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The EXTRAORDINARY Family Life Podcast

The EXTRAORDINARY Family Life Podcast

By Greg & Rachel Denning

THE podcast for parents with big dreams who feel stuck. Let us show you how to finally break through the overwhelm, chaos, and 'survival mode' to legitimately do MORE with LESS stress and to finally achieve your biggest dreams -- even with a family.

Greg and Rachel Denning are parents of 7 children whom they've traveled with to 50+ countries on 5 continents -- all while homeschooling and building a multi-six-figure location independent biz. BECOME the man, woman, spouse, and parent you need to be to create the EXTRAORDINARY life of YOUR dreams with this HOLISTIC approach that works.
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#258 How to Prevent & Manage Overwhelm as a Parent of Young Kids, While Pursuing BIG Dreams & Goals

The EXTRAORDINARY Family Life Podcast Apr 23, 2024

00:00
54:15
#258 How to Prevent & Manage Overwhelm as a Parent of Young Kids, While Pursuing BIG Dreams & Goals

#258 How to Prevent & Manage Overwhelm as a Parent of Young Kids, While Pursuing BIG Dreams & Goals

"Thanks for this episode. I wanted to get in touch to ask if you could share any advice for when your kids were younger and babies?

I run a food business and recently had my first baby. I am struggling to manage the disparity between my big ambitions for my life and my reality. I want to be more capable... I want to take my business to the next level (which includes raising investment) I want to keep exercising and doing my favourite sports, I hate that my home is not organised and there is clutter around.

I just don't know how to achieve all of this as I can't seem to find the time or the energy. Right now my partner is at home full time (looking for work) and is incredibly helpful both in the home and in caring for our daughter. But still I am not able to balance all of these things!

The two that have slipped back are exercising and my home not being in great order and I'm barely keeping up at work.

I sometimes would love to have a big family and you have really inspired me that this is possible (I have always thought about adoption) but then sometimes I think I can't even manage with one, how could I possibly manage more kids?

I'd truly appreciate it if you could share any advice or discuss this on a podcast as there are so many young mums today struggling to manage the demands of modern day life, juggling work with younger kids and babies."


If you are a mother (or father) of young children and often feel in overwhelm, then you need this episode -- especially if you are ambitious (like we are) and find yourself frustrated by your 'slow' progress as you pursue your dreams.

We've been there! Listen to discover the strategies we've used to prevent and manage overwhelm and to accomplish WAY more than we ever thought possible.


RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.

Apr 23, 202454:15
#257 Practicalities of Travel as a Family, Budget Saving Tips, + How to Worldschool (No Matter Your Schooling Choice)

#257 Practicalities of Travel as a Family, Budget Saving Tips, + How to Worldschool (No Matter Your Schooling Choice)

"I'm writing to tell you both what an inspiration you've been to me over the last year! I've listened to almost all your podcasts and am working my way through the family systems and charts course. All your information is clear and practical, and it's made a huge difference in my level of overwhelm and what our family has been able to accomplish. My husband and I are taking our kids (age 13 & 11) to Europe for 3 months this August, and I was wondering if you would have any tips for travelling with teens and tweens. I'm curious about:

  • How to find social opportunities and meet other families while travelling. I would love our kids to get out of the bubble of our small town and meet kids around the world!
  • Any budgeting ideas for travelling Europe?
  • Our kids are not homeschooled but I want to use this trip as an experiment in worldschooling/ homeschooling that we might continue when we get home. Any tips on introducing older kids to homeschooling would be appreciated.

Would love to hear you speak more about the practicalities of travelling with a family!"


Whether you plan to go to Europe for 3 months, or to take a day trip to a local town or the state next door, this episode is packed with practical and useful tips for making the most of your 'travel' experiences as a family.

Listen now!

And make sure to visit us at our new World School Family Resort in southern Portugal!


RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.

Apr 17, 202401:06:11
#256 How to Become More CAPABLE So You Can Do The Work to Achieve Your Extraordinary Life, Marriage & Family

#256 How to Become More CAPABLE So You Can Do The Work to Achieve Your Extraordinary Life, Marriage & Family

As a follow-up question to a recent episode about helping your spouse 'show up' or invest in your extraordinary life, we were asked:

"I love listening to your podcast. I'm a stay-at-home mom of four and I homeschool. I really wish I could live a little more extraordinarily as your family does, but alas, I have a spouse (who I of course love!) that doesn't feel the same. I desperately want to travel, but he doesn't. I long to do things a different way, but he doesn't. I like to read and listen to podcasts and all the like, but he doesn't.

