Table Talks with the Tares

Let’s be real, crafting a family vision sounds great... until you’re knee-deep in diapers, dishes, and meltdowns. In this episode, we talk about why having a clear vision for our family actually does help in the chaos. From how we parent to how we set the tone in our home, naming where we’re headed brings clarity, peace, and more unity. We share how we’re trying to create language around habits an...

In this episode, we share a real-life glimpse into MJ’s recent road trip… and the not-so-smooth EV charging saga that came with it. It’s light, honest, and a little too relatable if you’ve ever had plans derailed by technology. From range anxiety to recalculating plans on the fly, we’re laughing through it now, but let’s just say it wasn’t funny in the moment. ‌ Next episode recommended: https://p...

We just came back from a family wedding, which meant traveling with kids, staying out of routine, and all with a newborn in tow! In this episode, we talk about what we’ve learned (and are still learning) when it comes to visiting family, how we set expectations, try to keep our rhythms intact, and bounce back when everything goes off track. If you've ever felt both grateful andoverwhelmed by famil...

Sometimes it’s not the present that’s hard, it’s the past creeping back in. In this episode, we talk about when old habits, patterns, or insecurities resurface, especially in seasons of stress or change. We share 3 ways we’ve learned to deal with the past when it reappears and how to respond with honesty, growth, and grace. Whether you're healing, navigating old triggers, or just trying to stay pr...

Inspired by a quote from Jane Lambert, we’re talking about what really matters when the days feel long but the years fly by. Whether it’s MJ at work or Ash at home, we both feel the weight of wanting to be fully present in this season with our kids. In this episode, we reflect on our priorities and how we’re choosing to embrace the young years even when they’re messy, loud, and exhausting. Quote m...

Let’s be honest we think we know the difference between an introvert and an extrovert, but do we really? In this episode, we flip the script and let the extrovert (Ash) have the mic. We talk about how our energy needs clash, how we’ve learned to compromise (kind of), and what it looks like to love each other well when our wiring is so different. It's lighthearted, a little spicy, and definitely fu...

  In this episode, we’re talking all things introvert vs. extrovert, specifically what it’s like when those differences show up in marriage and postpartum life. From clashing needs to figuring out how to give each other space (or connection), we share how we’ve learned to meet in the middle and what we’re still figuring out. Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/131-embra...

In this episode, Ash gets real about what it’s like parenting with ADHD and how she’s learned to work with her brain instead of against it. From creative hacks to honest moments of chaos, we unpack the wins, the struggles, and the systems that are actually working in this season. Whether you’re an ADHD parent or just trying to find your rhythm, this one’s full of relatable moments and practical id...

We’re deep in the newborn trenches and low on sleep, short on energy, and definitely not operating at 100. In this episode, we get real about how each of us is handling this season, what we’re doing to stay present, and little hacks that are helping us make it through. It’s a conversation about surviving without burning out, giving yourself grace, and holding onto the beauty in the middle of the c...

Our 5-year-old hit us with a big question: “Why do we go to church?” In this episode, we talk about the conversation that followed and how it got us thinking about our own beliefs and the kind of example we want to set for our kids. We share our journey unpacking what it means to be the church, how our view has shifted over the years, and why we’re still choosing to show up. Next episode recommend...

We’re in the thick of postpartum life with baby #3, and in this episode, we’re talking about what’s working and what’s not. From the rhythms we’re surprisingly holding onto, to the ones we’ve hit pause on, we’re keeping it honest about what real life looks like right now. We also chat about our decision to bring back family meetings and how we’re trying to stay connected in the middle of the chaos...

This time around feels different, and we’re talking about it. In this episode, we unpack what postpartum looks like with baby number 3, how our older kids are adjusting, what’s helping us stay (mostly) sane as a couple, the rhythms that are working right now… and what’s definitely on pause. If you’re in the thick of it or gearing up for your own postpartum season, this one's a real-life look at fi...

