Shows
The Connected Life338: Hormones: The Relationship Plot TwistFor many couples, navigating hormones can feel like walking through a minefield—unpredictable, emotionally charged, and often misunderstood. In this episode, Justin and Abi get personal about the challenges that come with PMS and shifting hormone cycles, offering a candid look into how it’s impacted their relationship over the years. From the physical discomfort to the emotional whiplash, Abi shares what it feels like to be in a hormone storm, while Justin gives voice to what it’s like to be on the receiving end. Together, they unpack misconceptions and dig into the power of validation, emotio...2025-06-231h 09The Connected Life312: Love That Never FailsIn this heartfelt episode, Justin and Abi discuss the profound impact grief and suffering have on humanity, exploring how the radical love of God can overcome the despair and hopelessness we all face during overwhelming and painful experiences. Justin shares his personal journey of nearly losing Abi to her illness, revealing how his breaking point became a turning point for hope and freedom. Abi reflects on how her struggles have redefined her understanding of God’s love. Together, they offer a fresh perspective on suffering and fondly recount the goodness of a Creator who has remained tangible an...2024-12-231h 03The Connected Life304: Honoring Your CapacityWe're wired to seek love, approval, and affirmation—even when it pushes us to the breaking point. But what happens when life knocks you down so hard that performing is no longer an option? In this raw and eye-opening episode, Abi shares about her battle with PTSD and how it shattered her ability to keep up appearances. She dives into the toll of self-neglect, fueled by a 'can-do' attitude that led to burnout, and the pressure of maintaining a public image while struggling behind the scenes. From the expectations of always being "on" to how filming this ve...2024-10-281h 02The Connected Life299: Great Minds Don’t Think AlikeYou probably know or have met someone with ADD, ADHD, or autism—or maybe you’re one of those people. These neurological differences, known as neurodivergence, make up an estimated 15-20% of the population. Whether or not you fall into this category, it’s likely to impact your life, and we’re here to help you navigate it. In this episode, Abi and Justin sit down with their close friend, a fellow neurodivergent. Together, they share their journeys with neurodivergence, the impact it’s had on their lives and relationships, and how they’ve turned what could have been kr...2024-09-2358 minThe Connected Life276: Navigating Relational LossesWe’ve all lost relationships at some point in our lives. Whether we created the disconnection, they did, or we both played a role, those losses can be difficult and messy. Sadly, these losses can seemingly leave us worse off than if we never knew the person, but what if it doesn’t have to be that way? In this episode Abi and Justin shine a light on powerful approaches to relational loss. They take a look at having gratitude for what was, how our grief matters, ways to have compassion for others, and surrendering what we thin...2024-04-151h 03The Connected Life271: A Vulnerable Conversation About TraumaWhat if a vulnerable conversation could be enough to foster the comfort needed to relieve panic and anxiety? Many of us have history’s littered with painful and traumatic moments that impact our everyday lives. On difficult days, sometimes a loving presence and caring questions are just enough to free us from our funk, while bringing repair to parts of our past. In this episode Justin sits down with a grumpy gal named Abi, who isn’t in the mood to do a podcast. Through thoughtful questions, Justin navigates Abi’s swirl of emotions until they’re able to...2024-03-111h 04The Connected Life267: Justin and Abi's FightDisconnections in relationships are normal and to be expected. Yet, for many of us, the disconnections we often saw modeled to us growing up didn’t end well. For so many, the experiences we’ve been exposed to are filled with unresolved pain that ends in further distance or no acknowledgement of the real problems at all. Because of this, being present in other people’s conflict can be anxiety inducing, sending us into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. But what if we could sit down in the midst of someone’s messiness and realize that everything can truly be...2024-02-121h 07The Connected Life266: A Life Well LivedOur time on earth is limited and facing the reality of our mortality can feel scary or morbid. We can easily place our deaths in the back of our minds where we imagine them far off in some distant future and forget how precious each moment truly is. In the end of another person’s life it’s realistic to reflect not only on how they spent it, but also how we’re spending the incredible gift we’ve been given. In this episode Abi and Justin sit down to discuss the recent loss of Abi’s Uncle John...2024-02-051h 04The Connected Life230: Grace in SufferingPhysical sickness and pain are universally part of every human’s life. If we live long enough, we’re bound to experience our own sufferings or the sufferings of a loved one. Oftentimes we can feel inadequate to help, or judged by those that care about our condition. Suffering is difficult for everyone involved, but what if there is plenty of grace for ourselves and others in the midst of all the messiness? In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their close friend and Psychologist, Ruth Outram. Abi continues her process of opening up about her c...2023-05-291h 05The Connected Life229: Healing Your Body and Mind Through SafetyMost of us are unaware that our nervous system has a radical impact on the story we tell ourselves about our day to day experiences. Traumatic events have ongoing affects in our body that can profoundly affect our sense of reality and our interpretation of relational exchanges. What if tending to our bodies had the power to redefine not only our experiences, but also our relationships? In this episode Abi sits down with her good friend and fellow Life Consultant Rachel Hughes. They discuss how your body holds on to trauma, the powerful affects of learning how...2023-05-221h 15The Connected Life228: How Our Theology Impacts Our PsychologyRarely do we understand the far reaching affects of our spiritual beliefs on our psychological wellbeing. Under close examination, participating in any faith institution can have beautiful and messy repercussions in our lives. Understanding what we believe about the Source that created us is necessary to managing and healing our emotional state. In this episode Rachel Hughes, a good friend and fellow Life Consultant, joins Abi and Justin. Abi shares about the affects her spiritual beliefs have had on her journey to physical healing and the impact that’s had on her mental health. Rachel opens up abo...2023-05-151h 14The Connected Life221: The Distracted LifeIt’s estimated that over 8 million adults and nearly 6 million children have ADHD. The chances are that someone you know has been diagnosed with this disorder. Unfortunately, the potential impact of this on relationships can’t be measured, but it can be addressed. In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their dear friends Marcus and Bryant. Abi, Marcus, and Bryant discuss growing up in their childhoods with ADHD, the affects it’s had on their adult lives, and the ways they’ve learned to navigate life with this disorder. Justin shares his experience of those closest t...2023-03-271h 07
