The Connected Life

This week we're having an unscheduled interruption. Since the world is already topsy-turvy why not? Not to fret though, next week you'll get part two of our two-part episode, Shattering the Secrets that Shame Us. Hope is one of the most valuable commodities necessary to find life in the midst of watching everything crumble to pieces. We are at a moment in history where we need a fresh reminder of how things can come together after falling apart. In this episode Justin and Abi sit down with special guest Dallas Jenkins. Dallas shares how, after having lofty dreams that needed a miracle to make them happen, he watched the miracle unfold before his very eyes, only to watch it all shatter in the end. Dallas dives into his inspiring story of filmmaking and the breaking process he went through before the fiery storm of success that has seemingly come out of nowhere with the launch of his latest creative endeavor, The Chosen tv series. At a time in history when the world is in desperate need of hope both Dallas' story and The Chosen are just what the doctor ordered! After getting inspired by the episode don't forget to go download The Chosen app on your smart device and check out for yourself what 100's of thousands of people are all raving about!

Secrets have a way of trapping us in pain. However, often times we believe that it's more painful to share our experiences, than having to to get real and honest about them. Unfortunately, this only leads to a life of isolation, separated from love. In part two of this two-part episode, Justin's friend, Jeremy, shares the final pieces of his lowest point before finding life altering freedom through confession. He opens up about the fears he had to face, and the many ways he's found healing from a past that should have permanently broke him. Jeremy's story goes to show that no one is too far gone that love and compassion can't restore. Justin and Jeremy wrap the conversation up with a wild twist over 40 years in the making that you'll never see coming! Get ready to see how every part of life can be the spring board for your healing and success!

We all have our secrets. Behind those secrets, no matter how big or small, lurks the voice of shaming accusation. The singular goal of this voice is to suffocate our humanity until the essence of a life fully lived is no more. Surviving a childhood of normalized abuse is often just that, survival. In this riveting two part episode, Justin sits down and chats with his friend, Jeremy, to talk about the secrets that kept Jeremy from thriving and nearly took his life. He opens up about a childhood riddled with shame inducing secrets that were the driving force behind addiction and many other destructive decisions. If you've needed bravery to face the secrets haunting you from the past, this episode, filled with radical bravery, packs a punch of the necessary strength and courage you might be looking for! Oh, and you won't want to miss part two when Justin and Jeremy reveal a wild mystery behind their friendship, tying together a story over 40 years in the making!

For many of us, the world has gone topsy turvy. Fear and panic rule the news and social media. Uncertainty about jobs and future plans are all up in the air. Kids are out of school and ruining our routines. Toilet paper shortages are leaving many of us having to shower multiple times a day! Yeah it's a wild time and we're living through a historic moment. But fear not! Abi and Justin are on the scene with pepperings of humor and strategies on how to connect and come alive in circumstances that are leaving many people feeling wildly out of control. If you want keys to thriving through Pandemic 2020, you're going to need more than social distancing and we've got what you need. Join us as we share powerful and hopeful thoughts on today's fear crisis. This is a timely message you won't want to miss!

All of us go through seasons of life where we feel like we got knocked down, and some times knocked out. Many times we can feel as though we lost our fight along the way. But what if we can get that fight back? In this final episode of this four part series Abi and Justin talk about their struggles with faith through their suffering, how they reconciled a good God in a broken world, and how they found their fight to move through the darkness to the other side where life fully exists. Get ready for a powerful ending to an already amazing series! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project!

Suffering and sadness are an unavoidable part of the human experience. The gift of suffering is that it illuminates humanity in a unique and special way. Although no one can truly understand the full suffering of another, or the impact of that suffering, they can accept our journey, stand with us, and learn to hold space for our process. In part three of this series we dive into Justin's perspective and how he learned to stay healthy while loving someone in a rough spot. He shares how he knew Abi would be sick when he met her, yet chose to marry her knowing that it would affect his life. He talks about his own season of physical pain and sickness and how that paved the way for a greater measure of empathy and sacrificial love for Abi. Along with all of that, Justin and Abi discuss how to extract the gifts from within suffering, why we need more than one supportive source, how to take care of our own heart when someone we love is suffering, and letting go of over-responsibility. Get ready to break co-dependency and have your view of suffering radically changed! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project!

