The Connected Life

Empathy can be one of the most destructive forces to connection—or one of the most powerful. Without it, relationships become cold and judgmental. But too much of it, without boundaries, and we lose ourselves trying to carry everyone else’s pain. So how do we find that middle ground? In this episode, Justin and Abi unpack what healthy empathy looks like, and what happens when it gets twisted into judgment or codependency. They share raw and personal stories from their own marriage—navigating chronic illness, financial stress, different upbringings, and PTSD—to show how empathy helped them heal long-standing patterns of resentment, disconnection, and pain. You’ll learn the difference between cognitive and affective empathy, how boundaries make empathy safer, and why being “too empathetic” can actually be a sign of unprocessed trauma. If you’ve ever struggled with being too empathetic, not empathetic enough, or confused about what empathy should look like in healthy relationships, this conversation is a game-changer. Don’t miss out! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Discover the tangled web of disorganized attachment styles and how they create mixed signals in relationships. The hosts unpack emotional incest, boundaries, and the chaos of wanting closeness while fearing intimacy. Personal stories reveal how childhood trauma shapes our connections. Learn about the internal struggles of feeling inadequate and the journey towards healthier relationships. This enlightening discussion offers hope for clarity and healing, guiding listeners towards secure connections and self-awareness.

Most of us don’t realize how much of our relationship pain is rooted in old stories—until those stories start playing out with the person we love most. It’s easy to blame our partners for the chaos in a relationship. But what if the truth is that we’re all just scared kids trapped in adult bodies, equally making messes as we search for safety? In this raw and redemptive episode, Justin and Abi share the full arc of their healing journey—from trauma bonding and codependency to finding internal safety, building emotional resilience, and learning to love without self-abandonment. They reflect on the missteps, the meltdowns, the moments that nearly broke them, and the powerful shifts that changed everything. Together, they paint a picture of what it means to stop trying to fix each other and start healing from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns you don’t understand, judged yourself for how you react, or wondered if your relationship could really change—this episode is for you. Don’t miss out! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!  

Most of us were never taught how to feel emotions—let alone how to express them in a way that feels safe for us and the people we love. From family dynamics to gender norms to childhood survival strategies, our emotional patterns were shaped long before we had words to describe them. In this episode, Justin and Abi dive into one of the most common relationship struggles: how we respond to emotions—both our own and others’. They explore the battle between “too emotional” and “not emotional enough,” sharing personal stories that reveal just how often those extremes are shaped by past pain. They also break down what’s really happening in these moments—threat responses, nervous system dysregulation, and internalized judgments—and show what it looks like to feel without becoming consumed. Whether you’ve ever been shut down for having big feelings or felt overwhelmed by someone else’s, this conversation will help you understand where those reactions come from and how to move toward emotional safety—for you and the people you care about. You won’t want to miss this episode—it might just shift how you see emotional connection altogether. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Most of us were never taught to explore where our beliefs about sex came from—let alone how those beliefs affect our experience of it. From purity culture to porn culture, from family dynamics to religious messaging, our beliefs are shaped long before we’re ever in the bedroom. In this episode, Justin and Abi have a candid and compassionate conversation about the belief systems that shape our sexuality. They share personal stories—from childhood moments that left lasting impressions to conversations that helped them heal shame and find a new perspective. Together, they unpack the spectrum of sexual messaging—from repression to overexposure—and explore how to find a path toward sexual wholeness. Whether you’ve felt shut down, confused or ashamed, or simply want a deeper connection to your sexuality, this episode will help you identify where your beliefs came from and how to reshape them. You won’t want to this opportunity to make the most out of your sex life! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Let’s be real—most of us didn’t get great sex ed growing up, and even fewer of us learned how emotional pain, shame, and past beliefs impact our sex lives. If your sex life has lost its spark or feels more like pressure than connection, you’re not alone. Many couples quietly struggle, unsure how to talk about it without blame or guilt. In this episode, Justin and Abi open up about their own journey with intimacy, from navigating physical illness and shifting hormones to learning how emotional safety, body presence, and communication shape a thriving sex life. They unpack why sex often changes in long-term relationships, how old wounds surface when real intimacy begins, and how building mutual value for sex can reignite passion and deepen connection. Whether you’ve felt distant in your relationship, shut down around sex, or just want to build something more fulfilling—this episode is full of compassionate, honest wisdom. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to talk about your sex life without shame and begin cultivating connection that feels life-giving, not performative. This conversation might just be the starting point your relationship needs. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

So many of us feel like we’re just going through the motions of life—rushing through tasks, ignoring our bodies, and avoiding the feelings that seem too big to face. But the more we disconnect from what’s happening inside, the more life starts to feel flat, disconnected, and exhausting. What if the real magic of life is found in slowing down and being present? In this episode, Justin and Abi explore what it really means to be present. They discuss how daily distractions pull us away from truly living life and how deep internal fears keep us from being with ourselves. Through personal stories of dissociation, grief, and healing, they invite listeners into a powerful conversation about the joy, connection, and love that become available when we stop running and start feeling. If you’ve been caught in constant busyness, numbing out with your phone, or avoiding parts of your story because they feel too big to handle—this episode is a gentle reminder that you don’t have to face it all at once. Presence is a practice. And even the smallest step toward noticing your internal world can bring more connection, clarity, and compassion than you imagined possible. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Many of us have experienced moments of life that seem to unravel faster than we can hold them together. The crushing weight of our problems and pain can feel like they will leave us broken forever. But what if love has the power to change everything? In this episode, Justin and Abi sit down with their good friend Kyle as he shares about his journey through profound trauma, grief, and emotional shutdown—and what it looked like to slowly come back to life. From losing his mom to ALS, navigating early marriage while serving as a full-time caregiver, to watching his wife battle an eating disorder—Kyle opens up about the unexpected spiritual encounters that saved him from the self-loathing and despair that almost swallowed him alive. If you’ve ever felt locked in shame, burdened by trauma, or like you’ve lost yourself along the way—this episode is a reminder that there’s more to your story than the pain you’ve lived through and that healing starts with just a baby step towards love. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Attraction isn’t just physical—it’s deeply emotional. When couples struggle with intimacy, it’s often because unprocessed pain has created invisible walls between them. Many people unknowingly fall out of attraction with their partners due to unresolved hurt, leading to a sense of emotional and physical disconnection. When safety is compromised, self-protection kicks in, and attraction fades. In this episode, Justin and Abi break down how emotional safety directly impacts physical intimacy and why issues in the bedroom are almost always tied to how couples relate to each other outside of it. They explore how resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness can quietly erode attraction, while kindness, gentleness, and understanding can rebuild it. They also discuss one of the biggest threats to relationships—how partners speak to each other—and how subtle shifts in communication can reignite connection and desire. Most people don’t realize this, but repairing emotional disconnection is one of the most powerful ways to bring passion back to a relationship. If you want to keep attraction alive—or bring it back—this episode is for you. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Feeling stuck in a relationship where your partner won't change can be frustrating. The discussion highlights the emotional toll of waiting for change and the balance between acceptance and advocating for your needs. Self-growth is key, as true change often begins within oneself. The importance of creating safe spaces for dialogue and connection is emphasized, along with seeking community support. Ultimately, navigating these challenges involves understanding, compassion, and effective communication to foster healthier relationship dynamics.