Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage

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Summary: In this episode of the Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna share the unsexy truth about working out 277 days straight with 6 kids and why it has nothing to do with motivation or weight loss.

A cross-country move. Grief. The stomach bug. Travel days with all six kids. We still worked out every single day.

This episode breaks down how we went from yo-yo fitness routines to consistent daily movement—even when we don't feel like it (which is most days). We share the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and why "I don't have time" is actually the biggest lie keeping busy parents stuck.

If you've ever started strong in January and quit by March... this one's for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro & The Streak Begins Chris and Johnna open up about starting their workout streak on December 26, 2024, and why today (Day 277) they're still going strong.

03:40 — The 100-Day Challenge That Changed Everything Johnna shares the story of her post-baby goal after their fifth child and how Chris challenged her to just do two weeks first. Why starting small actually works.

07:30 — After Baby #6: The Heaviest She'd Ever Been Raw honesty about carrying extra weight, not recognizing herself, and the balance between grace and making a decision to move forward after loss and chaos.

12:15 — The Freedom of "We Just Do It Every Day" Why eliminating the daily debate of "should I work out today?" has been the most liberating mindset shift—and how it's changed their marriage and parenting.

16:20 — Consistency Over Intensity: The Real Secret Chris breaks down why you don't need to crush yourself in 60-minute workouts. Some days it's 10 minutes. Some days it's a half-mile run at 9 PM. It still counts.

21:00 — Working Out with 6 Kids: The Real Story Johnna gets honest about working out at home with kids climbing on her, packing dumbbells for road trips, and running country roads while visiting family in Ohio.

28:45 — Cycle Syncing & Women's Hormones Why women's workout routines need to change based on their cycle—and how Johnna learned to stop fighting her body and work with it instead.

33:10 — The Gym Pass Life Hack How living close to a gym (with childcare!) changed the game—but why you absolutely don't need one to make this work.

38:20 — Don't Hire Little Miss Brittany with a Six-Pack Chris calls out the fitness industry: why hiring a 19-year-old Instagram coach with no kids won't help you. Real talk about finding what works for YOUR season.

43:30 — When 75 Hard Made Things Worse Johnna tried to level up at Day 200 with 75 Hard—and it backfired. What happened and why more intensity isn't always the answer.

48:00 — What Our Kids Are Watching The deeper reason behind this streak: identity, freedom, and the culture they're building in their home. Why their daughters see movement without punishment or shame.

53:40 — Travelling, Sick Days & Keeping the Streak Alive Real stories: working out before a 2-hour beach trip at 5 AM, running at rest stops, and even working out on the day Chris had the stomach bug (for his brain, not his body).

58:30 — There's No Finish Line Why they're not stopping at 365 days. This is just who they are now—and why that mindset is the key to lasting change.

01:02:00 — Stewardship, Longevity & Legacy Chris and Johnna get spiritual: taking care of the one body God gave you, being around for your grandkids, and why gluttony isn't talked about enough in Christian circles.

01:07:20 — The Crab in the Bucket Mentality Chris shares why fit people get respect before they even open their mouths—and why discipline in your body reflects discipline in your life.

01:11:50 — Warren Buffett's One-Car Analogy You only get one body for your entire life. Chris shares Warren Buffett's powerful story about treating your body like the only car you'll ever own.

01:15:00 — Final Encouragement: Just Start Today Practical next steps, why the time will pass anyway, and an invitation to message them if you're ready to start your own streak.

Resources Mentioned:

• Juice and Toya (YouTube workouts)
• The Natal App with Nancy Anderson (postpartum core rehab)
• Chris's Hacking Hormones Program DM him on Facebook

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Johnna's FB.

Chris's FB

Summary:

In this episode of the Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna discuss the impact of people-pleasing.

A contractor left his 9-year-old with us. No warning. Just vanished.

Chris confronted him. Johnna nearly puked from the discomfort.

This episode dives into that wild moment, plus another where a stranger undermined our parenting and we did nothing.

They unpack what these stories reveal about the fear of confrontation, the trap of people-pleasing, and how to teach our kids (and ourselves) to stand firm when it matters.

If you've ever bitten your tongue and regretted it… this one's for you.

00:00 — Intro & Shaving Cream Story Chris opens with a real‑life moment about finding shaving cream and how it turned into early dopamine wins and relationship humor.

04:50 — Icebreaker Questions Gone Deep Chris and Johnna ask each other light questions that immediately dig into personality, communication, and people‑pleasing tendencies.