We have two options when we go through hard things; see the pain as an invitation into wholeness, or get stuck in hopelessness, fear, and heart ache. For part two of this four part series, Justin and Abi discuss the revelations Abi had through the last year of sickness. Abi's health issues forced her into a world of deeper vulnerability, and gave space for grief to surface that produced healing in places she's felt orphaned and alone. They share how allowing themselves to grieve the wrongs of the past didn't mean they wallowed in their pain, but rather gave themselves the comfort that their souls had desperately needed so that they could truly move forward. Get ready for a dose of hope as Abi and Justin continue to share the powerful lessons they've gathered from enduring and overcoming suffering within their own lives. And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project

We've all gone through valleys of despair or suffered painful seasons. Those of us who choose to ignore it and push forward are often praised for being strong. Unfortunately, ignored pain, buried deep within, eventually finds a way of erupting until we pay attention and get the necessary healing. In this tremendously vulnerable series, Abi and Justin invite you to be part of a very exposing piece of their lives as they share about Abi's sickness. In this episode Abi speaks candidly about her suffering and shares openly about her history of emotional pain. Together they examine the possible role her emotions have played in her physical health. This is one epic series you won't want to miss! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project

Man's best friend is supposedly a dog, but what if it could be another human being? Humanity gets a bum wrap because often times we don't understand ourselves, others, or the friendship process. Many of us have had bad experiences with friendships, leaving us jaded and shut down. But what if it didn't have to be that way? In this episode, Justin is booted to the curb as Abi and her best friend, Pietze, sit down for an insightful conversation about the ups and downs of their friendship. Together they investigate what it takes to build a life-long friendship in the midst of changing and growing as individuals. They share their worst meltdowns, what they did to rebuild, and how they continue to maintain a strong and healthy friendship. If you desire to have friendships with depth this episode is a MUST listen to! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project!

In-Laws, whether we love 'em, hate 'em, or fall somewhere in between, as long as we're married, they're here to stay. We can all become immune to our own family's deficiencies. Sometimes it takes an outsider to notice the crazy that we spent our entire lives thinking was "normal". Join Just and Abi as they pull from their own personal histories of dealing with each others dysfunctional family systems. Listen as they share about the ever changing dynamics that occur when a new person is brought into the mix and how that person is meant to be a gift of an objective eye. Get ready to learn about practicing boundaries, resetting priorities, the skill of confrontation, and managing the clash of family culture!

Do you want to get married? Get ready to date! But believe it or not, the goal of dating isn't marriage, it's for us to become who we were made to be and learn how to treat humans the best we can. In part two of this two part episode Abi and Justin are joined again by their good friend Megan as she shares candidly about overcoming rejection in the dating world, how she learned the art of pacing, and how she learned to be brutally, but respectfully honest as a powerful communicator. Wherever you find yourself on the dating spectrum, from pessimistic and bitter, to ever-hopeful-and-naive, we guarantee this episode will shed plenty of light on the complex world of dating. Get ready to be equipped with vital tools so you can get connected and kick ass in the dating world!

The days of arranged marriage and courtship are a thing of the past. If you want to get married in todays world you have to date. With the age of the internet and phone apps, dating has progressively evolved. With that evolution has come a myriad of complications in an area of relational experiences that is already difficult and scary for many people. In this two-part exploration of online dating, Justin and Abi's close friend Megan joins them to talk about her journey from being terrified to becoming completely comfortable in her own skin. She shares her secrets of overcoming fear and shattering the high stakes involved in dating. She also gives practical tips on red flags to watch for, how to manage your emotions, how to be powerful, and how to stay steadfast to your values. Whether you're a fan of dating apps, or prefer the old-fashioned method, this episode is exploding with wisdom for men and women alike in the modern dating world!

