The Connected Life

The Connected Life

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    63 min

    per episode

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The Connected Life episodes

  • 332: Why You Push Love Away

    We've all experienced those people that seem hot one minute and cold the next. Their mixed signals keep us wondering if they want to be besties or secretly planning our demise. The ups and downs of it can feel like a whiplashing rollercoaster. Solving the mystery can seem impossible, but we might just have your answers!

    In this episode, Justin and Abi are joined by their long-time friend and fellow Life Consultant, Rachel, to shine a light on disorganized attachment and its impact on relationships. As three people who've operated out of it, they unpack the origins of this pattern, the push-pull dynamics it creates, and the internal shame, fear, and powerlessness that come with it. From childhood trauma to emotional incest, they reflect on how early wounds shape our nervous systems—and what it takes for people with disorganized attachment to create stable connections.

    If you've ever felt like you're too much, too broken, or too confusing to love… this episode is for you. There is a path toward clarity, healing, and secure connection—and it starts with understanding. Don't miss out.

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 16 min
  • 331: There's Hope for Your Relationship

    Most of us don't realize how much of our relationship pain is rooted in old stories—until those stories start playing out with the person we love most. It's easy to blame our partners for the chaos in a relationship. But what if the truth is that we're all just scared kids trapped in adult bodies, equally making messes as we search for safety?

    In this raw and redemptive episode, Justin and Abi share the full arc of their healing journey—from trauma bonding and codependency to finding internal safety, building emotional resilience, and learning to love without self-abandonment. They reflect on the missteps, the meltdowns, the moments that nearly broke them, and the powerful shifts that changed everything. Together, they paint a picture of what it means to stop trying to fix each other and start healing from the inside out.

    If you've ever felt stuck in patterns you don't understand, judged yourself for how you react, or wondered if your relationship could really change—this episode is for you. Don't miss out!

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 10 min
  • 330: A Guide to Expressing Your Emotions

    Most of us were never taught how to feel emotions—let alone how to express them in a way that feels safe for us and the people we love. From family dynamics to gender norms to childhood survival strategies, our emotional patterns were shaped long before we had words to describe them.

    In this episode, Justin and Abi dive into one of the most common relationship struggles: how we respond to emotions—both our own and others'. They explore the battle between "too emotional" and "not emotional enough," sharing personal stories that reveal just how often those extremes are shaped by past pain. They also break down what's really happening in these moments—threat responses, nervous system dysregulation, and internalized judgments—and show what it looks like to feel without becoming consumed.

    Whether you've ever been shut down for having big feelings or felt overwhelmed by someone else's, this conversation will help you understand where those reactions come from and how to move toward emotional safety—for you and the people you care about. You won't want to miss this episode—it might just shift how you see emotional connection altogether.

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 3 min
  • 329: What's Shaping Your Sex Life?

    Most of us were never taught to explore where our beliefs about sex came from—let alone how those beliefs affect our experience of it. From purity culture to porn culture, from family dynamics to religious messaging, our beliefs are shaped long before we're ever in the bedroom.

    In this episode, Justin and Abi have a candid and compassionate conversation about the belief systems that shape our sexuality. They share personal stories—from childhood moments that left lasting impressions to conversations that helped them heal shame and find a new perspective. Together, they unpack the spectrum of sexual messaging—from repression to overexposure—and explore how to find a path toward sexual wholeness.

    Whether you've felt shut down, confused or ashamed, or simply want a deeper connection to your sexuality, this episode will help you identify where your beliefs came from and how to reshape them. You won't want to this opportunity to make the most out of your sex life!

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 3 min
  • 328: Fire Up Your Sex Life

    Let's be real—most of us didn't get great sex ed growing up, and even fewer of us learned how emotional pain, shame, and past beliefs impact our sex lives. If your sex life has lost its spark or feels more like pressure than connection, you're not alone. Many couples quietly struggle, unsure how to talk about it without blame or guilt.

    In this episode, Justin and Abi open up about their own journey with intimacy, from navigating physical illness and shifting hormones to learning how emotional safety, body presence, and communication shape a thriving sex life. They unpack why sex often changes in long-term relationships, how old wounds surface when real intimacy begins, and how building mutual value for sex can reignite passion and deepen connection.

    Whether you've felt distant in your relationship, shut down around sex, or just want to build something more fulfilling—this episode is full of compassionate, honest wisdom. You'll walk away with a better understanding of how to talk about your sex life without shame and begin cultivating connection that feels life-giving, not performative. This conversation might just be the starting point your relationship needs.

