Elijah Runyan, a Connection Codes-certified coach, wellness mentor, and father of four, joins Tera to dig into the emotional rollercoaster of parenting. In this episode, Elijah opens up about the challenges of raising teenagers and young kids, trying to understand their emotional needs, and confronting his own fears and shame as a parent. He shares how Connection Codes tools have completely changed his approach, moving from reaction to intentional connection, and how he’s helping his kids process trauma and anxiety. This conversation is a look at how real change begins within and offers hope for parents everywhere seeking deeper relationships with their kids.

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Phyllis and Dr. Glenn are joined by Elijah Runyan, a seasoned Connection Codes coach and the director of their coaching certification program. Elijah shares how fear of shame, fear of emotions, and avoidance can drive our behaviors in relationships and everyday life. Through real-life client stories and his own experiences, he explains how slicing emotions thinner and processing them authentically can lead to breakthroughs in intimacy, parenting, and self-awareness. The conversation unpacks tools, the role of energy in emotional connection, and why avoiding emotions only strengthens barriers.

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Tera sits down with Dan and Kay Ockey, founders of Centsei, to talk about the emotional and practical side of finances in relationships. From overcoming $20,000 of debt in their early marriage to building a system that has helped thousands of couples find financial peace, the Ockeys share their journey of vulnerability, teamwork, and transformation. They discuss the shame that often surrounds money, the power of partnership, and offer steps to turn financial stress into strength. This conversation is for anyone ready to rewrite their financial story.

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The Connection Codes team has a conversation about the transition into 2025, sharing their insights on goals, community, and the intentional steps they’re taking for growth in the new year. They discuss the importance of connection, both within relationships and with oneself, and the small, actionable changes that can create meaningful momentum. Tera shares her word of the year—see—which is about the power of truly seeing others and allowing herself to be seen. Glenn explores the balance between responsibilities and creative passions, while Phyllis opens up about the role of community in supporting life changes. Together, they invite you to reflect, take small steps forward, and avoid staying stuck in fear or perfectionism as you navigate your own journeys into the new year.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

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Tera Wages, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis Hill continue their conversation about how they’re navigating life’s big transitions. They reflect on the decision to sell their home of 11 years, the emotional and physical toll of letting go, and the unexpected challenges of rebuilding a new normal. Through stories of fear, exhaustion, and fleeting moments of clarity, they share how community, small steps, and vulnerability carried them through one of the most disorienting seasons of their lives. Together, they offer a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t always feel good in the moment, but it’s worth every step.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

Chapters

00:00:00 – When the Calendar Resets, So Do We

00:01:39 – The Moment After the Big Leap

00:04:24 – What We Learned From Letting Go of Stuff

00:12:24 – Sometimes Help Looks Like a Hurricane

00:17:16 – Prepping a House, Prepping a Heart

00:22:20 – When the Offer Comes Faster Than Expected

00:25:41 – A Table, A Family, and One Last Brunch

00:26:04 – Laughter Echoes in Empty Rooms

00:27:02 – Things We Didn’t See Coming

00:28:20 – Saying Goodbye Isn’t One Moment

00:29:27 – New Holidays, Old Traditions, Big Emotions

00:31:51 – When Curiosity Feels Vulnerable

00:33:46 – Processing the Aftermath

00:40:54 – The Exercise That Held Us Together

00:46:51 – What Comes After Goodbye

Tera and Wes talk about the challenges of staying emotionally connected during the busy and often chaotic holiday season. They openly share moments of guilt, shame, and loneliness, showing how quickly small interactions can turn into emotional disconnect if left unaddressed. They discuss using the Core Emotion Wheel to break cycles of resentment and miscommunication. It’s not about avoiding conflict but recognizing the moments when connection is slipping and choosing to lean in—whether it’s over wrapping gifts, missed cues, or moments of unspoken bitterness. This conversation isn’t about holiday perfection; it’s about showing up for each other, even in the mess.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

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Phyllis and Dr. Glenn Hill, alongside Tera Wages, reflect on years of caregiving, immense responsibility, and the hidden toll of staying too long in life’s boiling pot. As she shares moments of unexpected joy, pain, and tough decisions, Phyllis talks about how recognizing and addressing pain can lead to profound change. Tera joins the conversation, helping frame the journey of shifting from “I can’t” to “I can,” challenging all of us to confront our own boiling water and embrace the courage to pursue a life that truly serves us.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

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Tera, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis dive right into the deep emotional impact of hurt and how it shapes our decisions, often leading us to throw out meaningful connections. They discuss the origins of the phrase “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” and share examples where unresolved pain led to disconnection—from friendships to church experiences and even political divides. The Connection Codes team discusses the importance of staying curious, processing emotions like hurt and fear, and choosing connection over isolation. This is a very powerful conversation about making your way through personal and communal hard situations while holding onto what truly matters.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/wheel

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-course-online

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help

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Tera, Dr. Glenn and Phyllis talk about the surprising ways emotions can surface and the impact they have on our lives and connections. Phyllis shares a deeply personal moment when a Broadway play unexpectedly brought her to tears, triggering memories and grief she hadn’t felt in years. Tera, Glenn, and Phyllis reflect on the Connection Codes principle that emotions happen to us, often without warning, and how embracing this truth can lead to deeper connection and healing. They also discuss how society often misjudges emotional responses, and why learning to honor and process our feelings—rather than suppress them—can transform relationships and self-understanding. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation that reminds us how emotion shapes our human experience.

Links and Resources:

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Book a coaching session with Dr. Glenn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/marriage-help⁠⁠

Chapters

Tera sits down with Sharon McMahon, widely known as America’s government teacher, to discuss the power of fear as a driver in politics and history. They discuss how emotions influence decision-making, the importance of warm relationships in bridging divides, and the steps individuals can take to create meaningful change in their communities. Sharon shares insights from her journey, highlights from her new book, The Small and the Mighty, and advice for navigating today’s polarized world.

Links and Resources:

Book a discovery call for Overwhelm Overhaul: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/tera-wages/30min⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To download the Core Emotion Wheel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

To enroll in Foundations use the code PODCAST for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/rnyne5jf⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about becoming a Certified Connection Codes Coach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectioncodes.co/certified-coach

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