The Connected Life

It's estimated that over 8 million adults and nearly 6 million children have ADHD. The chances are that someone you know has been diagnosed with this disorder. Unfortunately, the potential impact of this on relationships can't be measured, but it can be addressed. In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their dear friends Marcus and Bryant. Abi, Marcus, and Bryant discuss growing up in their childhoods with ADHD, the affects it's had on their adult lives, and the ways they've learned to navigate life with this disorder. Justin shares his experience of those closest to him having ADHD and together they have a fun filled and heartfelt time. If you have a disorder or have been impacted by someone with a disorder, this episode will help you to feel understood and create compassion for yourself and others!

For most of us, communicating our emotional experiences with those closest to us can be challenging, for them and for us. Often times when sadness or pain is communicated the message sent or received is that someone is bad. It's common to find ourselves trying to assign blame, as most of us believe that someone had to be bad in order for pain to have been experienced. But, what if no one has to be bad in order for someone to be sad? In this episode Justin and Abi sit down with their friends Aaron and Jenna Zint to discuss the power of accepting that someone doesn't have to be bad just because someone else is sad. Jenna shares how a simple, yet powerful parenting moment initiated a change in the dynamics of their entire family. Aaron vulnerably opens up about how this perspective has even impacted their sex life. In a world riddled with barrier-building blame and accusation, this episode will have you rethinking how you approach yourself and others, while giving you practical advice on how to extend bridges to the ones you care about the most. You won't want to miss a second of it!

For many people friendship can be as anxiety educing as it is enjoyable and fulfilling. Every friendship comes with its ebbs and flows. For some of us, friendship is sacred and the expectations for a long term commitment are set high. For others, friendship is fluid with light attachment. Regardless, friendship has the power to leave a long lasting impact to our benefit or detriment, making each relationship potentially high-stakes. But are we powerless to decide the outcome, or is it possible to dictate our experiences? In this episode Justin sits down with his close friend and fellow Life Consultant Marcus Miller. Marcus and Justin discuss the seasonal changes that friendships go through. They explore the ways some friends are short term, while others last a lifetime, and how each friendship, no matter how messy it gets, has the potential to leave the impact of an important lesson or love that is worth holding on to. If you're wanting to learn how get the most out of friendships, this episode will leave you with important ideas on how to process the best and worst of each relationship, while holding boundaries and keeping an open mind. Also, check out The Compassion Project at https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-compassion-project/ to learn how to love yourself and others through the power of compassion!

It's easy to view the world at large as a place filled with monstrous villains out to cause us harm. However, woven into the fabric of each of our beings is the nature of love, regardless of how broken we seem. From the moment we exit the womb we find ourselves yearning for a direct connection to the comfort and safety of a loving and nurturing experience. Through the years we all find ourselves acting in ways that contradict this nature of love. But is this contradiction who we really are? In this episode Justin is joined by his dear friend and fellow Life Consultant Rachel Hughes. Rachel vulnerably opens up about the anxiety she's feeling in the conversation and humbly allows Justin to get curious about her experience. She shares about the profound impacts her awareness of love has had on her healing. Together they dive into the ways loving experiences not only impact us, but how they have the potential to reveal the truth of who we are. If you're needing a gentle reminder that the sum total of your messiness isn't the truth of who you are, this episode will leave you feeling a sense of compassion for your story and hope for what's truly inside of you.

Whether it's friendships, marriage, parenting, business, health goals, finances, or faith, we all have areas where our subconscious beliefs are affecting the way we're experiencing life. It's easy to feel like life is happening to us, but what if we're always getting what we really want? In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by their close friend Ruth who shares about the "ah-ha's" she had moving back to England to live with her mom during the pandemic. Through a series of meltdowns and repeated attempts to control her mom's experience she began to realize that the world wasn't just "happening to" either of them. Digging deep, Ruth came to terms with a well of conflicting intentions that held her back from many of her desires. Through a mirror reflecting Ruth's intentions she realized that her desire for her mom's well being was merely control disguised as love, with hopes of getting her needs met. Understanding the subconscious sabotaging, through her conflicting beliefs, Ruth began to change the course of her life, and so can you! If you've ever experienced problematic cycles that you'd be happy to do without, this episode will leave you with clarity and inspiration necessary to begin repairing the things that seem to be broken!

Disorders like ADHD are prevalent all around us and often go undiagnosed. These disorders not only affect those that have them, but the people around them as well. If left undiagnosed, these kinds of disorders can be crippling and create devastating affects on relationships. Getting clarity on these disorders can be a massive game changer for spouses, parents, children, friends, and bosses! In this episode Abi is joined by her good friend Jenna, a Health, Life, and Habit Coach, to talk about their battle with ADHD and its impact on their lives. Together they share their stories of being diagnosed, how it affects people's day to day tasks, relationships, and sex lives, and the life-hacks they've created that have made them successful regardless of the disorder. With so many people affected by ADHD, chances are this will create unexpected ah-ha's and give validation to those that have struggled for years living in the dark about something they didn't even know was impacting their well being. You won't want to miss this episode!

