication to carving a space where we, as practitioners, can ensure that we are of service in a way that is rooted in the realities of our people. It is also a reflection of my obligation to marginalized couples and individuals. My sincere wish for them all is that they are never harmed in therapy but instead uplifted. ” – Akilah Riley-Richardson Time Stamps for The Hidden Weight of Systemic Trauma: How Oppression Shapes Our Relationships with Akilah Riley-Richardson (306) 02:05 The systemic trauma faced by marginalized couples 04:12 Barriers for global south therapists and voices 08:00 Fear, threat, and navigating space as a marginalized person 09:57 Relational privilege and systemic influence 12:03 The role of colonial Christianity in systemic trauma 17:50 The danger of model dogmatism in therapy 20:06 Neurobiological threat and systemic trauma 22:02 Practicing responsible externalizing in therapy 26:07 The grief of systemic trauma and loss 28:04 The limitations of evidence-based models 29:58 The need for imagination and community in healing 31:47 The concept of lostness and liminality in trauma 34:06 The danger of attachment to models and frameworks 35:59 Differentiating systemic from relational reality 38:10 Yoruba and indigenous healing traditions 41:59 The influence of colonialism and imperialism on therapy 43:53 Acknowledge systemic trauma in therapist self-awareness 49:57 Habits of survival and internalized oppression 51:52 The impact of systemic trauma on body and mind About our Guest – Akilah Riley-Richardson, MSW, CCTP Akilah Riley-Richardson, MSW, CCTP is a dedicated therapist, educator, and researcher with several years of experience. As a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and STAIR Method Certified clinician, Akilah specializes in relational healing, focusing on the needs of couples and individuals, both in the Caribbean and internationally.Her expertise extends to supporting sexual and racial minorities, ensuring that her practice is inclusive and culturally sensitive. Akilah's commitment to education and advocacy has led her to consult for esteemed organizations, including NASTAD, I-TECH, CARPHA, and CVC, where she has made significant contributions to healthcare training and community support. She has presented her work at various prestigious forums, such as the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, Academy of Therapy Wisdom, Harvard Medical School, Chicago School of Psychology and the Black Mental Health Symposium. From 2012 to 2025, she served as a Social Work Educator at the University of the Southern Caribbean, mentoring future leaders in the field. Currently, she serves as a Research Supervisor and Examiner at the University of the West Indies Global Campus. As the founder of the Relational Healing Institute and the creator of the P.R.I.D.E. model, Akilah is passionate about advancing relational therapies. Her book, “Marginalized Couples in Therapy” reflects this passion. Resources for The Hidden Weight of Systemic Trauma: How Oppression Shapes Our Relationships with Akilah Riley-Richardson (306) Marginalized Couples in Therapy: Interventions for Healing from Systemic Trauma – Akilah’s new book, use this link for 20% off. Get your copy today! Akilah’s website  – Resources, opportunities and additional information Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW!   Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others. Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s! Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount.       You are invited!  Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!!  Get your copy of Secure Relating here!!

What if one of the most powerful things you could do for your team takes only five minutes? In this episode, I explore why relational energy may be the most overlooked factor in leadership wellbeing especially during seasons of rapid change. I share a simple but powerful shift that helped a high-performing team feel more connected, seen, and energized, and why small moments of recognition can have a bigger impact on team resilience than most leaders realize. Top 3 Takeaways: 1. Relational energy is a critical leadership resource. Beyond physical, emotional, and mental energy, relational energy fuels trust, connection, and belonging. When it's strong, teams communicate openly and stay engaged; when it's depleted, work can quickly become transactional. 2. Fast-moving change often erodes connection first. During busy or high-growth seasons, leaders naturally prioritize deliverables and deadlines. But when recognition and human connection disappear, team resilience begins to weaken even if performance still looks strong on the surface. 3. Small moments of recognition create lasting impact. Asking one simple question "What's one win from this week?" can restore visibility, reinforce progress, and strengthen team connection. Sometimes the smallest leadership practices create the biggest cultural shifts. Episode Minutes: Minute 3: Managing Emotional States Minute 5: Protecting Relational Energy Minute 6: Introducing wins to boost relational energy Links + Resources from This Episode: Take the free 3-minute Authentic Imprint™ Assessment Get a copy of Dana's book, The Internal Revolution: Lead Authentically and Build Your Personal Brand from Within Learn more about The Strengths Journal

We spend months planning a wedding, but how much time do we invest in preparing our brains for a lifetime of connection? This episode explores how newlywed couples can build rock-solid emotional habits right from the start. You'll discover why becoming a "repair expert" matters far more than avoiding conflict entirely, and how practicing joy when life is easy protects your bond when the train inevitably goes off the tracks.

