Every human has a story of tragedy. Whether it’s the death of a parent, the loss of a best friend, or a divorce that left them devastated, the examples are endless. Though not ideal, these tragedies are unavoidable. Rather than trying to escape them, what if we learned how to face them head on? In part one of this two part episode, Justin is joined by his good friend Jason. In Jason’s return to the podcast he shares candidly about how the phrase “I never loved you.” began the unraveling of his marriage. Jason opens up about being a single father of three and his attempts to find a life after divorce. He breaks down his process for facing his pain and the role forgiveness and justice played in all of it.  Whether you’ve been through a tragedy in the past, you’re going through it right now, or you’re simply fearful of what could come, this episode is for you. This episode will remind you that there are solutions to the pain you’ve been through, you’re not alone, and that you’re powerful beyond measure to face whatever might happen.

211: Life After Loss

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.

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

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 episode, Justin and Abi discuss unique ways of approaching loss. They explore powerful moments of reconciliation with the dead through healthy reflection and inner dialogues, while also tackling the necessity of forgiveness and the reality of the redeemed eternal self. Lastly, Justin shares wild stories of being visited from beyond the grave, but does he really see dead people? If you’re looking to truly put to rest those that you’ve lost, this episode will give you plenty to think about! AND REMEMBER TO CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

280: Making Peace with the Dead

In the messiness of humanity there is a world of pain and suffering all around us that we can’t deny. For some of us, reconciling that there’s a good God that could have created a world filled with tragedy and trauma, feels nearly impossible. For many others the greatest hurdle isn’t the world around us, it’s the pain that strikes our personal lives that leaves us confused and questioning our faith.  In part 2 of this mini-series, Justin’s best friend Marcus returns to discuss ways to stay anchored to the idea of a good God when circumstances seem to differ. Justin shares openly about Abi almost dying and its surprising impact on his view of God. Together they address spiritual bypassing, the destructive nature of accusation, and the powerful role being present plays in discovering a faithful Papa in trying times.  If you’ve ever had difficulties that caused you to question your faith, this episode will help you be honest with yourself while making room for exploration and authentic conversations with people you trust. Don’t miss out!   AND REMEMBER TO CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

279: Believing in a Good God in Trying Times Pt. 2 of 2

In part one of this deeply emotional and impactful two-part series, Justin and his best friend Marcus share stories of a radically loving God. Reflecting on their own experiences, they shine a light on how the intimate knowledge of a good and present God has far-reaching emotional and physical impacts. Through miraculous stories of God’s faithfulness and intervention, they remind the world that we’re not alone, left to figure it all out on our own.  If you enjoy a dose of hope and a giant injection of goodness, this episode is just what you’re looking for! AND REMEMBER TO CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

278: The Healing Impact of Reflecting on a Loving God Pt. 1 of 2

Creating connected relationships where we feel like we’re authentic and thriving can seem difficult for many of us. Underlying issues that we don’t understand within ourselves can get in the way of having the experiences we desire. At the center of these difficulties are often codependent behavior patterns that affect an estimated 90 percent of the American population.  In this episode, Abi and her best friend Pietze explore codependency and its impact. They discuss two of its main forms, how it’s an adaptive behavior we learn to survive, and ways it limits our authenticity. They also share powerful insights on breaking free from these unhelpful patterns that can redefine how you experience relationships altogether! If you want to be more authentic and get a better understanding of yourself, while getting some killer tips on how to create ideal connections, this is a MUST listen to episode! AND REMEMBER TO CHECK US OUT ON YOUTUBE! You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

277: Steps to Conquering Codependency

We’ve all lost relationships at some point in our lives. Whether we created the disconnection, they did, or we both played a role, those losses can be difficult and messy. Sadly, these losses can seemingly leave us worse off than if we never knew the person, but what if it doesn’t have to be that way? In this episode Abi and Justin shine a light on powerful approaches to relational loss. They take a look at having gratitude for what was, how our grief matters, ways to have compassion for others, and surrendering what we think relationships need to be. Justin shares how you can make the most out of the love that existed in even the messiest relational endings. Abi discusses the ways some of us simply have incompatible triggers. Together they explore what relationships might look like through an eternal perspective. If you want to learn how to get better at dealing with loss, this episode is chock full of golden nuggets. Don’t miss out! AND NOW WE’RE ON YOUTUBE! Come WATCH US at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

211: Life After Loss

Download our free app to listen on your phone