Sadly, there are many people that have childhood stories littered with cruel experiences. Those that are entrusted to care for the most innocent sometimes have ways of neglecting their duty to the point of deliberate and outright abuse. For the children suffering in these conditions it can often feel hopeless and impossible to bounce back from. But what if there are answers of radical love and care waiting to redeem and repair even the most broken situations? In this deeply vulnerable episode Justin sits down with Annika, a Connected Life listener, who shares about her abusive childhood, her time in the foster care system, and the radical love that has played a pivotal role in her repair. Together they tackle the simple, yet plentiful and powerful ways others can participate in a system with almost a half million children each year. This messy, yet miraculous story will remind you that no circumstance is too broken that a redemptive genius of a God can't touch it with the help of a few humble and loving hearts.

The idea of making changes to our lives can easily paralyze even the best of us. Getting traction and creating momentum can especially feel overwhelming and confusing if we don't know where to start. The steps to change can seem cluttered with enormous hurdles too big to tackle. But what if the smallest of changes could impact our entire lives? In this episode Abi is joined by her good friend, Jenna a Health, Life, and Habit Coach. Jenna shares about the power of celebrating small wins, how finding the little things that have a high impact were a game changer for her, and the brain science of how to change your life. Together they explore how transforming your beliefs that are keeping you stuck is vital to living an abundant life. If you're feeling busy or overwhelmed and want to feel like you're in the driver seat of your life, this practical, yet insightful episode is just what you're looking for!

Long-term, romantic relationships are filled with many ups and downs. As humans, it's easy to unintentionally hurt the people we love the most. When the difficulties become too much it's only a matter of time before someone gets help or walks away. But what happens when one person chooses the path to wholeness while the other one wants to stay the same? In this episode Justin is joined by his close friend and brother Jeremy Morris. Jeremy shares the single most pivotal advice Justin ever gave him and how that advice saved his marriage and changed the course of his life. Together they explore possible reasons as to why one partner seemingly resists growth, what to do when you're changing and your partner isn't, and how to approach radical personal ownership with pure intensions that don't put a demand on someone else to change. If you're wanting to develop an abundant life, regardless of your partners approach, this episode will empower you with the knowledge necessary to adjust limiting perspectives that can keep you from your desires!

For many, it's easy to find ourselves living through cycles of life where we feel crippled not only by experiences, but also by emotions that are seemingly driving our lives. Navigating some of the most difficult things we face can feel impossible, and along the way we can seem to lose who we once were. But, what if we could fight back and not only restore what had been lost, but be better off than we've ever been? In part two of this two-part episode Justin's friend Jason returns to share about his battle with crippling anxiety. He discusses his process of building mental fortitude through seeing his difficulties through an empowering perspective where he learned that he's agile, not fragile. He addresses the need for creating an ecosystem of help within our personal environment and how rewiring our lives is possible, and an inevitable outcome if we continue to put in the time, energy, and effort. If you're looking for inspiration to face even the most difficult circumstances, Jason's story will remind you that you're not alone, you can change your experience, and there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Every human has a story of tragedy. Whether it's the death of a parent, the loss of a best friend, or a divorce that left them devastated, the examples are endless. Though not ideal, these tragedies are unavoidable. Rather than trying to escape them, what if we learned how to face them head on? In part one of this two part episode, Justin is joined by his good friend Jason. In Jason's return to the podcast he shares candidly about how the phrase "I never loved you." began the unraveling of his marriage. Jason opens up about being a single father of three and his attempts to find a life after divorce. He breaks down his process for facing his pain and the role forgiveness and justice played in all of it. Whether you've been through a tragedy in the past, you're going through it right now, or you're simply fearful of what could come, this episode is for you. This episode will remind you that there are solutions to the pain you've been through, you're not alone, and that you're powerful beyond measure to face whatever might happen.

It's easy to believe that luck or hard work is the reason behind desires becoming a reality. However, the truth is much more complex and nuanced. In the pursuit of wanting something that is meaningful, many of us can find ourselves feeling powerless, exhausted, overwhelmed, and hopeless. Sometimes all we need to keep going is direction on how to continue and inspiring stories from others that have seen fulfillment. In this episode Abi and Justin take a deeper look into the practical journey of creating vision for their lives. They discuss both the amazing fulfillments and the arduous process of surrendering the need to experience specific outcomes in order to be happy. They share stories that will leave you in awe of the goodness and grace that life has to offer, while helping you to adjust your expectations of how everything has to look. If you're wanting to build momentum towards a life of endless possibilities, this episode will help awaken the dreamer within, or fuel the dreamer already running. Don't miss out! Also, it's the FINAL week to sign up for Living Fully Alive 2023. Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to get enrolled now!