In order to truly feel alive and happy, friendships are a vital part of life. Unfortunately, there's not many "how to" guides on friendship. We definitely know when we don't feel like someone is being a good friend, but do we know what it is to BE a good friend? In this episode Abi and Justin break down fundamental keys to becoming a great friend. They share vital ways to love others and help to equip you to be the friend that you always wanted to have. Get ready to redefine the word friendship and find deeper connections than you've ever imagined!

In a world saturated with self-help books, finding strategy on how to cast vision for your dreams is amply easy. And that's a good thing, because without vision our life gradually wastes away. Often times, however, vision casting is around external achievements; generating wealth, getting married, owning a home, traveling the world, or having an experience. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about the power of casting vision for how we feel, what we believe, and who we can become internally. They dive in to the power of this kind of consistent vision casting in relationships. They share how healthy vision casting can repair relationships and create deep intimate connection. If you're looking to find ways to move your life forward this year in an intentional way and go deeper in the relationships that matter the most, this episode is.a must!

We all want to feel connected to the world around us. The desire for connection is encoded into the fabric of human existence. We can deny that we have this desire to ourselves, and to everyone else, but that won't make the fundamental design disappear, so why not embrace it? In this episode Abi and Justin discuss fundamental barriers that get in the way of connection, how to tear them down, and what bridges are necessary to build in order to get connected. Start the New Year off right by building a foundation for success in all of your relationships and experiences by learning how to get CONNECTED!

Every year is marked by the unexpected. Some years are filled with the celebration of babies, marriages, adventures, and opportunities we've never dreamed of. Some years are filled with sickness, tragedy, and loss that we couldn't plan for. It's easy to think back on the year and only see the immense victories or the devastatingly low points. For most of us, however, pain is the loudest part of the year, leaving us feeling happy that we survived and ready to move on. But what if it didn't have to be that way? In this last episode of the year, Justin and Abi talk about celebrating and validating what was, in order to build momentum for what will be. Join us on our final episode of 2019 as we chat about the why and how to review your year in order to set yourself up for success in the new one!

We've said it before and we'll say it again, holidays can be messy! It's easy to get disconnected, frustrated, and overwhelmed during the holidays. This time of year stirs up all kinds of emotions. Even the healthiest and happiest of us are subject to being around someone during the holidays that isn't healthy or happy. That's why becoming loving and powerful is a vital key to having a successful experience. Join Abi and Justin as they highlight the many triggers people have during this time of year and how you can posture your heart to love people who are having them, or learn how to become a powerful person if you're the one experiencing the problems. If you want to have a merry Christmas, this episode is vital!

Leadership is messy! For both those leading and those following. It can be a rough ride on each side of the coin and we've all had our fair share of aches, pains, and problems no matter which side you land on. In part two, of this two-part episode, Justin and Abi discuss some things that leaders should definitely NOT do, as well as things we should not be expecting our leaders to be doing for us. They also talk about how to handle both good and bad advice from leadership, why we should value our own voice just as much, and four keys to maintaining balance in our world. As a bonus, Abi and Justin take time to end the episode with an invitation into healing and more freedom. If you've ever felt abused by any type of authority figure, or you've been a leader and felt the heavy, impossible expectations people have put on you, then this episode is a MUST listen to!

We've all had people with authority and influence over our lives, whether it's bosses, pastors, coaches, or leaders in general. As children we learn that we can either submit or rebel to this authority. Unfortunately, this two-mode response system often carries over into adulthood. If we're hurt by, or disagree with the leaders in our world, we respond with judgment and condescension. On the flip side, if we give them all authority over us, we treat them like a god and we are rendered powerless in our own lives. Both have the capacity to destroy us. Luckily there is an alternative called balance. Join Justin and Abi for this two-part episode as they discuss the detriments of demonizing or deifying spiritual authority, or any authority for that matter. They'll also share keys to having healthy interactions with leaders that will help empower you to be the captain of your own life. You are, after all, the one living it.