But honestly, my real question here was about myself. You said something on your recent episode that hit me where it hurts. It was about how much hard work it is (an extraordinary lifestyle) and how it's kind of laughable to you now what you used to consider 'hard work'. I'm slightly ashamed to admit this but I can't seem to handle much. I want to be a hard worker, but it seems like other people are able to handle so much more than me.

I'm an introvert who is sadly socially awkward, needs lots of reflection time, and has never been encouraged or supported. I've never felt capable of much of anything. I want different for myself and definitely don't want my kids in this same boat!!

What is your advice for increasing my capacity to be able to handle more? Especially without any encouragement or support. I want better! I just don't know how to get there."


This is a FANTASTIC question and something we totally relate to as a former introverted, 'weak', shy, socially awkward girl or boy who never imagined that we would be coaching, hosting a podcast, or traveling the world with our seven children.

Listen to this episode to learn how we were able to overcome these 'limiting factors' that kept us from living a more extraordinary life. Discover how we built a foundation of positive habits using clarity, focus, and prevention so that we can direct more of our energy toward achieving the life of our dreams instead of existing in survival mode.


RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.


Apr 09, 202447:50
#255 Stop Calling it 'ADHD' -- It's NOT a Disorder, It's Normal
Apr 03, 202401:00:08
#254 What to Do When Your Spouse is Not 'Showing Up' or Investing in Your Extraordinary Marriage/Life

#254 What to Do When Your Spouse is Not 'Showing Up' or Investing in Your Extraordinary Marriage/Life

In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning answer this question:


"Wondering if you have advice for someone who has been trying to pour everything into life/marriage to make it extraordinary but the spouse is not showing up and 'being the man' as Greg has defined. If they try, they relapse or it seems like the bare minimum is done. It has been years of this and it feels like it’s holding us back from an extraordinary life. Wondering your thoughts on handling situations like that when it feels like you have tried everything and given it time."


The truth is an extraordinary marriage requires work. But Greg and Rachel Denning tackle the all too common dilemma: what to do when one spouse is giving their all to make their marriage extraordinary, but the other isn't stepping up.

They delve into the essence of a thriving marriage, emphasizing the power of daily choices and the need for 'extraordinary' effort (and why 'good' is not good enough).

Greg and Rachel stress the importance of utilizing the right tools (in the right way) even if you've 'tried everything' -- and persisting through challenges.

They explain the issue of 'collusion' and destructive, self-sabotaging patterns in relationships and explain how to break free from them.

Rachel highlights the significance of personal accountability and understanding the differences between men and women -- men need respect and women need to feel cherished -- for fostering a healthy partnership.

They urge spouses to 'bring the tide' and become agents of change in their relationships through self-improvement, emphasizing the effect 'bringing the tide' can have on spouses.

Offering practical advice, the Dennings present a roadmap for enhancing marriages even if you're the 'only one' -- with a warning against heeding misguided counsel (like Ruby Franke).

Key Takeaways:

  1. Marriage requires continuous effort and dedication.
  2. Small choices yield significant results over time.
  3. Extraordinary effort is indispensable for exceptional outcomes -- but it's easier than it sounds.
  4. Utilize the right tools and continuously expand your skill set.
  5. Break free from destructive relationship cycles (collusion) by taking responsibility.
  6. Understand and adapt to gender differences for a harmonious relationship.
  7. Personal growth can inspire positive changes in your partner.
  8. Consistency and unwavering commitment are crucial for marital improvement.

Timestamps:

  • 00:00 Marriage is Tough
  • 03:00 The Two Paths in Life
  • 06:23 Exponential Results of Small Choices
  • 10:07 The Need for Extraordinary Effort
  • 13:15 Importance of the Right Tools
  • 22:21 Being the Change in Your Marriage
  • 27:22 Breaking the Cycle of Destruction
  • 29:43 Understanding Differences Between Men and Women
  • 31:59 Inspiring Change in Your Spouse
  • 32:58 Taking Responsibility
  • 39:16 Becoming a Catalyst for Change
  • 45:32 Formula for Improving Your Marriage
  • 50:22 Urgency of Making Changes
  • 53:45The Dangers of Listening to the Wrong Advice
  • 57:29 Consistency and Obsession


RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.

