The Big Top

“The unfortunate thing is that married couples come in about ten years too late.” This is a consistent pattern that marriage and family life coach and counselor Krista Cassell is seeing in our marriage culture. Why is that? What is the first step back toward one another when contempt has crept in? Let’s talk! Also. We’ll talk about double bacon croissants, saltwater cleanses, and eroded trust in marriages and rebuilding that trust! All completely related, obviously.

Krista Cassell is a Board Certified Biblical Counselor (BCBC) and Board Certified Christian Life Coach (BCLC) who graduated from Light University with a Masters diploma in Biblical Counseling, specializing in adolescents. She received her Board Certification in both counseling and coaching through the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Although Krista counsels and coaches families and individuals in all walks of life, she is most passionate about working with hurting families struggling with difficult relationship and behavioral issues. Her passion developed through her personal experience within her own family. Having a child with a mis-diagnosed neurobiological disorder for many years, she has a heartfelt interest in helping families who share the same struggles and want to seek restoration and healing. Krista is trained in the Love and Logic parenting curriculum, which provides practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children.

It’s Valentine’s Day! So we put together a good, honest bonus episode about marriage and sex. Nothing is off limits under The Big Top. Today we have a bonus guest with us as well, none other than Pastor Craig Flack. He is the Teaching Pastor at Celina First Church of God and we have had him on before to tackle some tough topics. We love his candid, funny, and God-honoring nature. We talk about why sex seems so very complicated, what we can do to improve this sacred space, and what Craig (from his years of pastoral marital counseling) sees as some steps we can take to redeem the broken places.

If ever we needed to tackle a tough topic, this is it. We can do this, friends. We have to do this. Let’s talk. And we have THE best woman to talk to. Mika Karikari graciously discusses racial healing and reconciliation on this episode of The Big Top. She has fight, she has brains, she has grace. Also. She has thoughts. Particularly on either kangaroos or koalas. It’s all about the pockets. DO not miss this one! But truly, we share fails and wins, she shares heartbreaking realities, and we all pitch in and discuss steps forward for every one of us. Prepare your heart and tune in.

Mika is a 30 something who loves Jesus, her husband, baking, hugs, writing, coffee and her beloved hometown of Cincinnati. Professionally, she works in higher education and enjoys being part of student's collegiate journey. She is also a current doctoral candidate whose research is focused on Black women and leadership. When not working you can find Mika baking, reading for fun, or watching sports with her hubby.

Mika’s references and resources:

The Danger of a Single Story TED Talk by Chimamanda Adichie

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh- This oldie but goodie is a written work that every white person should read. 

Racial Microagressions in Everyday Life by Dr. Sue- Although this article is in the context of clinical practice, it does an excellent job of addressing microaggressions in an accessible way. 

The Hate you Give by Angie Thomas- Great fiction book that addresses relevant race issues in America. It also was made into a movie.

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely- Great fiction book that addresses police brutality from the perspective of both a white boy and a Black boy.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult- Her website includes questions that are great prompts to having an honest conversation about race

Happy New Year! You did it. 2018 is gone and we are facing a brand spanking new year. This quick bonus episode has some shenanigans, reflections, rainbow trout discussions, and resolutions. How do we reconcile the past resolutions we’ve broken? What does it even mean to resolve? Listen to Amy and Lori’s plans and resolutions for themselves and their family this new year!

Bananas for fingers or bananas for toes? You be the judge. AND just as importantly, let’s tackle another tough topic. What emotional risk factors do you have in light of your history, family of origin, your personality? How does this affect your daily life? And where does God come into all of that? And what do you actually do about it all? All this and more in our conversation with the lovely and lively Lorianna Joos, who gives us extremely practical advice in this area. You are going to adore her!

She is a licensed counselor who has been practicing for 11 years and has experience working with relationship issues, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, anger, domestic violence, obsessions, grief and loss, trauma, sexually maladaptive behaviors, substance use, family counseling, couples counseling, premarital counseling, teenagers, and children. She has taught various workshops on emotional healing, boundaries, healthy relationships, and surviving trauma. She currently serves as a licensed counselor with A Renewed Mind in Perrysburg

Do you ever feel like an imposter? Like someone is going to figure out that you aren’t really who you are? That you can’t really do what you have set out to do? It’s a real thing, a real fear. The Imposter Syndrome is just ONE of the places we go on this amazing episode. We are tackling tough topics, y’all and we got one of THE best on the show today. You may have heard her on Jen Hatmaker’s For The Love podcast recently as her latest book was released, “Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up.” She KILLS it on exploring finding your voice, failing as you go, and raising it up in confidence. You are NOT going to want to miss this.

What does an extra toe, the butter to potato ratio in mashed potatoes, and throwing shoes have in common? THIS episode! We are talking Thanksgiving AND tackling tough topics. Today: Anger, among other shenanigans. If there’s one topic we could talk for days about, it’s anger. But let’s be clear. We aren’t here to rant. We are here to recognize anger and reel it in. So what do we get angry about? What does it look like? And how do we manage this every day common emotion? Let’s talk anger. And resources. And tips and tricks. One of Amy’s favorite books on this topic (along with counseling!) is Controlling Your Anger Before It Controls You by Gregory Jantz. We are certain everyone can relate to this episode, no matter your stage of life or your season. Enjoy!

We’ve got a brand spanking new series for you and you don’t want to miss it. Just drop whatever you’re doing and go listen. It’s fine. Your boss will understand.

Our series is Tackling Tough Topics and first up: Anxiety.

There’s not one soul who doesn’t have it and everyone needs to manage it somehow. And today’s episode? Let’s just say we have an Egyptian goddess on our hands. You’ll learn more about Rania Haynes but what you need to know is that she is a therapist with over 20 years of experience and she loves tackling tough topics. And anxiety is one of her favorites. She believes we can live whole, integrated lives and who doesn’t want to hear about that?! You’ll love her. She’s down to earth and full of grace and truth. Get ready for some fantastic counseling.

We are wrapping this baby up with our own banter about this crazy country we call Motherhood. And what better way to do it than to answer YOUR questions! Thank you to all those who sent us questions and messages. We definitely cover our personal thoughts on mayo, so be confident we cover your important topics. We talk about what a game changer having a positive narrative is in your home and about two necessary key words for moms: accept and celebrate. So grab that load of laundry, press play, and get ready for loads of…wisdom? humor? You be the judge.

Can you imagine being an entrepreneur, author (The Magic of Motherhood), podcast host, and mother and choosing to take an entire month off of work? It sounds like a dream! This is exactly what Ashlee Gadd, owner of Coffee and Crumbs did this past August and we wanted to hear all about it! On top of that, she shares her fantastic view on her body after having two kids, the spiritual awakening of motherhood, and her favorite episode on her fantastic and famous podcast. Not to mention her take on the enneagram and pregnancy overalls! Ashlee mentions The Road Back to You as her favorite resource for all things enneagram, check it out.