In Episode 147, we have the great honor of interviewing Ruth Chou Simons. Y’all…this was such an incredible discussion as we jump right into why we need to stop pretending we have it altogether, the gospel of self-improvement and why we need to replace it with the gospel of life-transforming grace. We talk about growing up in a shame based household as we all grew up in first generation Asian families, and how she learned not to carry on the same way of parenting into her own family. We also talk about what it means to be a third-culture-kid and striving for approval. We could have talked to her for hours on end as we feel like we were just scratching the surface of what it means and how it feels to be an Asian North American during this time.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode147 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IMbetween Podcast on Marriage, Parenting, Faith, and Everything In Between

147: When Strivings Cease with Ruth Chou Simons

Research shows that worry has a trickle-down effect from parent to child. Thus, it's important that parents learn how to manage their worries so that they can cultivate a more peaceful environment for their children. It is possible to give your children (both young and older) the tools for coping with worry and the ability to think differently about the problems and challenges they encounter in the world around them.  In episode 146, Daniel and Christina interview Dr. Josh Straub about what tools to teach our kids to help them manage their worry and trust God. We can all choose to be brave and live free even when we worry. Here's how to do it.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode146 IMBETWEEN FB: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

146: Healthy Habits To Teach Your Kids Who Worry A Lot with Dr. Josh Straub

There has been a lot of talk about personal burnout as the result of everything we have been experiencing. In the same breath, there have been lots of conversations about how we can practice self-care to improve/protect our mental health and overall well-being. And while these conversations are important, one crucial piece of the puzzle has not been highlighted enough: marriage burnout.  In Episode 145, Daniel and Christina interview Carey and Toni Nieywhof about what marriage burnout is and how to prevent it. We also discuss the crucial link between getting healthier personally and having a healthier marriage. If you are currently experiencing marriage burnout, they share some really practical ways to heal and move forward together with your spouse. For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode145 IMBETWEEN FB: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

145: Marriage Burnout: Protect Your Marriage, Heal From Past Hurts, and Move Forward Together with Carey and Toni Nieuwhof

After studying thousands of couples for over 4 decades, Dr. John Gottman found that the difference between happy and unhappy couples is not how much they fight, how often they have sex, or how much money is in their bank accounts. Instead, it is how often they turn toward each other instead of turning away from one another.  In episode 144, Daniel and Christina share how the first half of their marriage was a disaster waiting to happen and what changes they made to ensure the second half of their marriage was healthier.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode144 IMBETWEEN FB: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

144: What 15 Years Of Marriage Has Taught Us

After a year of ups and downs, loss of power and control, children in and out of school, and working from home, our lives have become more chaotic than ever before. Are you ready to bring peace into your home? In Episode 143, Laura Hernandez shares with us her proven customized systems that have brought calm and order into her family of 12. If you feel like you are only reacting to your life instead of intentionally living your life, this episode is for you! Laura Hernandez and her husband Tony live in the Dallas area where they raise their 10 amazing children, 7 biological and 3 adopted. Laura created Mama Systems to help others bring peace to their homes through customized systems. She offers coaching and courses that help families live more intentionally.  For the full show notes, go to IMbetween.org/episode143 IMBETWEEN FB: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

143: Family-Life Hacks To Bring Your Home From Chaos To Calm with Laura Hernandez

Is it possible for you and your spouse to live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, eat dinner around the same table, be quarantined in the same space, and feel utterly alone? Absolutely. And if you feel this way, you are not alone. It happens more often than couples talk about or are willing to confess. Researcher and psychologist, Dr. John Gottman, discovered that the #1 thing couples fight about is not about money, or in-laws, or sex. Instead, most arguments in relationships are about a failure to connect emotionally. That’s why, in today’s episode, we want to share with you 4 simple ways to reconnect with your spouse when you are feeling disconnected. After more than a year of this pandemic, there has been a lot said (or maybe unsaid) that may have left the both of you feeling more weary and alone. We want to help redirect you to one another instead of continuing to let the wedge grow between you and your spouse. IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode142 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

