Conversations About...

Friendships with the opposite gender, relationships for a season, friendships of "convenience" ... these all impact our lives and are important for healthy community! Types of friendship: Friendship of convenience Friend for a season Male-Female friendship Long distance friendship Life-long friends Discussion Questions: What is the value in having different kinds of friendships?  Why invest in fri...

Kendra talks with Sarah Cordle, a Resident Director at JBU about roommate relationships. They talk through what makes a successful roommate experience, and why navigating through these unique relationships is such an important part of the development that happens in college! Connect with the CHR   Discussion Questions  What are some expectations you have had coming into this roommate experience? ...

A roundtable discussion about healthy dating with four of the CHR team! Join our conversation about the nuances, questions and perspectives surrounding dating and romantic relationships. Discussion Questions: What is dating? How do you define it? What is it and what is it not in your perspective? How do you think about commitment in a dating relationship? How do you balance being committed to the...

Relational and social growth are key to holistic development in college, and having a growth mindset allows you to lean in to new challenges. Kendra and Courtney talk through how expectations shape the way we show up to an experience and how to face the challenges of getting connected head on. Connect with CHR and find more resources   Article: Fostering College Student Mental Health and Resilienc...

Kendra and Kristin talk about how the way we engage in conflict can determine the health of our relationships. Hear about default conflict styles, relational safety and tips for finding resolutions! Discussion Questions for reflection: How has one of your relationships been made stronger by navigating through conflict?  Which conflict style do you think suits you the most? What does this tell you...

Kendra talks with her Dad about the relationship between emerging adults and their parents. Particularly as kids go off to college, how can both show grace to each other and navigate this season of change.  Find more resources & get connected here!  

Kendra talks with Amy Smithwick and Norlee Flaaten about how to make big decisions. Amy focuses on making decisions as a single young adult, and Norlee talks about how married couples can make decisions together. Find more resources & get connected here!   Discussion Questions: 1. How have you made big decisions in the past? 2. Do you tend to trust your "gut" or your logic more natur...

Kendra interviews Kristin about her research on married college students, Kristin's personal experience, and why it matters to have this conversation, whether you are married or not!   Discussion Questions with your friends: 1. What word or phrase comes up for you when you think about being married in college? 2. Why if at all do you think this is an important conversation both for students wh...

Forgiveness is a critical part of relationships, and understanding what it is – and what it’s not – helps us find freedom. Rosemary shares about what she’s learned about forgiveness through her own life and what Scripture says about how it can transform us and our relationships. Further Resources Rosemary's Chapel Message (From February 8, 2024)  https://chr.jbu.edu/contact

What is psychological safety, why does it matter, and how can leaders intentionally pursue it for the benefit of their teams? Kendra talks with Cameron Spencer about the answers to these questions. Further Resources Simon Sinek Ted Talk - "How great leaders inspire action"   The Other Half of Church   Adam Grant's Podcast - ReThinking     How leaders can promote psychological safety...

Kristin interviews John Brown University's Director of Worship Arts & Pastoral Care to hear his story and have a conversation about what worship is and how worship allows us to press into healthy relationships, how worship impacts our communities, and what it means to be a pastoral presence in our relationships even as people that are not professional pastors.   Be sure to check out all ou...

Rosemary Flaaten interviews Dr. Sandra Glahn about her work as a Biblical scholar and her background. Dr. Glahn was a guest speaker for International Women's Day in March 2024, and this interview was part of the 'Where I Come From' luncheon series on the JBU campus.

Kendra talks with Dr. Glahn about the book 'Vindicating the Vixens', which examines the stories of prominent women of the Bible who have been sexualized, vilified and marginalized. How does misinterpreting these stories jeopardize our view of God and of one another? Dr. Glahn is a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, as well as a journalist and author, coauthor or editor of more than...

Kendra and Isabel Wolfe talk about their experience growing up internationally & share some fundamental concepts to understand different cultural perspectives. They talk about navigating culture stress and why it's worth it to lean in. Additional Resources: People are always the biggest resource! "Effective Intercultural Communication" is the book used in the Intercultural Commun...

Whether you love the Barbie movie or not so much...it brings up important questions about relationships, emotions and connection. Kristin & Kendra share some thoughts about what we can take away from this film. Discussion Questions:  What do you think this movie says about relationships? Between same gender? Opposite gender?  How does this movie pose questions about purpose and identity format...

Kendra and Courtney talk about 6 top red flags to be aware of in relationships + how to identify manipulation. Red Flags  They argue with or push back on boundaries that you have set.  You feel nervous or uncomfortable when they are angry.  You spend less and less time with your friends – becoming isolated.  They have poorly managed jealousy.  Your friends or loved ones don’t want to be around the...

Kendra McIlvain Vasquez and Kristin George talk about how to engage in the process of friendship formation, and why it's worth it even when it's hard. For further resources on this topic check out: Made for People , by Justin Whitmel Earley Find Your People , by Jennie Allen Making Friends as Adults; on No Stupid Questions ⁠https://freakonomics.com/podcast/is-it-harder-to-make-friends-as-a...

Welcome to Conversations About...the CHR Podcast! Rosemary Flaaten and Kendra McIlvain Vasquez talk about what the Center for Healthy Relationships is and the vision for this podcast! We are so excited to invite you into conversations about what impacts our relationships and how we can continue learning and growing. This podcast is designed to bring you relevant resources and encourage your own co...