The Connected Life

In part two of this dialogue, Abi and Justin are once again joined by Habit Coach Jenna Zint to discuss the vital role boundaries play in fostering healthy relationships with yourself and others. Together, they tackle creative solutions for navigating seemingly powerless situations, eliminating blame and accusation in boundary setting, becoming self-aware of our patterns and triggers, and removing...

Boundaries has been a buzz word for a while now. As with any popularized emotional health tool, there have been wild misuses and misunderstandings of this deeply valuable concept. However, when used properly, boundaries can help create a thriving, connected life filled with love and respect for ourselves and others. In part one of this dialogue Justin and Abi sit down with Habit Coach Jenna Zint t...

Do you want to know a vital key to making your life better? It's probably not what you think it is. Most of us believe that judging ourselves and others is a catalyst for change, but it's quite the opposite. In fact, judgment can be the most damning opponent to experiencing a fulfilled life. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode Justin and Abi are joined once again by their good frie...

Nobody that's been married will deny that it's difficult. When we get together with another person, we're faced with communication breakdowns, different cultural backgrounds, opposing value systems, and worst of all, having a mirror that shows us the messiness of our own heart. Though it's tough, with a few keys, it can be a liberating experience for both parties.   In this episode, long time frie...

We all impact the world around us for better and for worse. It can feel difficult to take an honest look at ourselves and how we affect others, but what if self-reflection is the stepping stone to having the best experience of this life? In this episode, Justin and Abi discuss the reality of having to look at ourselves honestly. They explore the positive benefits this has on developing deeper conn...

Conflict isn't fun for most of us. For many of us, we'd rather avoid it altogether. Since many of us haven't seen it modeled well, it can often lead to further disruptions in relationships and seemingly make things worse. But what if we had a better understanding of its benefits and how to do it well? In this episode Gabby, a good friend of Abi and Justin, joins the conversation. Gabby shares abou...

Whether or not we're aware of it, we all have emotions we don't want to feel. Some of those emotions are so intolerable that we'll do anything we can to avoid them. Unfortunately, avoiding these emotions won't resolve them. It simply perpetuates them. But don't fear, there's hope to face them! In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their friend Ruth Outram, who is currently finishing her do...

In today's culture, masculinity has two predominant expressions on opposite ends of the spectrum. One expression is the dominant protector that views emotional health as weak. On the other end is the nonthreatening connector that avoids challenges at all costs. But what if there was an expression of masculinity that was a healthy blend of protector and connector? In this episode, Justin sits down...

Emotions are an inescapable part of the human experience. As kids, these emotions are often judged, shut down, ignored, and stuffed until they can't be dismissed any longer. We can demonize them and perpetuate a life of feeling alone and unloved, or we can embrace them and come alive. In this episode Justin and Abi discuss the impact of being disconnected from our emotions, the power of identifyin...

As adults, most of us can reflect on our childhood and recognize that there are things we needed from our parents that they couldn't provide. Some choose to deny that reality and live feeling a sense of missing something. Others get lost in the pain of what they didn't get. But what if there was another option? In this episode, Justin and Abi explore the ways they missed out on crucial parenting e...

In an ever growing culture of emotionally fragile people, it's vital that we have conversations about the human condition in a way that's educational and empowering. A better understanding of ourselves and others should develop a lifestyle of compassion and emotional resilience to life's most difficult circumstances. In Part 2 of this two-part series, Justin and Abi continue the conversation aroun...

We're often quick to believe that messy and destructive actions stem from poor character. Our judgments of ourselves and others usually lack curiosity and understanding. However, as we learn more about the human experience, we discover that many of our actions are trauma responses that, when properly addressed, can be healed. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Abi and Justin explore the four traum...

An idea etched into the minds of many of us is that finding the right person will make us complete. From a young age, entertainment, religious traditions, and family cultures perpetuate this fantasy. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves years into a relationship feeling deceived. If another person can't fulfill us, what's the point of a relationship? In this episode, Justin and Abi discuss the f...

