Table Talks with the Tares

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...

In this episode, we’re diving into Reddit’s most unpopular parenting opinions and sharing our own hot takes. We’re weighing in on what we agree with, what made us laugh, and what we’re still figuring out. It’s honest, lighthearted, and a fun look at the many ways to parent. ‌ Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-17-relationships-shoulder-to-shoulder-vs-face-to/id16612...

In this episode, we open up about what it’s been like to walk through pregnancy while carrying the weight of recent losses. We talk about how grief has impacted Ash’s mindset, fears she’s working through, and how we’re learning to support each other through it all. If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling with self-doubt, feeling stuck, or wondering if you have what it takes to overcome an obstacle...

This week, we’re getting super practical in walking through how we practice discipleship in our home. We talk about weekly rhythms like Sabbath, how we use holidays to point our kids to Jesus, and tools we’ve found helpful for letting our faith drive our weekly rhythms. Resources: Book: https://a.co/d/gDpWZyk Resurrection Eggs: https://www.amazon.com/FAMILYLIFE-Family-Life-Resurrection-Anniversary...

This episode we’re sharing a really special moment—a simple conversation with our daughter that turned into her confession of faith. We talk about what it looks like to have real, ordinary faith conversations with our kids, how the way we love them shapes the way they see God, and what it means for us to model repentance and trust in God for them. ‌ Resources mentioned: Book: https://a.co/d/hcSrUd...

We’re back with Part 2 of our marriage rewind—picking up where we left off and diving deeper into how our perspectives, habits, and relationship dynamics have evolved over the last 9 years. If you enjoyed Part 1, this one’s even more fun. Let’s just say… growth is humbling. 😅 ‌ Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-120-then-versus-now-comparing-the-1st-year-and/id1661...

We just hit 9 years of marriage, so we’re taking a fun look back at year 1 on all the ways life has changed since and what we’ve learned along the way. ‌ Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-70-8-years-strong-part-1-reviewing-reddits-marriage/id1661247515?i=1000651760696 ‌ Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sp...

In this episode, we’re diving into what it looks like to recognize narcissistic traits in someone and how to set healthy boundaries without losing yourself in the process. Ash talks through some of the signs, the emotional toll it can take, and what it looks like to navigate those relationships with clarity and compassion. If you’ve ever felt drained, second-guessed your instincts, or struggled to...

In this episode, we pick up where we left off and dive into part 2 of our discipleship conversation—this time unpacking the idea that discipleship is more like a lab, or apprenticeship, than a lecture process. It’s meant to involve on-the-job training that exposes the vulnerable parts of your life where you are obeying and following Jesus. If you’ve been wondering whether or not you’ve been obedie...

We’ve been asking ourselves: What does discipleship really look like in 2025? After listening to a podcast episode by Jeremy Prior on life-on-life discipleship, we’ve found ourselves rethinking what it means to be a disciple-maker. This episode is raw and honest and full of real-time processing. If you’ve ever felt like discipleship should be more than a Bible study and a once-a-month coffee, this...

In this episode Ashley interviews MJ to get his take and experience being married to a vacillator. We discuss the experience in our marriage over the last 9 years and the journey of a vacillator/avoider couple.   Resources mentioned: Book: How We Love, Expanded Edition: Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage Love Style Quiz: What is a Love Style? Table Talks with the Tares Ep 26 - How MJ...

In this episode we're discussing how we're approaching having baby #3. Is this third one really easier or is it really just adding more to the chaos of parenting?   Resources mentioned: Podcast Juice:  https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/our-brands/buffalo-trace.html     Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.   Visit our web...

In this episode we talk about the different default settings we have when we consider bringing up offenses someone has committed against you. One prefers to confront with it, the other would rather absorb it and move on. We explore our unique approaches to the issue of confrontation and how it helps us shape a balanced ethic when teaching correction and confrontation to our kids.   Table Talks wit...

In this episode, we reflect on our time with my mom and how her visit highlighted the cultural differences in how we each handle conflict—one shaped by honor/shame and the other by justice/guilt. We explore how these deep-rooted approaches surface in marriage and what it means to navigate apologies, accountability, and grace when worlds collide.   Resources mentioned: How We Love, Expanded Edition...

In this episode, I interview Ash about what it's like being married to an avoider. We talk about the challenges of adjusting to a love style that is different from your own and the ways we've had to grow in how to relate to one another.   Resources mentioned: How We Love, Expanded Edition: Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage Next episode recommended: Ep 25 - How We Love & Argue, Th...

In this episode we do another hot take with Ashley on a question prompt I gave her regarding the duties of parents in a family. Our discussion moves in several different directions talking about what we think and how we would want to approach leading our family.   Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.   Visit our website: The...

We revisit my previous statement about how the Great Commission may not be for everyone. I clarify that statement in this episode saying that while cross cultural evangelism may not be, the call for all believers is to make disciples.  Episode mentioned: Ep 108 - Fear of Failure Driving the Holy Search for God's Will in Your Life, On Considering Obedience to God and Serving the Local Body Table Ta...