We’ve all had times where we followed our intuition and it didn’t work out the way we hoped it would. For many of us these kinds of disappointments can lead to not trusting ourselves. This breakdown in trust can feel like a safer route, but more often than not the consequences of not following our intuition can be a mundane life filled with regrets. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about he impact of following your intuition. They share hopeful stories of how their intuition paid off and stories where they got it wrong, yet found beauty in the midst of mistakes. They discuss the reasons people don’t follow their intuition, the price you’ll pay in order to do so, and what you’ll gain by connecting in. If you’re wanting to learn how live a life of experience, adventure, and fulfillment, this episode is full of thought provoking ideas to help guide you in that direction! Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

At a young age many of us find ourselves losing our innocence through situations that leave us feeling unsafe. In order to protect ourselves, slowly over time, we unconsciously fortify our hearts. In the process we disconnect from a source of joy and wonder that is at the epicenter of creativity and life, in hopes of avoiding pain. In doing so we find ourselves living a mediocre existence. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? In this episode Justin and Abi shine a light on the child within. They discuss the reasons we find ourselves shut down to the goodness life has to offer, the ways we can reconnect, and beautiful aspects of what life can look like when safety is restored to our hearts. If you’ve ever felt like you’re missing the ability to express your joy well and process your pain healthily, this episode will give you fantastic tips on how to begin coming alive through the child within! Don’t miss out. Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

Disconnections in relationships are normal and to be expected. Yet, for many of us, the disconnections we often saw modeled to us growing up didn’t end well. For so many, the experiences we’ve been exposed to are filled with unresolved pain that ends in further distance or no acknowledgement of the real problems at all. Because of this, being present in other people’s conflict can be anxiety inducing, sending us into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. But what if we could sit down in the midst of someone’s messiness and realize that everything can truly be okay? In this very candid episode Abi and Justin have taken their gloves off and they’re ready to brawl. While sitting down to record a new podcast episode they find themselves disagreeing about the content, sending them into a triggered meltdown, and an adult time out. After sending their producer home, they bravely return to the studio to discuss their disconnect in real time in front of the cameras. In a moment that could be utter disaster, they share their unfiltered feelings as they pursue reconnection and discuss the ways they’ve grown in conflict. If you’ve ever had trouble reconnecting in a relationship you’ll find this episode deeply relatable and freeing. Come take a listen and let the high stakes in conflict melt away! Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

Our time on earth is limited and facing the reality of our mortality can feel scary or morbid. We can easily place our deaths in the back of our minds where we imagine them far off in some distant future and forget how precious each moment truly is. In the end of another person’s life it’s realistic to reflect not only on how they spent it, but also how we’re spending the incredible gift we’ve been given. In this episode Abi and Justin sit down to discuss the recent loss of Abi’s Uncle Johnny. Abi vulnerably shares about the sad, yet beautiful and redemptive ending to John’s story that left her facing grief while finding healing. Together they celebrate how Johnny lived his life and reflect on the simple yet powerful ways his love left an impact on this world. Lastly, they reminisce about individual moments they had with him while exploring the what a life well lived can look like. If you’re wanting to feel what it’s like to experience beauty and redemption in the midst of tragedy, this episode will melt your heart and bring you comfort. Don’t miss out! Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

We’ve all found ourselves feeling an ache and an anger when we see and hear stories of injustice and violation perpetuated by people in authority, especially when we admire them. There are countless stories of abuse of power throughout all of our human institutions. This messiness can leave us feeling disillusioned and cause us to live reactive. But, what if we could foster a responsive lifestyle that creates healing, while addressing a course correction? In this episode Justin and Abi take a look at a recent clergy abuse scandal that left many feeling rocked to the core. Justin shares how this scandal has shined a fresh spotlight on the abuse he suffered and buried years ago. He discusses his response to seeking justice while addressing the check engine lights that could help avert these kind of disasters in every system. Together they examine the effects of power differentials in any institution, what unconventional justice can look like, and how healthy expressions of having a voice can bring repair to our suffering. If you’ve been impacted by the moral failings of others or participated in a moral failure that hurt others, this episode will be a fresh and empowering conversation that has the power to begin to restore hope in humanity. Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ As promised: Here’s the link to that video referenced in the episode: https://youtu.be/-w7EgLqA2Mc?si=27EIZk7AsHqXikE5  

Often times we find ourselves in unnecessary conflict all because of miscommunications. This can leave us feeling misunderstood, judged, and defeated. As humans we all have the ability to talk, but rarely are we trained in how to successfully communicate. It’s easy to feel like we’re the only ones having a tough time. But we’re not alone, and honing one simple technique can easily leave us feeling like relational rockstars! In part two of this incredible two part series Abi and Justin take a deep dive into practical ways to implement narration into your communication style. They share tangible examples that make it easy to apply narration at home, with friends, in the work place, and in most circumstances you might find yourself in. If you want to become a master at navigating  relationships successfully, this two part series will help make you BOSS SAUCE! You won’t want to miss a second of it! Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

We all have histories laced with difficulties that leave an impact on us. Often times the people that play a role in perpetuating pain are the ones that matter most to us. In our formative years these experiences have a tendency to leave an imprint that lasts a lifetime. It’s reasonable to want to pass judgment on those people and events, while swearing to never be or do them, but in doing so we often find ourselves replicating a cycle we’re not so proud of. But what if letting go of our judgements and accepting we’re equally messy is a vital step to healing and repair? In this episode Justin is joined by friend and fellow Life Consultant Rachel Hughes. Rachel shares about the repercussions of growing up in home with a bi-polar parent. She discusses her mental breakdown in her youth, the vows she’s made to never be like her parent, the ways she mirrored her childhood in her marriage, and the road paved with humility, forgiveness, and compassion that was necessary to find resolve within herself. In a world filled with trauma, tragedy, and messiness, this episode holds keys to restoring dignity and innocence to our humanity and to those around us. If you’re wanting love to triumph in the midst of darkness, this episode is just what you’re looking for! Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

Experiencing connection or conflict in most relationships usually comes down to one foundational issue, communication. Communication is at the epicenter of all human relationships, making it one of the most vital topics necessary to understand if we hope to be successful in our exchanges with one another. Unfortunately, most of us rarely consider the ways our communication style is affecting us getting the results we so desperately desires. But what if there were a few simple tweaks to the way we communicate that could dramatically altar the experiences we were having while getting us what we so deeply desired way more often? In this episode Justin and Abi dive into one the greatest communication hacks they’ve ever experienced. They discuss the ways their communication style has been disastrous, how their words have been detrimental towards one another, and practical steps they’ve taken to change the way they share and show up with each other. Lastly they give tips on how to implement this phenomenal communication hack into your own life so you can start building bridges, instead of burning them to the ground. If you’re wanting to have successful conversations that lead to deeper connections where you feel heard and understood, while better hearing and understanding others, this episode is a GAME CHANGER! Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

It’s easy for many of us to find ourselves surviving seasons of life. As we pass through difficulties we can often find ourselves looking toward what the future brings without taking time to examine what was. But what if a healthy reflection of what we’ve been through is vital to framing the way we approach our future? In this episode Justin and Abi review their last season of life. They discuss how eliminating black and white thinking helps them to extract the beauty out of their circumstances, while creating room to properly grieve the difficulties. They share how judgements they’ve held towards their experiences have hindered the way they encounter love, while also examining the ways embracing their difficulties has been a gift that has grown them in the best of ways. Lastly, they share how healthy reflection can create an empowering narrative that forms the grit and resilience necessary to step into some of their deepest desires and dreams. If you’re wanting to develop a hopeful lifestyle that will create sustainable peace regardless of the situations you face, this episode is monumental in doing so! Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Sign-ups for Living Fully Alive 2024 are happening NOW! https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/

For many of us it’s easy to live life from one day to the next getting bogged down by the demands and drama that we believe require our attention. We can get lost in goals and achievements, while finding ourselves missing out on vital moments that are designed to impact us and the world around us. But what happens when we take time to slow down and reflect on the love that we’ve received and given? In this powerful Christmas episode, Justin and Abi reflect on ways that love has been gifted to them through experiences with other people as well as the ways they’ve participated in loving others. They share how love is never wasted, even when relationships get messy or they’re only momentary. Through answering 7 simple questions they model how you can connect to the beauty this life has to offer while making the most out of the love the exists all around you! If you’re wanting to have a beautiful experience that inspires you as you step into the coming New Year, this episode is a fantastic way to make that happen!   Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

When we look at the difficulties in our lives, and see the suffering in the world, it’s easy to feel like we’ve been abandoned and left all alone to survive. But what if in the midst of all the messiness there’s a God that’s always with us and deeply cares about us? In this episode Abi and Justin discuss the ways a good and radically loving God found His way into our humanity, starting by tangibly stepping into the human condition, and then further extending Himself into our individual experiences. They reflect on beautiful moments in their own journey where God connected to them through people, nature, circumstances, and miracles. Lastly, they discuss how our pain and suffering can blind us to God’s involvement and how looking back on our story, with curious wonder, can often reveal the places He was especially close when we couldn’t understand or see it. If you need encouragement and a friendly reminder that your life matters, this episode will give you confidence that you’re not alone while shining a light on goodness in the most difficult circumstances. Don’t miss out! Enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2024 is happening now! Check out https://justinandabi.com/courses/living-fully-alive/ to get enrolled. Class starts March 13th, 2024.

For most of us the idea of failure is filled with a sense of dread. It’s often associated with shame, punishment, and disconnection. It often feels like is says something negative about who we are. But what if failure wasn’t an abusive bully, but rather a friendly mentor rooting for us to succeed? In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their good friend and owner of The Adventure Challenge, Bryant Ellis. Bryant discusses the toxic relationship many of us have with failure, the misconceptions that people have about it, and how failure became an intimate friend that has been foundational to his success. Together they share ways they’ve all grown through their failures and how a few simple changes in your perspective can forever alter the way you experience life. If you want to gain confidence and create momentum, this episode will help you adjust the way you see your messiest moments while giving you the courage to try things you’ve only dreamed of. Don’t miss out! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are coming to a close! The deadline to apply is December 15th. Apply here ASAP: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Every family system comes with its own mess. Every sibling finds themselves playing a role whether it’s assigned to them or they unconsciously take it on. Through these roles pain is perpetuated. In an environment where we should feel most known, we can feel the least seen. But what if our our siblings could be catalytic to feeling loved and understood? In this episode Justin takes a fascinating behind the scenes look into a family of twelve through the eyes of three siblings on independent journey’s of emotional healing. Katie, Sarah, and Phillip open up about the roles they played in a large family, the different ways they react to conflict and pain, and the process of rediscovering each other as adults. Katie shares vulnerably about the difficulties of being a “parentified” child and, in an incredibly touching and heartfelt moment, Sarah and Phillip take time to acknowledge Katie in her pain of being the oldest. If you have siblings and have ever wanted a better connection with them, this episode will inspire you to have hope and to take steps towards repair with yourself and the ones you love and long to know. Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are coming to a close! The deadline to apply is December 15th. Apply here ASAP: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

We all have certain expectations of what our lives should look like both in the long term and the day to day. These expectations can often get us stuck in ways of living that leave us having an experience that can feel boring and mediocre. Change can be scary and disappointment can feel overwhelmingly painful, but can the unexpected actually be an invitation to pivot into an abundant life that gets fully lived? In this episode Justin and Abi open up about detours that became divine pivots in their lives. They share about unforeseen moments of pain and difficulty that changed their trajectory, their choices not to resist, and the resilience it produced. They discuss how childlike wonder takes moments of suffering and transforms them into opportunities to discover the truth of our being. Lastly, they explore the ways mystery and intrigue are vital to creating memorable lives just like they are to making great movies. If you’re looking for an episode that will help you take the messiest moments of life and turn them into encouraging opportunities, this episode is JUST FOR YOU! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are coming to a close! Apply here ASAP: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

When it comes to success and self-help books, gratitude is often identified as a foundational key to the achievements and wellbeing of any individual. It’s often suggested that gratitude plays a crucial role in the experience of happiness and joy a person has. But what if having gratitude  transcends just having a good life and is vital to an eternal experience? In this Thanksgiving episode Justin sits down with Jonny Duffield to discuss gratitude from a unique angle. After much research and contemplation, Justin shares his eternal take on life, leaving Jonny to rethink many aspects of his perspective. Together they explore the necessity of building gratitude like a muscle, our addiction to misery, and the reasons we’re here on earth. Lastly they tackle the subject of pain, the gifts that are waiting to be extracted out of every circumstance, no matter how messy it may be, and the ways gratitude can redeem even the worst situations. If you’re ready to be challenged, and wanting to make drastic shifts to the way you experience life, this episode is an invitation, packed with life altering perspective, to start seeing the world through a fresh and liberating lens. Don’t miss a second of it! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Creating a life of wholeness isn’t for the faint of heart. Choosing to foster change and development can feel like a lonely road. The process is difficult and the end result is never perfection. No matter how much we grow, messiness is always part of our human experience. But the beauty of the journey is that we don’t have to do it alone! In this Episode Abi and Justin chat with two friends that found each other in Life Consulting MasterClass, Amy and Emily. The two share about their emotional healing process and its impact on their families, how they became friends in the program, the risky decision to have a family vacation with one another, and the powerful ways they’ve grown over the last year. Amy describes the shocking response her son gave her after she had a meltdown and Emily opens up about one of the most transformational moments of her adult life. If you love hearing relatable stories that inspire you to take risks and break out of the box you’ve created for yourself, this episode is just what you’re looking for! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

