Shows
Baggage ClaimBros, Babies, and Building a Marriage That LastsSend us a textWhat happens when you bring a bromance to the podcast table? Pure magic. This episode of Baggage Claim features our son Thomas and his best friend AJ as we explore the fascinating intersection of friendship and marriage.These two young men began as bitter enemies over a girl at the barbecue restaurant where they worked, with "hate" being "a light word" for their initial feelings toward each other. Fast forward nearly a decade, and they're inseparable friends who've learned to navigate life's challenges together. Their journey from hostility to brotherhood provides...2025-07-2937 minBaggage ClaimWhy Kids Don’t Need Perfect Parents—They Need Present OnesSend us a textThe dance between loving our children and setting appropriate boundaries can be one of parenting's greatest challenges. This becomes even more complex when guilt enters the equation—whether from divorce, loss, or simply wanting to give our kids "better than we had."Have you ever caught yourself saying yes when you should say no? Buying gifts to compensate for time apart? Working longer hours to afford opportunities while missing precious moments with your children? You're not alone. In this raw and honest conversation, we explore the hidden patterns of guilt-driven parenting th...2025-07-2233 minBaggage Claim"We Built This Together: The Power of Inclusion in Blended Families"Send us a textThe foundation of any successful blended family begins with intentionality, especially when it comes to involving children in the process. In this deeply personal episode, Greg and Jess take listeners back to the earliest days of their relationship, sharing how they purposefully included their four children from the very beginning.Rather than presenting their new relationship as a fait accompli, they created meaningful opportunities for their children to feel ownership in the family-building process. From carefully planned introductions to a memorable meeting at a small-town park where they conducted a powerful...2025-07-1541 minBaggage Claim"We Promised You Real – So Here's Real"Send us a textThere's something powerful about admitting you're in a valley. In this raw and unscripted 20th episode, we break from our usual format to have an honest conversation about the seasons of life we're currently navigating.Greg, Jess, and Producer Michael (making his on-mic debut) dive deep into what it means to practice genuine self-care versus slipping into selfishness. We carefully define the difference: self-care is actively taking care of yourself to improve your overall well-being, while selfishness prioritizes your needs at the expense of others. This distinction becomes our compass as...2025-07-0855 minBaggage ClaimSelfishness vs. Selflessness: The Trade-offs of Marriage (Part 1)Send us a textWhat's the real enemy of a thriving relationship? According to Greg and Jess, it might be something we don't like to admit: selfishness. In this deeply personal and sometimes emotional conversation, the Baggage Claim hosts unpack the complex tension between selfishness and selflessness that exists in every meaningful relationship.The discussion begins with Jess sharing a thought-provoking statement from 12 years ago: "The greatest enemy of marriage isn't from the outside, it's something that comes within each of us - selfishness." This launches a candid exploration of how cultural messages about self-care...2025-07-0143 minBaggage ClaimTaco Bell, Talladega Nights, and Talking About SexSend us a textEver notice how marriage comes with an instruction manual for everything except the bedroom? That silence might be more damaging than you realize.We tackle the conversation every couple needs but few actually have – honest communication about sex in marriage. Despite being married for years (13 for Greg, 24 for me), discussing intimacy can still make cheeks flush with embarrassment. This vulnerability highlights exactly why this conversation matters so desperately.Our different backgrounds created wildly different perspectives. Growing up where sex was considered dirty and shameful versus environments where it was di...2025-06-2440 minBaggage ClaimThe Argument That Wrote This EpisodeSend us a textEver sit across from your partner during an argument and wonder why the simplest disagreement suddenly feels like World War III? You're not alone. Every couple fights—it's how you fight that makes all the difference between relationship growth and relationship destruction.When we planned this episode on fighting fair, something ironic happened—we found ourselves in a heated disagreement while preparing our notes. That experience perfectly illustrates what makes conflict so challenging: we approach disagreements with different perspectives, communication styles, and emotional triggers, all shaped by our past experiences. For Greg...2025-06-1841 minBaggage ClaimCuriosity Over Conflict: A New Way to CommunicateSend us a textEver wonder why some couples seem to navigate conflicts effortlessly while others get stuck in endless loops of misunderstanding? The secret might be simpler than you think. In this heart-to-heart conversation, we explore a powerful three-word phrase that has transformed our relationship: "Help me understand." This deceptively simple tool creates space for curiosity and empathy—two essential ingredients for genuine connection. We reveal how this approach differs from typical communication strategies by going beyond surface-level exchanges to uncover the thoughts and feelings beneath our words.Drawing from our own str...2025-06-1343 min