142: 4 Simple Ways To Reconnect With Your Spouse When You Are Feeling Disconnected

What is the purpose behind your parenting? What are you aiming for? In Episode 141, we interview Dave and Ann Wilson about the parenting secret that changes everything. Dave and Ann share their hard-earned but easy-to-apply principles that ensure a strong parent-to-child relationship and a strong foundation for your child in every stage of their lives. Get ready to laugh until your belly hurts as they share their parenting wins, mistakes, and the lessons they have learned raising three (now grown) sons as imperfect parents. Dave Wilson was the Detroit Lions chaplain for 33 seasons, a lead pastor, co-founder of Kensington Community Church, and a nationally touring speaker as well as the radio host with his wife, Ann, of the nationally syndicated radio show Family Life Today. Ann Wilson has served alongside her husband for more than twenty-five years, cofounding Kensington Community Church, speaking at FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember®, and hosting their own marriage conferences across the country. They live in the Detroit area, and they have three grown sons, CJ, Austin, and Cody; three daughters-in-law; and five grandchildren.

141: The Parenting Secret That Changes Everything with Dave and Ann Wilson

Have you ever considered going to couples counseling, but were afraid of the unknown? The first step is often the hardest because you are not sure what to expect. In Episode 140, we interview Monica DiCristina, a Licensed Professional Counselor, about some tell-tale signs your relationship could benefit from counseling. We also discuss what to expect during your initial counseling session, how to know if you and your therapist are a good fit, and what to do if one partner is more willing to pursue counseling than the other. We also ask Monica to take us through a counseling session using a real-life example that plagued our marriage for almost 7 years! We hope that our vulnerability will help demystify what happens during a counseling session and help you take the next step toward healing and wholeness in your relationship. IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode140 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

140: 3 Clear Signs You Need Couples Counseling with Monica DiCristina

Parenting isn’t for wimps, especially when it comes to navigating the crucial conversations that we must have with our kids. Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins have had plenty of crucial conversations in their lives—not only with their own eight children but with parents who are scared and seeking wisdom. In Episode 139, Jimmy and Kristin share the "conversation map” to work through any tough conversations you will have with your children. IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode139 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

139: The Parents' Guide To Navigating Tough Conversations With Your Kids with Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins

12 years ago, Emily Ley found herself with a life she didn’t love. But instead of just settling, she dug deep and did the hard work of changing her life. In Episode 138, Emily shares with us about her journey from "Unsatisfied Emily" to the founder of Simplified, a successful brand of planners and home organizational tools for busy women. Emily created a life she loves using the BUILD philosophy, and she’s on a mission to help others do the same.  IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode138 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

138: How To Boldly Build A Life You Love With Emily Ley

In every conflict, there are two options: to go down the road of an argument or open the doors to a deeper conversation which can lead to a greater understanding between you and your spouse. As John Gottman’s research has shown, it doesn’t actually matter what you fight about. What matters is how you repair your relationship after the fight. In Episode 137, we want to give you the framework of how to repair your relationship after a big fight. Because, if you don’t process your conflicts, you may both find yourselves feeling disrespected, unheard, lonely, and festering in your anger. The little fights will become huge arguments because you don’t feel safe with one another.  IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode137 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

137: How To Repair Your Relationship After A Big Fight

Toxic relationships drain us, consume our brain space, and steal our joy. We've all experienced the aftermath of a toxic person's destruction, but do we all know what to do next? In Episode 136, we interview Gary Thomas about the tall-tell signs of a toxic person and how to walk away from this relationship in freedom and without guilt. We can't let others steal our joy or our mission. Listen in to learn how to set good boundaries and protect your life's calling. IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode136 IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow

136: Signs of a Toxic Person and When To Walk Away with Gary Thomas

Do you live your life trying to avoid pain? Maybe you've pretended everything is fine even though you feel like you are crumbling inside. While most people would never choose to go through a difficult season, we have all walked through some very dark days. In Episode 135, we interview Lisa Harper about the hidden treasure of difficult times and why it's important not to fake it through the hard stuff of life.  In This Episode, You Will Hear About: What this pandemic can help us learn. Why "faking it 'till we make it" is a horrible idea. How to stop pretending everything is fine and what to do instead. How Jesus is enough...even in really difficult circumstances: When you are single and parenting When you lose a loved one When you are hurt by other people, especially Christians When you are learning what it means to grieve with hope IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode135

135: The Hidden Treasure Of Difficult Times: Let's Stop Faking It Through The Hard Stuff With Lisa Harper

The Enneagram is a tool that can help us grow in our understanding of ourselves and each other. In Episode 134, we want to take a deeper dive into the Enneagram as it pertains to parenting. Many teachers of the Enneagram do not recommend typing your children, so that is not what we will be doing in this episode. Instead, we will be discussing each type’s parenting strengths, certain areas each type needs to watch out for, and the paths of growth in our relationships with our children. A Healthy Person Leads To A Healthy Parent: We have talked to hundreds of parents and most would say that they are trying to be the very best parents to their children given the tools that they have. Maybe you've taken a parenting course, read a few books, or are raising your kids the way your parents raised you. And, yet you are still stumped about your relationship with your child. "Why do I react the way that I do when my child doesn't want to spend time with me?" or "Why is it easier to get along with my older children than my younger children?" While we will never know all the answers to our parenting questions, what we do know is that perfect parents don’t exist —and that should not be our goal. However, the longer that we parent, the more we realize that being emotionally healthy is really a huge component of parenting. It’s really difficult to model and teach our children how to be in a relationship with others if we don’t know how to be in a healthy relationship ourselves. As we further unpack the Enneagram within the parenting lens, you will see that no matter what type you are, the healthier you become, the better your parenting skills will be. IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode134

134: Enneagram and Parenting: Tips For Cultivating A Closer Relationship With Your Kids Based On Your Type

The 5 Love Languages has helped millions of relationships, marriages, and families grow in their love and understanding for one another. In a blended family, The 5 Love Languages can help build your love for each other too, but with some unique parameters. In Episode 133, we interview Ron Deal—the leading national expert and the most widely read and viewed author on blended families in the country—about how to use the 5 Love Languages to create a loving and safe environment for your stepfamily. The 5 Love Languages For Blended Families? Maybe you have read other titles in the 5 Love Languages Series and your marriage and parenting have benefited from lessons learned. However, you are beginning to realize that what was successful with your own children or previous spouse is not succeeding as well with your current family. Perhaps you are confused as to why your stepchild’s love language is physical touch, but when you try to hug your step-child, they respond in anger or walk away. There are unique challenges to using the 5 love languages with the blending of two families. Ron provides the context surrounding the challenges that stepfamilies face when expressing and receiving love based on the 5 Love Languages. While empathetically reminding us that loss is a fundamental storyline in the backstory of every blended family, he also presents hope and encouragement for each stepfamily. He shares how we can avoid common mistakes and gives practical recommendations to help family members take steps forward with patience, persistence, love, and intentionality. By using the 5 Love Languages, and learning the unique dialects your family speaks, you can grow in your coupleness and your family togetherness.  IMBETWEEN FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/imbetweenshow IMBETWEEN SHOWNOTES: IMbetween.org/episode133

133: The 5 Love Languages Of Blended Families With Ron L. Deal

The IMbetween Podcast is a conversation on marriage, parenting, faith, and everything in between. With your co-hosts, Daniel and Christina Im, you will laugh and learn to build a strong, connected, and joy-filled marriage + family. On this podcast, you will hear how to raise children that change the world, ideas to keep the romance alive with your spouse, how to not hate your in-laws, ways to save money for your next vacation, and how to use the Enneagram in your relationships. Daniel is an author, pastor, and Gallup strengths performance coach. Christina is a social worker, counselor, and Enneagram enthusiast. They are Canadians that recently moved back from Nashville, TN and have three children.

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IMbetween Podcast on Marriage, Parenting, Faith, and Everyth...

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