We’ve all had friendships where we’ve hurt others and they’ve hurt us. This is an inescapable part of humanity. When our messiness collides friendships can break us in a way that causes us to want to shut down and shut off towards connection. But what if there was love in friendships that could make us and restore the places that seemed permanently broken? In this episode Abi and Justin sit down with Desiree and Karen, two friends that found each other in Life Consulting MasterClass. Des and Karen discuss the necessary risks involved in building a new friendship, the beauty of not having to fix each other, and the power of having a strong sense of self. They also explore the impact of being in a safe environment and how the tools they’ve developed have been foundational to being completely honest. Together they share how their friendship has been vital to repairing and redeeming their past experiences. If you’ve ever needed hope for friendships, this episode will give you insight into what a friendship could be and perspective on ways that connection can heal you. This inspiring episode is a must! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

There are seasons in all of our lives where we feel so broken that we’re willing to do almost anything to stop the pain. For many of us, being willing to allow love to have an impact on us is often the last thing we want to do. The exposure we feel when we begin to trust others with our stories, and our hearts, can feel so terrifying that it seems nearly impossible to say yes to. But what happens when we feel so safe in a community that we choose to risk letting our walls down? In this episode Abi sits down with two unlikely friends, Ryan and Phillip, an oil field worker and an environmentalist, to discuss how they found common ground in a wildly diverse community. The two share their journey of learning how to be their most authentic selves through letting others love them. Ryan opens up about his tragic loss and Phillip shares the story of his near death experience in heaven that forever changed the way Ryan sees life. This episode will leave you in tears as you hear how a community of kind and loving people can create a safe enough environment to redeem even the most broken circumstances. You WON’T want to miss out! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

In a culture of achievement, productivity, and purpose, it’s possible to create a world where we’ve achieved our dreams, yet still feel like we’re missing out on life. The internal drive we have towards an end goal can be filled with chaos, while peace is nothing more than an idea far in the distance. But what if we could experience a successful life built on rest and connection? In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their friends and LCMC students Carly and Amos. Carly and Amos share about their lifestyle of radical love and entrepreneurship that has been full of accomplishment and impact, yet they’ve found themselves in burn out. They discuss the ways they’ve felt alone and trapped in the midst of an amazing life, and how the journey of learning to feel and connect to themselves has lead to living a whole spectrum lifestyle.  If you’re wanting to silence the chaos and get the most out of your time on earth, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach, while inspiring you with practical ideas on how to find peace and enjoyment right now! Don’t miss a second of it. Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

For many of us, when considering letting people into our lives, they’re either all in or all out. Progressively letting people into our hearts is rare and when we do gradually let them in, we rarely have clarity on the terms governing the relationship. Because of this we can often feel anxious or easily betrayed, but what if the connections we build could be created around more deliberate conditions? In this episode Justin and Abi explore the reasons they let people close to them, how they navigate setting expectations for others and themselves, what they do when a relationship needs adjusting, and how clarity creates a lifestyle of stability. If you want to feel powerful in relationships, while expressing a heart of love and care for others, this episode is a must! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Many of us believe that creating a successful life is centered around outward goals and actions. Though this can yield favorable results, the end product can often feel empty and pointless. But what if deliberately posturing our heart in ways that ignite connection, creativity, and hope were just as vital to actually experiencing a sense of fulfillment? In part two of this two part series Justin and Abi take a look at 8 fundamental  qualities that are necessary in the way we approach life if we want to feel and create a life well lived. They share how now matter where we’re at economically, socially, or relationally, we can all foster a life that feels abundant and purposeful. If you want to create a life that feels like it’s worth living, this two part series is perfect for challenging your paradigm and helping you to create new habits!  Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Success is often defined in the broader culture by enormous amounts of wealth, power, and notoriety. While this idea of success can feel tempting, it isn’t necessarily fulfilling to most people. At the heart of success is a sense of fulfillment unique to every individual’s life. And although it’s a unique experience, there are components that universally play a part in every person’s creation of it. In this two part series Justin and Abi sit down to discuss key foundations to creating a lifestyle of success. In part one they take a look at practical action steps every individual can take to experience the life they want to create. Though it’s easy to get stuck in our ways and believe we are the way we are, the qualities described in this episode are something every person can develop. If you’re wanting to get clarity on ways you can move your life closer to reflecting the hopes and dreams of your heart, this two part series is right up your alley! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

In part two of this two part series Justin and Abi’s close friend, fellow Life Consultant, and clinical psychologist Ruth Outram joins the conversation once again. In this episode Ruth takes us deeper into the impact of her belief system on her financial wellbeing. She shares about her battle with shame and the intolerable emotions she fought to avoid like anxiety and worry. She also discusses her practical process of rewiring her beliefs through deliberate actions. Together they tackle the common humanity we all share in our struggles, the difference between avoidance and hyper-fixation, and how having a healthy view of God’s nature can dramatically shift your life from lack to abundance. Lastly they take a look at the power of celebrating our victories while refusing to quit in any area of development. If you’re wanting relief and clarity on your approach to finances, or want a healthy approach to rewiring any part of your belief system, this episode is right up your alley! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Money is a tricky topic for many people. Conversations around finances are often taboo and filled with shame and condemnation. If we have too little of it, we feel like a failure, if we have too much of it, we feel guilty. It’s easy to live feeling like a prisoner to our emotions about money, but what if we could feel powerful and at peace with our finances? In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by their good friend and fellow Life Consultant Ruth Outram. Ruth opens up about her childhood and shares how the dynamics of her house shaped her view of finances. Together they discuss the places we disconnect from financial issues, the impeding doom many people feel regarding their futures, the ways we try to find safety through money, and the tremendous hope there is to correct all the things that feel broken and overwhelming. If you’re wanting to get emotional resolve and redefine your relationship with money, this episode will help set you on the path to making simple, yet powerful decisions that will impact your emotions and your bank account. You won’t want to miss a second of it! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Our attraction to others can often feel confusing and complicated. For many of us it’s easy to judge ourselves for the things we don’t understand about our desires. Without a better understanding of how we function it’s easy to create conclusions about ourselves and our identities. But what if clarity about our attraction and sexuality could break shame and bring freedom? In this episode Abi and Justin sit down with their good friend Ruth Outram, a clinical psychologist training to get her doctorate, to discuss the dynamics of attraction. Ruth shares how attraction is so much more than the limited view that culture has painted. She discusses the differences between adaptive and proceptive attraction and how being able to have curiosity with yourself and your attraction helps you to go on an authentic exploration of yourself, without the shaming shoulds. If you’re wanting a better understanding of yourself, and the way you romantically connect in relationships, this episode will help you have a more healthy approach and a perspective that will help break shame. Don’t miss out! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Can you imagine a world where you feel like a champ at fostering repair in conflict? When disconnection hits a relationship it can be really jarring. Without tools to reconnect we can feel overwhelmed, anxious, and out of control. It’s easy to feel like we’re failing, or just getting by. Sometimes, it can even feel hopeless and irreparable. But what if there were a few foundational principles that could set you up to feel like a boss at repair? In this episode Justin and Abi share about the failings and victories they’ve had in conflict with each other. They process the ways personal ownership, empathy, and compassion are vital to establishing a sense of safety and care fundamental to repairing a divide. They dive into the practical necessity of self-awareness and how narrating our inner emotions and intentions can be a game changer in difficult conversations. Lastly they discuss how we can become empowered in the repair process and feel successful regardless of how others show up. If you’re wanting a practical approach to feel more confident in conflict, this episode will lower the stakes and give you a better understanding of yourself and others! You won’t want to miss it! Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

We all desire a life filled with healthy connections. Unfortunately, the way we relate to others stops us from having the fulfillment we hope for. Oftentimes we assume the intent of other’s words, actions, and decisions. These judgements leave massive room for misinterpretation, creating chaos and disconnection. But what if something as simple as curiosity could restore working relationships, friendships, families, and marriages? In this episode Justin and Abi explore reasons as to why we often lean towards assumptions rather than curiosity. They discuss how our interpretation of the emotional energy people emit isn’t always indicative of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They share ways our assumptions may not only be incorrect, but also damaging to ourselves and others. Together  they paint a picture of how curiosity can be a breeding ground for grace, where healing and love can abound. If you’re wanting to foster a life of love, vulnerability, and intimacy, this episode will give you a major building block to create the foundation you need! Applications for our Life Consulting Master Class 2024 are happening now! Apply here: https://justinandabi.com/courses/life-consulting-masterclass/ Also, don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

As humans, we have an immense capacity to do damage to ourselves and the ones we love. The darkness of our decisions can leave our lives bankrupt and seemingly beyond redemption. With no where to run, and no one to run to, it’s easy to understand why many people give up all together. But, what happens when a miracle working Creator graciously intervenes in the most seemingly hopeless circumstances?  In this episode, Justin sits down at a Wyoming Men’s retreat for an awe-inspiring interview with a very special guest named Mike. Mike shares candidly about his history riddled with abuse, violence, and drugs. He opens up about the scandalous love of his Creator that met him at the brink of death and the undeserved grace that left him living in one of the most expensive zip codes in all of America. This episode is a hope filled reminder that the most broken situations can be turned into beautiful stories of restoration and redemption. No matter how much we’ve messed up, none of us are too far gone that we can’t find our way to an abundant life through grace. If you only listen to one episode this year, let this be the one! Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

What if it was possible to experience happiness and deep connection to yourself and others in the midst of illness? If we’ve been alive long enough, there’s a good chance that we, or a loved one, have been affected by some form of sickness. For many of us, the battle with health complications can take a toll not only our bodies, but on our emotions and the emotions of the ones we love. Sickness can leave people feeling disconnected and broken in many ways, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode Jonny and Pietze join the conversation to discuss their process of navigating Pietze’s chronic health issues. They shine a light on the power of being honest about the circumstances, how triggers can intensify the trauma surrounding sickness, and how finding compassion for yourself and the person you love is vital to creating connection and hope in difficult times.  If you’re wanting a dose of encouragement and wisdom on how to navigate circumstances that are beyond your control, while deepening the connection with the people you love the most, this episode is just what you’re looking for! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is open now until August 20th! Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

What if it’s possible to experience and express life in a way that leaves a fulfilling impact on us and the ones we love the most? For many of us, life can feel like a painful and mundane prison sentence that we’re forced to survive. Along the way we lose our spark of innocence and joy. It’s easy to believe that this is just the way life is, but what if it’s meant to be so much more? In this episode Justin and Abi dive into a vision casting conversation about the future of The Connected Life. They discuss the hope they have for all listeners to break free from apathy and experience a life filled with repair and redemption. They explore the possibilities of what a connected life could truly yield. Together they cast vision for the miraculous ways the knowledge of a loving creator can ignite adventure and create a beautiful story out of the messiest parts of our humanity. If you’re wanting a dose of encouragement that will help shatter limitations, while igniting a spark of hope for a for an engaging and fulfilled life, this episode is just what you’re looking for! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is open now until August 16th! Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Fostering an environment of love and connection within a community isn't easy. Creating a culture of authentic and powerful people requires a commitment to humility that can leave room for misunderstandings, judgments, and loss, leaving us wondering if it’s even worth it. But what happens when emotional healing paves the way for miraculous experiences that change the course of our lives forever? In one of the most inspiring episodes to date, Tiffany Matthews, co-senior leader of The Gate Church, joins the conversation to share the story of her emotional health revival and the impact it had on her community as a spiritual leader. She opens up about the difficulties of finding her voice in her marriage and as a leader, the pains of stewarding an evolving culture, and how emotional health is a foundational spiritual practice that sets the stage for literal miracles that create compounding healing and freedom. If you’re wanting to hear a story that shatters the boxes of mundane living, this episode is an invitation to a miraculous lifestyle that blows the ceiling off what you thought was possible. You definitely won’t want to miss this conversation! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is open now until August 16th! Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

What if our resistance to the inevitable was a root of unnecessary suffering and trauma? Often life has a way of delivering us circumstances that are different than we imagined. It’s easy to attempt to resist the reality in front of us in hopes of things changing, but they rarely do. Finding our power in all situations is possible and highly likely if we're willing to make simple adjustments to our approach.   In this episode Jonny and Pietze join the conversation once again to discuss the ways our circumstances are working for us if we’re willing to embrace the truth of what is. They talk about the process of learning to make peace with and participate powerfully in situations that aren’t ideal. They examine how a denial of reality perpetuates problems, creates chaos, and limits resolution, while acknowledging reality creates a sense of safety in our bodies and clarity in our minds. If you’re wanting more peace, hope, and joy as you navigate and overcome the obstacles in your life, this episode is just what you need to make that a reality! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is now open. Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Many of us are unknowingly living in resistance to the healing process, and for good reason. Awakening to the reality of our lives feels uncomfortable and scary. Often times we fear experiences and feelings that we hope to avoid. But what if the things we’re scared of having to face are already happening and denial is simply keeping us from getting out of the hell we’re already living in? In this episode Jonny and Pietze join Justin and Abi to discuss the price we have to pay in order to experience an abundant life. They explore the necessity of vulnerability in relationships and the impact love has on healing. They talk about the power of humble ownership and fostering a culture where it’s safe and normal to be imperfect. They redefine success in the healing journey while dismantling the myth that perfection is the end goal. Together they share how the power of forgiveness is revealed in the acknowledgment of our messiness. As we accept that perfect people don’t need a perfect God, but imperfect people do, radical love restores us to the truth of who we were always created to be. If you’re wanting to gain hope, clarity, and confidence as you’re working through the craziness of life, this episode is just what you need to lower the stakes and get equipped to keep moving forward! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is now open. Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

For most of us, managing our emotions is often the most difficult thing we face in life. We all have tendencies to react in ways that don’t represent our intentions, or our heart towards others. For parents, attempting to guide children through their emotions is especially difficult. But what if there was a way to navigate our feelings well and model behavior that could change the trajectory of a child’s emotional wellbeing? In part 4 of this series Jonny and Pietze return to help foster an understanding of how to develop a deep self-awareness and create clarity on emotional escalation. They lay a practical foundation to help parents and children identify their emotions, while discussing how to get a healthy release from overwhelming feelings. They discuss ways to create safety within ourselves that will help cultivate safety for others.  If you want to create a thriving environment where you better understand yourself, and can communicate your emotions more clearly, this episode will equip young and old alike with practical and empowering steps to do so! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is now open. Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