BraveCo Podcast047: Compassion, Vulnerability, and Love with Abi StumvollIn this episode, Abi Stumvoll joins Jay to talk about compassion, vulnerability, and much more. Abi is a speaker, teacher, and life consultant. Currently, she leads Living Fully Alive and The Pathway to Freedom. If your life has been at all messy, you'll find comfort in this episode. Stay brave!For more info on Abi Stumvoll and her podcast check out: https://justinandabi.com/Foundations of Masculinity Church Curriculum: https://www.church.braveco.org/BraveCo Conference 2023: https://www.braveco.org/eventsJason's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayvallotton/CONNECT WITH BRAVECO...2023-02-061h 37The Connected Life196: Creating ConnectionConnection isn’t something that just happens by proximity. Over time connection is something this is deliberately fostered through experiences and conversations that create a deeper knowing of one another. Often times the process of building connection can feel difficult and even mysterious. The truth is, connection can be rather easy when we have some sort of map. In this episode Justin and Abi dive into “Connection Cards: Couples Edition” a game designed by The Adventure Challenge to help facilitate a deepening of connection through fun and heartfelt questions. These simple cards instigate a profound sense of connect...2022-10-0358 minThe Connected Life195: Life LessonsThe journey of aging extends an invitation to learn and grow from our victories, losses, sufferings, and celebrations. Not everyone surrenders to the process, but to those who stop resisting, gold nuggets collected from each season of life become a store house of riches ready to help you create a life fully lived. In this monumental episode Abi sits down with Justin as he crosses the major age benchmark of forty years old. On this monumental birthday week Abi investigates what the first half of Justin’s life has taught him and explores what the years moving for...2022-09-2655 minThe Connected Life180: Rejection and Redemption: A Live Healing ExperienceOvercoming the loss of anything that matters to us can be incredibly difficult, especially when we’ve experienced loss before. Separating the past from the present can seem almost impossible when navigating our grief. But what if there is a path to clarity that can resolve the past and bring compassion to the present? In this episode Abi and her best friend Pietze sit down with special guest Shanna to navigate the freeze response Shanna recently had around her family. Shanna vulnerably shares her history of pain from disconnection in relationships and allows Abi and Pietze to part...2022-06-131h 16The Connected Life174: A Redemptive Love StoryThe hope for finding love is something most of us can relate to. The desire to love and be loved is woven into our humanity. For many of us, dreaming of a fulfilling future can be scary, especially when we’ve had so many disappointments. But is there hope for goodness when the worst case scenario seemingly destroys the promises we’ve been believing for? In this episode Abi and her best friend Pietze sit down with Rachel and Joshua, a newly married couple. Rachel and Joshua reveal the messy beginnings of their own lives that shattered thei...2022-05-021h 33The Connected Life143: Finding Empowerment and Healing through TriggersFaces of people screaming and college campuses littered with safe spaces are often the things that come to mind when someone makes mention of triggers. A sense of some villain offending an innocent onlooker with words or deeds deemed as triggering is the common perception of the subject. But what if triggers were something much more? In this episode Abi and Justin are joined by their assistant Flo. Flo shares her misperceptions around triggers while diving into the empowerment and healing she’s found as she’s had her perspective so profoundly changed. Through a beautiful moment of v...2021-09-271h 12
The Bryant Ellis ShowAbi Stumvoll - How to Process Through Shame When You FailWhen you fail, especially publicly, it's easy to feel shame. Shame wants to make it seem like you didn’t just do a bad thing, YOU ARE a bad person. In this week’s episode of the Fail Journal, Bryant is joined by the one and only Abi Stumvoll to talk about how we can process through shame when we fail -- and how we can learn from our mistakes so we don’t repeat them in the future!Link for “The Connected Life,” the podcast Abi co-hosts with her husband Justin:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/pod...2021-09-151h 14The Connected Life134: Restoring Humanity in ReligionReligion has a way of stripping individuals of their humanity and demanding perfection through performance. This behavior is detrimental to everyone involved. In this episode Abi’s lifelong friend, Pietze, joins Abi and Justin. Pietze shares about her upbringing as a Pastor’s kid and the painful affects institutionalized religion had on her family. Together they take a gracious look at the driving force behind people’s destructive actions, while humanizing everyone involved. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve had to throw out your personality, desires, and voice to become acceptable in the sight of a...2021-07-261h 08The Connected Life119: The Top Secret Truth to TransformationPeople oftentimes wonder what the quick fix is to experiencing change in their lives. Although there is no magic pill, there is a fundamental component to the transformation process that gives people a guaranteed boost of momentum, and strength, that is rarely discussed. In this episode, Abi and Justin sit down with their mutual close friend Ruth Outram. Together they discuss her scientific and practical understanding of personal development through group belonging and community exchanges. Abi and Ruth breakdown their shared experiences of leading groups of people through equipping and empowering individuals to be a resource for...2021-04-121h 10The Connected Life116: Hearing God for Your Future Pt 1Throughout history people from all walks of life have believed that they could gain insight into their future, as well as others futures through one means or another. Many ancient texts are filled with prophecies regarding mankind. But what happens when we as humans have a direct relationship with an unconditionally loving Creator that wants to talk to us? In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by Pietze, Abi’s best friend. They take a critical look at the role of prophecy in life, dating, and marriage, while exploring freedom of choice. They discuss th...2021-03-221h 01The Connected Life93: From Crappy to HappyLet’s all face it, life can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster. For some it’s a series of high highs, and low lows. Others live in low lows and rarely see the light of day. Then there are those that live with their heads in the clouds wearing permanent smiles on their faces never looking down long enough to catch a glimpse of reality. In this episode Abi and Justin dive playfully into the essence of true happiness. They highlight the major blockers of happiness while highlighting ways to cultivate a happier life. Together they navigate how a...2020-10-1254 minThe Connected Life92: Creating Victory Over Our Body BattleThe battle with our bodies is often a tumultuous one. A majority of culture would universally acknowledge some form of a personal body battle for women. Men, however, are often shrouded in shame, hiding their battle with this reality. In this