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What happens when forgiveness isn't just a nice idea but your only path forward? In this raw and deeply moving conclusion to our two-part series on forgiveness, Jess bravely continues sharing her journey after losing her husband TJ in a tragic accident.

The story takes us through the impossible decision Jess faced: whether to press charges against the man responsible—someone whose wife worked alongside her at their small school. For months, she navigated the excruciating reality of daily interactions with this family while processing her own grief and raising two young children alone. "I was hurting, I was mad, it was all the things," she admits, revealing the authentic struggle behind her eventual choice to forgive.

Perhaps most powerful is Jess's vulnerability about the criticism she received for her decision. "Family told me that," she reveals when discussing how some suggested her forgiveness somehow disrespected her late husband's memory. Yet through tears, she shares a breakthrough moment, saying aloud for the first time: "He'll be proud of me. He'll be proud of how I raised Thomas and Aaron by myself. He'll be proud of who I chose to help me with that."

The conversation doesn't shy away from difficult topics—like the "honor walk" for organ donation that Jess describes as "awful" in the moment, or how years later, certain emotions still surface unexpectedly. But through it all emerges a powerful truth: forgiveness doesn't eliminate hurt or erase trauma; it simply prevents that pain from defining you.

"When you choose to forgive, that doesn't mean you turn off the hurt," Jess explains. "You're choosing not to let it weigh you down and hold you down. That is the difference."

Whether you're facing life-altering tragedy or everyday frustrations, this episode offers a transformative perspective on how forgiveness creates freedom—not for others, but for yourself. Join us for this heartfelt conversation that might just change how you view the challenges in your own life.

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Forgiveness may be one of the most misunderstood yet transformative powers we possess as humans. What does it truly mean to forgive? Is it something we feel, or something we choose? And perhaps most importantly, who is forgiveness actually for?

Greg and Jess open this powerful episode with light-hearted banter about daily habits and modern tipping culture before skillfully transitioning to deeper waters. They share personal stories about physical scars—Greg's knife accident on his grandfather's farm and Jess's childhood playground injury—using these visible reminders as a metaphor for the emotional wounds we all carry.

The heart of this episode centers on Jess's extraordinary journey through unimaginable grief. She vulnerably recounts losing her first husband of eleven years in a tragic cycling accident, leaving her a widow with two young children. What makes her story particularly remarkable is her connection to the man responsible for the accident—she knew him personally. Despite pressure from the legal system to pursue serious charges, Jess made a decision that left even the judge in tears: she chose forgiveness.

"My kids lost their dad," she explains with raw emotion. "What right do I have to press charges against him and take him away from his kids?" This profound moment of empathy amidst devastating loss perfectly illustrates the episode's central message—that true forgiveness isn't about letting someone else off the hook, but freeing yourself from the weight of resentment.

Whether you're struggling with forgiving a minor slight or processing deep trauma, this episode offers a beautiful reminder that the decision to forgive is ultimately for your own healing. As Greg and Jess suggest, forgiveness doesn't erase what happened, but it can transform how those events continue to affect your life.

Ready to release some of the emotional baggage you've been carrying? Listen now, and join us for part two as we continue this important conversation about the journey toward forgiveness.

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Do you know exactly where every dollar in your budget goes, but have no idea where your hours disappear to each day? Time—our most precious and finite resource—often slips through our fingers without the careful attention we give to our finances. In this heartfelt episode of Baggage Claim, Greg and Jess tackle the uncomfortable truth about how we mismanage our most valuable asset.

Drawing inspiration from the hit show "The Bear" and its mantra "every second counts," they explore how our perception of time evolves throughout life. That shocking realization when you hit a milestone birthday and suddenly understand the clock truly is ticking down isn't just a midlife crisis—it's an awakening to reality. But rather than becoming paralyzed by this awareness, Greg and Jess offer a framework for making it empowering.

The statistics they share are sobering: after your children move out, you'll likely spend only one more cumulative year with them for the rest of your life. Parents who pour everything into their kids' activities often look at each other like strangers once the nest empties—explaining why divorce rates spike during this transition. Through personal stories and practical advice, Greg and Jess demonstrate how to avoid becoming another statistic.

What would change if you mapped out your time the same way you track your spending? Would you be shocked to discover you and your spouse only have 45 quality minutes together each day? Small adjustments—putting away phones during car rides, making breakfast a meaningful ritual instead of a rushed chore—can reclaim precious moments for connection. The relationship between spouses forms the foundation of family life, yet it's often the most neglected when schedules get busy.

Take the challenge: sit down with your partner tonight and honestly assess where your time is going. Then start the conversation about how to invest it more wisely in what truly matters. Because unlike money, when time is gone, you can never earn more of it.

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Choosing who to marry might be the single most consequential decision of your life—more significant than your career path, education, or where you live. In this vulnerable and honest conversation, we explore why this choice matters so deeply and how it shapes everything that follows.