Anxiety is a universal human experience. Most of us are unequipped to know how to navigate and overcome it. Many of us learn at a young age how to dissociate, stuff the fear, and numb out. The long term affects are disconnection, panic attacks, and destructive coping mechanisms. But, what if families could get equipped with tools to move through anxiety and establish a culture of regulation and peace? In part 3 of this series Jonny and Pietze return to share about their process of tackling anxiety in their home. They look at the affects of their own emotions on their children, the ways they foster safety, and how they found their power as a parent in overwhelming circumstances. They discuss how they’ve compassionately responded to their kids anxiety, while helping them to develop resilience and fortitude to move through difficulties. Together they graciously examine the hurdles we all face as we learn to move through anxiety in the midst of our messiness. If you’ve ever battled with anxiety you’re not alone. This episode will help you to connect with compassion for yourself, your childhood, and others, while highlighting ways to engage the world moving forward. Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is now open. Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

With the overwhelming demands of life, most parents can barely survive their own emotions, let alone navigate their children’s ups and downs. It’s natural to want to train a child to be compliant, but what if the long-term results were emotionally stunted adults who are incapable of processing through emotions? What if there was an approach that could build trust and partnership, while creating lasting success for years to come? In part 2 of this series Jonny and Pietze invite us to join their Disneyland trip from hell, where everything that could go wrong did, but it didn’t cripple the families connection. They share about their failed attempts to manage their emotions, while navigating the kids’ unavoidable meltdowns. They explore the difference between compliance and resilience and how to move through an emotion rather than staying stuck in it. They discuss how resistance to accept the reality of a circumstance only intensifies problems. They give practical examples of taking ownership for their mistakes and how modeling this impacts the family. Lastly, they shine light on how your worst moments can become the greatest keys to developing safety and connection for everyone! If you’re wanting to become a healthy and empowered person that can create a loving and safe environment for your friends and family, this series will give you practical examples and tools necessary to get the process rolling! Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is now open. Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to download your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

No family is without its messiness. Most homes have their cycles of intensity, silence, disconnection, and chaos. Emotions are either shut down or dominate the culture. But what if there was hope to rewire even the most difficult situations and establish healthy expressions of emotions and ways to relate? In part 1 of this series, Pietze and Jonny join the show. They talk with Justin and Abi about their process of creating a connected family in the midst of chaotic life circumstances that were beyond their control. They discuss how practical steps can empower parents to make a lasting change in themselves and their children, without losing the house to domination or passivity. They cast vision for how regulation techniques can create healing and connection between spouses, while establishing a culture vital to the success of every family. Through hearing what humble ownership, compassion, and loving parenting can look like, this episode is an invitation to a healing experience for every listener. Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is now open. Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/ Don’t forget to watch your FREE Life Consulting MasterClass Validation Session: CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW

For most of us, fulfillment is something that hangs from a string, off in the distance, just out of our grasp. We wait  until the stars have aligned, and our list of expectations have been checked off, in order to be happy. Until then, we live dissatisfied and frustrated about the life right in front of us. But, what if it was possible to come alive to the goodness right now? In this episode Pietze and Jonny join Abi and Justin to discuss the chaos that emerged from lofty life expectations. They explore the impact these expectations had on the children and the pain it perpetuated in their marriage. Jonny shares about the torment that haunted him in his perceived pursuit of greatness. Together they layout the ways they broke free from the prison of their mind and how embracing the present moment has amplified happiness and joy for their entire family. If you’re wanting to create a fulfilled lifestyle now, this episode will shine a light on the many blindspots most of us have that keep us from all that we want. This is a MUST share episode. Also, enrollment for The Pathway to Freedom 2023 is now open. Sign up now: https://justinandabi.com/courses/the-pathway-to-freedom/

Every mother and daughter have their own unique story. The desire to have a healthy connection is universal but the reality of that kind of relationship is often different. For mothers and daughters that have a history of messiness it can sometimes feel difficult to navigate the muddy waters, if not impossible all together. But what if there were practical steps and a story that could infuse hope into the possibility of restoration? In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by Melanie and her daughter Amanda. The two open up about their strained relationship that grew from Melanie’s lifestyle of fear and her need to control. Amanda shares about her process of slowly and silently shutting down to the point of having no connection at all. Together they discuss how Melanie’s personal healing journey, and the process of writing a book together, bloomed into a deep connection and an understanding of each other.  If you’re wanting to hear a heartwarming story of hope and restoration that reminds you of the goodness and possibilities in this world, this episode is a MUST! And if you're wanting your FREE checklist mentioned in the episode, along with a notification on the release of this amazing book you can click here to get connected!  Signs for The Pathway to Freedom and applications for our 10-month Life Consulting MasterClass are happening now! Head to justinandabi.com to learn more.     

Physical sickness and pain are universally part of every human’s life. If we live long enough, we’re bound to experience our own sufferings or the sufferings of a loved one. Oftentimes we can feel inadequate to help, or judged by those that care about our condition. Suffering is difficult for everyone involved, but what if there is plenty of grace for ourselves and others in the midst of all the messiness?  In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their close friend and Psychologist, Ruth Outram. Abi continues her process of opening up about her chronic health issues, the ways she’s abandoned herself in the name of faith, and how she’s spent a lifetime of attempting to be unaffected by the experiences and judgments she’s faced along the way. Ruth shares about her participation as a psychologist and the ways we all feel inadequate and affected by the sufferings of those we care about. Together they discuss the gracious ways we can all create a space of love and understanding, free from blame and offense, in the midst of seemingly powerless circumstances. If you’ve ever had to hold space for someone that’s suffering, or been the one suffering, this episode will help you find compassion and understanding for yourself and everyone involved! 

Most of us are unaware that our nervous system has a radical impact on the story we tell ourselves about our day to day experiences. Traumatic events have ongoing affects in our body that can profoundly affect our sense of reality and our interpretation of relational exchanges. What if tending to our bodies had the power to redefine not only our experiences, but also our relationships? In this episode Abi sits down with her good friend and fellow Life Consultant Rachel Hughes. They discuss how your body holds on to trauma, the powerful affects of learning how to purposely regulate your body, and the helpful technique of resourcing or glimmers. Together they share strategies they’ve used to work through trauma, different ways to train your body to experience safety, and how regulation has affected Abi in her health journey. If you’re looking to get a better understanding of yourself from a holistic perspective, this episode will set a vital foundation in your pursuit of wholeness!

Rarely do we understand the far reaching affects of our spiritual beliefs on our psychological wellbeing. Under close examination, participating in any faith institution can have beautiful and messy repercussions in our lives. Understanding what we believe about the Source that created us is necessary to managing and healing our emotional state.  In this episode Rachel Hughes, a good friend and fellow Life Consultant, joins Abi and Justin. Abi shares about the affects her spiritual beliefs have had on her journey to physical healing and the impact that’s had on her mental health. Rachel opens up about the influence her own beliefs had on the loss of her mother-in-law. Together they dialogue about deconstructing the religious beliefs that hurt them, the hardships that have shaken the pillars of their faith, the hope they’ve found through redefining their view of God, and how pain can eclipse our view of a loving and involved Creator.  If you’ve ever wondered how your beliefs about God affect your life, this episode will help you better understand yourself and have compassion on your story. 

For most of us adults it’s easy to find ourselves resentful, disappointed, and cynical. The childlikeness and pleasure that we once had seems to have been stolen through our sufferings. We can find ourselves numb and just getting by. What if, however, there was hope to restore the joy, pleasure, and innocence we’ve seemingly lost? In this episode Justin and Abi highlight how our child self is unconsciously driving our adult lives. They give powerful tips on how to resolve the pain that’s surfacing. They discuss the difference between the childishness we all exhibit and the childlikeness that is necessary to restore the creativity and happiness we’ve lost along the way.  If you’re looking to add goodness to your life, this episode will give you hope and practical ideas to begin the process of rewiring the way you live! 

At the core of all humans there is a longing to belong and feel loved. To feel securely attached is to feel secure in love and connection. It’s easy for many of us to feel shaken and insecure in life when our attachments seem threatened. Many of us can feel tossed about by the ebbs and flows of our relationships. But what if there was a promise that we could feel securely connected at all times? In this episode Justin and Abi discuss the radical power of feeling connected to a loving God that is unrelenting in his affection for each of us. They explore ways that repairing our understanding of God, and letting go of our right to judge, can create stability, confidence, and the courage to risk wildly. If you’re wanting to hear about a hopeful view of God, that has the power to practically impact your life, this episode is just what you’re looking for!

For most of us, certain realities of our lives seem easier to face when we turn our heads and deny their existence. The thought of accepting the truth of our current experience can feel overwhelming and defeating. We even have a tendency to believe that acceptance leaves us powerless. But, what if acceptance is the first step to creating clarity and hope? In this episode Abi and Justin examine how resisting the facts of our reality leave us crippled and hopeless. They look at the ways acceptance is the doorway to finding joy and learning how to come alive. They explore how power is found in the wisdom to know the difference between what we can’t change and what we can change.   If you’re wanting courage to face something in your life that you’ve been avoiding, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and that you can take immediate steps to change the course of your circumstances right now!

Human trafficking globally is an estimated $150 billion a year industry. With estimates of 25-40 million people being trafficked at any given time, this business of modern day slavery is vastly under exposed. In such a large and nefarious enterprise, largely affecting the likes of vulnerable women and children, it’s easy to turn a blind eye to something that seems impossible to impact, but what if it wasn’t so impossible? In this episode Justin is joined by his good friend, Benji Nolot, an abolitionist and filmmaker. Benji discusses his work exposing the trafficking industry, how he was inspired, the personal affects this work has had on his life, his most recent film Buying Her, and how we can all participate in ending the demand that fuels modern day slavery.  If you have a desire to see justice and freedom for victims of oppression, this episode will move you, inspire you, and help you better understand the role you can play in bringing hope to the darkest parts of this world. This is a MUST listen to and SHARE episode!

Each of us have those times in life where we feel devastated to the core. Tragedy strikes and just getting out of bed feels impossible, yet seemingly triumphant. Sometimes it’s so tough it can feel like we’ll never bounce back. But what if in one year things would feel different? In this episode Justin is joined by his friend, and entrepreneur, Rebecca Bender. Rebecca, a sex trafficking survivor, shares candidly about her life on the the other side of her six years in the sex industry. She looks at the fairytale life people wanted for her, and the pieces she’s spent picking up over the last year and a half when her marriage didn’t have the Hollywood ending everyone hoped for. Rebecca offers hope and perspective for anyone that has gone, or is going through pain they didn’t plan for.  If you’re wanting to live a life of victory, this episode will lend you bravery and courage to face things you never thought possible. Be sure to share it with all those in need!

They say hindsight is 20/20. For many of us, it’s not always clear that we’re going to be okay, or that goodness is all around us, until we reflect on our past. The many things that should have destroyed us didn’t, and the times we thought we were on our own, grace showed up in the form of people that helped us. Sometimes stories of goodness are the inspiring shoulder we need to lean on when we don’t feel like we can take another step! In this episode Justin and his close friend Marcus Miller sit down to talk about beautiful stories, filled with goodness, from their own lives. They reflect on times of being scared and hopeless, while exploring the profound impact trust has had on their journeys. Together they discuss the powerful ways their belief in a really good Heavenly Papa has changed their lives for the better.  If you could use a dose of hope and joy, this episode is the boost you didn’t know you needed! Be sure to listen and dob’t forget to share it with all the people you want to see inspired!

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!

The process of healing and reconciliation is publicly discussed by many people, but it’s a rarity to get the opportunity to have a front row seat as an observer for the experience. In this unique episode Abi sits down with her best friend of over 30 years, Pietze. Together they get the chance to participate in helping to facilitate a live consulting moment with special guest Kat Pratten. Kat shares openly about her recent panic attack episodes and the self-abandonment that might have initiated them. Through a lot of love and compassion Kat finds herself getting some much needed care and a better understanding of her circumstances. If you’ve ever wanted to be a fly on the wall of an intimate moment of healing as it unfolds, you won’t want to miss this 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!

As humans, we are universally messy. Our actions and reactions are often times in conflict with what we want to do and who we want to be. It can feel much easier to ignore and deny the reality of parts of our lives that don’t seem very flattering or socially acceptable, but what if there’s something powerful about embracing the truth of our messiness? In this episode, Justin and Abi examine some of the reasons we avoid acknowledging the messy parts of our humanity. They talk about the ways we can experience a life of greater freedom and healing from getting honest with ourselves and others. They explore  how embracing and shining a light on their own messiness is transformative for the world around them. If you have areas in your life that you feel disqualify you, this episode will give you the courage to embrace the reality of where you’re at while giving you hope to move towards your dreams just as you are!

As time passes, all of us go through stages of change, for the better or worse. In the midst of creating ups and downs for ourselves, being known and understood is foundational to discovering how to thrive. For those that are willing to sacrificially love others, while choosing others that will love them in return, long-term friendship is possible and powerful. In this episode Justin is joined by his friend of almost 20 years, Craig Pickerill. They laugh up a storm as they reminisce about their rocky beginning and explore how powerful it’s been to have someone in their corner for so long. They talk about the ways loving one another has impacted them and how time or distance hasn’t been a determining factor to choosing each other. Together they investigate the difficulties many people face in letting someone get so close, yet cast hope for how a long-term friendship can impact those brave enough to allow someone to fully know them. If you’ve had pain in friendships, or are wanting to go deeper in the friendships you have, this episode will help you to heal from what was, be courageous towards and grateful for what is, and give you hope for what could be. You won’t want to miss this fun and heartfelt episode!