Mar 27, 202459:36
#253 Sex IS a NEED for an Extraordinary Marriage

#253 Sex IS a NEED for an Extraordinary Marriage

On Instagram, I saw a reel that stated "Myth: Sex is a need. Fact: Sex is a desire, not a need."

"All of us can live without sex; we cannot live without water, food, or belonging."

I had to disagree and responded: "It depends on how you define 'need'. For survival, no. For connection, bonding, and love -- yes, it's a need. Can you imagine if you're husband said, "You don't NEED me to talk to you. It's just a desire' and then went days, weeks, or months without talking because it's not a 'need'? You would feel pretty neglected. So if you want an extraordinary relationship then sex -- and talking -- are NEEDS.'


While the argument may be true that 'needs' are ONLY things that we can't live without -- water, food, belonging -- it's inaccurate when we're talking about the surviving -- not to mention the THRIVING -- of our marriage relationship.

Yes, people can live without sex. And talking. But an extraordinary marriage cannot.

Of course, there are extremes when sex in marriage is not an option (injury, postpartum, old age). But we're not talking about those rare instances. We're talking about marriages where couples CAN have sex but are NOT having it.

And I get it. As a woman who once *hoped* to find evidence that would convince my husband we never had to have sex again, I know how relieving it can be to believe that his need for sex is not real or is some how wrong or unrealistic.

But it's just not true. Men (and women) want and need intimacy, but for some (usually men) their deepest intimacy takes the form of sex. And that's OK! And when you learn to use both sex and communication together they create an eternal circle of connection between spouses.

Listen to this episode now so you can begin to see sex as an OPPORTUNITY for connection, not a burden or obligation. When you have this paradigm shift then everything changes. And you finally discover the key to building the relationship you've always wanted.


This topic is further expounded on with these episodes:


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.

Mar 20, 202401:30:05
#252 "No Job for Our Teens" How We Teach a Wealth & Entrepreneur Mindset

#252 "No Job for Our Teens" How We Teach a Wealth & Entrepreneur Mindset

A member of my 28-Day Challenge coaching program asked:

"I'm curious: what do your kids do for work or how do they learn work ethic? Our oldest is almost 16 and starting a job this summer which is flexible (thank goodness) but as much as she and our family go places we are trying to make sure we're home for part of the summer so she can get hours at that job and earn some money!

I know there are ways to earn outside a typical job: do you have a list of ideas for me? We considered selling some of her crafty works on Etsy and she's done babysitting jobs, but I don't see those online options really "paying off". When we consider doing yard work for others or house cleaning etc, I wonder how safe that is for her to go into homes alone...

...and I feel like our summers will be eaten up soon by our older kids trying to hold down jobs. My spouse feels it's so important for them to learn how to work for someone and they can work during the school year, but it would have to be a REALLY flexible employer. ;) I'd love any insight you (or others!) have."

And...

"Greg said once that his children WILL be wealthy when they grow up. What is it that gives him that kind of confidence (without of course giving them the money!😄)?

What books have you read and are teaching concepts to your kids or having your kids read? I know you guys do things the "non-traditional" way, so maybe there's more there that I don't know about...

It seems that most parents send their kids off into the world and tell them they have to work hard and hope they survive financially. I imagine our kids will struggle at times but that provides good and healthy lessons for them - do you include that part of growth on their own as something they will experience before they reach "wealthy"?

And if they don't go the traditional route with jobs, what are they doing to create that wealth? Wealth isn't everything, but money is a necessary tool in our world and his comment just got me thinking...

Along these lines, what are your thoughts on Dave Ramsey's teachings, like 'The Total Money Makeover'? (It's not on Greg's list under business/money.) Tell me more! :)"


Fantastic and very relevant questions for anyone who is raising children, which we answer in this episode in surprising ways -- such as discouraging our children from getting jobs, encouraging them to BECOME, buy, and acquire assets, and teaching them money psychology, wealth and abundance mindsets, and how to be entrepreneurs and investors.

We also address the potential dangers of youth going into homes alone -- and how to protect against it. PLUS better ways to teach children and teens 'work ethic' and to do hard things.

And we talk about how programs like Dave Ramsey's are geared toward obtaining or maintaining the middle class -- not toward creating generational wealth.

Don't miss this powerful episode that could alter your family's finances for generations to come.


RESOURCES:

Get our recommended book lists (including more on money psychology, abundance, and wealth):

Let us help you in your growth journey.


