Placed For A Purpose

What does it really mean to be an adult? Owning a house, working a job, or paying bills? In this episode of our Emotionally Healthy Neighboring series, we explore the deeper side of adulthood—taking responsibility for our lives, exercising God-given power, and learning to show up in relationships with confidence and humility.

Drawing from Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud, we discuss the importance of moving from one-up, one-down dynamics to true peer-to-peer relationships with our neighbors. How do we relate to those who seem to have it all together? Or those we quietly judge? How can we exercise agency in our neighborhoods without fear or hesitation? Join us as we unpack what it means to embrace both freedom and responsibility—taking small but meaningful steps toward healthier, stronger connections in our communities.

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In this episode of our Emotionally Healthy Neighboring series, we explore the challenge of sorting out the good and bad in ourselves, our neighbors, and our communities. It’s easy to fall into black-and-white thinking—seeing our neighbors as either all good or all bad—but true growth happens when we learn to embrace the tension of both. We discuss insights from Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud that helps us navigate disappointment, frustration, and expectations while maintaining meaningful relationships with our neighbors. Plus, we reflect on the power of grace, forgiveness, and seeing both our neighbors (and ourselves) as glorious and broken.

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In week two of our Emotionally Healthy Neighboring series, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges of building relationships with neighbors—boundaries. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, or even resentful because you don’t know how to say no, this episode is for you. We explore what healthy boundaries look like, how they help us love our neighbors well, and why setting limits doesn’t make you selfish—it makes you wise.

Drawing insights from Dr. Henry Cloud’s Boundaries, we discuss real-life scenarios, from lingering neighbors who won’t leave to spontaneous pop-ins at the worst times. Plus, we’ll share practical strategies for setting limits in a way that strengthens relationships rather than strains them. Join us as we learn to be responsible to our neighbors rather than responsible for them—so we can say yes out of love, not guilt.

Boundaries

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In this kickoff to our new series, "Emotionally Healthy Neighboring," we dive into the foundational concept of bonding. Drawing from Dr. Henry Cloud's book Changes That Heal, we explore what it means to connect with others on a deeper level and how bonding—or the lack thereof—shapes our relationships with neighbors, family, and even God. Join us as we discuss the challenges of disconnection, the neuroscience of loneliness, and practical steps for initiating meaningful connections in our neighborhoods. Whether you're feeling stuck in the "loneliness catch-22" or ready to take small steps towards building community, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and actionable advice to strengthen both personal and neighborhood relationships. Let's rediscover the power of connection together!

Changes That Heal

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In this episode, we’re joined by Kendra Broekhuis, author of Here Goes Nothing: An Introvert's Reckless Attempt to Love Her Neighbor, to explore the unique strengths and challenges introverts bring to neighboring. Kendra shares her journey of embracing her God-given personality while building connections—from awkward beginnings to thriving behind the scenes. We discuss practical tips for leaning into your strengths, stepping out of your comfort zone, and balancing connection with quiet acts of love. Whether you’re introverted, extroverted, or in between, this episode offers encouragement to neighbor well.

Here Goes Nothing: An Introvert's Reckless Attempt to Love Her Neighbor

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In this episode, we dive into the power of habits, inspired by the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, and explore how small, consistent changes can transform the way we neighbor. As we step into 2025, we reflect on our bad habits (like pantry crumbs and "the chair") and explore how to build better habits for fostering community. We discuss Clear's Four Laws of Behavioral Change—make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying—and apply them to neighboring, with practical examples like smiling at neighbors, hosting seasonal gatherings, or sending encouraging texts. By incorporating these small changes, we can reimagine our neighborhoods and cultivate stronger relationships. Let’s commit to neighboring well in 2025 and see how these habits, empowered by God’s grace, can transform our communities.

Atomic Habits

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In this episode, we talk with Lance Ford, author of Next Door as It Is in Heaven, about living out God’s kingdom in our neighborhoods. Lance shares practical insights on what it means to have an incarnational presence—to see ourselves as sent by God into our communities—and to prioritize hospitality and inclusion. Drawing on inspiring stories, like building relationships with neighbors labeled as “difficult,” Lance highlights the transformative power of small acts of kindness, shared meals, and open-hearted living. This episode challenges us to move beyond consumerism and isolation, to embrace our role as ambassadors of God’s love in the places we live.

Next Door As In Heaven

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What do neighboring and playing catch have in common? Ethan Bryan’s simple daily commitment to playing catch for an entire year transformed not only his life but also his understanding of connection and community. From freezing winter tosses to spontaneous backyard games, Bryan discovered how something as ordinary as a game of catch fosters vulnerability, rewires our brains, and deepens relationships. Listen and learn how this simple yet intentional act opened doors to meaningful connections, encouraged him to take risks, and reminded him of the transformative power of showing up....kinda like neighboring.

Read: A Year of Playing Catch: What a Simple Daily Experiment Taught Me about Life 

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This year-end episode is a highlight reel of the most inspiring and transformative moments of 2024 on the podcast—just like your Spotify Wrapped! We're diving into listener favorites, from the surprising power of small talk and reimagining gospel conversations to the earthy beauty of neighboring through trees, bees, and community gardens. Plus, we revisit raw and meaningful discussions on grief, humility, and loving neighbors in tough circumstances. Packed with standout clips and reflections, this episode brings you practical insights and heart-stirring stories to inspire purposeful living in your neighborhood.

Top 5 episodes:

Tending Your Neighborhood: Community Gardens (with our neighbors Kevin & Molly Heinz)

Tending Your Neighborhood: Bees with Dr. Preston Pouteaux

Tending Your Neighborhood: Trees with Dr. Matthew Sleeth

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During Christmas, the longing for peace feels especially acute, reflected in the songs we sing, the decorations we hang, and the verses we read during Advent. Both believers and non-believers desire peace—in the world, in our country, in our families, and in our neighborhoods. This guided prayer walk invites us to pray for peace in our lives, our neighbors' lives, and our communities.

Scripture for this guided neighborhood prayer walk:

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

O Day of Peace - Josh Garrels

O Day Of Peace - Crossing Church Version

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