As a New Year begins, reflecting on the past and thinking about our future is normal. For many people, it's become popular to start the year off with vision boards, detailing many of our hopes and desires. However, vision and inspiration for life often revolve around what we "do" rather than "who" we are. But what if vision began with "who" we are becoming and the rest of the dreams and desires followed? In this first episode of 2023 Justin and Abi take a look at their own process of getting vision for who they're becoming and how they approach what they want to do. They explore the power of following their own intuition, connecting to something bigger than themselves, and learning how to be at peace in the process of not knowing how things will play out. Sometimes peoples can feel defeated or overwhelmed when looking at the future, but getting vision and living inspired IS possible! Stop what you're doing and start the year off with this MUST listen to episode. Also, it's the FINAL week to sign up for Living Fully Alive 2023. Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to get enrolled now!

The world we live in can easily seem grim. For many of us, perceiving the cup as half empty is called being a realist, while viewing those that see goodness as nothing more than living in denial. But, what if seeing the cup as half full leads to life becoming full, without sacrificing an awareness of the very real pain in the world? In this post Christmas episode, Abi and Justin explore the affects of becoming aware of the goodness life has to offer. They share a key moment in their own journey that changed their outlook and approach forever. Without sacrificing their connection to reality, the two describe how their connection to gratitude has rewired their connection to love and redefined their experience of life. Together they reflect on intimate details of the goodness that has impacted them over the last year as they prepare for another new year. If you're wanting to experience a better life in the coming year, this episode is the perfect foundation to build from! Get ready to have some laughs and be moved by the possibilities of what your life can truly be! Also Living Fully Alive 2023 enrollment is happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more!

Pursuing the desires and dreams we have requires that we're active participants in our story, while understanding that we're wildly out of control. The balance necessary to walk this process out leaves many of us tapping out and giving up, often times before we've even begun. But what could happen if our greatest losses became an anchor of determination? In part two of this two part episode Justin and Abi are joined once again by their long-time friends Lauren and Jason. After a devastating miscarriage of a miracle that shouldn't have happened in the first place, Lauren and Jason decide to pursue IVF as an alternative to having a child. Through a long and arduous process the two find themselves getting much more than they bargained for. Feeling relief, yet faced with a new dilemma, the two are shocked by a twist they never could have seen coming. A lesson on faith, hope, and love, this episode will help you build resilience towards everything life throws at you and leave you inspired at the possibilities of what can happen when you don't give up. You won't want to miss the epic finale of this two part story! Also Living Fully Alive 2023 enrollment is happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more!

Life is filled with unwanted and unforeseen circumstances that can either bury us alive or catapult us into a destiny we never dreamed of. To those that say yes to the process, a life fully lived isn't the absence of difficulties, but rather the embracing and facing of those difficulties wholeheartedly. In part one of this two part episode Abi and Justin are joined by their long time friends Jason and Lauren. Jason opens up about the impact of his divorce, his struggle as a single father of three, and the vulnerable process of finding love again. Lauren shares about her experience as a younger single woman faced with the challenging decision of becoming a mother of three over night with a desire to have her own birth children that may never happen. Together they share about the tragedy that struck them, but didn't break them, and a decision that will leave you on edge waiting to hear what happened. Come join us for a laughter filled episode that will move you to tears and leave you believing that there's life on the other side of even the greatest of tragedies. Also Living Fully Alive 2023 enrollment is happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more!

Growing up children generally have an intense desire to be close to their parents. Even in some of the most difficult situations children long to be attached to the ones that created them. As children grow older however, an adjustment naturally begins and the attachment looks much different. Without understanding this change can be jarring and painful for parents and kids. But what if the transition could be smooth and create new styles of connection? In this episode Abi and Justin dive into aspects of attachment theory and the affects of attachment between parents and children. They discuss the kinds of adjustments that may be necessary to adapt to the change while repairing the messes that happen along the way. If you want to get a better understanding of your relational development as a human and get insights into the growing journey with your parents or your children, this episode is a must. This week only (12/4/22 to 12/12/22 sign up for our mailing list and get a coupon code for a FREE Father Series Course ($200) when you enroll in Living Fully Alive 2023. Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more!

People can often seem confusing and leave us feeling baffled at many of their decisions. We can find ourselves defensive and angry with behavior that feels radically illogical and painful. But what if every person actually makes sense? In this episode Abi and Justin help to restore compassion to the human condition as they explore why people do what they do. Being in the middle of the holiday season can be especially triggering as we find ourselves and others acting in ways that create messes and are a recipe for disaster. Putting an end to the madness doesn't necessarily begin with avoidance as much as it does understanding the madness. Getting connected to yours and others' stories just might be the light you need to illuminate the best way to relate to yourself and the world around you. If you're wanting to live a more connected lifestyle this holiday season, and in the year to come, this is a MUST listen to episode. Also Living Fully Alive 2023 enrollment is happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more!