Full Spectrum Parent: Christian Autism Support | Special Needs Parenting | Faith & Autism ResourcesPower Struggles in ParentingAs Christian parents, we desire for our kids to listen and obey the rules we set out for their safety and good, but what do we do when they refuse? Whether you have a child on the spectrum, an obstinate toddler, or just a typical strong-willed kid—we’ve all been there. We find ourselves raising our voices, demanding compliance, and feeling defeated when our kids spiral into a full-fledged meltdown. Greg and Jess are getting real about the difference between tantrums (where kids are totally in control) and meltdo...2025-06-0636 minBaggage ClaimBeyond I Do: Creating a Shared Journey That Actually WorksSend us a textMarriage is a team sport that nobody prepared us for. What happens when two different people try to build a life together? How do you create a truly functional partnership rather than just two people sharing space?Greg and Jess dig deep into what makes relationships work as teams by examining three crucial elements: shared vision, effective communication, and the delicate balance between trust and leadership. They reveal how establishing family values created their roadmap for raising "likable, contributing members of society" and how contentment with both plenty and little stems...2025-06-0548 minBaggage ClaimWe Have No Idea What We're Doing, And That's Perfectly OkaySend us a text"We had no idea what we were doing." Those words might not be what you expect to hear from podcast hosts sharing advice about blended families, but that's exactly what makes Baggage Claim so refreshingly honest. In this vulnerable episode, Greg and Jess pull back the curtain on their 13-year journey of blending families to reveal the messy, beautiful truth: nobody really knows what they're doing.The highlight reels we often see of blended families can be intimidating. Core values, behavior lists, and carefully structured routines make it seem like some...2025-05-2756 minBaggage ClaimFrom Bank Beef to Backyard Vows: Nick & Brandy’s Love StorySend us a textWhat happens when a bank teller and a marketing guy fall in love over karaoke at a country bar? In our first-ever guest episode, we're thrilled to welcome Nick and Brandy Kastner, who bring 19 years of marriage wisdom to the table.Their story begins with workplace animosity (Brandy wasn't thrilled when Nick got quickly promoted at the bank where they both worked) and transforms into a relationship built on compromise, communication, and intentional connection. After a memorable first date where Brandy sang "Baby Got Back"—the moment Nick claims he fell in...2025-05-1947 min
ROASTBUSTERSEpisode 43: Jess Everett and a big announcementJess Everett is a local favorite and will be headlining at Tacoma Comedy Club. He placed 3rd place in the 2024 Seattle International Comedy Competition. We talk about the gigs we have done together and He also has another announcement to make so please support him on his new venture2025-05-131h 23Baggage ClaimEvery Moment Matters: How Being Present Creates Lasting Family MemoriesSend us a textHave you ever wondered how to make each child in a blended family feel uniquely valued? Sometimes the answer lies in being purposefully present in both big adventures and small everyday moments.When Greg and I merged our families, we quickly realized that intentionality would be our lifeline. After a chance encounter at Target revealed how our daughter Callie felt about sharing "her time" with us, we knew we needed a better approach. This moment of clarity sparked what would become one of our most cherished family traditions – the "Sweet 16 Adventures."2025-05-1247 min
