The holidays can bring joy for some and stress or grief for others. Relational skills—especially the skill of quieting—help us stay grounded whether we’re navigating big joy or big emotions. Our friend Shannon shares how she planned intentional quiet moments into her family’s holiday gathering to help everyone connect more deeply. Stay tuned to the very end as Chris coaches us how to implement this intentionality into our own holiday plans.

🔗 Get your Holiday Peace Toolkit PDF. The holidays can be a time for slowing down and finding more quiet and rest, but it can also be a season of travel, parties, family gatherings, and relational stress. Here is a free gift to help you bring strategy to maintaining your internal peace: https://thrivetoday.org/freebies/#peace

🔗 Learn more about the skill of "Simple Quiet" at www.thrivetoday.org/skill2

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

During the holidays, we talk about joy, look forward to joy, and surround ourselves with decorations that highlight joy. But how can we use the brain skill of "sharing joy" (aka Skill 1) to genuinely increase joy in our own lives and in the lives of those we love? This episode dives into the “share joy” brain skill and provides practical ideas for putting it into action during the holiday season. Hear from Rebecca and Chris.

🔗 This time of year is supposed to be all about being with loved ones and relational connection, but for many of us it brings a mixed bag of joy and pain. Watch this short segment as Chris shares tips for how you can build connections with the people in your life in the midst of obstacles you might be facing: https://youtu.be/3k0XT5Y6ReA

🔗 Check out our Holiday Connection Bingo PDF which offers several ideas for building connections when you are short on time or are away from loved ones - choose the page that works best for you this year. Get it here: https://bit.ly/holidayconnectionbingo

🔗 Learn more about the skill of "Share Joy" at www.thrivetoday.org/skill1

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

In this episode, Lynn shares how she uses the skill of appreciation to experience the presence and love of God. Chris also explains how relational skills can help you overcome barriers to sensing God’s peace, and he offers guidance on discovering which skills will help you most—and how to practice them in your daily life.

🔗 Learn more about Skill 13 - Godsight: https://www.thrivetoday.org/skill13

🔗 Explore our topical online course - Defeating Your Barriers to Jesus: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/defeating-barriers

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

Appreciation is all about remembering the good things, feeling the good things, and sharing the good things! Chris shares some fun activities he did with a group of friends in person to help them build joy and remember meaningful moments in their lives.

These exercises can help us live with greater joy and peace, strengthening our ability to handle tough situations and conversations—even on hard days or when we’re not feeling our best. Reliving appreciation allows us to revisit joyful memories and bring that same joy into the present!

🔗 PDF Freebie - Download this free exercise you can use during any Thanksgiving with your friends and family, in person or from afar: https://bit.ly/thanksgivingappreciation

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

We all want to live as the best versions of ourselves—the way God designed us to be—even when we’re experiencing big emotions. But that takes practice!

Our friend Rivers shares stories about times when he felt overwhelmed and stressed, how he recognized what was happening, and what he did to respond with peace and strength instead of reacting from that stress.

Hearing these real-life stories—ones we can all relate to—gives us hope and reminds us that living in shalom is truly possible.

🔗 See more stories for navigating emotions with our Free webinar; Stories of Emotions: https://youtu.be/EbI1AEpU5X8

🔗 Work on your emotions at home with one of our Return to Joy courses: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/collections/skill-11

🔗 And consider joining us at a Thrive Premier Training: https://thrivetoday.org/premier-training/

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

One of the skills that is learned in the child level of maturity is to discover what satisfies us, so that we can become adults who know how to fulfill our needs and desires in a life-giving way and live a life of contentment. Do we, as adults, have this skill? How can we help our children learn? This episode shares stories about recognizing true satisfaction and how to step through that process, so that we can care for ourselves and others.

🔗 See the book series from Dr Jim Wilder: Growing a More Human Community: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFZN9YK7

🔗 Learn more about our 4 Habits book series: https://thrivetoday.org/4-habits-series/

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

Chris and Jen share an update on their year, offering a perspective shaped by appreciation. They walk us through how they’ve learned to recognize gratitude, even in situations that initially feel discouraging. They also offer a glimpse into how they continually practice the skill of appreciation, helping them remain rooted in hope and connected to Immanuel.

🔗 Visit https://thrivetoday.org/skill4 to explore our resources on the skill of "Create Appreciation".

🔗 Join our upcoming online event "From Shame to Strength" on November 10, 2025: https://thrivetoday.org/shame-to-strength

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

In this episode, Kristy shares her personal journey through the complex terrain of shame—how it shaped her and how she found healing. Then, Chris dives into various signs that we struggle with this difficult emotion, and shares practical, compassionate strategies for breaking free and growing through it. If you've ever felt weighed down by self-doubt or hidden pain, this episode is for you.

🔗 Join our upcoming online event "From Shame to Strength" on November 10, 2025: https://thrivetoday.org/shame-to-strength

🔗 Head to https://thrivetoday.org/skill11 to explore our resources on emotions.

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

A new, and increasing common trend in our society, has been to turn to AI companions for validation and friendship. Is this healthy and helpful longterm? Why is this happening and what do people need? Chris takes a look at the underlying needs that everyone has.

🔗 Joy Starts Here: https://bit.ly/joystartsherebook

🔗 Habit Builder Courses: https://thrivetoday.org/skill-practice-courses/

🔗 Thrive Premier Training: https://thrivetoday.org/premier-training/

🔗 Learn more about Relational Skills: https://thrivetoday.org/relationalskills/

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org

In this eye-opening episode, Chris Coursey and Kristy Harrang explore the surprising blessing of unpleasant emotions. From anger to hopeless despair, they look at how our most difficult feelings can become unexpected gifts. Through stories from their own lives, they reveal how embracing emotional discomfort can guide us toward growth, healing, and deeper connection.

🔗 Join our upcoming online event "From Shame to Strength" on November 10, 2025: https://thrivetoday.org/shame-to-strength

🔗 Head to https://thrivetoday.org/skill11 to explore our resources on emotions.

Thank you for listening!

Subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes.

www.thrivetoday.org