The person you commit to can either propel you forward like a rocket ship or devastate your potential like a nuclear bomb. They bring their own baggage, values, communication styles, and conflict patterns that will inevitably intertwine with yours. We share from our own experiences how crucial it is to find someone who shares your fundamental values, even if you're not always on the same page.

Marriage isn't just about romance and butterflies—though those matter! It's about finding someone who reads your emotional "page" even when they disagree, who handles conflict in ways you can navigate together, and who's willing to grow alongside you as priorities shift. We candidly discuss how our own values have remained consistent through 13 years together, while our focus has evolved dramatically as we've moved through different life stages.

For those already married and struggling to connect, we offer two simple but powerful exercises: remember why you said "yes" initially, and identify why you're choosing to stay now. These questions can reorient you toward each other and the foundations of your relationship. We believe that when you commit that "divorce is not an option," you create the safety needed to work through even the toughest challenges together.

Whether you're considering marriage, newly wed, or decades in, join us at the table as we unpack our baggage about what makes relationships last when the initial excitement fades. Share your thoughts with us—we'd genuinely love to hear from you as we continue this journey together.

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Leadership is everywhere in the corporate world – books, seminars, workshops – but why don't we talk about it at home? That's the question Greg and Jess tackle in this revealing conversation about what leadership actually looks like within a marriage and family.

The truth? Someone is leading in your household right now, whether you've acknowledged it or not. But contrary to what many believe, leadership isn't about being bossy or controlling – it's about trust, direction, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. As Jess puts it, true leadership makes you think, "I can't help but trust you."

Drawing from their own marriage, Greg and Jess share how they've discovered "lane leadership" – dividing responsibilities according to their natural strengths. Greg handles finances while Jess manages the family calendar and connections with extended family. This division isn't about power but about recognizing who excels where. When Greg sets the emotional tone during difficult conversations and Jess maintains the family's relational connections, they complement rather than compete with each other.

Perhaps most thought-provoking is their discussion of how family attitude reflects leadership quality – echoing the famous line from Remember the Titans: "Attitude reflects leadership, captain." When couples struggle with conflicting leadership approaches, they recommend finding common ground through intentional questions like "What's your biggest concern with my approach?" and remembering you're "all on the same team."

This conversation offers practical wisdom for any relationship struggling with leadership dynamics. As John Maxwell says, "Everything worthwhile is uphill" – and family leadership, while challenging, creates the foundation for your most meaningful relationships. Whether you're part of a blended family, nuclear family, or single-parent household, this episode will transform how you think about leadership at home.

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What draws us to our partners initially, and what makes a relationship last through decades of change? In this intimate conversation, Greg and Jess explore the profound question of how to truly love someone for who they are—not who we wish they might become.

The journey begins with attraction, where we discover what initially draws us to our significant others is often qualities completely different from our own. Greg shares how Jess's independence and deep connections with others captivated him, while Jess was drawn to Greg's drive, risk-taking nature, and adventurous spirit. These complementary differences create a beautiful balance in relationships, yet can become sources of frustration if we start wishing our partners were more like ourselves.

Marriage requires intentionality that many overlook. Just as we dedicate time to physical fitness and personal growth, our relationships need regular maintenance and care. Small unaddressed issues compound over time, creating invisible barriers between partners who once felt completely connected. Greg and Jess offer practical wisdom for couples at every stage—from those newly dating to those who've been married for decades and feel they've grown apart.

The most powerful insight emerges when they discuss what it truly means to love someone authentically: "I love you for not who you can become or who you can be, but for who you are at that moment." This profound perspective challenges us to examine whether we're truly accepting our partners or secretly keeping a list of desired "improvements."

Whether you're single, newly married, or celebrating decades together, this conversation offers fresh perspective on building relationships that thrive through life's inevitable changes. Listen, reflect, and consider reaching out for their free family culture guide mentioned in the episode by DMing them on social media.

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What happens when you bring a bromance to the podcast table? Pure magic. This episode of Baggage Claim features our son Thomas and his best friend AJ as we explore the fascinating intersection of friendship and marriage.

These two young men began as bitter enemies over a girl at the barbecue restaurant where they worked, with "hate" being "a light word" for their initial feelings toward each other. Fast forward nearly a decade, and they're inseparable friends who've learned to navigate life's challenges together. Their journey from hostility to brotherhood provides the perfect backdrop for our deeper exploration of relationships.

We dive into how friendship serves as the foundation for lasting marriages. As one doctor wisely observed, "marriages that really last, that stand the test of time, that go through conflict, that have hard times - the ones that make it are because they are friends." This profound truth often gets overshadowed by romance and passion, yet it's the friendship element that sustains couples through difficult seasons.