Next EpisodeRich People Problems: The White Lotus Season 1The stunning shores of Hawaii serve as the backdrop for HBO's White Lotus, a darkly comedic examination of privilege that will leave you both laughing and squirming uncomfortably. At the luxurious White Lotus resort, three sets of wealthy guests arrive for what should be paradise but quickly reveals itself as anything but.Jennifer Coolidge delivers a tour-de-force performance as Tanya McQuoid, a wealthy, boundary-less woman who arrives alone to scatter her mother's ashes. Desperately lonely and emotionally wounded from childhood trauma, Tanya latches onto Belinda, the resort's spa manager, whose natural healing presence becomes both a comfort...2025-05-0645 minBaggage ClaimFrom Burned Furniture to Rebuilt Lives, How loss and healing reshaped our view of faith.Send us a textWhat happens when your faith gets shattered? How do you rebuild trust in something bigger than yourself when life deals devastating blows? This deeply personal episode reveals the spiritual journeys that have profoundly shaped our marriage and blended family.Greg shares his transformation from substance abuse to ministry after a rock-bottom moment in a bar bathroom. His story includes unexpected miracles—like the time four catering vans mysteriously appeared with food after a simple prayer for homeless people in Atlanta. You'll hear how his faith was later tested through divorce despite "do...2025-05-0347 minBaggage ClaimThe Scheduling Dance of Blended FamiliesSend us a textThe scheduling dance of blended families might be the most challenging choreography you'll ever learn. In this heartfelt episode, Greg and Jess dive deep into the complexities, frustrations, and unexpected joys of figuring out who gets the kids when—and how to do it with grace.Drawing from their 13 years of experience navigating the waters of shared custody, they reveal how color-coded calendars became their lifeline and why perspective changes everything. With a simple yet powerful finger-pointing exercise, they demonstrate how two people can look at the exact same situation yet se...2025-04-2543 minBaggage ClaimLove, Loss, and the Little Things That Matter MostSend us a textWe're all guilty of seeking that elusive "silver bullet" – the one magical secret that transforms an ordinary marriage into an extraordinary one. But what if the answer isn't found in grand gestures or revolutionary techniques, but rather in simple, consistent choices made day after day?In this deeply personal episode, Greg and Jess pull back the curtain on their 13-year relationship to share four foundational principles that have sustained them through blended family challenges, busy schedules, and life's inevitable ups and downs. Their candid conversation reveals how intentionally having fun together, em...2025-04-0943 minBaggage ClaimFrom Sticky Notes to Strong Roots: Defining Your Family CultureSend us a textFamily culture doesn't happen by accident. Drawing on corporate experience, we discovered how establishing core values could transform our blended family's dynamics and create an intentional environment for our children to thrive.With sticky notes spread across our kitchen table, we invited our children (ages 8-12) to help identify what mattered most to our family. This collaborative process resulted in six core values: Love, Communication, Service, Together, Fun, and Faith. Each family member selected one value that resonated personally with them, then painted it on canvas as a visual reminder of...2025-04-0143 minBaggage ClaimThe Kitchen Table EffectSend us a textPicture this: a well-worn table, rescued from an old hunting lodge, standing at the heart of a bustling blended family home. Not particularly beautiful or expensive, but carved with a "P" by small hands and refinished with love. This humble kitchen table became the gravitational center of our family life - where boundaries were established, hearts were mended, victories celebrated, and a family culture was forged.In this deeply personal conversation, we reveal how something as simple as consistent family meals became the anchor point that helped our family of six...2025-03-2549 minBaggage ClaimFrom Victim to Victory: Rewiring Your Perspective on Life and LoveSend us a textYour perspective shapes everything about how you experience your marriage. Are you constantly focusing on what your partner does wrong, or are you actively looking for the good? In this candid conversation, Greg and Jessica share how their vastly different life experiences shaped their mindsets about family, relationships, and overcoming trauma.Jessica reveals the profound shift that occurred when she had to decide whether to live as "the widow" after losing her first husband at 32 with two small children. Through counseling and learning about "Eucharisto" - the practice of active gratitude...2025-03-1845 minBaggage ClaimLove in the Blender: Navigating Romance While Raising Four KidsSend us a textGreg and Jess share their dating journey from first meeting through getting engaged and married, exploring how they've maintained their relationship while raising four children in a blended family.