09:00 — The Fireplace Guy & Boundary Crossing 🚨 The big story starts — a contractor leaves his son with them without warning. They unpack the weird situation, their reaction, and why it bothered them.

12:30 — Man‑to‑Man Confrontation Chris confronts the contractor about why he left his son. What was said, how the contractor reacted, and what this moment reveals about boldness and uncomfortable truth.

17:20 — People Pleasing: Why We Don't Speak Up Johnna honestly opens up about the internal discomfort — not wanting conflict, caring about others' feelings, and how people pleasing shows up in real life.

23:10 — Undermined Parenting at the Hotel A random woman encouraged their son to act against their verbal no — and how that made them both feel undermined and caught off guard.

27:20 — Teaching Our Kids to Stand Firm A deep parenting moment about obedience to parents vs. strangers — and why this matters more than ever.

30:30 — What People Pleasing Really Is Discussion shifts to the root of people pleasing: prioritizing comfort over truth.

36:30 — Stories of Standing Your Ground Real‑life examples of speaking truth in business, basketball, social situations, and why people respect authenticity when we don't fold.

41:40 — Parenting Culture & Respect vs. Obedience Johnna shares a powerful story from her teenage years.

47:00 — Raising Kids Who Speak Truth A turning point: how we want our children to understand healthy assertiveness and not just follow adults blindly.

51:30 — Bigger Picture: Growth, Marriage & Vision Conversation expands: how avoiding uncomfortable conversations keeps couples stagnant and how courageous dialogue fuels growth in marriage.

56:00 — Life Purpose & Not Settling Chris and Johnna connect the episode's themes to living intentionally, seeking God's clarity, not pleasing culture, and pursuing the life you're meant to live.

01:06:20 — Wrap & Final Encouragement Final thoughts on people pleasing, truth, family priorities, and closing encouragement for listeners to grow personally, relationally & spiritually.

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In this episode of the Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna discuss the the feeling of spiritual silence, and they explore the concepts of dullness, distraction, and disobedience as barriers to spiritual growth.

The conversation also touches on the impact of idolatry, particularly in relation to sports and alcohol, and how these distractions can lead to spiritual dullness. The hosts encourage listeners to seek deeper intimacy with God during silent seasons and provide practical steps for cultivating a closer relationship with Him.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Struggles of Parenthood 05:06 Understanding Spiritual Silence 10:00 Dullness, Distraction, and Disobedience 31:45 Johnna's Decision to Surrender Alcohol 51:14 Finding God in Silence 01:01:14 Practical Steps to Hearing God

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Episode Summary:

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage, Chris and Johnna tackle one of life's most gut-wrenching questions: If God is in control, why do I still struggle with fear? What begins as a coffee-fueled conversation about fear, faith, and calling turns into a powerful testimony of how God uses pain, loss, and uncertainty for greater purpose. From personal stories of miscarriage and financial hardship to miraculous redemption through relationships, ministry, and even a lost car at the airport — this episode will challenge your view of fear, trust, and divine control.

What You'll Hear:

• Chris' "too Christian" answer to a coach's question about fear

• Johnna's vulnerable reflection on losing their son, Lawson

• Behind-the-scenes of launching Run to the Hard and how God used tragedy for ministry

• Financial instability, leaving comfort, and launching a podcast business

• A wild testimony of how a forgotten parking space led to a salvation moment

• Why control is the root of anxiety—and how surrender unlocks peace

• Encouragement for listeners who feel stuck in fear or doubt God's plan

00:00 – What triggered this entire conversation about fear? 02:30 – Can you really live without fear if you trust God completely? 06:00 – What is Johnna most afraid of losing—and why does it matter? 09:15 – How did a tragic loss lead to launching Run to the Hard? 14:00 – Can God truly bring beauty from ashes—and even form a new family? 17:45 – What did we learn from losing Lawson and meeting Lake? 25:20 – Why did we leave Ohio without a plan—and how did God meet us? 30:00 – What happened when Chris risked it all to start a podcast business? 36:00 – Was Lucan's healing a medical recovery… or a miracle? 42:30 – What happens when you pray, "Our yes is on the table"? 47:00 – How did a lost car at the airport lead to someone hearing the gospel? 55:00 – Why does fear disappear when you know who's really in control? 1:06:00 – How can obedience unlock peace when life feels chaotic?

