The Connected Life

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!