episode Spencer, Justin’s former client and close friend joins the conversation. He vulnerably shares his story of having an eating disorder with Justin and Abi, while opening up about his steps to creating a lifestyle of victory over his long time battle with his body. Through candid conversation, Spencer shatters shame for other me...2020-10-051h 16The Connected Life91: Justin’s Surprise Birthday InterviewIt’s Justin’s birthday and what better way to celebrate than for Abi to hijack The Connected Life and spring a series of questions on her lover about his life. Some seriousness, mixed with play, is just what the doctor ordered for this light-hearted interview. Get insight into Justin’s personal life as he shares about the gifts this year granted him through Abi’s sickness. Enjoy learning all about Justin’s dream to have hands for feet and what he hopes this next year will hold for him. Get ready to be delighted as you get...2020-09-2858 minThe Connected Life90: A Surefire Solution to Feel ConnectedFor some of us, it feels safer to live a life so self-sufficient that we don’t ever need anyone. For others, we need people so much we can become a vampire, draining the life out of those we love the most. Either extreme is detrimental to the experience of connection. In this episode, Justin and Abi share about their struggles with self-sufficiency. They tackle the loneliness and abandonment that accompanies this kind of lifestyle, but not without addressing the other end of the pendulum known as being needy! They explore how to practically live a life of...2020-09-2154 min
A Cup Full of Hope Podcast74. An Interview With Abi StumvollWhen Abi Stumvoll was 12 years old she prayed, “If you can teach me how to love myself, I will change the world." This simple prayer ignited her adventure of uncovering the power of love. Throughout her journey she has seen love conquer the fear and torment that once seemed impossible to overcome. She and her husband, Justin, run a life consulting business where they meet with clients and train others to do the same. She is the co-host of The Connected Life, an international podcast focused on healing the human soul, and she travels the world speaking and teaching ot...2020-09-211h 02The Connected Life89: Unearthing, Understanding, and Eradicating Shrouded ShameHidden in the recesses of our programming is a haunting voice driving our lives. Whether we acknowledge and understand it or not, this voice is very real and universal to all of humanity. Ignoring it won't make it magically disappear. Equipping and empowering ourselves is the only solution to shattering the affects of this monster in our lives. In this episode, Abi and Justin deep dive into the topic of shame as they chat it up with their close friend Ruth. Ruth shares about the subtle ways shame has permeated her life. Together they explore what shame...2020-09-1456 minThe Connected Life87: Redefining Justice-The Path to HealingThe subject of injustice is a fiery one. We’ve all experienced forms of injustice in our lives. Justice being served is a necessary part of righting wrongs. But when asked to define what actual justice is, there are uncountable numbers of responses. In order to find true healing both personally, and as a culture, we are in desperate need of redefining what justice looks like. In this episode Abi and Justin sit down with Sean Smith as he opens up about the racially motivated tragedy that sent his world into a tailspin. Sean shares th...2020-08-311h 04The Connected Life86: Finding Hope in the PresentHope is a necessary component to experiencing a life fully lived. Looking at what didn’t work out for us, or imagining a future that has yet to happen can often lead to a sense of hopelessness. But what if we could create a lifestyle of hope through learning how to be present in the moment. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about staying connected to our present moment as a way of anchoring ourselves to hope. Through our reflections of what did work out well for us, we can create a history of hope monuments th...2020-08-2447 minThe Connected Life85: The Power of Celebrating YourselfSome people believe that celebrating yourself can lead to arrogance and pride. Often times people feel awkward and out of place when the spotlight shines on them, especially if they’re shining the light. A false sense of humility often replaces a healthy expression of necessary celebration. In this episode Abi and Justin explore the need to celebrate yourself. Justin opens up about the painful loss of his brother that led to an inability to celebrate himself. Together they discuss the powerful affects of celebration and how that overflows into creating a world of gratitude and joy....2020-08-1757 minThe Connected Life84: Restoring Our Childlike WonderFor most of us adults, we find ourselves struggling to connect with creativity. We lose the ability to dream and create from a place of joy and happiness. The evolution of growing up comes with the loss of our childlike wonder, the foundation for feeling fully alive. In this episode Justin and Abi sit down with their friend Ryan. Ryan shares his story of working himself to death and how his disconnection from emotions left him feeling bankrupt as a businessman, father, and husband. He opens up about his terrifying journey to regain his childlike wonder as...2020-08-101h 24The Connected Life82: Making Your Dreams a RealityLearning how to trust our inner voice, especially when it comes to the dreams and desires of our heart, can sometimes be difficult. Often times we are met with unforeseen delays, obstacles, and naysayers. Very rarely is the road to fulfillment straight and paved smoothly. In a world of uncertainty, bringing your dreams to life can sometimes feel like an unclimbable mountain. But with the right approach it can be a tale of adventure and redemption. In this episode Abi interviews Justin about the journey of creating his book The Tree of Life. Justin shares...2020-07-271h 12The Connected Life81: Creating an Anti-Affair PlanBuilding trust in a relationship can take years and requires immense vulnerability. When we’ve given our hearts to another human, the cost of betrayal can be so high that few truly bounce back from it. Often times people put a lot of effort trying to clean up the pieces of something that didn’t have to be broken in the first place. In this episode Justin and Abi discuss ways to create an anti-affair plan. Though we can’t control our significant others into making healthy committed decisions, we can co-create a shame-free culture that empowers honest...2020-07-201h 05The Connected Life80: Rebuilding From Rubble with Paul YoungWith so many unknowns, life can feel great one moment, and in the next, our world can feel like it’s crumbling all around us. Sometimes the chaos and mayhem happens to us, and sometimes it’s self-inflicted. When mishaps, meltdowns, or tragedy happen, we can find ourselves broken and at a loss for what to do. In this episode Paul Young, author of The Shack, joins Abi and Justin as they discuss the dismantling that happened when he was forced to face the reality of his affair with his wife’s best friend. Toge...2020-07-131h 29The Connected Life79: Tub Talk- The Naked Truth About MarriageMarriage is a lot of things to a lot of people. For some, it’s the answer to all our problems or the source of them. To others, it’s just a contract between two roommates until they’re tired of seeing each other’s faces. So what exactly is the purpose of marriage? In this episode Justin and Abi get