Many of us have learned through our experiences that sharing the depth of our stories leads to pain, disconnection, and betrayal. Because of this there are portions of ourselves that we bury deep within, determined to go to the grave with our secrets. But what would happen if we could bare it all without fear of punishment? In this episode Justin is joined by his step-brother, and founding member of Wild Courage, Jeremy Morris. Together they discuss one of the most impactful weekends of their lives. Gathered together with 40+ men over a weekend of sharing the most vulnerable parts of their stories, the two dialogue about the intimate and life altering moments that left them speechless. Through tears, authenticity, and radical risk-taking, a group of the most manly men encountered an unrelenting love, changing their lives forever. If you want to stop running and start living, this episode will give you the courage and perspective needed to let down your walls and be who you were designed to be! Also now through November 28th, 2023 save $100 on Living Fully Alive 2023 enrollment when you use the code: greatfriday2023 at checkout. Can not be combined with other codes. Good only during purchases made during this promotion. Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more!

It's that time of the year again! Family, food, and festivities. If you you're like most people, the holiday season is a mixed bag. The past and present are a rollercoaster of emotions, especially during a time of the year that represents belonging and connection. Sometimes it can feel like the holidays happen to us but, what if we can happen to the holidays while giving ourselves grace for the journey? In this episode Justin sits down with one of his closest friends Katrina to discuss her joys and difficulties with the season. She shares her painful experiences with growing up and losing that childhood normalcy. Katrina also goes into the ways she's purposely woven community and tradition into her adult life, while having compassion on her unstable emotions that have resurfaced during her latest life transition. If you're wanting a loving yet empowering approach to your process during the holidays, this episode will help you to feel understand and practically inspire you to take back the reigns to your life! Also Living Fully Alive 2023 enrollment is happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more!

For many of us, the good and the bad of the holidays seem to happen to us. Emotional rollercoasters are common as we're flooded with memories and faced with creating new ones. But do we really want some of the most important times of the year to be left up to chance? On the heels of the last episode, addressing emotional resource, Abi and Justin's close friend Marcus Miller joins the conversation. Marcus shares practical ways that he develops emotional resource from the amazing moments happening right in front of him. He talks about his history of pulling the best moments out of his past holidays and how he practically applies them to the holiday season at hand. Together they discuss how to practically create and apply goodness to the holidays right now. If you're wanting to get empowered and learn how to make the holiday seasons amazing, this episode will equip you with the tool necessary to change the holiday game forever!

It's easy to go through life experiencing a sense of loss, disconnection, pain, and loneliness. The narrative we often tell ourselves about our story is one of lack. But, what if it was possible to cultivate a lifestyle of feeling joyful, hopeful, safe, and loved regardless of your past, present, or future? What if it was possible to have a lifestyle that feels abundant and healing in every season? In this landmark 200th episode Justin and Abi reveal one of the most powerful approaches to creating a life of feeling loved while simultaneously healing our pain. Together they dive into the topic of "resource", a collection of experiences and feelings that bring peace, pleasure, and repair to the pain in our lives. This practical, yet enlightening conversation will pave a path to becoming a magnet for love in your every day life. If you want to feel the full impact of the love that's available to you, while creating an optimum opportunity to experience even more of it, you won't want to miss this episode! Also Living Fully Alive 2023 Early Bird Enrollment is happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more! Sign up and save $100 on enrollment when you use the code: earlybird2023 at the checkout from now until November 1st, 2022.

Fear is a universal human experience. Not one of us is immune to it. Often times we live in denial and tell ourselves that we don't have fear while the effects of it are very present in our lives. What if fear wasn't meant to bind us, but rather a map meant to liberate us into our unique design? In this episode Justin and Abi discuss their journey of facing fear no matter what it's cost them. They layout the 9 most common fears that keep people stuck In life while highlighting the foundational fear that drives them all. They share the universal benefits of facing these fears. Together they breakdown the practical process to not only get through these fears, but truly conquer them. If you're ready to conquer fears that have kept you from your greatest desires, this episode will empower you with the foundation you need to create a lifestyle of resilience and victory. Don't miss a second of it! Also Living Fully Alive 2023 Early Bird Enrollment is happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to learn more! Sign up and save $100 on enrollment when you use the code: earlybird2023 at the checkout from now until November 1st, 2022.

As humans, most of our lives are spent seeking to prove we're loveable. We invest countless amounts of time performing tasks, and pursuing accomplishments, for the sake of a notoriety that will hopefully give us a sense of acceptance and value. One of the many avenues to earning this love is through a performance-based system of rules within institutionalized religion. But what if there is a love that opposes performance in such a manner that it's actually offensive? In this episode Justin sits down with his friend Jason Clark. Author of Prone to Love, God is NOT in Control, and Leaving and Finding Jesus, Jason shares his offensive views on having friendship with a relational-based creator that is love focused rather servant focused. Together they tackle the taboo topic of the goodness of God in a painful and messy world. They address the difficulties of accepting that we're beloved children in the midst of our humanity, while challenging listeners to reimagine the truth of who they are. Stretching the bounds of listeners paradigms they investigate what friendship with God could really look like. Regardless of your perspectives on faith and spirituality, this episode will leave you with hope for humanity and an invitation to let offensive love have its way in your life. You won't want to miss a second of this episode! As a special gift to all our listeners, when you're done listening to the episode, head to www.theadventurechallenge.com and use the promo code: justinandabi to get 25% off your entire purchase of any of their incredible products!

