In this episode of Our Perspective Podcast, we share the story of how God provided the right male role models for Thomas, not through striving or control, but through surrender.

As a mom, I tried to orchestrate relationships out of fear, knowing how important strong men would be in my son’s life. But God had it covered.

From meeting Pastor Mike Ash in a lobby to moments that shaped Thomas’ journey.

Learning to tie a tie, men praying over him for Jesuit, celebrating his 15th birthday, high school graduation, and college milestones, this episode is a testimony of divine timing and faithful mentorship.

We also talk about:

* Pastor Mike Moore bringing Thomas on stage at Summer Explosion * Thomas sharing his testimony at Clash * Standing before courageous men and giving a bold charge * What it means to trust God instead of forcing outcomes

Anchor Verse: Exodus 14:14 — “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

If you are parenting out of fear, waiting on provision, or wondering if God sees your child’s future, this episode is your reminder that He is already fighting for them.

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💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Follow Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d

Thomas finally joins the podcast for an honest conversation about being the firstborn son, growing up in the church, and finding your voice as a young man.

We talk about college, grad school plans, communication styles, building relationships with professors, and what it means to lead with gentleness instead of dominance. Thomas also shares his thoughts on faith, identity, and what it’s like choosing gentleness in a culture that often celebrates dominance.

If you’re navigating young adulthood, faith, family dynamics, or firstborn pressure, this episode is for you. Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Follow Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d

Before the microphones. Before the podcast. Before anyone was watching. There was a moment in a grocery store during COVID that sparked something in MG’s heart. What began as one small act of generosity turned into weekly $100 giveaways and thousands of dollars poured into single moms, dads, and foster families. In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to recognize your child’s calling early and how sometimes what feels small is actually preparation for something much bigger. Parents, pay attention. The calling is usually there long before the title ever is.Call it out. Speak life over it. Make room for it. I think this episode has been my favorite. It’s the sweetest story of when I finally recognized MG’s calling. But the truth is… it had been there the whole time. 🤍God is the kindest, don’t you think?

Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Follow Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d

This week, Mary Grace joins me for a heartfelt conversation about motherhood, calling, and trusting God with our children’s futures.

We recap the last few episodes and dive into the dreams we have for our kids and the tension between planning for them and surrendering them to the Lord.

Mary Grace shares the story of her mission trip and the defining moment when God called her into ministry. Her journey is a beautiful reminder that God often shapes purpose in unexpected places.

I also share a line from my journal that has deeply shaped how I see motherhood: “Motherhood is to love who they were created to be, not what you want them to be.” As Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

This episode is about releasing control, embracing calling, and trusting that God’s plans for our children are far greater than anything we could design ourselves.

Connect with Our Perspective 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG @ _marygrace_d

In this episode, it’s just the girls. Carmen and Mary Grace share what it’s really been like navigating very different communication styles while growing up in the same home. They open up about how they process, express emotions, and respond under pressure, and how those differences showed up in real life, especially while being coached by similar leaders in high school. From misunderstandings to growth moments, they reflect on how learning to understand one another changed not just how they communicated, but how they related as sisters. This conversation is honest, reflective, and full of sister perspective showing how awareness, grace, and a willingness to listen can strengthen any relationship. If you’re a parent, sibling, or coach trying to navigate differences without losing connection, this episode is for you. Helpful Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Enneagram Information: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ PDP Communication Tool: https://wowconsultinginc.com/pdptools/ Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Follow Mary Grace: @_marygrace_d

In this episode, we continue the conversation around communication, but this time, we get more personal. We share a few more stories, laugh a lot, and give you a deeper look into how the girls communicate, process, and show up in real life. These early episodes are really about laying the foundation: what our home looked like, how we talked through hard moments, and how understanding communication styles shaped how we related to one another as a family. It’s honest, lighthearted, and full of real-life moments that helped us grow in empathy and connection. If you’re a parent trying to better understand your kids (or yourself), this episode is an invitation to listen, laugh, and learn alongside us. Helpful Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Enneagram Information: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ PDP Communication Tool: https://wowconsultinginc.com/pdptools/ Connect with Our Perspective: 💛 Instagram: @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia: @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG: @_marygrace_d

In this episode, we do a deep dive into communication styles—how they show up under pressure, how they differ from person to person, and why understanding them matters so much in real life.

We kick things off with a hilarious and humbling story from a mountain hike that went very wrong, very fast.

The Hike That Changed Everything

The four of us—Thomas, Carmen, Mary Grace, and myself—set out for what we thought would be an easy 8-mile hike. No big deal… or so we thought.

Instead, we somehow ended up hiking 18 miles, all the way up to the Appalachian Approach Trail.

• No cell service
• Not enough water
• Completely unprepared
• And by the time we reached the top with 9 miles still left to walk down, all we had left between us was one bag of nuts

What followed was a perfect real-life example of how different personalities and communication styles show up under stress. Every Enneagram number on that hike made itself very clear—and the reactions were wildly different (and honestly, pretty funny).

Enneagram in Real Life

As we retell the hike, we unpack how each person’s Enneagram number showed up:

• How some stayed calm
• How others took charge
• How some spiraled internally
• And how miscommunication made an already tough situation even harder

It’s a real-world look at how personality differences can either clash—or complement each other—when things don’t go as planned.

Introducing the PDP Framework

From there, the conversation transitions into the P, C, D, E communication framework (also referred to as the PDP tool), a tool I’ve personally used with all three of my kids to help them:

• Understand how they communicate
• Recognize how others communicate differently
• Reduce conflict
• And build healthier conversations

We walk through each letter—P, C, D, and E:

• What each one represents
• How it shows up in communication
• How it can be misunderstood
• And how understanding it can completely change the way you relate to your kids (and everyone else)

📎 A link to the PDP resource is included in the show notes so you can explore it more deeply on your own.

Why This Matters

This episode is a reminder that:

• Communication breaks down fastest when we’re tired, stressed, or unprepared
• Personality differences aren’t problems—they’re information
• And understanding how your kids are wired can turn frustration into empathy

Whether you’re a parent, spouse, leader, or friend, this episode will give you practical insight—and a good laugh along the way. Information on the Enneagram - https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ Infomation on the PDP- https://wowconsultinginc.com/pdptools/ Connect with Our Perspective 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG @ _marygrace_d

When the Walls Came Down: Where God Met Us in the In-Between In Episode 9, Carmen and Pat sit down for a conversation that starts with communication but naturally unfolds into something much deeper. Together, they reflect on the moments God used, often quietly and unexpectedly to bring their hearts closer. We talk about Carmen’s love for horseback riding and the beautiful ways God met and strengthen us through that passion. From there, we look back on long walks on Davis Islands during Covid, when life slowed down and time together became sacred. Those walks created space for walls that had been built over many years to slowly come down. This episode is about the gift of intentional, one-on-one time and what can happen when we choose to listen without rushing, fixing, or filling the silence. Pat shares how those moments helped her understand Carmen’s heart more deeply, and how creating a safe, unhurried place allowed Carmen to open up and share freely. More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that God often meets us in the in-between. He mets us in the walks, the hobbies, the quiet moments, and the time we choose to give our kids. Parents this is so important. When we make room and stay present, the Holy Spirit gently does the work of softening hearts, breaking down walls, and growing connection in ways only He can. If you’re a parent longing for deeper connection with your child, let this episode remind you that it doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be present. God is already at work in the in-between.

Connect with Our Perspective 💛 Instagram @ourperspective.podcast 💛 Follow Patricia @patricia_6710 💛 Follow MG @ _marygrace_d