• Started with Facebook messages and texts before meeting at Waffle House for their first date • Second date was at a rock climbing gym in Atlanta • Realized they were in love on the same day while Greg was installing a bike rack• Nanny (Jess's grandmother) gave Jess a ring to give to Greg, unknowingly answering his private prayer• Got engaged at S...2025-03-1154 minBaggage ClaimThe one word we don't use! Unpacking expectations and discipline in our blended family.Send us a textJoin Jess and Greg as they unpack how they handled expectations for all four kids. We unpack how we handled discipline with all the children and how we managed expectations for everyone in the house on a weekly basis. We also briefly dig into what kind of environment they wanted to create in their home including specific word choices used to support the culture they created.2025-03-0129 minBaggage ClaimSpeaking Their Language: How Personality Types Affect CommunicationSend us a textToday we start to unpack the huge topic of communication and expectations. Join Greg and Jess as they unpack how different personality traits influence relationship dynamics and communication. 2025-02-2235 minBaggage ClaimScarred & SkepticalSend us a textFrom scarred and skeptical to safe and secure, Greg and Jess brought baggage of trust issues in two very different ways. Join us as we unpack this baggage together! 2025-02-1443 min
NonsenselessInterview with Award Winning Best Selling artist and author Jess Smart Smiley - Has created work for Disney Pixar, Cartoon Network, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster and moreJared, Jeff, Greg and JC sit down with the amazing Award Winning Best Selling artist and author Jess Smart Smiley to the podcast.Fun Fact: He is the author/illustrator of more than 20 books for young readers. He is the 2023 recipient of the Krider Prize for Creativity, has completed more than 85 sketchbooks. named a “Top 40” by Utah Valley Magazine, and has created work for DisneyPixar, Cartoon Network, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, IDW, Top Shelf Productions, and Shadow Mountain. https://jeff-wheeler.com/writers-block/product/nonsenseless-special-10-store-credits-15-off/2025-02-101h 02Baggage ClaimHow did we find ourselves here?Send us a textMeet Greg and Jess the ones behind the mic! We're excited to introduce our new podcast where we dive into real-life conversations about the ups and downs of relationships, from navigating second marriages to unpacking the baggage we all bring. Join us for laughs, insights, and some unforgettable stories! In this first episode we talk briefly about how we both found ourselves single after 10 plus years of being married.2025-02-0821 min
The Product Design for Learning PodcastEp. 5 Agency 007: PartnershipsNavigating the Agency and In-House Dynamic: Insights from Jess AndrewsEpisode SummaryIn this episode of the Product Design for Learning Podcast, host Greg Arthur sits down with Jess Andrews, a seasoned learning and development professional with experience on both the agency and in-house sides of the table. Jess shares insights into the nuanced relationships between agencies and internal teams, the challenges of making an impact in learning and development (L&D), and how to foster collaboration for successful projects.Guest ProfileJess AndrewsJess is a learning and...2024-12-1351 min
Performers#27 Jessica Ennis: Overcoming Hurdles with a Gold Medal Mindset
What does it take to rise above adversity, withstand the pressure of being the “Face of the Games,” and achieve greatness on the biggest stage of all? Jessica Ennis-Hill, one of Britain’s most iconic athletes, shares her inspiring journey of grit, mental toughness, and relentless determination in her autobiography Unbelievable.
Join Dr. Duncan Simpson and Dr. Greg Young as they dive into the extraordinary life and career of this Olympic champion. From her early struggles with bullying to the euphoric high of Olympic victory in London 2012, Jessica’s story offers a powerful blueprint for turning...2024-12-081h 19
International Teacher PodcastThe lifestyle is really, really exciting!ITP - 108 Jess Gosling shares her experiences as an international teacher and mother, discussing the challenges and rewards of raising a child in different cultures. She emphasizes the importance of emotional education for children, the role of women in education, and the significance of community support through social media. Jess also provides insights into job searching for international teachers and the cultural adjustments that come with living abroad. Her reflections on education systems highlight the need for a more child-centered approach in teaching.
Takeaways
The transition to living abroad can be challenging but rewarding for...2024-11-3054 min
The Mile 99 InterviewEpisode 127 - Catching up with Greg and JessSend us a textWow, where does the time go?? Hello again everyone, and sorry for being out of touch since our last episode in July before TRT. A lot has happened since then for both of us, and we've missed our trail running community and audience, and we're so glad you're all still here for us.Jess and I sat down for a catching-up episode to get us back on track, and we're looking forward to more episodes this fall. We covered what we've been doing for the past few months, some of the...2024-10-0541 min