Tis the season for generosity! Generosity is contagious and in any book, or teaching, on success and wealth, generosity is foundational and fundamental. Generosity comes in many different forms far beyond financial. In order to truly "feel wealthy," we have to learn how to express generosity. Understanding multiple expressions helps us find ways of doing just that. Join Justin and Abi as they share about the power of generosity and how it's profoundly affected their lives, and the lives of those that they love so much. Get ready to be challenged to face your fears of giving in order to step into a lifestyle of abundance! You won't want to miss this episode! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com to learn more about Living Fully Alive 2020 starting in January!

The holidays can be filled with all kinds of emotions and unexpected experiences. For some, the holidays are full of fond memories, for others, they're a time we want to forget all together. The day we call Thanksgiving is meant to be a reminder of what we're thankful for. For many of us, we've forgotten that it's more than a tradition, and we're in necessary need of making it a lifestyle. Join Abi and Justin as they share a wild Thanksgiving story and tackle keys to thriving through the holidays, while simultaneously highlighting the power of living a lifestyle of thankfulness. Perspective dictates the objective, guiding the trajectory of our lives. If you want greater connection to the life right in front of you, an adjustment to your narrative is a must! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com to learn more about Living Fully Alive 2020 starting in January!

Breakups and betrayals can be brutal! As humans we've all had these experiences, whether it's with our parents, siblings, extended family, friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. The pain is real clear, but the process of healing and moving forward isn't always that clear. In this episode, Abi and Justin dive in to the affects of the betrayals and breakups in their own lives and lay out a road map of 7 strategic steps to overcoming the pain and finding a way to thrive on the other side of it all. If you've been through a breakup or betrayal you won't want to miss this episode!

In part one of this two part episode, Justin and Abi took an honest look at the hurdles Joey and Kelley Feste faced in their formative years of marriage. Here, in part two, we jump back in where we left off as Joey and Kelley dive into their sex life and share the details of what makes it work. After 32 years, Joey doesn't need viagra and Kelley wants sex more than ever before! Things are about to get steamy as Joey and Kelley share the secret ingredients to a healthy sex life that has longevity. Get ready to be challenged and have some great laughs with two of our favorite people ever! So come join us for part two of The Lifelong Journey to Great Sex!

We all have varying experiences of marriage. For many of us, we didn't have the best examples growing up. For others, marriage looked like land of the happy people where nothing was ever wrong. No matter what side of the pendulum you're on, one thing is for certain, today's society is progressively reluctant to walk down the aisle and say, "I do." In this two part episode Justin and Abi are joined by their close friends, and seasoned marriage veterans, Joey and Kelley Feste. They take an inside look into the difficulties that had to be faced and what it took to get to a marriage that is vibrantly alive and has a thriving sex life 32 years in. If you've been a marriage sceptic, or just need some hope and inspiration about what marriage and romance could be, this two part episode is for you!

We've all been through tough seasons of life that felt like they would never end. Many of us are terrified we'll get stuck, or even worse, that the best seasons will end as quickly as they started. We can find ourselves getting bitter, depressed, or burnt out if we don't have the tools to identify which season we're in. The good news is that there is a beginning and an end to every season. In this episode, Abi and Justin discuss 7 major seasons of life that are necessary to our development and how they help us evolve into better humans. If you're looking to find a few master keys that will help you to understand what season you're in and make each season of your life more bearable, fruitful, and peaceful, this episode is for you!

