The Connected Life

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. 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.