naked, hop in the tub, yes you read that right, THE TUB, and have a candid conversation about what marriage is and what it isn’t supposed to be. It’s time to break the illusion...2020-07-0653 minThe Connected Life78: The Journey to a Dream FulfilledIn this moment in history so many people are faced with mounting unknowns. As people are suffering the loss of jobs and businesses, many are asking the questions, What do I do now? Where do I go from here? What if the biggest NO life has to offer is actually the open door to a YES you’ve always dreamed of? In this episode Justin and Abi sit down with their two friends, Bryant and Ben, who share their journey of partnership and success through creating and launching their company The Adventure challenge. Th...2020-06-291h 16The Connected Life77: Seeking to Understand: A Time to ListenThe current conversation around race can be confusing and seems to have many pitfalls. Politics and ideologies often muddy a much needed, and necessary, conversation. Hidden behind the eruption of protests are real people with real experiences. In this episode Abi and Justin are given the unique opportunity to sit down with and hear from their friend Jon Miller. Jon shares vulnerably about his experience with pain and trauma as a black man, while opening up about the broader experience of trauma in the black community. This is a time in our nation in desperate...2020-06-221h 41The Connected Life76: Finding a Firm Foundation in Trying TimesThe world is truly faced with unprecedented trying times. After an outbreak of a global pandemic, filled with uncertainty, we’re now face to face with battles in our streets and unresolved trauma from a tainted past. Finding a firm foundation to stand on can feel almost impossible in the midst of feeling like we’ve been stretched well beyond our capacity. In this episode Justin and Abi take an honest look at the collective pain and suffering the world is feeling in an attempt to acknowledge and find healing for the widespread trauma humanity has to over...2020-06-151h 16The Connected Life75: Building Bridges Through CompassionThe world is stricken with grief and seemingly more divided than ever before. Injustices caught on camera strike our humanity to the core. With the instability of Corona, the painful conversation of racism, and an up and coming election in the United States, how will the world survive 2020? In this episode Abi and Justin address the real pain, as well as the division being expressed across social media. They take an honest look at the ever growing divide and explore powerful concepts like compassion as a much needed solution to move us from reaction to response. 2020-06-0858 minThe Connected Life74: Recalibrating Your Relational RoleWe all play a role in relationships. This role we play evolves in our childhoods as we take on very specific identities within our families. Some of us were the “responsible kid”, others were the “screw up”, "goof off", “black sheep”, “hyperactive”, or “timid” kid. The list of roles are endless, and when thought about for a moment, very apparent, especially at family gatherings. In this episode Abi and Justin explore the roles we play in our family systems and highlight critical postures we have to take in order to pivot out of an identity that was never supposed to be...2020-06-0152 minThe Connected Life73: 12 Green-lights to RelationshipRed flags are all the rave in relationship advice, but what about green lights? What are key signs to look for when choosing a friend or mate? Understanding DOs can be even more critical than understanding DON’Ts! In this episode Justin and Abi lay out 12 fundamental green lights to look for when exploring possibilities for friendships and dating partners. Woven into the fabric of the conversation is an invitation to take an honest, yet compassionate look at your life and explore the pitfalls you’ve been blinded to in becoming a green light yourself! This...2020-05-2553 minThe Connected Life72: Sorry-The Cuss Word of All Cuss WordsAs humans, we have a tendency to make mistakes and be messy. If we spend any depth of time in relationship with one another, we’re bound to create painful moments for the ones we love the most. Knowing that problems are inevitable, repairing relationships is an art form worth learning. At the foundation of all relational repairs are apologies. In this episode Abi and Justin explore the power of apologies, why we need them, why we don’t give them, and what a quality apology could sound like. If you’ve been needing an apology or can’t...2020-05-1850 minThe Connected Life71: What Are All These Feelings?It’s easy to feel out of control and barraged by emotions. Sometimes it’s unclear what we’re feeling, or why we’re feeling it. The truth is, emotions are an energy pulsating in us and through us. We are consistently broadcasting this energy to the world around us. Through intelligent design, we have been made for relationship, and our ability to broadcast is equal to our capacity to be receptors. In this episode, Justin and Abi shine a spotlight on the world of feelings. They discuss the paramount necessity of self-awareness in order to accurately understa...2020-05-1151 minThe Connected Life69: Becoming Empowered in Relational ConflictFor many of us, the villain in our story is very clear and if they would change, we would be just fine. Relationships often find themselves in never-ending cycles of finger pointing and blame. Unfortunately, this only leads to further problems and pain. In this episode, Abi and Justin sit down with their dear friends Marcus and Brianna. Marcus and Bri open up about the recent conflict in their marriage surrounding her health issues and pull back the curtain to reveal the real emotions hiding behind the symptoms. It’s time for a fresh perspective on...2020-04-2753 minThe Connected Life68: Stop Playing the GameWe all play games in relationships, whether or not we’re aware of it. These games can keep us in limiting cycles that affect our ability to live a life of intimacy and connection. In this episode Abi and Justin talk abut a popular reality dating show and investigate the dynamics of the couples relationships. They address the games being played in matters of the heart and reveal common pitfalls we’re all susceptible to when we’re not living in self-awareness. If you’re wanting deeper connections and intimacy, it’s time to STOP playing ga...2020-04-2054 minThe Connected Life67: From Falling Apart to Falling TogetherThis week we’re having an unscheduled interruption. Since the world is already topsy-turvy why not? Not to fret though, next week you’ll get part two of our two-part episode, Shattering the Secrets that Shame Us. Hope is one of the most valuable commodities necessary to find life in the midst of watching everything crumble to pieces. We are at a moment in history where we need a fresh reminder of how things can come together after falling apart. In this episode Justin and Abi sit down with special guest Dallas Jenkins. Dallas shares how...2020-04-131h 09The Connected Life64: Thriving through CoronaFor many of us, the world has gone topsy turvy. Fear and panic rule the news and social media. Uncertainty about jobs and future plans are all up in the air. Kids are out of school and ruining our routines. Toilet paper shortages are leaving many of us having to shower multiple times a day! Yeah it’s a wild time and we’re living through a historic moment. But fear not! Abi and Justin are on the scene with pepperings of humor and strategies on how to connect and come alive in