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 1 min
  • 327: The Magic of "Now"

    So many of us feel like we're just going through the motions of life—rushing through tasks, ignoring our bodies, and avoiding the feelings that seem too big to face. But the more we disconnect from what's happening inside, the more life starts to feel flat, disconnected, and exhausting. What if the real magic of life is found in slowing down and being present?

    In this episode, Justin and Abi explore what it really means to be present. They discuss how daily distractions pull us away from truly living life and how deep internal fears keep us from being with ourselves. Through personal stories of dissociation, grief, and healing, they invite listeners into a powerful conversation about the joy, connection, and love that become available when we stop running and start feeling.

    If you've been caught in constant busyness, numbing out with your phone, or avoiding parts of your story because they feel too big to handle—this episode is a gentle reminder that you don't have to face it all at once. Presence is a practice. And even the smallest step toward noticing your internal world can bring more connection, clarity, and compassion than you imagined possible.

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    53 min
  • 326: Opening Your Heart After Loss

    Many of us have experienced moments of life that seem to unravel faster than we can hold them together. The crushing weight of our problems and pain can feel like they will leave us broken forever. But what if love has the power to change everything?

    In this episode, Justin and Abi sit down with their good friend Kyle as he shares about his journey through profound trauma, grief, and emotional shutdown—and what it looked like to slowly come back to life. From losing his mom to ALS, navigating early marriage while serving as a full-time caregiver, to watching his wife battle an eating disorder—Kyle opens up about the unexpected spiritual encounters that saved him from the self-loathing and despair that almost swallowed him alive.

    If you've ever felt locked in shame, burdened by trauma, or like you've lost yourself along the way—this episode is a reminder that there's more to your story than the pain you've lived through and that healing starts with just a baby step towards love.

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 14 min
  • 325: A Secret to Fueling Attraction

    Attraction isn't just physical—it's deeply emotional. When couples struggle with intimacy, it's often because unprocessed pain has created invisible walls between them. Many people unknowingly fall out of attraction with their partners due to unresolved hurt, leading to a sense of emotional and physical disconnection. When safety is compromised, self-protection kicks in, and attraction fades.

    In this episode, Justin and Abi break down how emotional safety directly impacts physical intimacy and why issues in the bedroom are almost always tied to how couples relate to each other outside of it. They explore how resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness can quietly erode attraction, while kindness, gentleness, and understanding can rebuild it. They also discuss one of the biggest threats to relationships—how partners speak to each other—and how subtle shifts in communication can reignite connection and desire.

    Most people don't realize this, but repairing emotional disconnection is one of the most powerful ways to bring passion back to a relationship. If you want to keep attraction alive—or bring it back—this episode is for you.

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr
  • 324: What to Do When Your Partner Won't Change

    Nothing is more frustrating than feeling stuck in a relationship where your partner refuses to change. Maybe you've had the same conversation a hundred times, but nothing ever shifts. Maybe they acknowledge the problem but don't take action. Or worse—maybe they don't even see an issue at all.

    In this episode, Justin and Abi dive into what to do when you're hitting a wall with your partner. They unpack the emotional toll of waiting for change, the difference between healthy patience and self-abandonment, and how to navigate the tension between acceptance and advocating for your needs. They also explore what true relational growth looks like—and why sometimes, the most powerful change you can make starts with yourself.

    If you've ever felt exhausted from trying to get your partner to evolve, this conversation will give you clarity, empowerment, and a new perspective on what's actually in your control.

    You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 5 min
  • 323: Bouncing Back from Betrayal

    Betrayal cuts deep—not just because of the actions themselves, but because of what they shake inside of us. We choose to trust, to be vulnerable, to let someone in… only to have that trust disregarded. The pain isn't just in the betrayal itself—it's in the shame, the humiliation, and the reality-shattering confusion that follows.

    In this episode, Justin and Abi unpack the emotional toll of betrayal and why it feels so destabilizing. They explore how gaslighting fuels the madness, why short-term efforts at repair aren't enough to rebuild trust, and how holding strong boundaries is essential in the aftermath. They also discuss the power of love—not as something that makes us weak in the face of betrayal, but as a force that allows us to rise above it, freeing us from shame and reclaiming our self-worth.

    Betrayal is a universal experience, but it doesn't have to define us. If you've ever struggled to make sense of betrayal—or want to learn how to rebuild trust without losing yourself—this episode is for you.

    You can WATCH us on Youtube at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife

    Don't forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!

    1 hr 7 min

About The Connected Life

From the publisher's feed

The Connected Life is a thought-provoking conversation about all the beautiful and messy ups and downs of life. Join Life Consultants Justin & Abi Stumvoll as they share vulnerable stories and…

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