All of humanity have what we call core needs that must to be met. Nurture is one of those needs and one that initially, and primarily, gets met by our mothers. But what if you had a mother that was critical, emotionally unavailable, or depressed? Or maybe, just a mom who was fundamentally good, but didn't have all the tools to give you what you needed as a child? When core needs are left unmet we can find ourselves coping through overeating, drinking, shopping, sex addictions, working, or "using" other people in an attempt to get the comfort we missed as a child. Often times, the repercussions can leave us feeling powerless, broken, and much like a lost cause. But what if we can do something to heal ourselves? Join Justin and Abi as they highlight ways to recognize a nurture related deficit and give solutions on how to reconcile this problem in healthy ways. This next segment of The Mother Series will help to create practical steps to healing both the past and present! For more info check out www.justinandabi.com and be on the look out for the Living Fully Alive Course at www.stumvollconsulting.com

Mom's are an intricate part of the fabric of our lives. Our bond with them is woven into the interactions with our most intimate connections, whether we're aware of it or not. Moms are known for creating the road map for nurturing, when left unacknowledged, this relationship with our mother can skew how we experience and treat the people we love the most. In this episode, Justin and Abi share how the relationship with their mothers unknowingly created pain and misunderstandings that drove a wedge in their connection throughout their marriage. After over a decade of being together, Abi opens up about her newfound understanding in her own process. If you want to solve some of the mysteries driving your experiences with your loved ones and want a better understanding of yourself, this episode is a must listen to!

Having the courage to take ownership for our life, and the mistakes we make, is difficult for many of us. Justin's mom, Barbara, had to decide between taking ownership for her failings or lose the relationship with him altogether. In this episode Justin and Barb candidly share about the conversations and confrontations they had over the course of almost a decade. Between blow-ups, melt-downs, and bawl-your-eyes-out moments, they chose to risk big and dig deep. Because they both had the courage to get honest, take ownership, listen well, and forgive greatly, they were able to find healing and restoration. Through their process of trial by fire, wisdom and practical tools emerged that couldn't have been discovered any other way. Get ready for a richly packed redemption episode as we delve into part two of a mother and son's healing story.

The relationship between a parent and a child is a special one. If you've ever been a parent or a child, then you know how easily things can get messy! Continuing with The Mother Series, we have a special guest, Barbara Stumvoll, Justin's mom with us! Join us as we dive into the painful history of Justin and his Mom's relationship and how after decades of brokenness they managed to do the hard work to heal their relationship. If you've ever personally struggled with "mother issues" or working through problems with your kids, then you'll want to tune to this insightful, heart to heart discussion. Listen closely as they model how to take ownership for themselves and display understanding and compassion for each other. This is a miracle over a decade in the making that you won't want to miss.

For many of us, parents can be a sensitive subject. As children our desire is to be loved and nurtured, but for some, that doesn't always feel like the reality of what happened. When parents are involved in creating pain, it can sometimes be easier to look at our past through rose-tinted glasses. Getting honest with ourselves can sometimes be the most heartbreaking part of our journey. A mother's love and care is key to the development of any child. For some, however, that love and care can be absent, or sometimes feel toxic. In a season of popping denial, Abi takes an honest look at her childhood and how her mother's life of prescription drug addiction and mental sickness actually impacted her well being. Join Justin and Abi in this incredibly raw and vulnerable episode as Abi shares, tears and all, about her journey of processing through the pain of loosing a mother that was seemingly never there. Also, be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to learn more about The Father Series.

For many people, understanding a woman's sex drive could be considered more valuable than a diamond mine! A woman's sex drive can even seem as mysterious to a woman as it is to a man. Often times, men find themselves guessing what women want in the bedroom, and that kind of pressure can seriously kill the mood. What if we told you that there was a road map that nobody talks about? Whether women want to admit it or not, one of the keys to that secret map are hormones! Understanding the role hormones play in the bedroom can make or break intimacy. In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by Pietze as they shamelessly talk about the power of hormones and how they affect sex. For all the singles out there, this dose of hormonal reality is the perfect foundation for a future healthy relationship. If you're married and want a better sex life, this episode is a must!