circumstances that are leaving many...2020-03-2354 minThe Connected Life63: The Journey to Healing-Finding Your Fight Pt 4 of 4All of us go through seasons of life where we feel like we got knocked down, and some times knocked out. Many times we can feel as though we lost our fight along the way. But what if we can get that fight back? In this final episode of this four part series Abi and Justin talk about their struggles with faith through their suffering, how they reconciled a good God in a broken world, and how they found their fight to move through the darkness to the other side where life fully exists. Get...2020-03-161h 07The Connected Life62: The Journey To Healing-Justin's Sadness Pt 3 of 4Suffering and sadness are an unavoidable part of the human experience. The gift of suffering is that it illuminates humanity in a unique and special way. Although no one can truly understand the full suffering of another, or the impact of that suffering, they can accept our journey, stand with us, and learn to hold space for our process. In part three of this series we dive into Justin’s perspective and how he learned to stay healthy while loving someone in a rough spot. He shares how he knew Abi would be sick when he met her...2020-03-0959 minThe Connected Life61: The Journey to Healing-Revelations From Pain Pt 2 of 4We have two options when we go through hard things; see the pain as an invitation into wholeness, or get stuck in hopelessness, fear, and heart ache. For part two of this four part series, Justin and Abi discuss the revelations Abi had through the last year of sickness. Abi’s health issues forced her into a world of deeper vulnerability, and gave space for grief to surface that produced healing in places she’s felt orphaned and alone. They share how allowing themselves to grieve the wrongs of the past didn’t mean they wallow...2020-03-021h 03The Connected Life60: The Journey To Healing-Abi's Sickness Pt 1 of 4We’ve all gone through valleys of despair or suffered painful seasons. Those of us who choose to ignore it and push forward are often praised for being strong. Unfortunately, ignored pain, buried deep within, eventually finds a way of erupting until we pay attention and get the necessary healing. In this tremendously vulnerable series, Abi and Justin invite you to be part of a very exposing piece of their lives as they share about Abi’s sickness. In this episode Abi speaks candidly about her suffering and shares openly about her history of emotional pain. Together they...2020-02-2457 minThe Connected Life59: The Ebbs and Flows of FriendshipMan’s best friend is supposedly a dog, but what if it could be another human being? Humanity gets a bum wrap because often times we don’t understand ourselves, others, or the friendship process. Many of us have had bad experiences with friendships, leaving us jaded and shut down. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? In this episode, Justin is booted to the curb as Abi and her best friend, Pietze, sit down for an insightful conversation about the ups and downs of their friendship. Together they investigate what it takes to bui...2020-02-171h 07The Connected Life58: Relating Powerfully to Your Partner's FamilyIn-Laws, whether we love ‘em, hate ‘em, or fall somewhere in between, as long as we’re married, they’re here to stay. We can all become immune to our own family’s deficiencies. Sometimes it takes an outsider to notice the crazy that we spent our entire lives thinking was “normal”. Join Just and Abi as they pull from their own personal histories of dealing with each others dysfunctional family systems. Listen as they share about the ever changing dynamics that occur when a new person is brought into the mix and how that person is meant to be a...2020-02-101h 05The Connected Life57: How to Master and Win at Dating Pt 2 of 2Do you want to get married? Get ready to date! But believe it or not, the goal of dating isn’t marriage, it’s for us to become who we were made to be and learn how to treat humans the best we can. In part two of this two part episode Abi and Justin are joined again by their good friend Megan as she shares candidly about overcoming rejection in the dating world, how she learned the art of pacing, and how she learned to be brutally, but respectfully honest as a powerful communicator. Wher...2020-02-0343 minThe Connected Life56: How to Master and Win at Dating Pt 1 of 2The days of arranged marriage and courtship are a thing of the past. If you want to get married in todays world you have to date. With the age of the internet and phone apps, dating has progressively evolved. With that evolution has come a myriad of complications in an area of relational experiences that is already difficult and scary for many people. In this two-part exploration of online dating, Justin and Abi’s close friend Megan joins them to talk about her journey from being terrified to becoming completely comfortable in her own skin. She shares he...2020-01-2758 minThe Connected Life55: Keys to Becoming a Great FriendIn order to truly feel alive and happy, friendships are a vital part of life. Unfortunately, there’s not many “how to” guides on friendship. We definitely know when we don’t feel like someone is being a good friend, but do we know what it is to BE a good friend? In this episode Abi and Justin break down fundamental keys to becoming a great friend. They share vital ways to love others and help to equip you to be the friend that you always wanted to have. Get ready to redefine the word friendship and find dee...2020-01-2049 minThe Connected Life54: Vision- The Key to Relational MomentumIn a world saturated with self-help books, finding strategy on how to cast vision for your dreams is amply easy. And that’s a good thing, because without vision our life gradually wastes away. Often times, however, vision casting is around external achievements; generating wealth, getting married, owning a home, traveling the world, or having an experience. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about the power of casting vision for how we feel, what we believe, and who we can become internally. They dive in to the power of this kind of consistent vision casting in re...2020-01-131h 00The Connected Life53: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges to ConnectionWe all want to feel connected to the world around us. The desire for connection is encoded into the fabric of human existence. We can deny that we have this desire to ourselves, and to everyone else, but that won’t make the fundamental design disappear, so why not embrace it? In this episode Abi and Justin discuss fundamental barriers that get in the way of connection, how to tear them down, and what bridges are necessary to build in order to get connected. Start the New Year off right by building a foundation for success in al...2020-01-0653 minThe Connected Life52: How to Win in the New YearEvery year is marked by the unexpected. Some years are filled with the celebration of babies, marriages, adventures, and opportunities we’ve never dreamed of. Some years are filled with sickness, tragedy, and loss that we couldn’t plan for. It’s easy to think back on the year and only see the immense victories or the devastatingly low points. For most of us, however, pain is the loudest part of the year, leaving us feeling happy that we survived and ready to move on. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? In thi...2019-12-3040 minThe Connected Life51: Becoming Loving and Powerful During the HolidaysWe’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, holidays can be messy! It’s easy to get disconnected, frustrated, and overwhelmed during the holidays. This time of year stirs up all kinds of emotions. Even the healthiest and happiest of us are subject to being around someone during the holidays that isn’t healthy or happy. That’s why becoming loving and powerful is a vital key to having a successful experience. Join Abi and Justin as they highlight the many triggers people have during this time of year and how you can postur...2019-12-2352 minThe Connected Life50: Spirituality and Boundaries Pt 2 of 2Leadership is messy! For both those leading and those following. It can be a rough ride on each side of the coin and we’ve all had our fair share of aches, pains, and problems no matter which side you land on. In part two, of this two-part episode, Justin and Abi discuss some things that leaders should definitely NOT do, as well as things we should not be expecting our leaders to be doing for us. They also talk about how to handle both good and bad advice from leadership, why we should value our own vo...2019-12-1658 minThe Connected Life49: Spirituality and Boundaries Pt 1 of 2 We’ve all had people with authority and influence over our lives, whether it’s bosses, pastors, coaches, or leaders in general. As children we learn that we can either submit or rebel to this authority. Unfortunately, this two-mode response system often carries over into adulthood. If we’re hurt by, or disagree with the leaders in our world, we respond with judgment and condescension. On the flip side, if we give them all authority over us, we treat them like a god and we are rendered powerless in our own lives. Both have the capacity to destro...2019-12-0953 minThe Connected Life48: The Power of Living a Life of GenerosityTis the season for generosity! Generosity is contagious and in any book, or teaching, on success and wealth, generosity is foundational and fundamental. Generosity comes in many different forms far beyond financial. In order to truly “feel wealthy,” we have to learn how to express generosity. Understanding multiple expressions helps us find ways of doing just that. Join Justin and Abi as they share about the power of generosity and how it’s profoundly affected their lives, and the lives of those that they love so much. Get ready to be challenged to face your fears of giving...2019-12-0242 minThe Connected Life47: Creating a Lifestyle of ThanksgivingThe holidays can be filled with all kinds of emotions and unexpected experiences. For some, the holidays are full of fond memories, for others, they're a time we want to forget all together. The day we call Thanksgiving is meant to be a reminder of what we’re thankful for. For many of us, we’ve forgotten that it’s more than a tradition, and we’re in necessary need of making it a lifestyle. Join Abi and Justin as they share a wild Thanksgiving story and tackle keys to thriving through the holidays, while simultaneously highlighting the powe...2019-11-2553 minThe Connected Life46: 7 Steps to Overcoming Breakups and BetrayalsBreakups and betrayals can be brutal! As humans we’ve all had these experiences, whether it’s with our parents, siblings, extended family, friends, boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. The pain is real clear, but the process of healing and moving forward isn’t always that clear. In this episode, Abi and Justin dive in to the affects of the betrayals and breakups in their own lives and lay out a road map of 7 strategic steps to overcoming the pain and finding a way to thrive on the other side of it all. If you’ve been through a breaku...2019-11-1854 minThe Connected Life45: The Lifelong Journey to Great Sex Pt 2 of 2In part one of this two part episode, Justin and Abi took an honest look at the hurdles Joey and Kelley Feste faced in their formative years of marriage. Here, in part two, we jump back in where we left off as Joey and Kelley dive into their sex life and share the details of what makes it work. After 32 years, Joey doesn’t need viagra and Kelley wants sex more than ever before! Things are about to get steamy as Joey and Kelley share the secret ingredients to a healthy sex life that has longevity. ...2019-11-1147 minThe Connected Life44: The Lifelong Journey to Great Sex Pt 1 of 2We all have varying experiences of marriage. For many of us, we didn’t have the best examples growing up. For others, marriage looked like land of the happy people where nothing was ever wrong. No matter what side of the pendulum you’re on, one thing is for certain, today’s society is progressively reluctant to walk down the aisle and say, “I do.” In this two part episode Justin and Abi are joined by their close friends, and seasoned marriage veterans, Joey and Kelley Feste. They take an inside look into the difficulties that had to be face...2019-11-0441 minThe Connected Life43: Understanding and Embracing Your SeasonWe’ve all been through tough seasons of life that felt like they would never end. Many of us are terrified we’ll get stuck, or even worse, that the best seasons will end as quickly as they started. We can find ourselves getting bitter, depressed, or burnt out if we don’t have the tools to identify which season we’re in. The good news is that there is a beginning and an end to every season. In this episode, Abi and Justin discuss 7 major seasons of life that are necessary to our development and how...2019-10-2850 minThe Connected Life42: The Healing Power of Nurture-The Mother Series Pt 5All of humanity have what we call core needs that must to be met. Nurture is one of those needs and one that initially, and primarily, gets met by our mothers. But what if you had a mother that was critical, emotionally unavailable, or depressed? Or maybe, just a mom who was fundamentally good, but didn’t have all the tools to give you what you needed as a child? When core needs are left unmet we can find ourselves coping through overeating, drinking, shopping, sex addictions, working, or “using” other people in an attempt to get the co...2019-10-2155 minThe Connected Life41: Stumbling Blocks to Connection-The Mother Series Pt 4Mom’s are an intricate part of the fabric of our lives. Our bond with them is woven into the interactions with our most intimate connections, whether we’re aware of it or not. Moms are known for creating the road map for nurturing, when left unacknowledged, this relationship with our mother can skew how we experience and treat the people we love the most. In this episode, Justin and Abi share how the relationship with their mothers unknowingly created pain and misunderstandings that drove a wedge in their connection throughout their marriage. After over a decade of b...2019-10-141h 03The Connected Life38: Facing the Reality of Our Childhood: The Mother Series Pt 1For many of us, parents can be a sensitive subject. As children our desire is to be loved and nurtured, but for some, that doesn’t always feel like the reality of what happened. When parents are involved in creating pain, it can sometimes be easier to look at our past through rose-tinted glasses. Getting honest with ourselves can sometimes be the most heartbreaking part of our journey. A mother’s love and care is key to the development of any child. For some, however, that love and care can be absent, or sometimes feel toxic. In a se...2019-09-231h 05The Connected Life37: Understanding a Woman's Sex DriveFor many people, understanding a woman’s sex drive could be considered more valuable than a diamond mine! A woman’s sex drive can even seem as mysterious to a woman as