For most, there’s something surreal about a life of success and wealth. Driving our dreams is the idea that when we arrive at a specific destination we’ll be fulfilled. The details are different for everyone, but the hope of happiness in the distant future seems to stay the same. But what happens when you arrive and you don’t feel satisfied? Bryant Ellis, owner of The Adventure Challenge, joins Justin and Abi to share about his journey to rehab and the inspiration that followed. He opens up about winning Forbes 30 under 30 and the little satisfaction that it brought, much like the wealth, success, and all the big boy toys that he thought would settle his soul. He gives insight into the looming addiction that hid behind his denial, and how finding freedom has been through facing the pain that he’d been ignoring. If your looking for a conversation that will leave you laughing and inspire you to hope for a happiness that’s tangible, this episode is a MUST!

Separating ourselves from the nature of love leaves us feeling alone, in a state of fear and abandonment. This disconnection from love drives us to exhibit controlling behavior as we fight for a sense of safety and peace. Unfortunately, any safety or peace we experience through control is an illusion and short lived. In this final episode on faith and emotions, Marcus Miller joins the conversation to tackle the repercussions of our independence from a creator that is unrelenting love. Together they address the destructive nature of control and the joy that comes when we choose to surrender and trust in something much bigger than ourselves. If you’re ready to experience a life fully lived, this episode will give you a dose of hope and inspire you to step back and take a deep breath as you realize you’ve there’s a good Papa extremely invested in your story.

In our broken pursuit of feeling valuable, humans have a way of adopting a system of judgment where we can rank one another better than or less than. This hierarchy is based on our personal assessment of what makes something, or someone, good or bad. This arrogant approach to life dehumanizes some, while humanizing others, resulting in disconnected relationships, and a society lacking in compassion and understanding. Marcus and Breanna Miller return for another insightful conversation as the group discusses the common humanity that we all share. They expose the system of hierarchy within the faith institution of Christianity and explore God’s approach to humanity’s shared suffering. Together they look at how this affects our ability to love ourselves and enjoy the life right in front of us. If you have a value for growing in compassion and understanding for yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you, this conversation is just what you need to rewire the way you think and respond to life in general. Get ready for a deepening of love like you’ve never experienced!

It’s easy to lose the sense of who we are, and what we believe, for the sake of others in order to belong. We can find ourselves more concerned with following cultural systems, and the rules in these systems, than expressing ourselves in authentic ways. Denying the truth of who we are, what we feel, and what we need is at the foundation of codependancy. In this episode, Marcus and Brianna Miller join Abi and Justin to graciously explore the ways codependency affects human institutions, and the people within them. They hone in on faith and expose the ways we justify losing ourselves in religion through the lens of Christianity. Together they examine the ways Jesus related to the world through a sense of self and how his compassion was a direct reflection of his emotional intelligence. Living out of a healthy personal identity begins with finding freedom from the ways we minimize who we are for the world around us. Whether or not you’re a person that relates to the institution of Christianity, this episode will give you permission to become who you were made to be! Also, enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most! Class starts March 2nd 2022!

Neighbors can be difficult to love. They vote, believe, and talk differently. Their lifestyles might just contradict our entire value system. Our time with them, however, is limited. But what about the person in the mirror that you spend 24/7 with? If you don’t love them well, your neighbor doesn’t stand a chance. Marcus Miller joins Abi and Justin as they discuss the hesitancy to love yourself in the faith community. They address the narcissistic selfishness that people fear loving yourself will produce. Together the shatter destructive paradigms as they explore what the Creator's heart is around self-love. If you have a value for growing in love towards the world around you, and living a healthy life, this is an episode perfect for you! Also, enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most! Class starts March 2nd 2022!

Emotions tend to get a bum rap in faith communities. Often times the two are treated as mutually exclusive and emotions have the potential to be seen as enemies of faith. But what if emotions and faith were designed to coexist? In this 5-part series Marcus and Brianna Miller join the Stumvolls. They attempt to tackle the many examples throughout faith that give legitimacy to emotions. They examine God’s expression of emotions as well as His grace for them in the human experience. If you’ve ever been part of a faith institution that looks down on emotions, or simply dismisses them, this series will bring you clarity and give you confidence to embrace your humanity and the many gifts it offers! Also, enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most! Class starts March 2nd 2022! Remember to Rate, Review, Subscribe, and Share!

In a noisy, media-driven world, filled with politics, drama, and plenty of expectations, it’s easy to stay focused on anything other than connection to our own heart. But what if it all suddenly stopped and we were forced to embrace a moment of solitude that left us nowhere to run? In this episode Justin returns from a divinely inspired 8-day trek into the Texas desert, where he found himself face to face with feelings he didn’t know he had. Justin shares with Abi the struggles he encountered as all the noise quickly faded away and the real wrestle began. Through incredibly authentic transparency, he reveals some of the deepest aches that surfaced as he surrendered to the silence and chose in to connecting with himself. Though scary at times, a purging and liberation emerged from his experience. If you’re wanting inspiration and courage to tackle some much needed reconnection to yourself, this is unique story is just what the doctor ordered! Also, enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most! Class starts March 2nd 2022!

Getting confronted is rarely easy. Often times, confrontation can feel like it’s coming out of nowhere. Without the proper tools and understanding of how to respond, conversations that are seemingly low stakes can snowball into disaster. But what if you could be prepared for even the worst and messiest confrontations? In this episode, Justin and Abi tackle the task of helping to equip people who are being confronted. They break down multiple steps that will lower the anxiety for anyone on the receiving end of a difficult conversation, while empowering them with clearly defined actions they can take to have the maximum potential for a successful dialogue. If you’re wanting to lower the chances of getting caught off guard when a confrontation arises, and looking for ways to feel more in control of yourself, this episode is a MUST. Also, enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most!

Coming face to face with the attacker that left your daughter for dead should bread feelings of hatred and revenge. But what happens when love and compassion echo louder than the scars left on the heart of an entire family? In the final episode of this three part series Steve and his daughter Mariah talk about the redemptive moments that began to unfold with Kimmi on the other side of her brutal attack. They share how the power of love and compassion led the way in Steve’s newfound approach to his daughter as she began her healing journey. Steve talks about the detailed account of the attackers court sentencing and reads the family impact statement that left the court, and the attacker, in shock and tears. This episode will leave your life forever impacted as one family shares what it looks like to extend radical love and compassion to the most unlovable. Don’t miss one of the most powerful episodes The Connected Life has ever shared! Enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most! Class starts March 2nd 2022!

Without miraculous intervention, tragedies have a way of devastating people beyond repair. Most people would be overcome by hopelessness after being told that the likelihood of their daughter coming out of a permanent vegetive state is next to impossible. But what happens when faith the size of a mustard seed takes root? In part two of this three part series, Steve and his daughter Mariah share their families story of facing insurmountable odds as they come to terms with the tragic reality of their loved one’s horrific assault. Through the power of prayer and forgiveness, the family finds themselves experiencing physical and emotionally supernatural healing in the face of something that should have broke them all. Together they reveal the beauty they found in all the pain. A story of healing, tragedy, and redemption, this series will give you hope for the worst circumstances, and reveal radical, miraculous forgiveness and compassion that only comes from connection to an unrelentingly loving Creator. This is one of the most impactful series The Connected Life has done to date and you WON’T want to miss it! Enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most! Class starts March 2nd 2022!

Choosing to get honest with ourselves about the reality of our upbringings can often times feel incredibly difficult. The implication that our families are imperfect means that there is a good probability that healing is necessary. But the invitation is always for an opportunity to experience a life fully lived. In part one of this three part series Justin and Abi sit down with Mariah and her father Steve as they share how Mariah’s choice to get honest with herself began the journey of profound healing for the rest of the family. Through tough conversations Steve found himself face to face with his own demons that kept him in years of destructive cycles. Finding grace through a simple yes, Steve not only found love and compassion that started to heal himself and those he loved the most, but he also got equipped for a battle no family should ever be forced to fight. A story of healing, tragedy, and redemption, this series will give you hope for the worst circumstances, and reveal radical, miraculous forgiveness and compassion that only comes from connection to an unrelentingly loving Creator. This is one of the most impactful series The Connected Life has done to date and you WON’T want to miss it! Enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! Be sure to check out www.justinandabi.com to find out how you can experience a life fully lived for yourself and the ones you care about the most! Class starts March 2nd 2022!

Dreaming for life is so often ineffective that most people find themselves hopeless and disappointed, and for good reason. People’s approach to dreaming can be haphazard and lofty. But what if you could deliberately set yourself up for successful dreams that crush disappointment and create long-term affects? In the final episode of 2021, Justin and Abi explore the necessity of reviewing our previous year through the lens of celebration and honesty. Looking back on what worked and what didn’t is the first step to breeding hope for the next year, while creating vision for what you want to see changed. They discuss how a foundation of humility is at the epicenter of a balanced approach to dreaming for life. They give practical tips on coming up with doable dreams, while fostering vision for bigger things and leave you with everything you need to launch into the life you want in 2022. If there’s only one episode you listen to stepping into 2022, make this the one! Happy New Year! Early Bird Enrollment for Living Fully Alive 2022 is happening now! December 27th- December 31st 2021 head to justinandabi.com to join Living Fully Alive. Use the code earlybird2022 at the check out and save $100   Class starts March 2nd 2022!

For most people, Christmas is laced with nostalgia. Moments of goodness reminding us of the beauty and joy of being a child. For some it can be a bit more difficult, but goodness is waiting to be found in our history and created in our future. In this episode Justin and Abi reflect on childhood memories that make this season warm and special. They talk about fun moments and traditions that make them smile while challenging listeners to make the most out of the season right in front of them. If you want to start the New Year off right, you’ll want to listen to this episode and get inspired to remember all the good things that makes this holiday so special!

If we’re all honest with ourselves, we’ve all, at some point or another, felt unloveable. In this state of being, it’s easy to feel alone, sad, and even hopeless. Life can seemingly deliver us insurmountable odds that leave us feeling down and out. We can feel misunderstood and unworthy of goodness and opportunities. But what if everything can change? What if a hope filled lifestyle is possible? In this episode Justin and Abi dive into the power of Christmas. They explore why this seasonal tradition is so much more than a holiday and how it’s a game changer for all of humanity. Together they shine a light on the wholehearted and humble connection God has made with all of us and how this profound act validates the presence of unconditional love that meets you where you’re at in your story. If you’re ready for some good and hopeful news in this season, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

Christmas, like many holidays comes with a mixture of emotions and experiences. For some it can be a sad and difficult time, while for others it be one of the most exciting times of the year. Regardless of your stance on holidays like this one each of us has the power to make it something filled with joy and connection. In this episode, Justin and Abi talk about the true heart of Christmas and they discuss practical ways to make it a fulfilling holiday for you and others around you. They share their own personal stories of spreading Christmas cheer and invite listeners to participate in a really cool give away to help touch people’s lives during the holidays. If you want to know how to make the most out of Christmas this episode will do so much more than fill your stocking! Don’t miss a chance to be an integral part of spreading love and goodness, listen now!

Self-Care is often misinterpreted as a shallow, selfish, narcissistic romp rooted in endless spa days, trips with your friends, buying a ton of needless material junk, and gorging yourself on sugary delights until type 2 diabetes kicks into overdrive. But is all of that really self-care? In this episode, Justin and Abi tackle the false sense of self-care that has been perpetuated by a disconnected culture. They explore practical ways to live a balanced life of self-care that reconnects you to yourself, others, and the life right in front of you. If self-care seems selfish, doesn’t make sense, or never really leaves you feeling more fulfilled, this practical guide to self-care is for you!

At a young age, through nature and nurture, we find ourselves being wired to relate to the world in ways that aren’t always freeing. For many of us, we operate out of the extremes of co-dependance or independence. This can leave us believing things about others that isn’t true to their feelings. If we’re not put in check, this bleeds into our interactions and understandings of the One who created us. In this episode, Abi and Justin explore how our childhoods, and learned ways of relating to life, skew our view of God while defining our interactions with Him. Together they paint a picture of a loving God that may just redefine everything you’ve ever known about the One that created you. If you’re wanting to experience a life of goodness, truly understanding who created you is vital to that desire, making this episode a must!

The emotional health journey can sometimes feel like being trapped on a hamster wheel while the sounds of children chanting, “Are we there yet?!” echo out in the background. But what if emotional health isn’t about a destination, as much as a way of life? In this episode Justin and Abi explore 10 signs that point towards a lifestyle of wholeness. Together they lower the stakes on emotional health and invite listeners to have a more compassionate and understanding approach to their journey of wellness. If you’re looking for a comprehensive checklist to prove that you’re healthy, this podcast isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for encouragement in your journey of growth and development, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

(Updated Audio) Social media has woven itself into humanity in a way, that since its inception, an entire generation can now say they have never known a life without it. This medium of human interaction has changed the way we relate to ourselves and the people around us, for better and for worse. In a world that seems to live in a virtually curated space the question of our existence, if we aren’t plugged into the system, haunts many of us. In this episode Abi and Justin get the honor of chatting with Stephanie, a Gen Z/Millennial baby raised in a world of tech and social media. Awakened to the prison she’d been born into, Stephanie bravely looked inward for answers to why she felt trapped and what she could possibly be missing in the life that existed right in front of her. This tale of self-discovery epitomizes what it is to connect to your heart and the beauty that comes from learning how to be present. Stephanie’s decision to disconnect and completely delete her social media life will be shocking and unbelievable to some, while liberating and hope inducing for others. If you’re wanting to truly create a connected life, this inspiring story of disconnecting might be the first step necessary to experience the life you’ve always dreamed of. You won’t want to miss this episode!