Message from Aaron Ingle on July 19, 2026

Hello, estranged mom. Welcome to Lesson 3 of Safe Spaces For Estranged Moms. Often, when your adult child goes no contact, your thoughts and actions become all about them.  . And while it is necessary to focus on their needs to an extent, you are a person too. This free audio class series helps you identify the types of emotionally safe spaces you need as you navigate estrangement from your child.  . There are doable, gentle assignments to help you ease into those safe spaces. So warm up your tea, grab your journal and a pen… and let's talk about it.  . Next Steps: 1) Apply for your FREE consultation to talk to Jenny 1:1. Find out the exact path forward to feeling better and greatly increasing your chances of getting your son or daughter back in your life. And learn how estrangement coaching can get you there: www.theestrangedmomcoach.com/schedule    ⬇️ 2) Access your audio meditation to help you cast your anxieties and worries about estrangement at the feet of Jesus: https://www.theestrangedmomcoach.com/meditation   ⬇️ 3) Join the free Facebook support community for Christian estranged mothers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianestrangedmothers    ⬇️ 4) Download Your Free Guide Of What To Do When Your Adult Child Estranges: https://www.theestrangedmomcoach.com/child-estrangement-next-steps  . Client Reviews… ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  Jenny's teachings have produced results reconnecting me with my estranged daughter I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support and guidance received in the most tragic time of my life from coach Jenny Good. Her faith, compassion, understanding, dedication and display of radical love has truly been life-changing for me. I was so overwhelmed with feelings of confusion, guilt, and sadness. I felt lost and didn't know how to navigate through the emotional turmoil I was experiencing. However, from the very first call, Jenny created a safe and non-judgmental space for me to share my details. Her ability to listen attentively and empathize while helping me understand a different way of thinking is truly remarkable. She understood my feelings and offered tools each session in ways I have not experienced even from therapy. I am forever thankful for the medicine she has poured into me to be the very best version of myself! This has rippled into all areas of life for me. Jenny's teachings have produced results reconnecting me with my estranged daughter! Thank you for being the vessel of unwavering faith & love that so many of us could benefit from, estranged or not. A true Godsend.  - Melinda Wyman . ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I am living a truly happy life, and I reconciled with my son  Having a coach and mentor who is rooted in Christ is very important. I've experienced so much inner healing with Jenny as my Coach. I am living a truly happy life, and I reconciled with my son! I feel empowered to continue stepping into my full power as a mother and to live a life where my children matter, but they don't determine my worth. I am me again. - Carol Adams

Your exes are still living in your nervous system, even the ones you swear you're over.You can change your hair, move apartments, and go full hot-girl-summer reinvention mode, but if you haven't actually processed a past relationship, your body doesn't know it's over. In part 2 of the High Self-Worth Summer series, I'm walking you through why healing has to happen somatically, not just mentally — and why "I got over him" and "I've released the pattern" are two very different things. This is the episode I wish someone had handed me a decade ago. It would've saved me so much pain, and I think it'll do the same for a lot of you.Inside the Episode:Why memory of past relationships isn't just mental, it's somatic, and your attachment style is your nervous system's best guess at how to stay connected based on what worked beforeWhat repetition compulsion actually is, and how unprocessed heartbreak + unhealed attachment wounds team up to pull you toward the same painful dynamics, just with a new faceWhat it actually takes to let go for real: getting to the root of the trauma, feeling the emotions you never let yourself feel, naming your patterns, grieving, and choosing forgiveness, for them and for youReady to go deeper?Grab the Identity Reset mini-course ($47):

Church hurt is real—but it doesn't have to control your life. Dr. Greg Gifford explains why becoming harder to offend doesn't start with tougher skin, but with a deeper understanding of God's character and His unchanging love. If you're struggling with betrayal, disappointment, or relational pain, this conversation points you toward lasting biblical hope instead of temporary relief. Transformed Podcast Episode 184 | July 09, 2026 ___ Thanks for listening! Transformed would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Transformed we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!