it is to a man. Often times, men find themselves guessing what women want in the bedroom, and that kind of pressure can seriously kill the mood. What if we told you that there was a road map that nobody talks about? Whether women want to admit it or not, one of the keys to that secret map are hormones! Understanding the role hormones play in t...2019-09-1652 minThe Connected Life35: Justin and Abi's Victory Over SuicideFor many of us, we carry secrets that seem too dark for anyone to understand. We carry this heaviness until is crushes us or we explode. Here in this darkness, crippling lies slowly wear us down, leaving us suffering in isolation. September is Suicide awareness month. Suicide is one of the most difficult and scary subjects for people to openly address. In this episode Justin and Abi vulnerably tackle their own war with suicide. In a world of silence, this episode is meant to be a conversation starter that sheds light on one of the darkest and...2019-09-021h 14The Connected Life32: On the Road to Restoration: Surviving Family VacationsFor most of us, family vacations can be a tricky time to navigate. They’re often chock full of triggers and past pain that hasn’t been resolved. Often times, it can be difficult to let our walls down long enough to feel known and free amidst our siblings, parents, and relatives. So how do we go from surviving family vacations to thriving in them? Join Justin and Abi on their own vacation as they drive through Glacier National Park and discuss Justin’s fresh explosion with his dad. They’ll share important insights as to why h...2019-08-1240 minThe Connected Life26: Ending the Gender BattleIn order to have successful relationships with the opposite sex, whether in dating, marriage, or friends, we can’t be at war with those we want to love. For many of us, it’s easy to find ourselves in an unconscious tug of war with those of the opposite sex. Unknowingly, we can have entire power struggles happening under the surface due childhood pains and promises of who we’d never be, or how we’d never act. In this episode, Abi and Justin sit down with their close friend, Ruth, and discuss her journey to face...2019-07-011h 13The Connected Life25: 6 Keys to Successful DatingFor many people dating can be vulnerable, scary, and feel as though there are no clear rules on “how to” do it right. But like anything in life, there is a lot of gray space when it comes to dating and rules are more like shackles than a map to freedom. In this episode Abi and Justin throw out the rules and instead dive into 6 helpful values to help you on your journey. If you’re single this is a MUST listen to episode! Remember to Rate, Review, Subscribe, and Share! #th...2019-06-241h 06The Connected Life24: Finding Life in Grief with Laura DuncanAs humans, tragedy and loss are unavoidable. Because of this, pain is a universal part of life. For most of us, we feel lost in a sea of these painful moments that we have no tools to navigate through. We stumble through life surviving the bumps and bruises we are forced to endure simply because we haven’t been taught how to grieve. Without a proper understanding of grief, we are left wandering around trapped in this pain or disconnected from it all together. But what if there were practical steps to journey through our grief into a...2019-06-171h 15The Connected Life23: How Our History Shapes Us Pt 2 of 2 For most people, conversations about how we’ve been hurt and how we’ve hurt others are often terrifying and filled with anxiety. Because of this, we spend our entire lives trying to run from the past and, in doing so, we disconnect from those we love the most. In Part 2 of How Our History Shapes Us, Justin and Abi sit down face to face with Justin’s parents, Bob and Bobbie. Through choosing to face fear head on, Bob talks openly about hearing the live recorded counseling session where Justin vulnerably processed the pain he’s had as a child with...2019-06-101h 38The Connected Life21: Redefining Your WeaknessFor many people the word “weakness” is repulsive. Being “weak” is seen as a flaw in our humanity. Having an area of “weakness” is seen as unacceptable. For the majority of people, our ability to “be strong” and perform is directly connected to our value and lovability. Because of this we try to ignore our weakness, acting as though it doesn’t exist. Or, it’s all we see and we feel deeply disqualified because of it. But what if our “weakness” pointed to our greatness? What if it was the launching pad for our dreams and victories? Wh...2019-05-2759 minThe Connected Life20: Finding Connection Through Clashing CulturesThey often say men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but what if all humans, regardless of gender, came from their own planet, much like a gathering of Star Wars characters. When two worlds come together it can often feel like an explosive collision, especially when it comes to our most intimate relationships. But what if our way isn’t always the only way? What if our way isn’t always the best way? What if coming from different planets creates unnecessary misunderstandings that lead to chasms of disconnection? What if ther...2019-05-201h 04The Connected Life19: Sex, Sex, and More Sex: Creating a Sex Life You LoveSex is for men right? Men need it, want it, and are driven by it. Women are subjected to it, put up with it, and mostly dislike it, right? But what if we’re all wrong about sex. What if sex was made for women? What if sex was an opportunity to have so many other desires fulfilled? Join Justin, Abi, and Pietze in this mind blowing sex episode as they discuss the purpose of sex and how YOU can create a sex life you LOVE! Get ready to be challenged, have a great laugh, and redefine yo...2019-05-131h 17The Connected Life18: Looking Back to Move ForwardHave you ever found yourself trying to move forward in life only to feel like you’re bashing your head into a wall? Have you ever had hurdles in marriage, finances, friendships, or career that you can’t seem to jump over? Are we all “just” who we are, living some life that “just” happens to us? What if all the things that seem so mysterious aren’t really all that mysterious at all. What if the problem we’re having is that we’re trying to move forward without having to look back? In this episode Justi...2019-05-061h 06The Connected Life17: Learning to Have Realistic Expectations of YourselfEvery person is different and because of this we all have a different capacity. Sometimes it seems like everyone is conquering the world, while all we’re doing is dropping the ball. For others it seems like we’re running on a hamster wheel, while everyone else is relaxing and enjoying life. In this episode Justin and Abi talk about the “Do’ers” and the “Be’ers”; those that are hard at work and those that are hard at play. They discuss the value of both personalities and the value for understanding your capacity in every season of life. 2019-04-291h 13The Connected Life16: 6 Keys to Winning a Woman's HeartHow does a man win a woman’s heart? What does a woman really want in a man? Does he have to be the smartest? Maybe the richest? A Zach Efron lookalike? An Alpha Dog? Often times men feel like the answer to this question is an unsolvable mystery. In this episode Justin and Abi are joined by Abi’s lifelong best friend, Pietze, as they demystify the basic desires of a woman’s heart. If you’re a man looking for a road map to win over a love interest, your girlfriend, or your wife, get ready to...2019-04-221h 05The Connected Life15: The Power of Adding Fun to Your