This episode explores the power of storytelling as a tool for transformation. Stories engage the whole brain, helping us connect ideas, emotions, experiences, and relationships in meaningful ways. Storytelling is a powerful relational brain skill that can help us learn new skills, make sense of our experiences, and create new connections in our minds. When we tell and hear stories, we aren’t just sharing information—we’re creating pathways for understanding and change.

🔗 Our NEW online course on Storytelling will be out soon! 

🔗 Join our weekly online group and go through the NEW course with others in a facilitated group! 

• September 16 - November 18, 2026
• 7-8:15pm EST / 4pm-5:15 PST (75 MINS)
• https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/skill-11-habit-builder-group-wednesday

🔗 The 4 Habits of Joyful People book - 15 minute brain science hacks to a more connected and satisfying life: https://thrivetoday.org/4-habits-people/

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

Part 2 of our series explores the brain’s “Verbal Logical Explainer” and how past pain can distort the way we see ourselves, others, and reality. Identity wounds and the lies we believe about ourselves can be some of the most toxic—and hardest to recognize on our own.

In this episode, we explore how spiritual warfare can help us recognize and confront those lies, while turning to God and trusted people for support. We’ll begin learning practical skills to break free from false beliefs, return to joy, and live authentically as ourselves—no matter what life brings our way.

🔗 Check out the book Outsmarting Yourself by Dr Karl Lehman: https://humble-shack.myshopify.com/products/outsmarting-yourself

🔗 Explore our online Habit Builder course on Relational Circuits: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/skill-0-habit-builder

🔗 The Thrive Premier Theory Course 3 is more advanced but Dr Jim Wilder goes into detail on this topic: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/theory-3

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

Have you ever wondered how your brain makes sense of your feelings and the world around you? Meet your Verbal Logical Explainer, aka: VLE. 

In this episode, we unpack how this internal mechanism dictates your perception of life and relationships—and what happens when it gets hijacked by past pain. Learn how to spot the lies your VLE tells you when you're hurting, break free from negative mental patterns, and start walking down the path of awareness toward what God has for you.

🔗 Check out the book Outsmarting Yourself by Dr Karl Lehman: https://humble-shack.myshopify.com/products/outsmarting-yourself

🔗 Explore our online Habit Builder course on Relational Circuits: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/skill-0-habit-builder

🔗 The Thrive Premier Theory Course 3 is more advanced but Dr Jim Wilder goes into detail on this topic: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/theory-3

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

Dismissing your emotions can have lasting consequences—but emotions are meant to be felt, understood, and shared. When we express what we're feeling in safe, supportive relationships, it becomes easier to calm our minds, regulate our emotions, and process our experiences. Emotions play a vital role in our growth, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Tune in to discover whether you've been dismissing your emotions, how that may be impacting your life, and practical steps you can take to develop healthier emotional habits.You can begin learning to navigate your emotions in a healthy, life-giving way today.

🔗 Check out our Return to Joy (skill 11) courses: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/collections/skill-11

🔗 Explore our online membership for more access to online courses: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/pages/thrivetoday-practice-people-membership

🔗 Are you looking to live in a more relational way where you can be more present and connected to others? Practice relational skills in a supportive group setting for 1 hour and get a taste of practice by joining one of our upcoming classes: https://thrivetoday.org/practice-class

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

At THRIVEtoday, we describe relational skills as emotional intelligence put into practice through an attachment-based, Christ-centered framework. While emotional intelligence helps us understand emotions, relational skills help us stay connected—to God, to ourselves, and to others—especially in the midst of life's challenges.

🔗 Check out our online course, "Tools for Navigating Emotions": https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/navigating-emotions

🔗 Explore our online membership for more access to online courses: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/pages/thrivetoday-practice-people-membership

🔗 Are you looking to live in a more relational way where you can be more present and connected to others? Practice relational skills in a supportive group setting for 1 hour and get a taste of practice by joining one of our upcoming classes: https://thrivetoday.org/practice-class

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

Why can't learning relational skills be a one-and-done experience? 

In this episode, we explore how God designed our brains to grow and change through repeated, meaningful relationships. Discover why lasting transformation happens through consistent, positive experiences rather than a single moment of insight. We'll also discuss practical ways to joyfully connect with others, build healthier relational patterns, and embrace the lifelong journey of growth to become more like the person God created you to be.

🔗 Are you looking to live in a more relational way where you can be more present and connected to others? Practice relational skills in a supportive group setting for 1 hour and get a taste of practice by joining one of our upcoming classes: https://thrivetoday.org/practice-class

🔗 Explore our online membership for more practice opportunities: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/pages/thrivetoday-practice-people-membership

🔗 Don't forget our FREE 40-min Premier Training Info Session offered throughout the year to help you learn more about Thrive Premier Training - THE best in relational skills training. Check here for upcoming dates: https://thrivetoday.org/events

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

Most marriages don’t drift apart because of a major crisis, but because they lose their daily rhythm of connection.

In this episode, discover six practical ways relational skills help couples sustain joy, navigate conflict, and protect their marriage from emotional drifting. Tune in to discover how small, everyday interactions build lasting resilience, and stick around for a simple connection exercise you and your spouse can start practicing tonight.

🔗 The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages book: https://thrivetoday.org/4-habits-marriage

🔗 Our Marriage Course takes you and your spouse through The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages book over 6 sessions with videos from the authors and their wives: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/marriage-for-couples

🔗 Download our free Emotions Wheel: https://thrivetoday.org/emotions

🔗 Explore our Habit Builder Courses: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/collections/skill-practice

🔗 See more marriage resources here: https://thrivetoday.org/marriage

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

We spend months planning a wedding, but how much time do we invest in preparing our brains for a lifetime of connection? 

This episode explores how newlywed couples can build rock-solid emotional habits right from the start. You’ll discover why becoming a "repair expert" matters far more than avoiding conflict entirely, and how practicing joy when life is easy protects your bond when the train inevitably goes off the tracks.

🔗 The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages book: https://thrivetoday.org/4-habits-marriage

🔗 Download our free Emotions Wheel: https://thrivetoday.org/emotions

🔗 Join us for a live Practice Class: https://thrivetoday.org/practice-class

🔗 See more marriage resources here: https://thrivetoday.org/marriage

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

Some relationships feel natural, while others can be challenging. By learning to read the signals people communicate, we can better understand others, build meaningful connections, and offer the gift of being truly seen. Join us as we explore a practical path toward fulfilling the commandment to love our neighbors.

🔗 Learn more 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

The evidence is clear: loneliness is on the rise, and the loss of meaningful social connection is taking a toll on both our mental and physical well-being. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Join us as we discuss how we can push back against this cultural trend and equip ourselves—and the next generation—with the skills needed for healthy, thriving relationships. At THRIVEtoday, we help people build emotional capacity, recover joy, and become skilled at reconciliation. We’re excited to share these transformative practices and inspire lasting change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

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

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

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org