The storms of life can have a way of leaving us feeling small and fragile. Like a broken down shack ready to topple over, many of us keep our heads down in hopes that we'll survive our problems unscathed. But what if the storms we face were invitations to build a resilience that carries us into the destiny each of us were designed for? While at a men's retreat in Wyoming Justin is joined by his close friend Bryant Ellis for a fireside chat. Through laughter, and a candid conversation, they explore the necessity to embrace suffering as a gateway to building resilience. They look at the detrimental effects of denial and avoidance while giving a hopeful encouragement to face the greatest fears in your life no matter what it costs you. If you're looking for a dose of courage to face even the biggest obstacles in your life, this episode will remind you that you're not alone and you're more powerful than you could ever imagine. You won't want to miss it! As a special gift to all our listeners, when you're done listening to the episode, head to www.theadventurechallenge.com and use the promo code: justinandabi to get 25% off your entire purchase of any of their incredible products!

Connection isn't something that just happens by proximity. Over time connection is something this is deliberately fostered through experiences and conversations that create a deeper knowing of one another. Often times the process of building connection can feel difficult and even mysterious. The truth is, connection can be rather easy when we have some sort of map. In this episode Justin and Abi dive into "Connection Cards: Couples Edition" a game designed by The Adventure Challenge to help facilitate a deepening of connection through fun and heartfelt questions. These simple cards instigate a profound sense of connection as Abi and Justin share their authentic and transparent responses and discuss their lives with each other. Through banter, laughter, and some heartfelt responses, get a front row view of how simple the journey of connecting can be. If you're wanting something that will instigate more connection in your closest relationships, this episode is the spark needed to start a blaze. As a special gift to all our listeners, when you're done listening to the episode, head to www.theadventurechallenge.com and use the promo code: justinandabi to get 25% off your entire purchase of any of their incredible products!

The journey of aging extends an invitation to learn and grow from our victories, losses, sufferings, and celebrations. Not everyone surrenders to the process, but to those who stop resisting, gold nuggets collected from each season of life become a store house of riches ready to help you create a life fully lived. In this monumental episode Abi sits down with Justin as he crosses the major age benchmark of forty years old. On this monumental birthday week Abi investigates what the first half of Justin's life has taught him and explores what the years moving forward might have in store. Justin reflects on what he would have done differently and talks about his fresh approach to the second half of his life. If you want to take deliberate steps in how you choose to live your brief experience here on earth, stop letting life just pass you by and fire up this episode! You won't be disappointed.

Courage has many expressions, but rarely is the act of vulnerably sharing our story branded as one of them. For many men, our story is held tightly to our chest, guarded by outward acts of accomplishment and performance. The thought of exposing our truth is so terrifying that it's considered weak to do so. Mustering the courage to get honest is seemingly so impossible that we need to borrow courage from others in order to tell our tale. In this episode Justin is joined by his brother Jeremy, a cowboy and entrepreneur that came to the end of himself after years of addictions and destructive behavior. Jeremy shares about the blazing fire that has slowly kindled after finding healing from a lifestyle that nearly cost him his marriage and his life. Through his yes to being brave, the men around him have begun to face their greatest fears following his lead as he stopped running and started facing the monsters that had been chasing him for so long. He opens up about the power of sharing your story and how not trying fix men has been the solution to them finding their greatest breakthroughs. If you have value for men becoming their most authentic expression of who they were made to be, this episode is one you'll want to hear and pass along to every man you've ever met.

For some couples, the early stages of marriage can be filled with wild romps in bed and mind blowing orgasms. For others, it's a Sunday morning church service, not too exciting, predictable, but gets you where you need to go, and for others, the plane never even gets off the runway. Regardless of what camp you're in, for anyone that's been in a long-term relationship we all know that life can hit you hard and our sex lives are collateral damage to the impact. But can tough times be open doors to great sex? In this episode Pietze and Jonny join Abi and Justin to explore their sex life. In this candid and steamy adult only conversation, Pietze and Jonny open up about the affects of being parents, pornography, and personal pain on their sex life. They share details of how they practically found healing for their hearts, creating mind-blowing sex experiences that forever changed how they rocked the casbah. In a world filled with impotent, short-sighted Kama Sutra solutions for heart matters affecting people's sex life, this episode will give you a practical map to creating the sex life you always wanted. The final days for enrollment into The Pathway to Freedom 2022 are happening now! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled before it's too late!

