The Robertson and Easterling Podcast

In honor of National Adoption Month, Craig and a special guest have a conversation with Preston and Jennifer Crowe, who have both biological and adoptive children, and who have fostered dozens of infants throughout their marriage. Preston is a pastor who works vocationally in mental health, and Jennifer is a high-energy fitness instructor, homeschool teacher and mom. Together, they talk about their marriage, foster parenting and fitness, plus they tell their own adoption story, which was only made possible by opening their own home to the temporary placement of children waiting for forever families.

Living Waters Massage Therapy Clinic helps clients understand self-care is necessary to maintain overall wellness in mind, body, and spirit. After a session with a LWMT therapist, you will have a clearer understanding of your body needs. Craig Robertson sits down with LWMTC founder, DeSheila Hughes, who has been a National and State Licensed Massage Therapist since 2005. Although not her first choice of careers, she talks about how God's Plan is the best plan. About her work, Desheila says, "When I can see the physical, mental, and emotional change in my clients, I am overjoyed." She is best known for deep tissue massage, trigger-point therapy, acupressure, plus foot and hand reflexology.

In this moving episode, Craig sits down with Alex, who lost his parents to a murder/suicide when he was only 3. Raised by his maternal grandparents, Alex gives his perspective on the tragic end to his parents' divorce, and it's surprising positive impact on his life.

In this show we discuss suicidal and homicidal thoughts and ideation. If that subject is too confronting, perhaps skip this show. If you are struggling, please raise your hand and reach out for help. You can call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP and if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, know you're not alone. We encourage you to call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Are you contemplating divorce? Is someone you love experiencing difficult family dynamics? If so, there are many questions that need answers - What constitutes grounds, who gets custody of the children, how do we divide our money, and what if I am dependent on my spouse? Veteran family law attorneys Matt Easterling and Craig Robertson break down the ins and outs in this informative show, providing a unique, professional perspective of what to expect if you or someone you love needs to explore information about divorce.

Every week in our office, we see how addiction steals the joy from marriages. In this show, Craig sits down with guest host Bill Blair and Dr. Branden Henry for a conversation about both process and substance addiction, including its causes, the journey of recovery and the special considerations for the addicts' partners. Branden is a creative mental health provider trained in treating trauma and 12-step recovery work. Being in recovery himself, he has both a personal and engaging perspective on the subject. Branden is the founder of Red River Counseling, and he and Bill work together in the adventure-based coaching organization called Rocks to Rivers.

In today's show, Matt and Craig sit down with one of our favorite local mental health providers, Dea Dean. Dea is insightful and full of life and energy. The conversation swings from perception of one's own backstory, involving "naming" an experience without blaming families of origin, to a discussion about the parentification of children whose parents, for whatever reason, are unavailable to meet their children's needs. Craig shares a few thoughts about his own life experience, and Dea gives respectful feedback about his journey, as great therapists do, without sitting on a throne of judgment.

Graduation Season is a great time to consider new beginnings, so Craig and Matt had a conversation with Trey Carroll, the founder and a coach at The NexTest Advantage. Trey changed majors 5 times in college, worked 8 different jobs and lived in 12 countries before suffering a stroke at the age of 28. Searching for direction, he took several personality and career assessments, but the Birkman Method changed his life. In this fast-paced show, we discuss how the the Birkman Method helps people of all ages discover how they are wired and how it is revealed in both personal and professional relationships.

Rocks to Rivers is an adventure based coaching organization founded by pastor, life coach and climbing instructor, Bill Blair. Craig sits down with Bill and his Rocks to Rivers co-leader Dr. Branden Henry to not only talk about the work of the organization, but also the struggle men have to find adventure, play and camaraderie as adults navigating the modern world. If you feel stuck and are looking to find deeper meaning in life and your true self, you will not want to miss this conversation.

Avery is an introvert who worked hard and excelled in school. She was the first-chair clarinet who loved to read. Being in relationships did not come naturally for her, so she cherished them greatly when they happened. After she and her fiance ended their long-term engagement, her study partner in graduate school suggested they should be more than friends. Although she had never given the idea any thought, it became all she could think about. When school was over, they decided to make a life together, but when she was three months pregnant with their first child, he gave her a letter that changed everything.

Lea is a doer. Although her family and community gave her a solid foundation, her parents were secretly unhappy, divorcing her senior year of high school. Lea felt deceived but guilty, because they stayed together for the sake of her and her brother, who remains her best friend. A two-sport athlete in college, she charged into a nursing career and marriage with the same energy you will hear in this episode. Unfortunately, her husband's alcohol addiction derailed the life she originally planned, leaving her to pick up the pieces with humility, gratitude and a new perspective for simple pleasures.