Each of us has a story. This story is the collection of our experiences that shape our beliefs and decisions. Knowing and understanding our story is the first step to compassion and healing. Each of our stories is vital to humanizing ourselves and the world around us. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about the impact of connecting to their stories and explore the difficulties we all face when we’re disconnected from our own stories. Together they shine a light on the hurdles each of has to face in order to get honest with ourselves, while highlighting the tremendous benefits this kind of life creates for the world at large. If you’re determined to become a more caring, loving, and whole person, connecting to your story is a necessity! You won’t want to miss this episode.

The human soul has basic necessities. When we’ve been starved long enough of the things we need an inner war ensues as we ravenously gorge to feed the aching hunger within. Only through the nourishment of nurturing love and care can we find the balanced healing we need. In this episode, Justin is joined by fellow Life Consultant Rachel Hughes. Rachel shares about the physical hunger she experienced through a neglectful childhood that led to an eating disorder. She details her journey of leaving Thailand at 16 and moving to America on her own. She shares how the pain of her childhood, and her disorder, found a way to resolve themselves through intense marriage difficulties and the death of a loved one. If you’ve ever had problems that felt bigger than you, or operated out of coping mechanisms that didn’t best represent you well, Rachel’s story will remind you that you’re not alone and there’s hope no matter what you’ve been through.

On average, we make 35,000 decisions each day. For some, decisions are seemingly made quick and easy with little thought behind them, leaving a trail a problems resulting from the lack of consideration. For others, decisions feel overwhelming and laced with anxiety, creating paralysis and stagnancy. But what if decision making was a beautiful balance of thoughtful wisdom and trust? In this episode Abi and Justin explore the detriments of each end of this pendulum while addressing the foundational beliefs necessary to healthily approach decision making. They talk about strategies to dismantle the fear that encompasses life decisions while highlighting ways to engage in a sense of self-awareness so as understand how your choices affect the world around you. If you want to feel powerful, purposeful, and deliberate in your decision making this episode is just for you!

Change comes with many unknowns and emotions. For some, change is the perceived savior of their circumstances, while for others, it’s the villain of their story. Regardless of what it is to each person, one thing is for sure, it’s universally part of the human experience. In this episode Justin is joined by his dear friends Brianna and Marcus Miller. The two of them share about an intense year of transition, how they each responded to the difficulties it brought, and the gifts that change delivered to their doorstep. Together, through a nuanced exploration of change, they compassionately humanize the emotions we all experience when life begins to shift. If you’re ready to get the most out of the change that life brings to your doorstep, this episode will be instrumental in your journey!

Faces of people screaming and college campuses littered with safe spaces are often the things that come to mind when someone makes mention of triggers. A sense of some villain offending an innocent onlooker with words or deeds deemed as triggering is the common perception of the subject. But what if triggers were something much more? In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their assistant Flo. Flo shares her misperceptions around triggers while diving into the empowerment and healing she’s found as she’s had her perspective so profoundly changed. Through a beautiful moment of vulnerability she lets her guards down and allows the Stumvoll’s to dig in deep to explore her history and discover a new truth about herself. This enlightening and tender episode will challenge the way you think and bring healing to your soul. You don’t want to miss it!

There’s no definitive manual on how to raise children. Often times parents find themselves feeling overwhelmed and out of control. More discipline, or more rewards, is the usual approach to behavioral correction. But what if learning how to regulate your inner world brought a level of resolution to theirs? In this episode Jonny and Pietze share how their road to self-discovery, and finding healing for their triggers, restored the peace and balance in their children’s lives. Through self-reflection, Jonny highlights the parallels of his parenting towards his son and his experience as a child with his own parents. In a moment of tenderness he shares his powerful conclusion that forever redirected the course of his relationship with his son. If you’re a parent, or wanting to understand more about your own childhood, this episode will change the way you see parenting and equip you to feel capable and confident to face the hardest circumstances head on. 

What if resolve and reconnection after years of pain, misunderstandings, and disagreements was possible? What if the relationships that matter the most, yet have been the messiest, could be restored? In this epic finale to our five part series, Jonny and Pietze share about their powerful revelations as Jonny came to the end of himself and exposed his greatest fears. Through serendipity, Jonny explains how his time editing the video for an emotional health course radically enlightened his reality and forever changed the trajectory of his life and marriage. Ending the battle with his circumstances, while accepting them for what they were, thrust Jonny into a season of facing life head on as he began to learn how to make the best out of the cards he was dealt. Through ownership, transparency, and trust, Pietze and Jonny found a way back to their first love, giving hope for anyone else that’s been to hell and back. Don’t miss this profound and hopeful conclusion that will leave you forever impacted!

Life occasionally has a way of dealing us one blow after another until we’re lying face down in a pool of our own blood and tears. No matter how hard we try, changing our outward circumstances is nothing more than a short term bandaid. But there is hope! In part 4 of 5 Pietze and Jonny expose the hardest parts of marriage and highlight their failed attempts at trying to reconcile their difficulties. They reflect on the external chaos that consumed their lives and discuss how they awakened to the reality that a better life was only possible through facing their internal world.    If you’ve ever felt stuck in the trials life hands you, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and there is something you can do about it.

Every great story of fiction has a protagonist and an antagonist, a villain and a hero so to say. But real life isn’t quite that cut and dry. Just like a coin, every story has two sides. When each side is examined, often times, black and white suddenly becomes grey. In part three of this five part series, Pietze and Jonny shine a light on their hidden fears that drove so many of their actions. Without any sense of shame they model what it looks like to take ownership for what they co-created while extending grace, compassion, and forgiveness to one another. This episode is a refreshing guide at how to navigate any friendship, relationship, or marriage. You won’t want to miss a moment of it!

We all do things to the people we care about the most that we wished we hadn’t. Often times we avoid looking back because the past is riddled with blame, shame, regret, and condemnation. But what if a return to our history, with the right perspective, could repair the life right in front of us? In part two of this five part series, Pietze and Jonny dive into the messiness that ensued after getting married. They share about the effects of their coping skills and explore some of the motives behind their actions. Through the clarity that's created by looking back, they acknowledge their mistakes while having compassion on themselves. This riveting series will help you to humanism yourself and the people you care about the most. You won’t want to miss an episode!

Getting married and starting a new life together can be brutal for anyone. Navigating how to surrender your life to a partnership of give and take is difficult as it is. But, for an ever growing select few that choose to get married very young, the hurdles could be insurmountable. In this episode Pietze, Abi’s best friend, and her husband Jonny join the podcast for this five part series. They shine a spotlight on their teenage romance and the survival tools they used to get through their formative years. Together they touch on Jonny’s lifestyle of dissociation and set the stage to understand the long term problems for being ill prepared for married life. This series will make you laugh, cry, and reflect like never before. You don’t want to miss out!

The institution of the church has a history of feeling unsafe and judgmental for many people. Like any system, it has humanity’s thumbprint of messiness all over it. But sometimes the systems that hurt us, have a gift within to heal us. In this episode, Pietze joins Abi and Justin once again to discuss her return to the institution of the church. They process how Pietze found resolution and examine together what it is to follow a redeeming God we can trust. Through a humble acknowledgment of their own messiness, they invite people to let go of the hierarchy they have that keeps them believing they’re better than others. If you need resolution with any kind of institution, this episode is a massive step to getting there.

There comes a time for all of us when everything we know is challenged. Our world is shaken and the foundation that we’ve stood on for a lifetime begins to crumble below us. In this episode, Pietze joins the crew once again to dive deeper into her story. She opens up about her life shattering season that redefined her relationship with God. Together they investigate the ways she explored her connection to her creator outside of the religious institution and the lasting impact of this vital experience. If you could use a dose of authenticity surrounding faith and self discovery, this episode is just what the doctor ordered!

Religion has a way of stripping individuals of their humanity and demanding perfection through performance. This behavior is detrimental to everyone involved. In this episode Abi’s lifelong friend, Pietze, joins Abi and Justin. Pietze shares about her upbringing as a Pastor’s kid and the painful affects institutionalized religion had on her family. Together they take a gracious look at the driving force behind people’s destructive actions, while humanizing everyone involved. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve had to throw out your personality, desires, and voice to become acceptable in the sight of any group, this episode is for you.

Being single is great when you want in to be that way, but when you’re looking for a long term commitment, it can start feeling difficult real quick. Though there can be many reasons for long term singleness, not all of it has to be inexplicable. In this episode, Abi and Justin shine a light on some of the mysteries surrounding undesired singleness. Through reflecting on years of investigative work with single clients, they share some of the repetitive reasons they see people inadvertently staying single. Through humor and a non-judgmental approach they give nuggets of wisdom to reflect on and apply to your own unique scenario. If you’re wanting to understand yourself or your single friends better, this compassionate conversation is just the thing to bridge the gap!

Fear can be debilitating for anyone, but it’s nothing more than the barrier between us and the destiny of who we were created to be. Having it is not the problem but being unwilling to face it is. Unaddressed fears have a way of squelching our creativity and ultimate our vision. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In part two of this two-part episode, Justin is joined by business partners and brothers-in-law Robby and Daniel. Justin investigates the fears they’ve been required to face as young entrepreneurs, husbands, and fathers. They share their journey of developing vision for every facet of life and the sense of exposure that comes with boldly choosing to take control of the helm of their own ship. Through boldness and bravery, these two model what it is to face your fears, cast your net, and trust in a higher power to bring in the catch. If you’re wanting to be part of a relatable conversation that will help you feel supported in your process of becoming who you were created to be, this episode won’t disappoint!

It’s easy for any of us to go through some of life’s biggest storms and to feel like it’s the beginning of the end, or that there’s no way we’ll ever recover. However, every great story of adventure has seemingly insurmountable odds set before the sojourner. To the one who refuses to give up, a chest filled with unforeseen treasure awaits. In this episode Justin sits down with long time clients Daniel and Robby to explore their business partnership and the difficulties, including an actual shipwreck, that set the tone and direction for their future. They share how embracing their story, and who they are, has created a multimillion-dollar business out of a string of misfortunes and failures. Through refusing to give up in the face of adversity, these brother in-laws have developed the grit, gratitude, and grace to be successful business leaders, husbands, friends, and fathers.  If you want to get inspired, learn how to stay connected to the moment in front of you, and have vision for your future, part one of this two part episode is just for you.

Developing camaraderie amongst men can be as simple as creating a common goal that requires a collective group to band together in order to achieve it. Be it building a house, playing sports, going to war, or taking down the Death Star, a goal is often all that’s needed. But building intimate connection is a much grandeur task. In this episode Justin and his close friend Marcus open up about their friendship and share about the foundational building blocks necessary to create a lasting bond. They explore varying phases of vulnerability and the obstacles men often face when attempting to create this essential human experience. Whether you’re a man or a woman, this conversation is vital to understanding the human condition and to establishing connection that is heartfelt and full of depth. You won’t want to miss it!

Whether we understand it or not, family plays a vital role in experiencing a life of stability and confidence. For many of us, our family of origin can be messy, painful, and sometimes evoke instability. The beauty of life is that family isn’t limited to blood relatives. Through graciously unique circumstances we can experience the love and connection we were all designed for. In this episode Justin sits down with his dear friend Katrina to have a conversation six years in the making. They discuss the shockingly abnormal event that would forever bond their lives together. Through care, and brave vulnerability, they forged a family connection that would last a lifetime and redeem circumstances that had yet to happen. If you’re wanting vision and inspiration to to help you imagine the unlikely ways your dreams and desires can be fulfilled, this heartwarming story of radical trust is just for you!

It can be easy to find ourselves consumed with regret and paralyzed with pain when we contemplate the dreams and desires that never panned out the way we dreamed they would. Without proper acceptance, we can’t properly grieve and move forward. In this second part of a two part episode, Abi further discusses her grief process that gone on as she has accepted she will never birth her own children. She shares about the power of acceptance and how this has led to building momentum towards what her unique story is meant to look like. If you’ve experienced not having the dreams for your life come into fulfillment the way you expected and are needing a dose of hope and inspiration, this episode is a must!

Most of us have an idea of what we think our life should look like. Our education, job, friends, family, and marriage are just a few aspects that we think have to turn out a certain way. But then they don’t, and reality sinks in leaving us to grieve what wasn’t or didn’t happen. In this episode Abi bares it all in her most vulnerable time of sharing on the podcast as she talks candidly with Justin about her pain of not having children. Together they open up about their decision around children and the grief that followed. If you’re looking for a genuine story of humanity that will challenge you to accept what is and leave you feeling like you’re not alone in your experience, this episode is for you.

Many people believe that “success” just happens to a select lucky few, or for those that simply keep their head down and work hard. But what if success has ingredients like a cocktail that anyone can make? In this episode, Abi and Justin define their version of success and investigate some of the key ingredients that are fundamental to seeing the dreams of a person’s heart become reality. They highlight the truths in tension that govern the journey of success while taking the pressure off of the outcome. If you’re looking for clarity to help guide you as you create the life you’ve always wanted, this is a MUST listen to episode.

In part two of this two part episode, Abi and Justin sit down again with friend and fellow Life Consultant Laura Duncan. Together they take a deep dive into the pain and shame that is the foundation for sexual addiction. Through compassion they shine a light on the subject and reveal how, in our common humanity, we all find ourselves coping in destructive ways, making us all the same. Through Laura’s insight into the development of children, she shares practical tips and tools on how to help parents navigate a rather tricky landscape. If you’re a human in the 21st Century this is a MUST listen to episode.

In a world culture that has instant access to pornographic material it’s realistic that so many people, both men and women, would use, or have addictions to this type of content. For those that are aware of the destructive nature of this content, there’s a longing to find freedom from it, but often little understanding as to why they engage it in the first place. In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by their good friend and fellow consultant Laura Duncan. Laura shares about her history of helping men and women discover what the real problem is that leads to unhealthy expressions of sexuality. Together they compassionately explore the many “needs” and emotions individuals have, but don’t meet or express, that lead to self-destructive sexual patterns. If you’re wanting to understand how you or others are driven down the path of engaging with pornography, this episode starts the process of doing just that!