It takes real guts to ride a 1,500 pound enraged bull, but the world of Professional Bull Riding is a full of gritty men ready to risk it all! In this episode Justin is joined by former Professional Bull Rider Todd Pierce. Todd travels the world breaking the "unbreakable" horses through a radical display of patience, understanding, and love. After decades of doing the impossible, Todd found himself "bucked off his horse," on Justin's couch, facing a beast much bigger than a bull. Through a courageous act of risk, Todd went head to head with some of his most painful emotions and came out a bigger champion than ever before. Get ready for a wild ride as Justin and Todd jump into Todd's story of breaking horses and how that was a picture of his own breaking he had yet to experience. This episode will amaze you and inspire you to get back up after life has bucked you to the ground.

For many of us, we carry secrets that seem too dark for anyone to understand. We carry this heaviness until is crushes us or we explode. Here in this darkness, crippling lies slowly wear us down, leaving us suffering in isolation. September is Suicide awareness month. Suicide is one of the most difficult and scary subjects for people to openly address. In this episode Justin and Abi vulnerably tackle their own war with suicide. In a world of silence, this episode is meant to be a conversation starter that sheds light on one of the darkest and heaviest battles that many unknowingly suffer through on a daily basis. If you've never felt suicidal, listening to and sharing this episode is the first step in creating an environment safe for loved ones to open up about their secret challenges. September is the perfect time to start open dialogues. Please partner with us throughout the month in hopes of saving lives.

For most of us, we want to feel inspired day to day and we often dream of living a life full of adventure. Unfortunately, the reality is often a life that feels boring and uninspired. The hurdles to this type of excitement are often wrapped into a simple question such as, "How do I practically implement inspiration and thrill into my life?" In this episode we hear from Lauren, one of our favorite friends, about how she learned to buck the norm, let go of the reigns, and live wildly out of control! Join us as Lauren shares how she suddenly and drastically changed her life by quitting her accounting job and moving to Africa. She opens up as to why she's chosen to continue taking risks and how she practically lives a lifestyle of excitement. If you're in need of a pick-me-up, or want to be challenged to live a life full of wonder, then you won't want to miss this episode!

Self-sufficiency and the victim mentality often keep us from experiencing true freedom. It's all too easy to fall into the trap of self-protection when people in our lives hurt and disappoint us. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of conversation about exactly HOW to work through trauma, past pain, and move towards wholeness and freedom. Join Justin and special guest Chris Cook as they share their deeply personal experiences with trauma and PTSD. Get ready to hear how they fought their way out through learning healthy coping mechanisms, facing their greatest fears, and choosing not to do the journey alone. If you've ever felt stuck in painful circumstances or like you have to keep it all together on your own, then do not miss this episode! Freedom is just around the corner!

For most of us, family vacations can be a tricky time to navigate. They're often chock full of triggers and past pain that hasn't been resolved. Often times, it can be difficult to let our walls down long enough to feel known and free amidst our siblings, parents, and relatives. So how do we go from surviving family vacations to thriving in them? Join Justin and Abi on their own vacation as they drive through Glacier National Park and discuss Justin's fresh explosion with his dad. They'll share important insights as to why honesty is the biggest key that will affect change within families and why purposely validating the child in you is so important. You don't want to miss this incredibly vulnerable story or the profoundly impactful and healing moment that followed!

We've all been guilty of venting about the negative things that happen in our lives and rarely verbalizing the positive aspects. This can be especially harmful when it comes to romance. Everything is butterflies and rainbows in the beginning of a new relationship. We gush non-stop about every little thing our partner does. Soon life gets real and things aren't so peachy any longer. This can leave us frustrated, complaining, and wondering what happened to the romance. Why is this? We're so glad you asked! Join us on The Connected Life as we dig into the 3 stages of love and the 7 themes that feed and fuel romance in a relationship! And don't forget to head over to www.justinandabi.com to learn more about THE FATHER SERIES!