Relationships have a way of bringing out the best and the worst of our humanity. Giving ourselves to others in these relationships can be scary. Behind some of the most difficult messes we make, with the people we care about the most, are wounds that have evolved out of the way that we learned how to attach as children. These wounds can create cycles of disconnection that loop repeatedly throughout our lives if they go unaddressed. In this episode Justin sits down with his therapist Barry McGarrah. Barry is an Emotionally Focused Therapist that has given his life to understanding how the relational attachment styles we have affect the way we experience connection. Barry shares insights on formative wounds that perpetuate disconnection while bringing clarity to the ways we can have healthy attachments. If you're wanting to have a better understanding of how you connect to the people you care about the most, this episode will be a beacon of hope that will shine a light on how you relate, while giving you a sense of relief knowing there's reasons for why you are the way you are. Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Being able to connect to our emotions is vital to the healing process, but what if not all disconnection is bad? In fact, what if balanced disconnection is actually part of a healthy lifestyle? In this episode Abi and Justin investigate the power of healthily dissociating from the intensity life can often create. They look at many different options to disconnect without perpetuating destruction. Together they discuss how dissociating into these alternate activities can actually restore the balance necessary to repair broken connections and pain. If you've been looking for a reason to justify pushing pause on aspects of life, in hopes of catching your breath, this episode will help you navigate the process and get as refreshed as you need! Also the final days to apply for our year long Life Consulting MasterClass are at hand. To get more info, head to https://justinandabi.com/#contact and write to us asking about application information for LCMC 2022-2023.

Not every person has an official position as a leader, but every person is an influencer. Whether we like to admit it or not, we are influencing one another every day through our emotions and actions. The results can often be creative or destructive, depending on the vision we have for who we want to be. In this episode Justin and Abi explore the ways we influence the world around us through our passive or proactive approach to the life right in front of us. Together they tackle practical ways to evolve from being a passive influencer to a proactive influencer that has embraced leadership as a role. If you're wanting to expand the reaches of your influence and make a positive impact to world right in front of you, this episode is a MUST! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Romantic relationships are rooted in attraction. For many couples it's easy to find themselves slipping in and out of attraction for each other. It's easy to feel scared of connection if we believe attraction is just an emotion you have or don't have, but what if it's much more than that. In this episode Justin and Abi shatter some of the mystery that shrouds romantic attraction. They break down reasons why people fall in and out of attraction and highlight simple, yet powerful solutions to make yourself more attractive to a partner, while igniting attraction for them. If you're wanting a more connected and passionate relationship, this episode will give you the opportunity to create the romantic partnership you've always desired! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Tragedy, trauma, and loss can leave us feeling like we're living a life of deficit. It's easy to feel broken beyond repair and living a "normal" existence feels like nothing more than a dream for another lifetime. But what if it was possible to redeem what was lost while creating a thriving lifestyle that replicates your success? In this episode Justin is joined by his friend and fellow Life Consultant Tyler Leifeste. Tyler opens up about the death of his dad at an early age and the debilitating affects of that loss on his life. Together they discuss the intimate three and half year journey they shared and the challenges they faced as Justin dug in and supported Tyler through the healing process. With hope and joy, Tyler shares about his way out of his darkness into vibrant life and how he turned his tragedy into triumph as a consultant helping others find the restoration they long for. If you want a dose of hope for life beyond healing, this episode will inspire you to dream for possibilities that far outreach just getting better! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Disconnection can be rough, especially in relationships with years of history. For a lot of people it seems easier to sweep all the messiness under a rug. Eventually, however, the rug isn't big enough to hide the things we would rather ignore. When it comes time to get honest with ourselves, and the ones we love, it can feel impossible to clean up years of denying the reality of our circumstances. But, what if there is a foundation to rebuild a relationship better than before? In part two of this two part episode, Jonny and Pietze share about their attachment styles and how their lack of understanding of each other built barriers throughout the years. They expose some of their deepest fears that led to a chasm of disconnection. Jonny talks about his new found capacity to be a rock in the relationship, and together they describe how the humility of taking ownership was the bedrock for restoring connection better than ever before. If you've had a long term relationship, or friendship, this conversation will ignite hope, care, love, and understanding for areas in you connection that you didn't know you needed. Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Life can have a way of of bogging us down and leaving us feeling like the best of who we are is buried in the past. Through the messiness we experience, pain and loss have a way of causing us to forget the innocence, joy, and limitless perspective we once held in our youth. But what if there was a map that could not only restore us to our most authentic self, but it could show us a way to becoming who we were designed to be? In part one of this two part episode Pietze and Jonny, Abi's life-long bestie and her husband, join the conversation. Jonny shares his life changing epiphany about how he had lost the best parts of himself in the past. Through healthy introspection Jonny breaks down how this moment of enlightenment catapulted himself and his marriage into a new trajectory. In part 2 of this two part series you'll hear how Jonny's journey not only led to a more authentic expression of who he is, but how this altered their sex life in the best ways possible. If you're looking to get inspired about what life and relationships could really be like, this episode is for you! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Conflict in relationships can be really messy. Sometimes it can be so difficult that circumstances leave the relationship beyond repair. But, what if conflict was an invitation to heal your past as much as the present? In this episode Abi sits down with her life-long best friend Pietze. Together they openly discuss a recent conflict they had that could've escalated to epic proportions without the proper tools. Fortunately for them it didn't. Through self-awareness, an understanding of shame and emotions paved the way for emotional repair that resolved the present while healing the past. If you've ever been hesitant about having conflict in your life, this episode will not only give you confidence to face difficulties head on, but it will give you hope for unresolved pain from your past. Don't miss this must listen to episode! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