Life!Fun is a messy art form meant to be the color in an otherwise gray life. For most people fun doesn’t seem conducive to being a productive adult. In reality, often times the missing spice in friendships, dating relationships, marriages, and families is fun! Join Justin and Abi as they playfully explore the power of adding fun into their lives and their relationship. Discover ways to connect to fun in your own life so you can start living in color! And if you don't want more color, nobody enjoys a grumpy pants, so do the world a...2019-04-151h 02The Connected Life14: A New Approach to Parenting with Pietze DuffieldParenting is simple, right? Just follow the instruction manual that comes with your kid and you’re good to go. Yours didn’t come with a manual? Surprise! None of them do. In this episode Pietze Duffield, Abi’s best friend and a mother of two, shares her unique experiences and lessons that she’s learned raising a special needs child. Through unique circumstances, Pietze has redefined parenting as she explores the uncharted waters that few parents have to brave. Join us as we take a look at parenting through a lens that may change your vie...2019-04-081h 18The Connected Life13: Anger- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.Have you ever "Hulked out"? Have you ever seen someone "Hulk out"? Somewhere inside all of us is a little person with the potential to become a big scary green monster. Anger is one the most commonly expressed human emotions. It is socially seen as both acceptable and shameful. Whether we know it or not we all have strong beliefs about anger that govern how we express ourselves and how we relate to the most intimate relationships in our lives. In this episode Justin and Abi expose the ugliness of uncontrolled anger and it's ramifications in their...2019-04-011h 09The Connected Life12: Abi and Justin's ExplosionCandid talk about an aggressive and angry mini-explosion between Justin and Abi? Sounds like a dose of reality TV drama to me! What do you do when assumptions, judgments, and misunderstandings lead to an all out war? We’ve all thrown grenades and stepped on landmines In our most intimate relationships. Where do the grenades and landmines come from that leave so much pain in lives of those we love? Who is our war really with? How do we clean up the trail of bloody messes we’ve made? In this episode Abi and...2019-03-251h 08The Connected Life11: Your Story’s not Finished: Finding Miracles in the Mundane.What do you do when your world feels like it has fallen apart and nothing in life is what you imagined it would be? How do you still trust that everything will work out when the circumstances unfolding before you tell you a different story. Come join the conversation as we talk with Abi’s long time best friend, Pietze, about the hidden nuggets of goodness she found on the other side of discovering her daughter was autistic. You’ll laugh and cry as you hear about the miraculous in the midst of the mundane.2019-03-181h 10The Connected Life7: Facing Our Greatest Fears: Married Life Year One Pt 1 of 2Road Trip!!! Get ready as we begin to explore the first year of Justin and Abi’s marriage! Beginning with the first two stops of a completely unorganized road trip, we learn all about how this was the year of Justin having meltdowns, how a potty stop at a tree farm reignited connection, and how the "don’t go to bed angry" advice was more damaging than helpful. Join us for some real talk about a few of our first fights as a married couple and how we began to learn to navigate expectations, gain courage to face...2019-02-1849 minThe Connected Life6: The Battle with Our Bodies: Diving Deeper into the Root of The Problem. Pt: 2 of 2In this second part of a two part series, Abi and Justin are joined by Abi’s childhood best friend Pietze Duffield as they dive deeper into the poverty mindset and many of the other roots that drive an unhealthy relationship with our bodies. As a bonus, Pietze shares her insights on creating environments to set your children up for success when it comes to a relationship with food and their bodies. If you’re looking for a way to conquer the mountain of having a healthy and fit body, this two part series is foundational for you!2019-02-1143 minThe Connected Life5: The Battle with Our Bodies: Winning the War with Weight. Pt: 1 of 2For many of us, one of the biggest battles in our lives is with the person in the mirror. As a culture we are in a never-ending war with our looks and our weight. In this two part series, Justin and Abi start a dialogue with Abi’s long time childhood best friend, Pietze, about the tumultuous body battle they’ve all had to overcome. Justin and Pietze bond over being “fatties”, discuss some of the secrets as to why we are over weight, and they all discuss tangible steps to practically ending this war within ourselves. C...2019-02-041h 07The Connected Life3: The Process of Choosing Each Other. Pt: 2 of 3How does “Never ever will I date you.”, turn into Justin officially asking Abi out? Tune in to this juicy episode where we learn how to manipulate people into choosing and loving you… Wait, no…never do that. But what we will tell you is how to let go of people, respect someone's "no" without taking a hit to your self-worth, and trust that what is meant for you will come to you because you are worthy of good things. Welcome to part two of the Stumvoll’s messy, epic, love story!2019-01-2150 minThe Connected Life1: The Disconnect in Creating The Connected Life-IntroIn this vision casting Connected Life episode, Justin and Abi openly share about the disconnecting meltdown they experienced while gearing up to record the first episodes of The Connected Life. Come join in to hear about "why" The Connected Life came about and what you can expect from it. Get ready to be inspired, laugh, and relate to the messiness of connecting to the life right in front of you. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the show!2018-12-2538 min
Let's Talk About ItIs Masturbation Okay? - ft/Abi Stumvoll & Caitlin ZickIs Masturbation Okay? - ft/Abi Stumvoll & Caitlin Zick by Moral Revolution2018-09-2135 min
Conversations on Faith & FamilyFree To Life with Abi StumvollWe're back! After a summer break off, we're back speaking about Freedom with Abi Stumvoll. We have a conversation about having freedom from depression, suicide, and anxiety. Enjoy!2018-09-0422 min
Gateway Christian Fellowship Weekly PodcastAbi Stumvoll: Hopeful Discipline God's discipline always leads to hope. In this funny, real and powerful message, Abi Stumvoll highlights the redemptive nature of God the Father as He disciplines His children. To know more about Abi, visit abistumvoll.com. 2018-08-0541 minGateway Christian Fellowship Weekly PodcastAbi Stumvoll: Hopeful Discipline God's discipline always leads to hope. In this funny, real and powerful message, Abi Stumvoll highlights the redemptive nature of God the Father as He disciplines His children. To know more about Abi, visit abistumvoll.com. 2018-08-0541 min
The Jill Monaco Show#010 Abi Stumvoll: Loving Yourself Like God Loves YouToday we are talking to Abi Stomvoll. Abi is an inspiring speaker and coach. She also teaches at Bethel School of Ministry, and travels the world sharing her story. Abi’s teaching resonates with me because it centers around God’s love. Since the goal of this podcast is inspire you to love well … I couldn’t wait […]
The post #010 Abi Stumvoll: Loving Yourself Like God Loves You appeared first on Jill Monaco | Christian Speaker, Author, Life Coach.2017-11-2800 min