
The Connected Life
The Connected Life is a thought-provoking conversation about all the beautiful and messy ups and downs of life. Join Life Consultants Justin & Abi Stumvoll as they share vulnerable stories and practical wisdom that will lead you on a journey of connecting with yourself, others, and the world right in front of you. Their authentic, no-BS style will make you laugh, challenge you to dig deep, face your fears, and inspire you to love yourself and others more.
Latest episodes

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 11min
321: The Silent Killer of a Great Life
Denial is one of the biggest roadblocks to living a full and abundant life—but most of us don’t even realize when it’s at play. It’s not always intentional or malicious; often, it’s an unconscious defense against pain, fear, and shame. But what we refuse to see, we can’t heal. In this episode, Justin and Abi explore how denial quietly shapes our lives, keeps us disconnected, and prevents us from receiving the care and compassion we need. They break down why we fall into denial, how it impacts our relationships, and the steps to start facing reality with grace. If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed by the idea of facing hard truths, this conversation will help you navigate the process piece by piece—with self-compassion and a roadmap for growth. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Feb 17, 2025 • 57min
320: Green Flags—What to Look For in Relationships
Forget red flags; it's time to spotlight green flags! Discover the seven key traits that signal a healthy connection, whether it's romantic or platonic. The hosts dive into the importance of self-love and emotional intelligence as foundations for deeper relationships. They emphasize blame-free communication and the value of recognizing emotional nuance in others. Learn how to attract quality connections and cultivate these traits within yourself, paving the way for incredible relationships that truly thrive!

Feb 10, 2025 • 1h 10min
319: Bridging Faith and Emotional Health Pt. 2
Many have experienced a version of faith that prioritizes performance over authenticity, often leaving little room for emotional honesty or personal healing. In part 2 of this two part series, Justin and Abi continue their deep dive into the intersection of faith and emotional health, tackling the ways in which toxic forgiveness and spiritual bypassing prevent genuine healing. They explore how religious communities sometimes use forgiveness as a way to silence pain rather than restore relationships, and how the misuse of spirituality can dismiss real emotional struggles. They also discuss the urgent need for accountability in faith communities, challenging the harmful patterns that enable toxic behavior to go unchecked. If you've ever felt pressured to "just forgive and move on" without real resolution, or if you’ve wrestled with the tension between faith and emotional health, this conversation is for you. 🎙️✨ You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Feb 3, 2025 • 59min
318: Why We Compromise What We Want
We’ve all had something we’ve wanted and found ourselves so desperate to obtain it, that we find ourselves compromising out of FOMO. In our anxiety, this ravenous hunger causes us to abandon our values and miss out on what we really want. The regret is real, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this episode Justin and Abi dig into the desperation trap and the impact of that on experiencing the life you really want. They discuss how desperation causes us to compromise our core values, ignore our intuition, and make destructive decisions out of fear. They also share insights on how to establish peace that will set you up for creating success in the areas that matter most. This episode will help you change the way you think, and liberate you from the FOMO trap! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
317: Bridging Faith and Emotional Health Pt. 1
For many, institutionalized faith and emotional health often feel like two opposing worlds. This separation between spirituality and emotional intelligence has been a longstanding issue, preventing many from experiencing life to its fullest. But does it have to stay this way? In this episode, Justin and Abi dive into the essential partnership between faith and emotional health. They explore the lack of free thought in organized religion, the broken theology that hinders emotional healing for many Christians, and the critical role personal autonomy plays in becoming a healthy, empowered individual. They also share how their spiritual journeys led to profound insights into the human condition. If you’re looking to cultivate a balanced, whole life grounded in emotional health and a faith source greater than yourself—or if you’re seeking healing from wounds caused by organized religion—this episode is for you! 🎙️✨ You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 3min
316: Creating the Life You Want
Life can often feel like it’s happening to us. We can feel powerless to partners, children, friends, employers, and endless circumstances. We can choose to live like a pinball in a game we have no control over, or we can step out of the chaos and start playing the game with intention. In this episode, Justin and Abi dive into the impact of building a healthy lifestyle rooted in self-management. They cover everything from managing your emotions to shaping the vision you have for your life. They also explore ways to feel like you’re in the driver’s seat—without steamrolling the people you love. If you’re ready to reset how you experience life and take ownership of your story, this episode is for you! 🎙️✨ You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife You can listen to us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

9 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 10min
315: The Essential Ingredient for Growth
In this engaging conversation, Mariah Hardy, a life consultant known for her expertise in personal growth and healing, joins Justin and Abi to tackle the transformative power of feedback. They discuss how learning to receive feedback can shift personal growth trajectories and enhance relationships. The trio shares personal stories about overcoming shame and the complexities of emotional dynamics. By emphasizing self-awareness and effective communication, they reveal how feedback can unlock deeper connections and foster healing in everyday interactions.

33 snips
Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 5min
314: Reclaiming Your Power
In this discussion, Mariah Hardy, a life consultant and actress, guides listeners on the journey of reclaiming personal power after trauma. She shares insights on embracing authenticity and the role of shame resilience in building healthier relationships. The conversation highlights transforming from a victim mentality to empowerment through accountability. Listeners learn about navigating emotional triggers in relationships and the importance of self-awareness, all while fostering emotional growth and connection. It's a motivating call to take charge of your story!

Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 2min
313: Stop the Resolutions and Start the Transformation
For many, New Year's resolutions are a pact to change areas of our lives, hoping that those changes will make us more worthy and lovable. Pushing ourselves to transform from a place of lacking self-worth in hopes of gaining acceptance is unproductive and defeating in the long run. So, is there a better way to create lasting change? In this episode, Abi and Justin ditch traditional New Year’s resolutions and share insights on achieving lasting, tangible transformation. They explore how embracing your inherent value and approaching change from a place of worth—not to earn it—creates momentum and meaningful results. They also highlight the importance of desiring self-love as a foundation for healthy transformation and how this approach drives you to remove obstacles that hinder love, opening yourself up to a lifestyle of wholeness. If you’ve experienced unsuccessful approaches to shifting your life in the New Year, then this episode will give you hope, clarity, and direction on how to change things up in the year to come! Enrollment for Reclaiming You is happening now! Sign up at: www.justinandabi.com/reclaimingyou You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

Dec 23, 2024 • 1h 4min
312: Love That Never Fails
In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Abi discuss the profound impact grief and suffering have on humanity, exploring how the radical love of God can overcome the despair and hopelessness we all face during overwhelming and painful experiences. Justin shares his personal journey of nearly losing Abi to her illness, revealing how his breaking point became a turning point for hope and freedom. Abi reflects on how her struggles have redefined her understanding of God’s love. Together, they offer a fresh perspective on suffering and fondly recount the goodness of a Creator who has remained tangible and faithful throughout their journey. If life has been a bumpy ride for you, this episode offers a new lens—helping you see beyond the suffering to a faithful, loving Creator who willingly steps into the messiest parts of the human condition. AND DON’T MISS OUT! Enrollment for Reclaiming You is happening now! Sign up at: www.justinandabi.com/reclaimingyou You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!