For most of us, life is experienced through a lens of traditions and rules established by family and culture at large. Rarely do we stop to question why we do what we do. Many traditions are beautiful and the rules that govern us can be very helpful. However, left unchecked, we can spend an entire lifetime living for traditions and by rules that we neither have value for, nor are they helpful. Join us as we revisit the story of our unconventional wedding. We share how we created a unique expression of ourselves through a process of healthy introspection and how that led to new traditions and breaking many of the rules often connected to such a sacred moment. If you're ready to break out of the box and find an authentic expression of yourself, this episode is for you! And don't forget to head over to www.justinandabi.com to learn more about THE FATHER SERIES!

We all have triggers around emotions, money, and other people's behavior… and we'd like to blame them for how they affect us. But truth is, that our triggers are our responsibility. Join us for round two of a blame free lifestyle. In this episode our freshly married friends, Marcus & Brianna, share stories about some of their trigger happy moments. From vulnerable honeymoon experiences, to money problems in Seattle, this episode hands us recent examples and practical tools to help with any type of relationship! Strap on your seat belts and get ready to take a ride and explore the foundations for beginning a healthy relationship! And don't forget to head over to www.justinandabi.com to learn more about THE FATHER SERIES!

Blaming, shaming and complaining, sound like a familiar experience to you? The list of people in our lives who behave this way is endless, but often times we're just as guilty. Whether to our friends, parents, romantic partners, spouse, kids, the random sales associate, or especially - to ourselves, we can't deny our role in this style of communication. In today's episode, we are joined by special guest and fellow life consultant Laura Duncan. Laura walks us through stories from her own personal parenthood journey in an effort to demonstrate how we can maneuver through our triggers in a way that's both healthy and beneficial for everyone involved. Join us as we search to discover tools to create a blame free life-style!

For many people, dating is a game to be played with a singular goal in mind, winning. The game is one of proving we can get someone or get someone to choose us. This often leads to needless tug of wars that end in grief and a sense of feeling unfulfilled. But what if dating could be entirely redefined? In this episode our good friend Ruth is back with us to share about her 5 year, dating hiatus and how the experience created success for her dating journey that followed. Join us as we talk about breaking free from shame-dating and learn how to redefine the purpose of dating as one of growing into the best version of yourself. Singles, you won't want to miss this one!

In order to have successful relationships with the opposite sex, whether in dating, marriage, or friends, we can't be at war with those we want to love. For many of us, it's easy to find ourselves in an unconscious tug of war with those of the opposite sex. Unknowingly, we can have entire power struggles happening under the surface due childhood pains and promises of who we'd never be, or how we'd never act. In this episode, Abi and Justin sit down with their close friend, Ruth, and discuss her journey to face the unconscious war she had been waging for years with masculinity. Through getting honest with herself and choosing to face her fear, Ruth created much needed resolve, but not until she was aware it was even happening. Come join us in turning over some rocks and getting really honest about what we find.

For many people dating can be vulnerable, scary, and feel as though there are no clear rules on "how to" do it right. But like anything in life, there is a lot of gray space when it comes to dating and rules are more like shackles than a map to freedom. In this episode Abi and Justin throw out the rules and instead dive into 6 helpful values to help you on your journey. If you're single this is a MUST listen to episode! Remember to Rate, Review, Subscribe, and Share! #theconnectedlife, #theconnectedlifepodcast And don't forget to head over to www.justinandabi.com to learn more about THE FATHER SERIES!

As humans, tragedy and loss are unavoidable. Because of this, pain is a universal part of life. For most of us, we feel lost in a sea of these painful moments that we have no tools to navigate through. We stumble through life surviving the bumps and bruises we are forced to endure simply because we haven't been taught how to grieve. Without a proper understanding of grief, we are left wandering around trapped in this pain or disconnected from it all together. But what if there were practical steps to journey through our grief into a life of thriving? Join Justin, Abi, and life consultant Laura Duncan, as Laura shares her story of walking through tragedy and how she found life in the midst of it. Get ready for practical tools to help you process your grief and find hope for the future! And don't forget to head over to www.justinandabi.com to learn more about THE FATHER SERIES!

