You asked for it, we’re bringing it! We’re talking about how to build and maintain healthy communication. We discuss our framework for enhancing relational interactions: C.H.E.E.R.S. – curiosity, humility, empathy, emotional regulation, and sharing. With examples and personal anecdotes for each practice, we offer ideas for communicating effectively, managing conflict well, and connecting deeply.

This week we explore our personal responses to the unknowable and the mysterious. We talk about the illusion of control , and the importance of developing a wide window of tolerance. Drawing from our experience with death, birth, and other challenging times, we share strategies for building resilience in the face of ambiguity.

In this episode we’re exploring the world of etiquette and discovering which rules our family breaks at every single meal! We learn about quirky guidelines of the past (never let a woman carry anything heavier than a purse?), the way cultural norms shape politeness today, and how manners evolve alongside society. We also chat about the heart behind table manners—not setting rigid rules, but creating distraction-free moments that strengthen connection. Join us for personal stories, a few laughs, and a fresh take on what manners really mean in today’s world!

We might be the only ones in our community who don’t know where we stand on the Enneagram or the latest online personality quiz. While we can certainly appreciate the benefits of self-discovery, we also wonder about the limiting influence of labels on personal identity, relationships, and professional dynamics. We examine our natural tendency to categorize people, from mental health diagnoses to high school stereotypes, and advocate for a deeper understanding of our unique value as human beings.

We reveal who was actually behind the wheel when a deer came out of nowhere, and explain how this incident broke a streak of driving mishaps for one of us. But more importantly, we dive into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in our lives and our people-focused careers. We explore the potential benefits of this new technology as well as our fear that it will replace genuine human connection.

A Christmas reading of the greatest story since the beginning of time. David and Tara read from the Holy Bible, Isaiah 9:2,6-7; Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-20.

Home is where the heart is, as they say, and the house we live in matters too. It’s clear that the place we live has a big impact on our wellbeing and relationships. We explore some research that identifies factors contributing to happiness at home. Join us as we discover the difference between size and spaciousness, and learn about the importance of adaptability, access to nature, and inviting others in. We share what we love about our own home, and some practical takeaways about what creates a harmonious living environment.

Todd Komarnicki, writer and director of the film “Bonhoeffer” joins us for a lively discussion about many topics, including his creative process, politics, jazz, and faith. He shares insights into his portrayal of the film’s hero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and anti-Nazi dissident whose writings deeply influenced David’s spiritual and professional formation. Komarnicki reflects on the deep lessons he’s learned from Bonhoeffer’s life, and shares his frustration with some misconceptions about the film’s association with political ideologies.

In this episode we welcome a guest who is living out her faith with radical courage and compassion. From a pivotal moment in her youth, she felt a profound calling that altered the course of her life. She shares her extraordinary journey of stepping into unfamiliar cultures, learning new languages, and immersing herself in communities vastly different from her upbringing. Join us as we discuss the challenges and rewards of being a single woman in male-dominated societies, and building meaningful relationships through vulnerability and humility.

With the inevitability of pain and suffering in our world, a typical human response is to avoid it or try to make meaning of it. In this episode, we attempt to face hard questions head-on as we discuss insights from C.S. Lewis from his book “The Problem of Pain.” We are joined by Dr. Jerry Root, an expert on Lewis’s writings, to dive deep into ideas of how to approach pain with a sense of hope instead of despair.

Do you have complicated feelings about the holidays? You’re not alone! While we’re busy making the season merry and bright, we often end up crushed by a stressful load of gift lists, festive events, baking extravaganzas, and family gatherings. In this episode we talk about ways to honor the reality of grief and overwhelm while setting realistic expectations and finding moments of peace.

Can woodland creatures and a task-oriented robot work together for a common purpose? What possibilities lie in the intersection of nature and technology? Find out in this family-friendly film, The Wild Robot. We enjoyed watching the movie together and we hope you’ll join us for a chat about some funny moments, favorite characters, and deep universal themes. We’ll also explore the beauty and brutality of the natural world and discuss the film’s unexpectedly on-point depictions of parenthood and identity formation.

Deep in the fog of jet lag, we share the joys and challenges of living and working across cultures. We discuss the profound impact of embracing life outside your comfort zone, from the fun of exploring new locations and foods to the challenges of loneliness and culture shock. 

In this episode we discuss the transformative power of saying "Yes, and..." with improv expert Jeff Ash. Join us as we learn how improvisational skills can cultivate human connection, encourage self-discovery, and enhance professional and personal interactions.

Unrealistic expectations and the pursuit of perfection can lead to extra stress and shame in our lives. In this episode, we explore how comparing ourselves with others can set us up for feeling like a failure. What if we let go of the need to win and instead embraced vulnerability and a values-based approach to success? Join us as we explore the benefits of authenticity over perfection.

We end up on some of life's paths by choice, and some not so much. We find that we need extra motivation and equipment for the uphill battles or daunting tasks. Whatever path you're on, we hope that after spending some time with us you'll feel less alone and believe you've got what it takes to see it through.

Do you see play as frivolous, extra, or even a waste of time? In this episode, we explore how play is not just for children. As adults, we need it for brain growth, creativity, relational health, and stress relief. We have so much to gain from play, and yet it can be the first thing to go when life gets busy. Join us today as we discover new ways to seek playfulness and fun.

Coming fresh from supporting the birth of our first grandchild,we dive deep into the topic of pain, both physical and emotional, and explore how it serves a purpose in our lives and relationships. Using personal stories and professional experiences, we highlight the difference between pain and suffering, explore the role of support and connection in reducing pain's impact, and stress the value of facing pain with understanding to encourage growth.

Gone but not forgotten are the million people who died during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. During our visit to this beautiful country, we heard stories from almost everyone we met about how the events of their past still affect their lives today. Our guest, John Bosco Rumanzi, shares his story of being born as a refugee in Uganda and what it was like to come back to his country and learn about family members he would never meet. He tells us what he’s learned about the power of human dignity, cooperation, and hope.

Sometimes you need to just push way outside what’s normal in your life. We’ve gotten pretty comfortable traveling, but a recent trip to Africa really stretched and challenged us. We made mistakes (hello, visa expediting fee!), met amazing people, and ate stuff we will probably never eat again. Tara resurrected her fear of baboons, David learned to push a truck out of the mud with a leopard lurking nearby, and we both ended each day grateful to be in it together.