Marriage is not for the faint of heart. As two become one, it can feel more like two worlds colliding in unforeseen, catastrophic ways. Without healthy models and a supportive community, marriage can feel like a place where we go to waste away. But what if it was designed to be a place where we learn to come alive and thrive? In this episode, Justin and Abi celebrate their 16-year wedding annivers...

We're all looking for acceptance, love, and connection. It's no surprise that for many of us, it's easy to suppress our opinions, beliefs, and desires, for the sake of fitting in. Having our autonomy, and sense of self, can create conflict and disconnection. But what if the price of blending in comes at the cost of living an authentic and fulfilled life? In this episode, Justin and Abi explore the...

There is very little in life we can be totally certain of. The certainty we do have is often an illusion, much like control. When that illusion is shaken, many of us lose our sense of stability. We can quickly find ourselves feeling powerless to circumstances, but what if it's possible to become confident in the most uncertain times? In this episode Justin and Abi share vital keys to creating stab...

It's easy to bury the past, and the dead, in our hearts, but left unprocessed things can start rotting. The loss of those we loved, reviled, and were indifferent about can leave us with many unspoken and unresolved matters. But, what if it was possible to have much-needed hard conversations even when the person you're dealing with is dead? In this episode, Justin and Abi discuss unique ways of app...

In the messiness of humanity there is a world of pain and suffering all around us that we can't deny. For some of us, reconciling that there's a good God that could have created a world filled with tragedy and trauma, feels nearly impossible. For many others the greatest hurdle isn't the world around us, it's the pain that strikes our personal lives that leaves us confused and questioning our fait...

In part one of this deeply emotional and impactful two-part series, Justin and his best friend Marcus share stories of a radically loving God. Reflecting on their own experiences, they shine a light on how the intimate knowledge of a good and present God has far-reaching emotional and physical impacts. Through miraculous stories of God's faithfulness and intervention, they remind the world that we...

Creating connected relationships where we feel like we're authentic and thriving can seem difficult for many of us. Underlying issues that we don't understand within ourselves can get in the way of having the experiences we desire. At the center of these difficulties are often codependent behavior patterns that affect an estimated 90 percent of the American population.  In this episode, Abi and he...

We've all lost relationships at some point in our lives. Whether we created the disconnection, they did, or we both played a role, those losses can be difficult and messy. Sadly, these losses can seemingly leave us worse off than if we never knew the person, but what if it doesn't have to be that way? In this episode Abi and Justin shine a light on powerful approaches to relational loss. They take...

For many of us, our beliefs around spirituality and faith can lead us to heightened levels of anxiety and mental torment, without even realizing it. Our thoughts on God can induce looping mental gymnastics that keep us feeling unlovable and fearful of impending doom. Obsessive-compulsive thoughts of needing to be perfect, in order to please God, can rob us of peace and a life filled with goodness....

Connection is tricky. For some, distance in a relationship seems terrifying, leaving us feeling abandoned and alone. For others, a consistent sense of being close can feel overwhelming, resulting in feeling pulled on and suffocated. Either way, it can lead to unnecessary relational breakdowns when we lack the proper education. Understanding secure attachments can be a game changer! In part two of...

Creating functional and healthy relationships can feel like a mystery. It's easy to believe we're broken and don't do connection well. But what if understanding our attachment system could redefine how we relate, create compassion for others, and improve our relationships?  In part one of this two-part episode, Abi sits down with her lifelong best friend Pietze to discuss attachment styles. They e...

In this story of life, death, and rebirth Abi sits down with Justin to discuss his week-long expedition with breath and cold plunge master Wim Hof. Justin candidly shares about his process of being pushed to the brink of his body's capacity, the fear of death he faced, and the healing from trauma he found in the arms of an unlikely person. In the afterglow of his journey, Justin fondly reflects on...