Are you a turtle or a hailstorm? The way we attach to one another is critical to understanding our behavior and connection in relationship. Through our childhood experiences we learn how to connect and this style of connection affects how we express ourselves in relationships as adults. In this episode Abi, Justin, and their close friend Ruth begin the conversation about attachment styles. Understanding your attachment style is critical to relating healthily to one another. The more you know about how you attach, the more deliberate you can be in creating secure attachments that deepen the bond between you and the people you care about the most. If you want to understand yourself better and create a lifestyle of healthy confrontations, this episode is for you!

House renovations can be daunting. They come with blood, sweat, and tears you didn’t know you had the capacity to shed. They’re expensive and time consuming, and, for anyone doing it for the first time, there’s a learning curve and a lot of unknowns. But in the end, it’s worth it. In this episode Justin and Abi discuss the parallels between renovating a home and renovating your heart. They break down personal transformation in a practical way that helps everyone engaging the process feel supported through a better understanding of what to expect and how to  go about it in peace and patience. If you’re developing and growing in your emotional health, this episode is for you!

The pathway to healing and freedom isn’t easy, and it certainly doesn’t happen alone. When our process is walked out openly and vulnerably, within community, our bravery has the power to inspire contagious courage  in others, while liberating them at the same time. In this episode Abi and Justin share a dramatically powerful healing moment that takes place publicly in the life of former guest Ryan Opfer. Through taking a major risk, Ryan finds himself unintentionally helping others while discovering he’s loved and not alone in his process. If you’re looking for raw and authentic, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Being honest with our family can sometimes feel more scary than any other people in our lives. The people that we care about the deepest are the ones we feel most terrified of being rejected by. But facing the fears we have with our family can be the catalyst to a life fully lived. In this episode Abi and Justin sit down with their dear friend Courtney and her mom Katie. Together they share about the scariest parts of their relationship and the bravery they mustered to tackle the tragic loss that forever changed their lives. Through truth and tragedy this mother-daughter duo found triumph, and so can you! If you’re needing hope and inspiration for your life, you won’t want to miss this episode!

People oftentimes wonder what the quick fix is to experiencing change in their lives. Although there is no magic pill, there is a fundamental component to the transformation process that gives people a guaranteed boost of momentum, and strength, that is rarely discussed. In this episode, Abi and Justin sit down with their mutual close friend Ruth Outram. Together they discuss her scientific and practical understanding of personal development through group belonging and community exchanges. Abi and Ruth breakdown their shared experiences of leading groups of people through equipping and empowering individuals to be a resource for one another. If you’re wanting to create a fulfilled life, understanding the power of group relationships is a monumental must and this episode is for you!

Humans are naturally messy. The healing process is no different. For parents, It can be difficult to take an honest look at how their pain and actions have affected their children. Coming to terms with hurting the ones we love is never easy, but the first step to repairing a broken relationship is to find healing for oneself. In this episode Abi and Justin interview Nina and Francois about their steps to finding wholeness and the impact it’s having on their family. They share an intimate healing moment surrounding multiple miscarriages and how community has been a vital component to the success of their experience. Get prepared to laugh, cry, and receive a fresh injection of hope no matter where you are in your process!

Life has a way of throwing us curve balls. For most of us, it’s a rarity to be prepared for these unforeseen circumstances when they hit our lives. Many of us can find ourselves devastated with little hope of bouncing back. But, what if it was possible to have even an inkling of incite before bombs detonated? In this final episode of the faith series, Abi and Justin are joined once again by their dear friend Pietze. Pietze shares about the spiritual insight she received that gave her the necessary strength and courage she needed to face the enormous bomb that dropped on her life. Together the three explore how the power of a few simple phrases, from a source greater than our humanity, can be the lifeline in our greatest trials. If you or someone you care about is in need of hope, this is a must listen to episode. 

Throughout history people from all walks of life have believed that they could gain insight into their future, as well as others futures through one means or another. Many ancient texts are filled with prophecies regarding mankind. But what happens when we as humans have a direct relationship with an unconditionally loving Creator that wants to talk to us? In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by Pietze, Abi’s best friend. They take a critical look at the role of prophecy in life, dating, and marriage, while exploring freedom of choice. They discuss the messiness of learning how to hear God’s voice and how they posture themselves after years of trial and error. If it seems fascinating to hear about your life and your future from the one that created you, or you’re trying to weed through past confusion in this area, this episode is a must.

For every bit of deconstruction of one’s faith, there must be a reconstruction of something, otherwise the end result will only be demolition. In this episode Abi talks to Justin about the foundational tenants of his faith that guide his life after reconstructing what he spent years deconstructing. He shares the truths he now holds dear and why they're so valuable to him. Together they invite you to discover what your foundation will be when everything has been torn apart and put back together. If you’re looking to build a life of faith that won’t easily be shaken, this episode is a must!

The message often conveyed through religion is one of self-deprecation and unworthiness. A system of principles based on caring for others without regard for oneself leaves many people feeling broken, bitter, and burned out. Without a proper balance, people are bound to find themselves living a lifestyle of codependency and frustration or narcissism and elitism. In this episode Justin and Abi address the lack of self-love within the message of religion. They explore how this lack of love creates a sense of self-abandonment. They discuss ways to live a balanced spiritual life, founded in self-love,  that results in other-centered, servant-hearted love. If you’re needing a good detox from a belief system that minimizes the value of your life, this episode will help you find a healthy balance!

The journey to deconstruct one’s faith can be filled with beauty and pitfalls. Some will find themselves reconstructing what was torn down, while others will leave their lives demolished and in disarray. In this episode, Abi and Justin explore their own seasons of deconstruction. They discuss the ways their personal experience with the process liberated them and the ways they made messes in the midst of it all. They highlight the vital importance of grace and humility necessary to healthily walk through this kind of passage, while looking candidly at the potential outcome of walking away bitter and resentful. If you’re going through a hard season of faith, or you know someone who is, this episode is filled with hope, inspiration, and a roadmap to clarity!

As humans we were designed to be progressively growing, evolving, and maturing. The process for this to happen can often look messy and feel very disrupting, especially in relation to faith. In order to express a life of mature love, however, this journey is a must.  In this episode Abi and Justin explore the six phases of faith with Australian author and poet, David Tensen. Together they begin tackling a cultural faith term that can have either scary or liberating connotations known as “deconstruction”. They examine the necessity of questioning your beliefs and how the unavoidable life breakdowns are a natural phase of life meant to bring freedom, if we’ll humble ourselves and embrace the invitation. If you’ve ever had a faith crisis, or been concerned about someone who has, this is a must listen to and share episode!

Like anything else, religion is filled with rules and ideologies that we adopt as the truth we should live by. If we spend enough time in any system, we will all eventually be faced with circumstances that invite us to question what we believe. In this episode, Justin and Abi talk about some of the key misconceptions about life that they learned from religion and how it affected them. They challenge systems of hiddenness and level the playing field for all humans. No matter what faith you ascribe to, this episode will cause you to question what you’ve been taught and invite you to discover what you really believe to be true about faith, life, and love. 

For many, faith and mental health simply don’t mix. People either have strong spiritual practices that lack practical understanding of the human condition or they lack any type of spirituality and their tools for self-help are their religion. In this episode Abi and Justin bridge the gap between faith and emotional health as they discuss the need for spiritual and practical answers to the human condition. Through a lens of compassion, they discuss the detrimental problems that arise when leaders of faith deny the much needed practical tools presented by the mental health community while addressing the need and power of a spiritual encounter. If you’re looking to create a life that’s full and well rounded this balanced conversation might just be the answer you’re looking for.

Since the beginning of time, religion has been a universal thread throughout humanity. Though varying immensely in its expression from culture to culture, the sad but common bond of performance ties them all together. In this episode Justin and Abi use their Christian faith as the focus of dialogue to explore how all expressions of faith are built on a hierarchal structure. These structures are mankind’s way of attempting to get to God, leaving those ascribing to this system judging themselves and others. If we are ever to find our way back to the arms of love that we came from, performance MUST be eradicated from our faith. If you’ve been burnt or burned out by religion, or you’re looking for a more authentic way to express your faith, this episode is a must.

Faith can be a touchy subject for many people. For some, faith is what miraculously saved them from their deepest darkness. For others, it’s the source of some of their greatest pain. Faith is an undeniable part of the general human experience, which is all the more reason to explore it. In this conversation starting episode Abi and Justin dive into their personal histories with faith as the foundation to a larger dialogue they’ll be exploring in the coming months. They share how they came to have a relationship with their Creator and how that journey was, and is, filled with confusion and mystery. If you’ve ever had a battle with faith, disappointment, humanity, and God, this on-going conversation might just heal something inside of you, or fuel the fire for even greater faith experiences in your journey.

In today’s society, the moral compass regarding pornography points in many directions. In a world that has become progressively sexualized, the normalization and acceptance of pornography is at an all time high. With so many varying opinions on the matter, who’s to say what is really right or wrong about pornography? In this sobering episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their close friend and filmmaker, Benji Nolot. Benji shines a light on the real world of pornography as he shares his story of going behind the scenes and documenting firsthand the experiences of those producing and performing. He breaks down the devastating affects to those involved in the creation of it as well as the viewing of it. This may be one of the most powerful episodes The Connected Life has ever recorded and no matter what your stance, or experience with porn, this is a must listen to and SHARE episode. Listen now and join the revolution to help liberate an enslaved world and restore innocence to humanity.

Life has a way of passing us by if we’ll let it. In the end, many  people find themselves feeling regretful for what they didn’t do and what they didn’t say, especially in connection to the relationships they care about the most. In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined once again by their good friend Jenna as they talk about how to get present with life and express it to the fullest. Jenna shares many of the powerful ways she’s chosen to intentionally cultivate experiences and create a culture that leaves a lifelong impact on her and all the people she loves. If you’re tired of sitting on the sidelines of your life, get in the game and start making decisions that leave you with stories worth telling. You won’t regret it!

New Year’s resolutions are often about making a change, but rarely are they about simply desiring more freedom. Our need for change can often be rooted in shame and only further exacerbate the problems we’re experiencing. A desire for freedom, however, can inspire a shame-free exploration of our lives, where we can get honest about the reality of our humanity. In this Episode Abi and Justin explore how getting honest with the messy things in life is the first step to self-acceptance.  This opens up a world of possibilities. Through a lifestyle of acceptance, compassion, and ownership each of us have the opportunity to experience greater measures of love and healing, without all the pressure to perform. If you’re looking to create a vibrant and healthy life, it’s time to reflect on your circumstances through a patient and gentle understanding of how you got here, while compassionately taking ownership for your role in creating your experience. Get ready for a giant dose of freedom inducing truth as this episode hands you baby steps into a 2021 filled with hope and endless possibilities!

2020 has been a rollercoaster ride for the entire world. It’s been a year that has shaken many to the core. In all the craziness, some times it’s hard to see the light. Often times it’s not until we look back that we can see with clarity the goodness that is sprinkled throughout even the hardest seasons of life. In this episode Justin and Abi share about their Christmas miracle while taking an honest look back at their 2020. They talk about the beauty of the suddenly’s happening that have been years in the making and how our hardest seasons hold hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. If you’re needing a dose of hope and clarity moving into 2021 this FINAL episode of 2020 is just what the doctor ordered.

Granting access to the parts of our lives that feel too painful or messy to look at can be incredibly difficult. It’s easy to feel scared and powerless to what’s hiding behind locked doors within our hearts. However, these hidden rooms hold the keys to creating a lifestyle of hope, joy, peace, and love. In this episode, Justin and Abi discuss how they’ve dissociated from pieces of their own story and the ripple affects of that in their emotional health as well as their relationships. Together they layout a roadmap to taking the steps necessary to experience a vibrant and healthy life. If you’re wanting to shake off the heavy weights bogging you down, this is a MUST listen to episode.  The FINAL DAYS for our Living Fully Alive 2021 Course are here. Head to www.justinandabi.com/livingfullyalive to sign up NOW before enrollment closes on December 31st, 2020. 

Sexuality is often a subject shrouded in shame or minimized into absolute irrelevance. As a formative part of the human condition our views and expressions of sexuality have a deep impact on our relational connection to ourselves, others, and God. Because of this, open conversations about our sexuality are a vital component to creating a fulfilling, healthy life. In this episode Abi and Justin dive into a deep conversation with their dear friend Paul Young, author of The Shack, about his childhood laced with shattered sexuality. He vulnerably shares about the long term repercussions of his painful beginnings and how the exposure of his affair as an adult led to the restoration, and redemption, of his battered soul. Truth, love, and redemption diligently stand at the door of our hearts knocking and waiting for us to open. If you’re wanting understanding, hope, healing, or so much more around the issue of sexuality, this episode can’t be missed! Looking for a pathway to freedom in your sexuality? Head to justinandabi.com to sign up for Living Fully Alive to get the help you need before sign ups end!

It’s time to celebrate. The Connected Life is 100 episodes old! We’re like an expensive fine wine, aged to perfection. We’re here to answer questions live as we dive into a discussion directly about connecting to ourselves, others, and God. In this episode we’re joined by an enormous number of our Connected Life family as we chose to record this episode, in it’s entirety, live. Join us as we laugh, reminisce, and explore deeper aspects of connection. And if you want to celebrate our efforts over the last 100 episodes, please rate, review, subscribe and share! And be sure to head to justinandabi.com/livingfullyalive to join us in for our 2021 transformational class!