One of the most common messages a man can inadvertently take from their father is the belief that we're only valuable when we perform well. Through even the best intentions this lopsided message can leave a child confused about love even into adulthood. Confronting our pain with a father can feel crippling and paralyzing. But what if the mere acknowledgement of a problem could catapult a willing person into the freedom they always hoped for? In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by Life Consulting Master Class student Dave. Dave opens up about the trials and tribulations he's faced walking away from the family business and the explosion of emotions that have followed. He shares about the expectations he couldn't live up to and the eye opening season that left him facing emotions he never knew he had. Dave bravely drops his guard and allows the Stumvolls to join him in a healing journey, reframing the way he sees himself and his father forever. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to practically heal from wounds in your past, you won't want to miss this LIVE healing experience. Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Confrontation with people we deeply care about can feel high stakes to say the least. In our anxiety it's easy to unintentionally communicate in ways that suck the sense of love right out the room. But what if the love we have for others can be felt and leave a lasting impact in the midst of incredibly honest conversations? In part two of this mini series Abi and Pietze continue the conversation with Pietze's parents, Doug and Janice. Together they talk about the powerful affects of creating an atmosphere of love free from blame and accusation. They share how acknowledging their triggers, and taking ownership for their own emotions turned the tide in how they relate. Through vulnerability they paint a picture of how they love one another and what their relationship looks like moving forward. If you're wanting hope for deeper connections and strength to live a lifestyle of honesty, this episode will leave you inspired to take brave leaps like never before! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Whether we like to admit it or not, family matters to all of us and being honest with them can be difficult to say the least. Working through relational problems with our family can sometimes feel impossible. But, what if there are hopeful strategies that can deeply impact how we repair connection with each other? In part one of this two part episode, Abi and her long time best friend, Pietze, sit down with Pietze's parents to discuss their road to repair. Together the gang explores some of the more difficult parts of their past, the messes that were made seeking healing, and the reality of everyone's intentions along the way. If you need repair in your family, have lost hope for connection, or you're just looking for greater compassion and understanding for yourself and the people that matter the most, this episode will not disappoint! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Masculinity sometimes has a way of getting a bum wrap for not caring or not being emotionally connected. For many men survival has been in learning how to shut up, keep your head down, and moving forward. More often than not, intimate relationships such as marriage, friendship, and being a father, have a way of exposing undeveloped emotional tools and lack of self-awareness. But does it really mean that men just don't care? In this episode Justin is joined by his good friend Jonny Duffield and their special guest Nathan. Nathan opens up about his life of logic, the judgment he held towards emotions, and the painful reality of why he couldn't access emotions that he inherited from his childhood. Together they dispel the myths about men and their emotions, while shedding light on reasons why they don't share their feelings. Nathan's story will give hope to men and women alike that even the most shut down person can find their way back to themselves and develop the language necessary to share about it with the world. Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Overcoming the loss of anything that matters to us can be incredibly difficult, especially when we've experienced loss before. Separating the past from the present can seem almost impossible when navigating our grief. But what if there is a path to clarity that can resolve the past and bring compassion to the present? In this episode Abi and her best friend Pietze sit down with special guest Shanna to navigate the freeze response Shanna recently had around her family. Shanna vulnerably shares her history of pain from disconnection in relationships and allows Abi and Pietze to participate in the repair process. Shanna's story is a story of miraculous redemption. Her life will inspire and give hope to anyone that is faced with overcoming the messiness of life. Don't miss out on this healing episode as it happens in real time!

We've all had times where we've had to interact with people we don't like. These experiences can feel uncomfortable and frustrating, but often short lived. But what happens when we can't escape the person we don't like because they're a family member, part of a friendship group, or they're employed at the same place we work? In this episode Abi and Justin share their own stories about dealing with difficult people they haven't liked in the past. Together they break down 8 powerful keys to successfully navigating life with people you don't like but can't avoid while maintaining a lifestyle of love and connection. If you've ever had to interact with someone you don't like on a consistent basis, this episode will help you move past plastic smiles and pleasantries to authentic exchanges and care for even the most difficult people! You won't want to miss this massively empowering episode! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2022 is NOW LIVE! Head to https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ to get enrolled and learn more!

Most parents are trying their best to raise their kids. Since there's no official handbook on parenting, each parent can find themselves overwhelmed and feeling like a failure from time to time. No parent is perfect, but what if there were some fundamental tips that could change the game altogether? In this episode Abi sits down with Speech Pathologist Kelsey Brown to talk about Positive Parenting the Highly Sensitive Child. As a balanced voice on positive but not permissive parenting, Kelsey shares vital keys to being with children in their emotions, but not letting them run the home. Through video recording her journey in parenting, Kelsey has created a reflective understanding of herself and her children. Her study of her own highly sensitive child has created a roadmap to help others understand their kids during meltdowns. Her study of herself has helped her develop practical tips on how to regulate yourself as a parent so you can help your kids settle their emotions. If you're a parent that wants to break shame in the places you've made mistakes and better understand yourself and your children, this profound episode will help change the course of your life. You won't want to miss it!