For most people, conversations about how we've been hurt and how we've hurt others are often terrifying and filled with anxiety. Because of this, we spend our entire lives trying to run from the past and, in doing so, we disconnect from those we love the most. In Part 2 of How Our History Shapes Us, Justin and Abi sit down face to face with Justin's parents, Bob and Bobbie. Through choosing to face fear head on, Bob talks openly about hearing the live recorded counseling session where Justin vulnerably processed the pain he's had as a child with his dad. Through grace and love they have an open and honest discussion about the pain in their history. Come join our family as we risk getting messy through unreserved honesty! This is an episode you won't want to miss! Remember to Rate, Review, Subscribe, and Share!

In this incredibly raw and exposing episode Justin opens up the doors to his personal life like never before! During a live recorded counseling session Justin speaks out about his deep wounds with his father. Through blunt honesty and tears he purges a history of bottled up pain. If you've ever wondered what it tangibly looks like to walk through the healing process this is a unique opportunity to go behind closed doors and get a front row seat. Get ready to be inspired about the possibilities of love and healing available for your own life as we dive head first into the messiness of Justin's journey. This episode will give you permission to be imperfect while challenging you to grow no matter what phase of life you're in! As a bonus, in next weeks episode, Justin's Dad joins us and speaks candidly about his experience when he accidentally walked in on the live streaming of Justin's session and how that affected him! You WON'T want to miss this two part experience.

For many people the word "weakness" is repulsive. Being "weak" is seen as a flaw in our humanity. Having an area of "weakness" is seen as unacceptable. For the majority of people, our ability to "be strong" and perform is directly connected to our value and lovability. Because of this we try to ignore our weakness, acting as though it doesn't exist. Or, it's all we see and we feel deeply disqualified because of it. But what if our "weakness" pointed to our greatness? What if it was the launching pad for our dreams and victories? What if some of the greatest gifts life had to offer were wrapped into the fabric of this "weakness"? Join Justin and Abi as they unashamedly open up about their weaknesses. Listen in as they discuss the amazing opportunities that have come from accepting themselves as they are. Learn how every weakness is an invitation into greatness! It's time to take back your life and redefine your story through hope and endless possibilities. For more info check out www.justinandabi.com

They often say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but what if all humans, regardless of gender, came from their own planet, much like a gathering of Star Wars characters. When two worlds come together it can often feel like an explosive collision, especially when it comes to our most intimate relationships. But what if our way isn't always the only way? What if our way isn't always the best way? What if coming from different planets creates unnecessary misunderstandings that lead to chasms of disconnection? What if there is a secret option C? Join Justin and Abi as they explore how their clashing of culture over a standard of cleanliness was an invitation to let go of their judgments in order to find a life of balance and connection.

Sex is for men right? Men need it, want it, and are driven by it. Women are subjected to it, put up with it, and mostly dislike it, right? But what if we're all wrong about sex. What if sex was made for women? What if sex was an opportunity to have so many other desires fulfilled? Join Justin, Abi, and Pietze in this mind blowing sex episode as they discuss the purpose of sex and how YOU can create a sex life you LOVE! Get ready to be challenged, have a great laugh, and redefine your sex life!

Have you ever found yourself trying to move forward in life only to feel like you're bashing your head into a wall? Have you ever had hurdles in marriage, finances, friendships, or career that you can't seem to jump over? Are we all "just" who we are, living some life that "just" happens to us? What if all the things that seem so mysterious aren't really all that mysterious at all. What if the problem we're having is that we're trying to move forward without having to look back? In this episode Justin and Abi dive into their history with their dads and discuss the ramifications of running from the past and how it affects our future. Get ready to go deep as they discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of relationships with our fathers!