Holidays have a way of evoking a lot of emotions for the good and the bad. 2020 has been a unique year like none other in our nation’s history. Some people have spent a large portion of this year separated from the people they care about the most. At the epicenter of this shaky year are political divisions to last a life time. In this episode Justin and Abi explore ideas to help people navigate potentially politically charged holiday hangouts in successful ways. They give tools on how you can be proactively powerful in a way that establishes peace and joy, regardless of how your loved ones express themselves during this season of celebration. After a tumultuous year, the highest priority for the holidays is love and connection. If you’re wanting to have the best holiday experience possible, this is a MUST listen to episode!

Life is full of obstacles, and some of them can feel daunting and impossible to overcome. It’s easy to feel powerless to the pursuits set before us. But, even the most outlandish goals can be tackled one step at a time. In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their good friend Bryant Ellis, Co-owner of The Adventure Challenge. Bryant shares about the can-do attitude that he developed in his youth and how this empowered approach led to the outcome of a multimillion dollar company. He addresses how prematurely giving up is sign of victimhood standing in the way of your destiny. Together they highlight how the answers you need aren’t available until you’re willing to become powerful and ask the relevant questions to the problems set before you. If you’re ready to shatter the glass ceiling limiting your life, this episode is a must!

For many people, hopes and dreams can feel more like a fantasy than a reality. Often times, the things we long to do and experience can feel lofty and unrealistic. If we do pursue goals that have significance to us, it’s easy to get defeated when they don’t look the way we want them to in the time we want them. In this episode Justin sits down with his good friend Topher, the DJ known as King Arthur. Topher shares about the dreams that became a reality, only to have them fall flat. He explores what life had to offer on the other side of being signed to one of the biggest record labels in the world as he accepted this new trajectory and all the gifts it had to offer. With persistence, perseverance, and hope, Topher is making the most out of the one life he’s been given and so can you. Get ready to be inspired as Topher challenges everyone to dream like royalty!

We’ve all had our moments of believing the worst about someone and building a laundry list of complaints about them. These unspoken judgements are often riddled with misunderstandings that, given enough time and offenses, can collapse relationships all together. In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their friend, and co-owner of The Adventure Challenge, Ben Day. Ben shares how his company was in jeopardy over a series of misunderstandings. He breaks down his two foundational principles of short accounts and giving the benefit of the doubt, and shares how they are vital to the health and success of every relationship. If you’re tired of having fall outs and break ups, this episode may just hold the principles you’ve been lacking to maintain the connection you desire. And head two justinandabi.com now to enroll in on our once a year, life-changing program, Living Fully Alive

The idea of fun has been commercialized and monetized into extravagant, costly getaways and material possessions. People spend years saving up so they can have fun only to pay for expensive mediocre experiences that leave them disappointed and unfulfilled. In this episode, Abi and Justin are joined by their fun and fabulous friend Jenna. As a wife, mother of three, and a business owner, Jenna has cultivated a lifestyle of fun on a budget, embracing a philosophy of powerful decision making and not needing perfection. Through some sacrifice, planning, and ingenuity she’s learned how create the ultimate fun experiences to keep her life enjoyable and exciting. If you’ve ever let life, or economics, dictate your ability to create a life of fun and adventure, this episode is a MUST! And don't forget to head to justinandabi.com to sign up for our once a year enrollment into our life altering course, Living Fully Alive. 2021 is your year to learn how to come fully alive!

There are times in life that seem like nothing is happening. We lack vision and clarity for our future. We feel as though our hopes and dreams are being dashed to pieces. Here in this place of nothingness is an invitation to discover who we really are. In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their dear friend Sammi. Sammi shares about her season of nothingness and how this season led to her cultivating beliefs based on a higher truth that created the abundant life she’s living out of now. Together they offer hope and purpose for anyone who’s life feels unclear and on pause. If 2020 has been a rough year,  this episode will give you a higher perspective and lighten the load as you find purpose in the nothingness. And remember to check out justinandabi.com to get in on our 14-week life transformation class Living Fully Alive. Sign ups end soon!

Let’s all face it, life can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster. For some it’s a series of high highs, and low lows. Others live in low lows and rarely see the light of day. Then there are those that live with their heads in the clouds wearing permanent smiles on their faces never looking down long enough to catch a glimpse of reality. In this episode Abi and Justin dive playfully into the essence of true happiness. They highlight the major blockers of happiness while highlighting ways to cultivate a happier life.  Together they navigate how a beautiful blend of the present joy and pain is the balance to creating the happiness we were all made to experience. If 2020 has been a swift kick in pants and you’re looking to create a lifestyle of happiness, this episode is for you and your loved ones! And don't forget to check out justinandabi.com to get your hands on our free eBook From Crappy to Happy in 7 Steps available now!

The battle with our bodies is often a tumultuous one. A majority of culture would universally acknowledge some form of a personal body battle for women. Men, however, are often shrouded in shame, hiding their battle with this reality. In this episode Spencer, Justin’s former client and close friend joins the conversation. He vulnerably shares his story of having an eating disorder with Justin and Abi, while opening up about his steps to creating a lifestyle of victory over his long time battle with his body. Through candid conversation, Spencer shatters shame for other men trapped by this monster, while equipping everyone with clarity, direction, and hope to overcome the battles with their bodies. If you’ve ever had a battle with your body this is a MUST listen to episode! And don't forget to head to justinandabi.com to get your hands on our new eBook From Crappy to Happy in 7 Steps for FREE!

It’s Justin’s birthday and what better way to celebrate than for Abi to hijack The Connected Life and spring a series of questions on her lover about his life. Some seriousness, mixed with play, is just what the doctor ordered for this light-hearted interview. Get insight into Justin’s personal life as he shares about the gifts this year granted him through Abi’s sickness. Enjoy learning all about Justin’s dream to have hands for feet and what he hopes this next year will hold for him. Get ready to be delighted as you get to know more about this birthday boy!

For some of us, it feels safer to live a life so self-sufficient that we don’t ever need anyone. For others, we need people so much we can become a vampire, draining the life out of those we love the most. Either extreme is detrimental to the experience of connection. In this episode, Justin and Abi share about their struggles with self-sufficiency. They tackle the loneliness and abandonment that accompanies this kind of lifestyle, but not without addressing the other end of the pendulum known as being needy! They explore how to practically live a life of intimacy and vulnerability, while giving tips on how to break up with self-sufficiency and neediness. If you’re wanting to feel more loved and connected to the world around you, this is a must listen to episode! And don't forget to head to stumvollconsulting.com to check out our life changing program Living Fully Alive!

Hidden in the recesses of our programming is a haunting voice driving our lives. Whether we acknowledge and understand it or not, this voice is very real and universal to all of humanity. Ignoring it won't make it magically disappear. Equipping and empowering ourselves is the only solution to shattering the affects of this monster in our lives. In this episode, Abi and Justin deep dive into the topic of shame as they chat it up with their close friend Ruth Outram. Ruth shares about the subtle ways shame has permeated her life. Together they explore what shame is, how it affects all of us, and what we can do about it. If you’re wanting to experience a more connected and fulfilled life, having clarity and tools to combat shame’s influences on your existence is essential!

True power has a source. In our humanity, disconnected from this source, we are limited to a dimly lit life. We struggle to get by, mostly just surviving. We live normal and uninspired lives hoping for enough material comfort to ease the torment of our pain and sufferings. We eke by in an unspoken, undiagnosed, and undefined hell, keeping us trapped and limited from a life fully lived. But what if there was more? In this special episode Justin sits down alone and takes a look at his life through an eternal perspective. He shares his inspired, impromptu thoughts about unique aspects of his spiritual journey and dives into the intimate expressions of his faith while exploring the grander experiences of the miraculous that has defined his adulthood. The Connected Life is about to go places it’s never gone before, so if you’re ready for a wild ride, buckle up, because this is going to be one for sure!

The subject of injustice is a fiery one. We’ve all experienced forms of injustice in our lives. Justice being served is a necessary part of righting wrongs. But when asked to define what actual justice is, there are uncountable numbers of responses. In order to find true healing both personally, and as a culture, we are in desperate need of redefining what justice looks like. In this episode Abi and Justin sit down with Sean Smith as he opens up about the racially motivated tragedy that sent his world into a tailspin. Sean shares the miraculous event that inspired him to forgive, liberating him and the ones that forever changed his life. If you’ve ever battled overcoming an injustice you’ve experienced, this episode is for you. And don't forget to checkout The Compassion Project at www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject

Hope is a necessary component to experiencing a life fully lived. Looking at what didn’t work out for us, or imagining a future that has yet to happen can often lead to a sense of hopelessness. But what if we could create a lifestyle of hope through learning how to be present in the moment. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about staying connected to our present moment as a way of anchoring ourselves to hope. Through our reflections of what did work out well for us, we can create a history of hope monuments that remind us that we’re going to be okay, no matter what suffering we may be currently facing. If you’re needing a dose of hope in this season of life, it’s time to get present and get connected to a higher truth that transcends your circumstances. And if you're in need a life transformation, don't forget to check out The Compassion Project at www.stumvollconsulting.com.

Some people believe that celebrating yourself can lead to arrogance and pride. Often times people feel awkward and out of place when the spotlight shines on them, especially if they’re shining the light. A false sense of humility often replaces a healthy expression of necessary celebration. In this episode Abi and Justin explore the need to celebrate yourself. Justin opens up about the painful loss of his brother that led to an inability to celebrate himself. Together they discuss the powerful affects of celebration and how that overflows into creating a world of gratitude and joy. If you want to see your life become the best it can be, celebration has to be at its core! And don’t forget to head to Amazon August 17th through the 21st to be the first to order The Tree of Life AUDIOBOOK!

For most of us adults, we find ourselves struggling to connect with creativity. We lose the ability to dream and create from a place of joy and happiness. The evolution of growing up comes with the loss of our childlike wonder, the foundation for feeling fully alive. In this episode Justin and Abi sit down with their friend Ryan. Ryan shares his story of working himself to death and how his disconnection from emotions left him feeling bankrupt as a businessman, father, and husband. He opens up about his terrifying journey to regain his childlike wonder as he let go of control and let love in. Together, Justin and Ryan talk about their miraculous connection and how their separate goals became the common ground for a much greater purpose. If you’re in need of inspiration and want to experience a more joyous life, this episode is a MUST! And don't forget to head over to Amazon and get your copy of the audiobook THE TREE OF LIFE!

For many, an end goal is the engine driving our lives and has a way of becoming our sole purpose. Along the way we can find ourselves being willing to do some pretty uncaring and unloving things, believing the end justifies the means. But, what if the end goal is nothing more than an opportunity for the real purpose? In this Episode Justin is joined by his good friend Noah Elias. Together they explore how Noah’s talent of being a Disney Fine Artist is really a vehicle for creating relationships and how Justin’s book, The Tree of Life, was an on-ramp for connection. The two shine a light on people being our highest purpose through vulnerably sharing how their lives have impacted one another. They also discuss how being faithful with what’s right in front of us is the first step to seeing our greatest dreams come true. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. If you want to create a purpose worth living for, listen to this episode now! Don't forget to head to Amazon to get your copy of The Tree of Life Audiobook!

Learning how to trust our inner voice, especially when it comes to the dreams and desires of our heart, can sometimes be difficult. Often times we are met with unforeseen delays, obstacles, and naysayers. Very rarely is the road to fulfillment straight and paved smoothly. In a world of uncertainty, bringing your dreams to life can sometimes feel like an unclimbable mountain. But with the right approach it can be a tale of adventure and redemption. In this episode Abi interviews Justin about the journey of creating his book The Tree of Life. Justin shares about the wildly miraculous moments and the wisdom he learned along the way as he surrendered his expectations and learned how to come alive in the process. If you’re in need of hope and inspiration, this episode is a must! Don't forget to head to Amazon to get your copy of The Tree of Life Audiobook!

Building trust in a relationship can take years and requires immense vulnerability. When we’ve given our hearts to another human, the cost of betrayal can be so high that few truly bounce back from it. Often times people put a lot of effort trying to clean up the pieces of something that didn’t have to be broken in the first place. In this episode Justin and Abi discuss ways to create an anti-affair plan. Though we can’t control our significant others into making healthy committed decisions, we can co-create a shame-free culture that empowers honesty, health, and healing. If you’ve already played a role in creating a train wreck through betrayal, moving forward isn’t hopeless, because once we know better, we do better. So whether you’re wanting to protect your relationship from an affair, or wanting to right the wrongs of the past moving forward, this episode is for you! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project.

With so many unknowns, life can feel great one moment, and in the next, our world can feel like it’s crumbling all around us. Sometimes the chaos and mayhem happens to us, and sometimes it’s self-inflicted. When mishaps, meltdowns, or tragedy happen, we can find ourselves broken and at a loss for what to do. In this episode  Paul Young, author of The Shack, joins Abi and Justin as they discuss the dismantling that happened when he was forced to face the reality of his affair with his wife’s best friend. Together they take a look at the losses and explore the redemption waiting on the other side of facing our greatest fears no matter what it costs us. In a world drowning in an ocean of difficulties, this episode is a lifeline of hope for every listener. And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project.

Marriage is a lot of things to a lot of people. For some, it’s the answer to all our problems or the source of them. To others, it’s just a contract between two roommates until they’re tired of seeing each other’s faces. So what exactly is the purpose of marriage? In this episode Justin and Abi get naked, hop in the tub, yes you read that right, THE TUB, and have a candid conversation about what marriage is and what it isn’t supposed to be. It’s time to break the illusions about marriage and embrace the reality that there’s no such thing as masters of marriage. If you truly want to live a connected life in marriage, it’s time to learn how to love well, be powerful, and embrace becoming a master at being messy. And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project.

