Have you ever wondered what is the right thing to say to someone who is going through a hard time? Do you struggle with the line between persistence and intrusion when trying to provide support? We've been there, and we treasure the lessons we've learned along the way. Listen in for some practical tips that will help you foster deeper, more caring relationships.

An effort to discover David’s family roots led us to more than just a meal of pickled herring on farm in the Netherlands. We also gained a deeper appreciation for the profound impact of family history on personal identity, We explore the ways we can learn from patterns in our family history and build on the strengths of previous generations while also writing our own story.

From aquatic frogs to a pet shop puppy, we've hosted a variety of household animals. Though we weren't always on the same page about pet ownership, we agree that animals have enriched our lives and enhanced our families. We reveal some research that shows the true health benefits of pet companionship, and share our personal stories of pets that left their paw prints on our hearts.

If you’ve experienced lost luggage, bad directions, or a misplaced passport, you know how easily a dream trip can go off the rails. But despite the potential for discomforts and disaster, we believe all travel is worth the risk. Getting outside your familiar neighborhood may challenge your relationships, expand your mind, and open the door to delightful discoveries. Listen up for our top tips for making the most of any travel experience, from family road trips to international adventures.

What if reaching for the stars sounds a bit unreachable? What does it really mean to follow my dreams? How do I make a difference in the world when I’m just working a regular job? If any of these questions ring a bell for you or any new graduate in your life, we’ve got some encouraging words. We’ll break down the most common graduation day clichés to help you feel less overwhelmed and more grounded at this amazing time of transition.

With a crazy, truth-or-dare-like boldness, we asked our kids to ask us any question at all and promised we'd answer truthfully. We enjoyed a candid Q&A session that led to tears, laughter, and some surprising discoveries about what aquatic animals we'd like to be and why.

We choose some relationships in life, and some relationships choose us. If you have a sibling, you know what we’re talking about. As we grow up together, we live and learn, fight and hopefully forgive. We enjoyed a conversation with David’s brother Nathan about their shared family experiences, their age-gap challenges, and their evolving friendship.

Did you know we are each made up of trillions of microbial cells? And that our relationship with these unseen microorganisms may have a profound impact on our lifelong health? Our guest Toni Harman, is a filmmaker who produced the award-winning documentary ⁠Microbirth.⁠ She explores the science behind how our bodies interact with our environment, and emphasizes the importance of optimizing the microbiome from birth.

What happens when the next steps in life don't come so easily? Russell Moore's expectations about growing a family were challenged when he and his wife experienced infertility. Though initially resistant to the idea of adoption, Dr. Moore's heart opened to welcome two sons adopted from Russia. He shares ways adoption is woven into Jesus' own family tree to reveal the expansive love of God and the concept of family beyond biological ties.

Hillary and Jonathan Wildt each felt led to the idea of adoption even before they found each other. After they were married, done with grad school, and feeling ready for parenthood, they worked to prepare their house, their hearts, and their extended family for the realities of adoption. The process led them to welcoming three biological siblings as their children. Now two years into their parenthood journey, they share the challenges they face, including attachment issues and managing expectations, but also the joy of certainty that they were meant to be together.

In a story of love, loss, and letting go, Joy and Myah explore their experiences with adoption and their evolving relationship as mother and daughter. Joy candidly shares the rollercoaster ride of emotions through unexplained infertility and the new path to growing her family. Myah reflects on her complex feelings about her biological family and her quest for belonging. Together they express that every challenge has been worth it to bring them to where they are today.

Seven adopted siblings joined Jana’s family after she turned 16. This big life transition opened her heart and grew her compassion. But Jana also learned a lot about effects of adoption on the whole family system. Her own unaddressed needs and struggles led her to finding better tools and interventions to keep adoptive and foster families connected and healthy.

It’s Leap Day! Since February has an extra day this year, we present a bonus episode to review the movie Leap Year (2010) starring Amy Adams. David gets extra sappy as we follow this rom-com story set in Dublin, Ireland with a special quest of a Leap Day marriage proposal. We cover it all from Celtic traditions, to travel disasters and relational misunderstandings.

When Gabriela was inspired to volunteer, she never imagined herself serving behind bars. But when God prompted her heart, she ventured outside her comfort zone and into prison. Now, after 20 years of prison ministry, she shares her passion for responsibility, grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and God’s love for all.

February 14, St. Valentine’s, is a day focused on the celebration of love. Shops are full of flowers, candy, cards, and heart-shaped everything. Restaurants roll out special menus and candlelight for romantic meals. What could possibly be bad about any of that? We don’t want to rain on anyone’s Valentine’s parade, but our feelings about the Hallmark holiday might surprise you.

It's a nearly impossible task for parents to stay on top of the ways their children are using technology. How do you limit screen time? What's the right age for a social media account? Why do YouTubers have so much influence? If all of this seems overwhelming, you're not alone. And it's not too late to try some new ways of navigating the question of kids & technology.

From nosy neighbors on the party line to cyberbullies on social media, technology always impacts the way we communicate and interact. We explore the ways advances in technology have fundamentally changed social dynamics, and shed light on some possible unintended consequences.

Does it really matter how we're born? In a topic that affects all humans, we discuss what makes a healthy birth and why it matters for women, their families, and the community. We share our own personal birth experiences and some factors that can promote a supportive, informed, and respectful birth for all.

Our guest Emöke Tapolyai tells the story of becoming an unexpectedly single parent. She candidly reveals the pain and loss she experienced after her divorce, and also tells us how she managed to stay out of the self-pity trap. Stay tuned to hear about how she healed and how she continues to thrive and flourish.

Instead of a relaxing lakeside vacation last summer, our family ran a grueling obstacle race as a team. Spoiler alert: we all survived! We also faced fears and experienced victories. It was an adventure that brought us together and made some lasting memories.