We are sharing some of our favorite episodes from the podcast this month as we wind down the summer. Next up is this conversation we had about how we view our spouse’s differences and the ways our perspective can make a world of difference.

When you look at your spouse, do you notice how their unique way of thinking fills the gaps in your own? Do you celebrate how they approach life differently?

If most of us were honest, we are far more likely to notice these differences in a negative light. It irks us when our spouse loads the dishwasher the “wrong” way or takes a different route to church. We can wonder what in the world they are thinking and how our differences, that cause so much stress and strife, could ever be viewed as an asset. In this conversation, we address why we can struggle to celebrate our spouse’s strengths, skills, talents, and qualities that make them special.

In our own marriage, we encountered moments where the character we love about our spouse is also the thing that costs us something. For me, I took pause when Rob’s love of learning meant an investment of time and money to pursue a master’s degree. For Rob, my gift of hospitality collided with his introverted personality and took him out of his comfort zone.

In this episode, we share:

• How we have seen each other as a liability
• How to shift your mindset in a more positive direction
• How to see your spouse as an asset
• And much more!

We hope you enjoy this conversation!

We are sharing some of our favorite episodes from the podcast this month as we wind down the summer. Next up is this conversation with Sarah Molitor on how the words we use can impact our relationships in positive and negative ways.

Words have the potential to tear down our relationships or build them up. Ever since I (Joanna) was a young girl, I loved words. I would spend hours writing stories and poems. And even though I took numerous writing classes up through college, I was never taught how to talk to people with kindness and express my thoughts in a way that protected other people’s hearts.

I bet we all have experienced moments when we wished we could take back words that caused harm or didn't land the way we intended. It could be because, like me, you were never taught how to be mindful about what we say, or perhaps in a moment of frustration the words came tumbling out before you could choose a kinder way of saying what you intended.

That’s why we are excited to have someone who has studied how we can use words well.

Sarah Molitor is a wife, mother of seven kids, and the author of Well Said: Choosing Words that Speak Life, Give Grace, and Strengthen Your Faith and Family. You may know Sarah from her thriving social media community at Modern Farmhouse Family.

In this episode, Sarah shares:

• The power words carry in our relationships
• How God can sometimes do more when we say less
• Common pitfalls our words can lead us into
• And much more!

This conversation was such an honor, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

We are sharing some of our favorite episodes from the podcast this month as we wind down the summer. The first is this conversation with Jim Burns on building relationships with our children as they transition into adulthood.

When our children were younger, our job description as parents was clear. We provide clean clothes, tend to their basic needs, and make sure there are always snacks in the fridge. However, when they transition from high school into adulthood, we have to tear up that old job description and learn a brand new way of relating and supporting them.

Today’s guest knows all about this and often says that “the transition is complicated, often messy, and can sometimes feel like you are walking on eggshells.”

Jim Burns is the president of HomeWord and the author of several popular books, including Doing Life With Your Adult Children. He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Southern California and have three grown daughters and four grandchildren.

In this episode, Jim shares:

• Strategies for redefining your relationship with adult children
• The danger of offering unsolicited advice
• Tips for the child who resists launching
• And much more!

We hope this episode is a helpful resource as you navigate this season of parenting!

Show Notes: https://growinghometogether.com/jim-burns-134