In this moment in history so many people are faced with mounting unknowns. As people are suffering the loss of jobs and businesses, many are asking the questions, What do I do now? Where do I go from here? What if the biggest NO life has to offer is actually the open door to a YES you’ve always dreamed of? In this episode Justin and Abi sit down with their two friends, Bryant and Ben, who share their journey of partnership and success through creating and launching their company The Adventure challenge. These risk-taking dreamers talk candidly about overcoming the challenges they faced when following their hearts and leave a deposit of hope for a better tomorrow. If you’re ready to laugh, have fun, and be inspired, this episode is for you! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project.

The current conversation around race can be confusing and seems to have many pitfalls. Politics and ideologies often muddy a much needed, and necessary, conversation. Hidden behind the eruption of protests are real people with real experiences. In this episode Abi and Justin are given the unique opportunity to sit down with and hear from their friend Jon Miller. Jon shares vulnerably about his experience with pain and trauma as a black man, while opening up about the broader experience of trauma in the black community. This is a time in our nation in desperate need of non-combative, compassionate conversations where we lay down our swords, stop our talking, and start our listening.  Regardless of your political views, or race and ethnicity, this episode is an invitation to understand and heal. And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project.

The world is truly faced with unprecedented trying times. After an outbreak of a global pandemic, filled with uncertainty, we’re now face to face with battles in our streets and unresolved trauma from a tainted past. Finding a firm foundation to stand on can feel almost impossible in the midst of feeling like we’ve been stretched well beyond our capacity. In this episode Justin and Abi take an honest look at the collective pain and suffering the world is feeling in an attempt to acknowledge and find healing for the widespread trauma humanity has to overcome. When all of our human efforts to find resolutions for our suffering are exhausted, looking to something greater than ourselves might just be the hope and solution needed to heal. If you’re ready for relief and restoration this is a must listen to episode! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project.

The world is stricken with grief and seemingly more divided than ever before. Injustices caught on camera strike our humanity to the core. With the instability of Corona, the painful conversation of racism, and an up and coming election in the United States, how will the world survive 2020? In this episode Abi and Justin address the real pain, as well as the division being expressed across social media. They take an honest look at the ever growing divide and explore powerful concepts like compassion as a much needed solution to move us from reaction to response. If you’ve felt overwhelmed at trying to navigate a world that seems to be on fire, this episode is an invitation to dig deep and search for answers on how you can be part of the healing and restoration process. And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project.

We all play a role in relationships. This role we play evolves in our childhoods as we take on very specific identities within our families. Some of us were the “responsible kid”, others were the “screw up”, "goof off", “black sheep”, “hyperactive”, or “timid” kid. The list of roles are endless, and when thought about for a moment, very apparent, especially at family gatherings. In this episode Abi and Justin explore the roles we play in our family systems and highlight critical postures we have to take in order to pivot out of an identity that was never supposed to be ours in the first place. Though the price to get out can be great, the cost to stay in the system could bankrupt a person. If you’re ready to redefine your identity in your family and to the world at large, this is a MUST listen to episode! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project!

Red flags are all the rave in relationship advice, but what about green lights? What are key signs to look for when choosing a friend or mate? Understanding DOs can be even more critical than understanding DON’Ts! In this episode Justin and Abi lay out 12 fundamental green lights to look for when exploring  possibilities for friendships and dating partners. Woven into the fabric of the conversation is an invitation to take an honest, yet compassionate look at your life and explore the pitfalls you’ve been blinded to in becoming a green light yourself! This episode is meant to be guide, not a rule book, so don’t become a stickler just because you listened! And DO checkout The Compassion Project at www.stumvollconsulting.com 

As humans, we have a tendency to make mistakes and be messy. If we spend any depth of time in relationship with one another, we’re bound to create painful moments for the ones we love the most. Knowing that problems are inevitable, repairing relationships is an art form worth learning. At the foundation of all relational repairs are apologies. In this episode Abi and Justin explore the power of apologies, why we need them, why we don’t give them, and what a quality apology could sound like. If you’ve been needing an apology or can’t quite figure out why the world should get one from you, this episode might just be for you! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project!

It’s easy to feel out of control and barraged by emotions. Sometimes it’s unclear what we’re feeling, or why we’re feeling it. The truth is, emotions are an energy pulsating in us and through us. We are consistently broadcasting this energy to the world around us. Through intelligent design, we have been made for relationship, and our ability to broadcast is equal to our capacity to be receptors. In this episode, Justin and Abi shine a spotlight on the world of feelings. They discuss the paramount necessity of self-awareness in order to accurately understand what feelings are yours and what feelings are other’s. Without this kind of clarity we can live our entire lives believing we’re an emotional mess, when in reality, our receptors are simply sensitive the world around us. Get ready for some eye opening ah-ha’s as you tune into this episode and take back the power you didn’t know you lost! And don't forget to check out www.stumvollconsulting.com/courses/thecompassionproject to get your hands on The Compassion Project!

It’s easy to find ourselves having complete meltdowns over seemingly trivial things. Without proper investigation, we can end up shaming ourselves, or turn against the ones we love the most. These “trivial things”, that turn us upside down, are meant to be the starting point of a road map to understanding our heart and finding healing for our past. In this episode, Justin and Ab are joined by their good friends, Brianna and Marcus. They dive into their story and share how a puppy was the initiator for some of the most illogical and stressful emotions they’ve had thus far in their marriage. Through all the absurdity they discover some painful life-long beliefs driving their lives. If you’ve experienced enormous emotions over trivial things, this episode is for you!

For many of us, the villain in our story is very clear and if they would change, we would be just fine. Relationships often find themselves in never-ending cycles of finger pointing and blame. Unfortunately, this only leads to further problems and pain. In this episode, Abi and Justin sit down with their dear friends Marcus and Brianna. Marcus and Bri open up about the recent conflict in their marriage surrounding her health issues and pull back the curtain to reveal the real emotions hiding behind the symptoms. It’s time for a fresh perspective on how to navigate problems in your friendships and relationships. No matter what conflict you’re facing in life, if you’re wanting to find tangible solutions to deeper connection, this episode is just what the doctor ordered! 

We all play games in relationships, whether or not we’re aware of it. These games can keep us in limiting cycles that affect our ability to live a life of intimacy and connection. In this episode Abi and Justin talk abut a popular reality dating show and investigate the dynamics of the couples relationships. They address the games being played in matters of the heart and reveal common pitfalls we’re all susceptible to when we’re not living in self-awareness. If you’re wanting deeper connections and intimacy, it’s time to STOP playing games and START getting real. Remember to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

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!

Every person is different and because of this we all have a different capacity. Sometimes it seems like everyone is conquering the world, while all we’re doing is dropping the ball. For others it seems like we’re running on a hamster wheel, while everyone else is relaxing and enjoying life. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about the “Do’ers” and the “Be’ers”; those that are hard at work and those that are hard at play. They discuss the value of both personalities and the value for understanding your capacity in every season of life. This episode will help you gain compassion for where you’re at in life, feel successful, break your judgments towards others, and challenge you to live a more balanced life.

How does a man win a woman’s heart? What does a woman really want in a man? Does he have to be the smartest? Maybe the richest? A Zach Efron lookalike? An Alpha Dog? Often times men feel like the answer to this question is an unsolvable mystery. In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by Abi’s lifelong best friend, Pietze, as they demystify the basic desires of a woman’s heart. If you’re a man looking for a road map to win over a love interest, your girlfriend, or your wife, get  ready to take some serious notes because after this she’s going to be putty in your hands!

Fun is a messy art form meant to be the color in an otherwise gray life. For most people fun doesn’t seem conducive to being a productive adult. In reality, often times the missing spice in friendships, dating relationships, marriages, and families is fun! Join Justin and Abi as they playfully explore the power of adding fun into their lives and their relationship. Discover ways to connect to fun in your own life so you can start living in color! And if you don't want more color, nobody enjoys a grumpy pants, so do the world a favor and check this episode out! Oh, and for those of you whose only word in their vocabulary is fun, get ready to be readjusted as they dive into conversation about becoming present with yourself, instead of always burying your head in a bucket of full of play. 

Parenting is simple, right? Just follow the instruction manual that comes with your kid and you’re good to go. Yours didn’t come with a manual? Surprise! None of them do. In this episode Pietze Duffield, Abi’s best friend and a mother of two, shares her unique experiences and lessons that she’s learned raising a special needs child. Through unique circumstances, Pietze has redefined parenting as she explores the uncharted waters that few parents have to brave. Join us as we take a look at parenting through a lens that may change your view of raising kids, give you compassion for yourself, empathy for your children, and a deeper gratitude for the life right in front of you.

Have you ever "Hulked out"? Have you ever seen someone "Hulk out"? Somewhere inside all of us is a little person with the potential to become a big scary green monster. Anger is one the most commonly expressed human emotions. It is socially seen as both acceptable and shameful. Whether we know it or not we all have strong beliefs about anger that govern how we express ourselves and how we relate to the most intimate relationships in our lives. In this episode Justin and Abi expose the ugliness of uncontrolled anger and it's ramifications in their lives and their relationship. They dive into the pain it created, how they found healing from its destruction, and discuss healthy expressions of anger.

Candid talk about an aggressive and angry mini-explosion between Justin and Abi? Sounds like a dose of reality TV drama to me! What do you do when assumptions, judgments, and misunderstandings lead to an all out war? We’ve all thrown grenades and stepped on landmines In our most intimate relationships. Where do the grenades and landmines come from that leave so much pain in lives of those we love? Who is our war really with? How do we clean up the trail of bloody messes we’ve made? In this episode Abi and Justin vulnerably share ideas on how to clean up the messes and give wisdom on how to clear the path to healthy connections in the future. This juicy story is a MUST listen to!

What do you do when your world feels like it has fallen apart and nothing in life is what you imagined it would be? How do you still trust that everything will work out when the circumstances unfolding before you tell you a different story. Come join the conversation as we talk with Abi’s long time best friend, Pietze, about the hidden nuggets of goodness she found on the other side of discovering her daughter was autistic. You’ll laugh and cry as you hear about the miraculous in the midst of the mundane.

Hop back into bed with us as we continue our two part conversation about Sex! Sex is a beautiful and important connection point within relationships! So what happens when disconnection and shame are present? What do we do when our beliefs and emotions prohibit us from experiencing the beauty of what sexuality can be? Why is it that sometimes our bodies just won’t cooperate? In this episode, we break down some of the most common things we’ve seen ruin sex for couples, as well as give you tips for creating a connected and intimate sex life. Whether you’re single or married this episode is a must listen to!

Have you ever wondered how to have a good sex life? Good, us too. Culture bombardes us with a lot about sex, unfortunately it's full of conflicting viewpoints, unrealistic expectations, and a heavy dose of fake examples portrayed on screen. Join us as we share all about our first year of sex! You'll hear how we learned to communicate in the bedroom, why we chose connection above orgasms, and how leaving pride at the door was the first step to a life of mind blowing sex! Better put your headphones in for this one!

Success is seemingly defined by culture as doing a lot, and doing it well. Because of this, so many of us feel the pressure to be going somewhere or doing something "important" with our lives. But what happens when life hits the brakes and we're faced with doing "nothing" at all? Come join us as we share how we chose to face pain, learned to be powerful people, and discovered how to find the hidden gift in every season.

Road Trip!!! Get ready as we begin to explore the first year of Justin and Abi’s marriage! Beginning with the first two stops of a completely unorganized road trip, we learn all about how this was the year of Justin having meltdowns, how a potty stop at a tree farm reignited connection, and how the "don’t go to bed angry" advice was more damaging than helpful. Join us for some real talk about a few of our first fights as a married couple and how we began to learn to navigate expectations, gain courage to face our fears, and pursue connection through laughter and play.

In this second part of a two part series, Abi and Justin are joined by Abi’s childhood best friend Pietze Duffield as they dive deeper into the poverty mindset and many of the other roots that drive an unhealthy relationship with our bodies. As a bonus, Pietze shares her insights on creating environments to set your children up for success when it comes to a relationship with food and their bodies. If you’re looking for a way to conquer the mountain of having a healthy and fit body, this two part series is foundational for you!

For many of us, one of the biggest battles in our lives is with the person in the mirror. As a culture we are in a never-ending war with our looks and our weight. In this two part series, Justin and Abi start a dialogue with Abi’s long time childhood best friend, Pietze, about the tumultuous body battle they’ve all had to overcome. Justin and Pietze bond over being “fatties”, discuss some of the secrets as to why we are over weight, and they all discuss tangible steps to practically ending this war within ourselves. Come join us for Part 1 of a vulnerable and unashamed two part conversation as we attempt to find solutions to one of humanities most difficult struggles…self hatred.

From eight months of “Fading” to three weeks of Dating, and then "BAM" engaged! Tune in as we share the wild ride of how we learned to listen to our intuition and let surrender, wisdom, and trust guide us in the timing that was the best for both of us. 

How does “Never ever will I date you.”, turn into Justin officially asking Abi out? Tune in to this juicy episode where we learn how to manipulate people into choosing and loving you… Wait, no…never do that. But what we will tell you is how to let go of people, respect someone's "no" without taking a hit to your self-worth, and trust that what is meant for you will come to you because you are worthy of good things. Welcome to part two of the Stumvoll’s messy, epic, love story!

Pull up a chair for the first half of an epic love story! No, not a storybook fairytale, but a real-life, full of messy ups and downs story of how two people (after a looong process) ended up together. Full of laughter, practical nuggets of wisdom for any relationship, and a major twist you won't see coming - this episode will challenge your mindsets and beliefs about love and connection!

In this vision casting Connected Life episode, Justin and Abi openly share about the disconnecting meltdown they experienced while gearing up to record the first episodes of The Connected Life. Come join in to hear about "why" The Connected Life came about and what you can expect from it. Get ready to be inspired, laugh, and relate to the messiness of connecting to the life right in front of you.   Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the show!