Trust emerges as the cornerstone of both successful friendships and marriages. The ability to speak truth, provide accountability, and simply "be there" creates resilience in relationships of all kinds. As Thomas navigates early parenthood with his wife Miranda, he's discovering how crucial it is to remember they were friends before becoming spouses and parents – a lesson applicable to couples in any stage.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as we explore the delicate balance between marriage partnerships and friendships, how external relationships influence our marriages, and the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive people who support our relationships rather than undermine them.

Perhaps most practically, we discuss how "fun" needs redefinition through different life seasons. Whether it's rebuilding furniture together, watching YouTube videos while the baby sleeps, or simply crashing on the couch with door-dashed food, finding ways to enjoy each other's company remains essential for connection.

Pull up a chair, grab your favorite drink, and join our candid, laughter-filled discussion about the relationships that shape our lives most profoundly.

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The dance between loving our children and setting appropriate boundaries can be one of parenting's greatest challenges. This becomes even more complex when guilt enters the equation—whether from divorce, loss, or simply wanting to give our kids "better than we had."

Have you ever caught yourself saying yes when you should say no? Buying gifts to compensate for time apart? Working longer hours to afford opportunities while missing precious moments with your children? You're not alone. In this raw and honest conversation, we explore the hidden patterns of guilt-driven parenting that affect families of all kinds.

Jess shares her personal experience of "going bonkers with gifts" during the first Christmas after losing her husband, while Greg reflects on the challenging dynamics that emerge when divorced parents compete to be the "fun" one. We dive into the psychological impact these patterns have on children, who may temporarily enjoy getting everything they want but ultimately need the structure and resilience that comes from appropriate boundaries.

The hard truth? Sometimes the most loving thing we can do for our children is to let them struggle, to hear "no," and to learn that life requires effort. What looks like love in the moment might actually be setting our children up for failure later in life when the world doesn't bend to their every wish.

Whether you're in a blended family, a traditional family, or parenting solo, this conversation offers valuable insights on finding the balance between nurturing our children and preparing them for the real world. Remember: healthy parents raise healthy children—and sometimes that means doing the difficult work of examining our own motivations and patterns.

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The foundation of any successful blended family begins with intentionality, especially when it comes to involving children in the process. In this deeply personal episode, Greg and Jess take listeners back to the earliest days of their relationship, sharing how they purposefully included their four children from the very beginning.

Rather than presenting their new relationship as a fait accompli, they created meaningful opportunities for their children to feel ownership in the family-building process. From carefully planned introductions to a memorable meeting at a small-town park where they conducted a powerful team activity involving glasses and butter knives, they demonstrate how simple metaphors can help children understand complex family dynamics.

The episode explores their creative approach to family integration—having children decorate personal cups that represented their unique personalities while using butter knives (representing the adults and God) to support each other. This visual demonstration showed the children that building their new family required everyone's participation. "It's not just one of us doing this," Greg explains, "We're all working together and we're all going to hold each other up."

Greg and Jess candidly discuss navigating emotional challenges, including how they honored previous relationships while moving forward together. They share touching details about incorporating all four children into their wedding ceremony with special vows and symbolic rope bracelets tied with fisherman's knots. As they reflect on their journey, they also address the evolving nature of their relationships now that their children are adults, describing the difficult transition from being providers to becoming coaches.

Whether you're part of a blended family or simply looking to foster deeper connections with your children, this conversation offers practical wisdom on giving children a voice without giving them control. How intentional are you with your family time? Share your experiences with Greg and Jess on social media or by texting the show directly through your podcast app.

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There's something powerful about admitting you're in a valley. In this raw and unscripted 20th episode, we break from our usual format to have an honest conversation about the seasons of life we're currently navigating.

Greg, Jess, and Producer Michael (making his on-mic debut) dive deep into what it means to practice genuine self-care versus slipping into selfishness. We carefully define the difference: self-care is actively taking care of yourself to improve your overall well-being, while selfishness prioritizes your needs at the expense of others. This distinction becomes our compass as we share personal struggles.

Michael courageously opens up about his divorce journey and how community became his lifeline. Greg reveals professional frustrations at 52, feeling undervalued despite decades of experience. Jess battles the persistent voice in her head saying she's "not enough" – a struggle many will recognize. Through these stories emerges a powerful metaphor from Greg's mountain climbing days: when traversing dangerous terrain, you rope yourself to others so if one person falls, the team prevents catastrophe.

The conversation takes a transformative turn when Michael shares wisdom from his healing process: "If I am coping with where I'm at, I am not thriving, because coping and thriving cannot coexist." We explore how distraction prevents genuine processing of difficult thoughts and emotions, keeping us stuck in cycles rather than moving forward.

Each of us commits to one specific action to climb out of our current valleys – from Greg's "50 by 50" life lessons project to Michael's renewed dedication to community building. These aren't grand gestures but intentional steps toward healthier living.

Whatever valley you're walking through right now, this episode reminds you that you're not alone. Connect with us on social media, share your own journey, and remember – the most treacherous mountains aren't meant to be climbed solo.