The Connected Life

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!