Freely serving other people can be incredibly gratifying. For many of us service can have a history of pain because we've lost ourselves in others. Then there are some of us that are so absorbed in our own lives, that the thought of freely giving ourselves away to others has rarely if ever crossed our minds. But what if it was possible to live a balanced life full of intentional impact? In this episode Abi and Justin discuss the varying approaches to serving, the signs of over-giving, the messiness of creating an identity out of service, and how loving others betters your own life. Together they explore what it is to come alive to other-centered love. To top it all off they announce a major give away! If you're ready to experience some of the best that life has to offer, this episode is an invitation to understand what that could tangibly look like!

The hope for finding love is something most of us can relate to. The desire to love and be loved is woven into our humanity. For many of us, dreaming of a fulfilling future can be scary, especially when we've had so many disappointments. But is there hope for goodness when the worst case scenario seemingly destroys the promises we've been believing for? In this episode Abi and her best friend Pietze sit down with Rachel and Joshua, a newly married couple. Rachel and Joshua reveal the messy beginnings of their own lives that shattered their hope for a future filled with love and connection. They share their journey of picking up the pieces and the miraculous story of redemption that found them through a serendipitous set up that will blow your mind! If you're looking for a reminder that good things happen without having to figure it all out on your own, this inspiring story will ignite your faith to believe that the most beautiful things have a way of emerging out of ashes. If you want to be part of a redemptive love story, be sure to listen all the way to the end for Abi's invitation to participate in the beauty that is already unfolding! You can return here to give https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/3TRSO63J17OTZ

For many people it's easy to go with the flow of life. It's much more difficult to show up and share what you feel or go against the grain and do what you want. But what if there's an invitation around every corner to shake things up and change the way you've been living? In this episode Justin sits down with his executive assistant Nicole to discuss her process of coming out of hiding and finding her authentic voice. Nicole shares vital insights into her history that defined her approach to life and how relating to Justin has challenged her to change the way she's showing up to the life right in front of her. If you're wanting to develop more confidence and experience the most out of life, this episode will help to inspire you to take your own steps towards a fulfilled and authentic lifestyle!

Every where we look, the world is filled with people in need. It's easy to see the enormity of this need and to get overwhelmed. Some times it feels easier to turn a blind eye than to try and figure out how to tackle the problems of this world. But what if we didn't need to help everyone? What if we only needed to intimately and deliberately invest in one or two people? In December of 2021 The Connected Life hosted a giveaway of $1,000 to someone who had a great idea of how to give that money away. A generous Connected Life listener matched that donation and not one, but two people got a chance to love someone extravagantly. In this second episode, Abi and Justin sit down with Angel, who turned her world upside down in her late 40's to go back to school to learn how to teach English to immigrants and refugees. She shares her heartwarming interaction with a widowed woman from Laos who's worked rigorously to take care of her two children (one is special needs) while fighting to learn English and adapt to the American culture. Through compassion Angel partnered with love to help change the course of another person's future. If you're looking for hope and inspiration in your life, this is a MUST listen to episode!

Loving others can be difficult, especially the ones that can't help but make a mess so bad they hurt everyone in their path. Getting past the anguish they inflict can sometimes feel impossible. But what if behind all the years of chaos and destruction was an innocent child desperate for kindness, compassion, and care? In December of 2021 The Connected Life hosted a giveaway of $1,000 to someone who had a great idea of how to give that money away. A generous Connected Life listener matched that donation and not one, but two people got a chance to love someone extravagantly. In this episode Abi and Justin sit down with one of the winners Kaira, and she shares the inspiring idea that led to a month long experience for her uncle Rick. Though Rick's life is seemingly filled with reasons he doesn't deserve such a gift, Kaira's story paints a compassionate and moving picture of just how much the messiest people are in the most need of undeserving love. If you're looking to be inspired and gain hope for humanity, this episode will move you to be a better person, while giving you hope for how a simple act of love can change the world right in front of you!

An affair is one of the most sensitive and painful subjects in a committed relationship. The effects of an affair spill over onto children, extended family, and friends. With so much pain connected to the issue, it's no wonder that very few relationships rebound after such broken trust. But, what if there's hope in the midst of a mess that hasn't been fully resolved? In this episode, Justin and Abi sit down with Jess and Justin Beard as they bravely share the details of their difficult journey in the midst of it unfolding. Together they explore their history of trauma prior to marriage and examine the far reaching affects of their upbringings. Through compassion and empathy they're able to shine a light on reasons they got to this place, while extending grace to anyone that's had and affair. Through vulnerability and honesty, Jess and Justin give hope to anyone attempting to repair what could feel permanently broken. If you or someone you know has been affected by infidelity, this episode will give hope for healing and compassion for all parties involved, even in the midst of the messiness. This episode is a MUST share!