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.
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Dyslexia is commonly thought of as a condition that hinders correct spelling, but in reality it is a more complex condition to do with how people process information. Join me as I explore this through real stories, looking at what impact dyslexia has on people how they live through it, what they're coping strategies are and what they feel they have gained from having a different information processing system.Let's stop focusing on what dyslexics can't do.
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We're wired to seek love, approval, and affirmation—even when it pushes us to the breaking point. But what happens when life knocks you down so hard that performing is no longer an option? In this raw and eye-opening episode, Abi shares about her battle with PTSD and how it shattered her ability to keep up appearances. She dives into the toll of se…
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303: Creating Relational Safety Pt. 2
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In Part 2 of this series, Justin and Abi are once again joined by Johnny and Pietze for an in-depth look at secure functioning and the power of collaboration in creating a balanced partnership. Johnny and Pietze introduce a powerful alternative to "lawyering" called "microscopic truth," a way to communicate authentically and honestly that deepens c…
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Creating a secure, lasting partnership with someone we love is A LOT of work! It can be especially difficult when we don’t have a roadmap. But don’t lose hope, we’ve got your back! In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their close friends Johnny and Pietze for a deep dive into the phases of a relationship. From the thrill of infatuation to …
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The battle between parents and their children is real! In many homes, parents either feel overrun by their kids, or they rule with an iron fist. But what if there was a way to create a balanced environment filled with mutual respect and love? In this episode, Habit Coach and friend Jenna Zint joins Abi and Justin for a deep dive into setting bounda…
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It’s common for people to ask, “What am I doing with my life?” There’s a natural curiosity within us that seeks to understand our purpose on earth. The journey to discover what we’re created for can often feel overwhelming, but maybe it doesn’t have to be so complicated. In this 300th episode, Abi and Justin reflect on the humble beginnings of thei…
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You probably know or have met someone with ADD, ADHD, or autism—or maybe you’re one of those people. These neurological differences, known as neurodivergence, make up an estimated 15-20% of the population. Whether or not you fall into this category, it’s likely to impact your life, and we’re here to help you navigate it. In this episode, Abi and Ju…
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It’s easy to fall in love with the idea of someone. The fantasy we create in our minds is often one of very few imperfections. Unfortunately, the perfect person only exists in our imagination. Building a relationship around a fantasy cannot only be disappointing, but it can be incredibly destructive. In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by fr…
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297: It Begins with Boundaries Pt. 2
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In part two of this dialogue, Abi and Justin are once again joined by Habit Coach Jenna Zint to discuss the vital role boundaries play in fostering healthy relationships with yourself and others. Together, they tackle creative solutions for navigating seemingly powerless situations, eliminating blame and accusation in boundary setting, becoming sel…
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296: It Begins with Boundaries Pt. 1
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Boundaries has been a buzz word for a while now. As with any popularized emotional health tool, there have been wild misuses and misunderstandings of this deeply valuable concept. However, when used properly, boundaries can help create a thriving, connected life filled with love and respect for ourselves and others. In part one of this dialogue Jus…
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Do you want to know a vital key to making your life better? It’s probably not what you think it is. Most of us believe that judging ourselves and others is a catalyst for change, but it’s quite the opposite. In fact, judgment can be the most damning opponent to experiencing a fulfilled life. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode Justi…
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Nobody that’s been married will deny that it’s difficult. When we get together with another person, we’re faced with communication breakdowns, different cultural backgrounds, opposing value systems, and worst of all, having a mirror that shows us the messiness of our own heart. Though it’s tough, with a few keys, it can be a liberating experience f…
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We all impact the world around us for better and for worse. It can feel difficult to take an honest look at ourselves and how we affect others, but what if self-reflection is the stepping stone to having the best experience of this life? In this episode, Justin and Abi discuss the reality of having to look at ourselves honestly. They explore the po…
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292: Revolutionize Your Relationships with Honesty
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Conflict isn’t fun for most of us. For many of us, we’d rather avoid it altogether. Since many of us haven’t seen it modeled well, it can often lead to further disruptions in relationships and seemingly make things worse. But what if we had a better understanding of its benefits and how to do it well? In this episode Gabby, a good friend of Abi and…
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Whether or not we’re aware of it, we all have emotions we don’t want to feel. Some of those emotions are so intolerable that we’ll do anything we can to avoid them. Unfortunately, avoiding these emotions won’t resolve them. It simply perpetuates them. But don’t fear, there’s hope to face them! In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their fri…
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In today’s culture, masculinity has two predominant expressions on opposite ends of the spectrum. One expression is the dominant protector that views emotional health as weak. On the other end is the nonthreatening connector that avoids challenges at all costs. But what if there was an expression of masculinity that was a healthy blend of protector…
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289: Create Healthy Connection with Your Emotions
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Emotions are an inescapable part of the human experience. As kids, these emotions are often judged, shut down, ignored, and stuffed until they can’t be dismissed any longer. We can demonize them and perpetuate a life of feeling alone and unloved, or we can embrace them and come alive. In this episode Justin and Abi discuss the impact of being disco…
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288: Reparenting: Healing and Growing as Adults
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As adults, most of us can reflect on our childhood and recognize that there are things we needed from our parents that they couldn’t provide. Some choose to deny that reality and live feeling a sense of missing something. Others get lost in the pain of what they didn’t get. But what if there was another option? In this episode, Justin and Abi explo…
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In an ever growing culture of emotionally fragile people, it’s vital that we have conversations about the human condition in a way that’s educational and empowering. A better understanding of ourselves and others should develop a lifestyle of compassion and emotional resilience to life’s most difficult circumstances. In Part 2 of this two-part seri…
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We’re often quick to believe that messy and destructive actions stem from poor character. Our judgments of ourselves and others usually lack curiosity and understanding. However, as we learn more about the human experience, we discover that many of our actions are trauma responses that, when properly addressed, can be healed. In Part 1 of this two-…
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285: How Masculinity Affects All of Us with Danny Silk
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The mandate on masculinity is to protect, provide, and connect. However, modern culture has slowly deviated from the path to becoming a man, creating a world of orphaned boys who lack accountability, transparency, and the exchange of truth. The result is a lack of courage, love, and safety. But is there hope for a course correction? In this episode…
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An idea etched into the minds of many of us is that finding the right person will make us complete. From a young age, entertainment, religious traditions, and family cultures perpetuate this fantasy. Unfortunately, we often find ourselves years into a relationship feeling deceived. If another person can't fulfill us, what’s the point of a relations…
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283: Marriage: What We Wish We had Known
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Marriage is not for the faint of heart. As two become one, it can feel more like two worlds colliding in unforeseen, catastrophic ways. Without healthy models and a supportive community, marriage can feel like a place where we go to waste away. But what if it was designed to be a place where we learn to come alive and thrive? In this episode, Justi…
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We’re all looking for acceptance, love, and connection. It’s no surprise that for many of us, it’s easy to suppress our opinions, beliefs, and desires, for the sake of fitting in. Having our autonomy, and sense of self, can create conflict and disconnection. But what if the price of blending in comes at the cost of living an authentic and fulfilled…
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There is very little in life we can be totally certain of. The certainty we do have is often an illusion, much like control. When that illusion is shaken, many of us lose our sense of stability. We can quickly find ourselves feeling powerless to circumstances, but what if it’s possible to become confident in the most uncertain times? In this episod…
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It’s easy to bury the past, and the dead, in our hearts, but left unprocessed things can start rotting. The loss of those we loved, reviled, and were indifferent about can leave us with many unspoken and unresolved matters. But, what if it was possible to have much-needed hard conversations even when the person you’re dealing with is dead? In this …
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