Mentioned Links:

https://www.youtube.com/@run2thehardpodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@familycaptain

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SUMMARY

Chris and Johnna discuss

• 00:00 – Prayer over the chaos & welcome our special guest, baby Lake (L6)

• 01:30 – "Does it get easier?" The real answer

• 04:30 – Gym analogy: God strengthens you

• 07:00 – Lowering expectations & parenting evolves

• 10:30 – Age gaps, helpers, and why 5 kids humbled us

• 13:00 – Culture, "meology," and fear of more kids

• 16:30 – A decade of parenting: fleeting stages & perspective

• 19:30 – Don't fix a marriage with another baby

• 22:00 – Are kids "hard"? Why they should be

• 27:00 – Screens, meals, and the fruit of hard work upfront

• 31:30 – Teaching kids to be adults in a self-centered world

• 35:00 – Costco stares, culture's devaluing of children

• 37:00 – Fatherhood pressure, mercy, and pointing kids to Jesus

• 40:00 – Mom guilt, refinement, and social media pressures

• 54:00 – Toxic mom culture vs. biblical perspective

• 59:00 – Ease is not the reward for obedience

• 1:02:30 – Surrender over control in parenting and life

• 1:05:00 – Wrapping up with the infamous L5 interrupting to as for "dinner" at 7AM

Mentioned Links:

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SUMMARY

Chris and Johnna discuss the current revival momentum in America following the assissination of Charlie Kirk.

They talk through ways that we, as Christians, can be bold in our faith and obedient to God in the ways He wants to use us, while also bringing up personal stories of ways they failed in disobedience, and how they are leading their children at home.

• 00:00 – Revival Momentum in America

• 01:50 – Navigating Criticism and Boldness

• 04:01 – The Role of the Church in Revival

• 05:47 – Creating a Welcoming Church Environment

• 11:24 – Teaching Our Children About Faith

• 23:39 – Personal Stories of Boldness and Obedience

• 33:16 – The Importance of Community and Margin at Home

• 37:21 – Practical Steps for Evangelism

• 40:38 – Prayer and Seeking God's Guidance

• 58:56 – Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Mentioned Links:

Pastor Aaron Swensen with Summit Church Cincinnati:

Chris & Johnna's Favorite Pastor

https://www.thesummitcincy.com/

Where you can find Dr. Frank Turek:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-have-enough-faith-to-be-an-atheist/id1297439270

https://crossexamined.org/

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In this raw and heartfelt episode, Chris and Johnna process the grief, shock, and spiritual weight of Charlie Kirk's assassination 5 days later.

00:27 – Processing the Assassination & Unexpected Grief

03:00 – Why It Felt Like Losing a Friend

08:33 – Making Sense of Tragedy & Our Obsession with Details

12:54 – The Shooter Could Not Silence the Truth

16:10 – Good vs. Evil Made Clear

22:44 – Peaceful Vigils vs. Riots: Light in the Darkness

28:05 – Justice, Forgiveness, and the Call of Christ

32:41 – Courage for Our Faith: Charlie's Legacy

37:23 – Changing Hearts Through Real Conversations

52:31 – God Turns Evil for Good: Awakening & Revival

01:35:26 – Boldness Starts at Home

Mentioned Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/briansaksa_the-shooter-could-not-silence-the-truth-activity-7371916370906845185-HiQU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABKZb6cBp-MsmTt0d_iHJ-e8vTpyg8Hyh_0

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOeKLnwjjMA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOkj-nKjaw_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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In this episode, Chris & Johnna react to a marriage advice response from the Dr. John Delony Show on the Dave Ramsey Network.

1:00-10:30-Chris's comical confession

11:00---- John Delony Show Marriage Advice Reaction

Links mentioned in the episode:

Kenneth Copeland

John Delony Show Full clip

Mike Winger Divorce Evidence:

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In this episode, Chris & Johnna announce Baby Farrell #6 and cover a myriad of topics around their decision to bring another life into the world.

• Fear of having another kid in this crazy world.
• Are Christians called to Big Families?
• Allowing our kids to be critical thinkers about Christianity.
• The Sanctifying nature of parenting.
• Non-eternal issues that cause us to limit how fruitful we are.
• Does God care about every little detail in our lives?
• Are we foolish to have more kids due to health or financial strain?
• Making aggressive decisions with a sound mind.
• What are we doing with our lives to build God's kingdom?
• John Piper Seashells Clip

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WOW! Ten years of marriage.

In this epsode Chris and Johnna cover the lessons from their first 10 years of marriage, what will make the next 10 years successfull and why they don't have the grass is always greener complex.

Want to expand on this and connect with us? Don't forget you can text us (NEW NUMBER) @513- 449-1798!

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