This birth story was wild! In this episode, we share the whirlwind arrival of our daughter, how labor kicked off fast, escalated even faster, and nearly ended with a delivery right at the ER entrance. From barely making it to the hospital to the moment she was born (in 2 hrs flat!), we’re reliving it all. If you love a good birth story or want to hear how we survived the chaos with a whole lot of...

This one’s honest, reflective, and maybe a little spicy. We’re talking about how our view of starting a family has changed over the past five years and what we wish we'd known back then. From cultural messaging to Biblical vision, we unpack how we’re thinking about God’s design for family, what it’s looked like for us, and the advice we’d give to couples dreaming about their future family. Whether...

We're gearing up for baby #3, and that means diving headfirst into the newborn trenches… again. In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to prep for sleepless nights while still showing up for two other kids who (shocker) still need us. From setting up systems at home to keeping our marriage from combusting under pressure, this one’s real, a little raw, and full of practical thoughts if y...

We’re in the thick of it waiting for baby #3 to make her debut any day now, and this season is stretching us in ways we didn’t expect. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to sit in the tension of anticipation, grief, and surrender all at once. We’re learning that waiting isn’t just about being still, it requires some action on our part. If you’re in a similar season facing unknown outcom...

This week we’re talking about something we’re actively learning in real-time ➡️ how to help our 5-year-old navigate jealousy without jumping straight to correction or shame. We share how we’re working on checking our own reactions, encouraging a family culture that welcomes vulnerability, and helping her learn to speak truth over what she’s feeling. It’s honest, messy, and hopefully encouraging if...

It seems like everyone is buzzing about the declining birth rate and implications for the future. In this episode, we’re sharing our vision for what we want our family to be about and how we’re intentionally pushing back against the cultural messages that tell us individualism and self-expression are the ultimate goals of life. We talk about the legacy we hope to build, the roles of fatherhood and...

After 9 years of marriage, you’d think we’d know each other pretty well—turns out, we really do. In this episode, we play a game of “Guess My Perspective” and try to predict how the other person thinks, reacts, and handles everyday situations. Spoiler: we’re more in sync than we thought. Next episode recommended: Ep 76 - Why “Preparing for Marriage” Advice is Misleading, Reflecting on how we met,...

In this episode, we’re talking about what it looks like to keep going when you’re running on empty. We share how we each refill our tanks, what we’ve learned about showing up with limited energy and time, and why it’s okay to not be operating at 100%. If you’re in a season where even the basics feel hard, this one’s a reminder that small steps still count.   Next episode recommended: Ep 93 - Famil...

In this episode, we’re talking about what it’s really like being pregnant the third time around—how we each connect (or don’t right away) with the baby, what’s surprised us this time, and the mix of excitement and reality that comes with growing our family. We also open up about how pregnancy impacts feelings of desirability and intimacy, and how we’re learning to stay close in a season full of ch...

In this episode, we’re opening up about Ash’s recent ADD diagnosis—what led to it, how it’s shaped her day-to-day life, and the strategies she’s learning to work with her brain instead of against it. We also talk about how it’s impacted our marriage, communication, and understanding of each other. If you’ve ever felt like your brain works a little differently (or love someone who does) — this one’...

In this episode, we dive into MJ’s internal debate about upgrading his Corolla to an EV—and the conversations it sparked between us. We talk about how we navigate mismatched priorities, especially when a decision feels important to one of us but not urgent to the other, and how we try to stay aligned in the decisions that shape our budget. ‌ Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/...

In this episode, we’re talking about why hosting matters so much to us. Back in our college days, we were shaped by families who opened their homes, made space at their tables, and poured into us in ways we’ll never forget. Now, we get to pay it forward—and invite our kids into that same rhythm of generosity. Whether hospitality comes naturally to you or feels intimidating, we hope this conversati...

We don’t always see things the same way—and honestly, we used to handle that poorly. In this episode, we’re talking about how we’ve learned to disagree without turning it into a battle. From staying curious to asking better questions, we’ve found that it’s totally possible to have different opinions and still stay connected. If you’ve ever struggled to have hard conversations without things gettin...