Relational Skills in Real Life

The forces of darkness seek to oppose the Kingdom of Light—God and His children. These struggles can affect our thoughts, emotions, bodies, and even the way we respond to the people and situations around us. So how do we build the emotional capacity to stay connected to Jesus and live from our identity as His children, even when we’re under pressure? 

Listen in as we explore this important topic and how relational skills can help us remain grounded, connected, and responsive to Jesus.

🔗 Increase your capacity with the Foundational 5 skills and resources: https://thrivetoday.org/foundational5/ including our Habit Builder courses: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/collections/skill-practice

🔗 Visit our partner ministry Deeper Walk for more on spiritual warfare: https://deeperwalk.com/ 

🔗 Explore Marcus Warner's book "Breakthrough": https://deeperwalk.com/product/breakthrough-5-essential-strategies-for-freedom-healing-and-wholeness-book/

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www.thrivetoday.org

At the end of the day, what matters most—the money we made, the tasks we accomplished, or something deeper? When we look back, it’s often the people we shared life with and the joyful moments we experienced together that matter most.

In this episode, Chris explores how practicing relational skills can help us become the people God created us to be—and help us approach each day with greater joy and anticipation for the relationships and interactions it holds. 

Our friend Laura also shares how intentionally building her capacity for joy has shaped her into a more joyful, loving person—someone others genuinely look forward to being around.

🔗 Learn more about the Foundational 5 skills: https://thrivetoday.org/foundational5/ including our Habit Builder courses: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/collections/skill-practice

🔗 Practice classes - Our live practice classes often go through an exercise from the Appreciation Habit Builder! Take a look at the schedule: https://thrivetoday.org/practice-class/#classes

🔗 Consider joining us in person! We run Premier Training twice a year - Learn more: https://thrivetoday.org/premier-training/

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www.thrivetoday.org

Is it okay for a Christian to feel hopeless? Does pushing down feelings of despair and responding with stronger faith or positive thinking actually draw us closer to God? Can we access the “good stuff” simply by doing all the right things?

In today’s episode, we explore these questions and take a closer look at what motivates us to hold on to hope. Listen in as we consider the difference between trying to manufacture hope and learning to place our hope in the Creator of the universe—even in seasons when hope feels hard to find.

🔗 Join us for our next 3-hr event this November.

"Finding Jesus When Hope Feels Hard"

Join Chris & Jen Coursey for a 3‑hour interactive event on navigating life when hope feels hard, and discovering Jesus right in the middle of it. 

November 10th, 1-4pm EST

PICK YOUR PRICE! Recommended $59, but if that's out of reach you're welcome to choose your own price starting at $10.

Learn more: https://thrivetoday.org/when-hope-is-hard/

Thank you for listening!

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www.thrivetoday.org

In a digital age when it can be hard to know what is real, how do we help the people in our lives experience an authentic faith? In this episode, we explore how growing our relational skills helps us share the reality of Jesus through the way we live and connect with others. Authentic spirituality isn’t primarily about extraordinary experiences with God, but about developing the capacity to stay connected with Him through the ordinary moments of everyday life.

🔗 Explore our online membership for 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!

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www.thrivetoday.org

Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) can take over our minds, influence our emotions, and shape the way we respond to the people and situations around us. But how do we recognize when an ANT is simply a thought that needs to be challenged—and when it may be pointing to a deeper root issue that needs attention?

In this extended episode, we will identify different ANTs we may be struggling with and recognize how they can keep us stuck in unhealthy thought patterns. 

Join Chris as he offers insight, encouragement, and practical tools to help you become more aware of your thoughts and work toward greater freedom, connection, and joy.

🔗 Visit www.amenclinics.com to learn more about Dr. Daniel Amen’s mission to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health.

🔗 Learn more about Skill 4 - Create Appreciation: www.thrivetoday.org/skill4

🔗 Go through our Appreciation Habit Builder course at your own pace online: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/skill-4-appreciation-habit-builder

🔗 Practice classes - Our live practice classes often go through an exercise from the Appreciation Habit Builder! Take a look at the schedule: https://thrivetoday.org/practice-class/#classes

Thank you for listening!

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

www.thrivetoday.org

Knowing relational skills is one thing—having them become a natural part of who we are is another. Practice is what turns our knowledge into awareness and capacity, helping healthy relational habits become automatic rather than forced. That’s what we want with relational skills: to practice them until they become part of our character and naturally show up in our everyday lives and relationships. Ultimately, we want to love like Jesus.

In this episode, our friends Eric and Amy join us to share how consistent practice of relational skills has brought meaningful transformation to their individual lives and their marriage. Their story is an encouraging reminder that lasting change doesn’t happen simply by knowing what to do—it grows as we practice new patterns again and again.

🔗 Our 5-day in-person Premier Training is offered twice a year. It is THE best in relational skills training. Check here for upcoming dates: https://thrivetoday.org/events

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

Thank you for listening!

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www.thrivetoday.org

At a time when stories of moral failure and unhealthy leadership in churches and ministries seem all too common, how can we know whether the communities we’re part of are truly healthy and safe?

In this episode, Chris tackles this difficult but important topic by exploring what happens when people in positions of authority are operating beyond their maturity or capacity. He shares warning signs to watch for, practical questions you can ask church or ministry leaders, and characteristics that point to a healthy culture.

Whether you’re evaluating a church, ministry, small group, or other community, this conversation offers practical tools for recognizing leadership and environments where people can grow, connect, and thrive!

🔗 Book: Joy Starts Here

🔗 Online Theory Course: The Pain of Disappointment

🔗 Book: The Pandora Problem

Thank you for listening!

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www.thrivetoday.org

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 is now available: https://thrivetoday.thinkific.com/courses/storytelling-for-emotional-growth-habit-builder

🔗 Join a weekly online group and go through one of our courses with others in a facilitated group! See upcoming dates: https://thrivetoday.org/upcomingevents/

🔗 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!

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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!

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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