Mar 13, 202401:34:47
#251 Managing (& Modeling) Screen Time Usage & Addiction in Kids & Adults

#251 Managing (& Modeling) Screen Time Usage & Addiction in Kids & Adults

"I wanted to know what you guys think about screen time... I stopped letting my son (6) watch but then we reintroduced it as my husband said that if it’s in a foreign language it can be beneficial exposure to the language... We limited it to an hour, but I feel like it is too stimulating and it affects his behaviour. It feels like that is all he can think about sometimes. I haven’t read much about it, but I think it’s not good for their brains it’s too addictive."


A fantastic question and concern for all parents. In this episode, we dive into the complicated and real challenges facing us as parents -- and individuals -- as we seek to navigate new territory -- being the first people in the history of the world trying to raise children with so many screens.


So how do we do it --effectively? What dangers are we facing? What opportunities? How young is 'too young' to let kids use screens? How much is 'too much' screen time?


And how do we ensure, as parents and role models, that we are setting a good example of technology use for our children?


We answer all these questions and more to help you teach your kids that screens are 'tools not toys' and that we can maintain mental, emotional, and physical health when we use devices responsibly. Listen now!



RESOURCES:



Let us help you in your growth journey.

Mar 05, 202401:00:02
#250 Wokeism is a Cult that is Destroying Society

#250 Wokeism is a Cult that is Destroying Society

It wasn't too long ago that I would have been hesitant to make such a bold statement -- that wokesim is a dangerous cult.


That's because I have many beliefs that are in line with the underlying viewpoints, such as open-mindedness, acceptance, and tolerance.


But after lots of study, research, and observation over the past year or two, and, being presented with multiple 'case studies' of woke ideology gone wrong...


Plus combining that with books we've been reading such as Crime and Punishment, Anna Karenina, Brave New World, and The Psychology of Totalitarianism...


We've come to discover that sometimes virtues can go to far and become vices. This is why we now feel passionate and confident about saying that 'wokeism is a cult that is destroying society'.


Why a cult?


ALL religions first began as cults, until they reached a tipping point in membership. But cult members share beliefs, practices, words, phrases, and ideologies with each other. They can identify one another by their signals, signs, FB profiles, preferred pronouns, and the flags they fly -- just like members of other cults or religions.


Unfortunately, what began as virtues of compassion, anti-racism, and tolerance are starting to go too far in dangerous ways -- resulting in loss of life, increased crime, and destruction of property and the basic frameworks of society.


We (all of us) are watching it unravel before our eyes -- IF we pay close attention and know where to look for red flags.


And it's time for us to stand up and speak out.


Listen now to this very important episode.



RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.


Feb 27, 202401:00:11
#249 Here's Why You & Your Spouse Disagree (Understanding the Values Hierarchy) PLUS Tips to Motivate Teens

#249 Here's Why You & Your Spouse Disagree (Understanding the Values Hierarchy) PLUS Tips to Motivate Teens

In this unique episode, I'm sharing a coaching session from my 28-Day Challenge because Greg is currently trekking to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro with four of our teens and a group of 18 other people.

In this coaching session (recorded live) we answer questions from members of the group such as:

  • my husband says he feels I don't respect him because the house isn't clean when he gets home. What do I do about it?
  • my spouse won't share financial information with me and feels attacked whenever I ask for it. What do I do?
  • how can I keep up the motivation my teen is feeling (especially after just returning from your AMAZING Morocco trip)?

As we answer these questions (and more) we share powerful insights about:

  • The Drama Triangle (and how to get out of it)
  • The Transformational Triangle
  • The Values Hierarchy (and why it's causing communication problems with your spouse)
  • How to get and stay motivated on a daily basis

Don't miss this powerful episode and a sneak peek into a live coaching session with me and Greg!


If you want to join our live sessions and ask us your questions, then become a member of the 28-Day Challenge today!


RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.

Feb 27, 202401:16:56
#248 Can I Expect MORE from my Kids Even if my Spouse Isn't Setting an Example?

#248 Can I Expect MORE from my Kids Even if my Spouse Isn't Setting an Example?

"I am wondering if I can expect more from my kids than I expect from husband? He has ADHD so he "gets distracted" easily and spends hours a day looking at news stories with his phone.

Can I expect my teens to go on a phone diet [aka device fast] even though my husband is a poor role model? My husband hates nagging, I realized early in our marriage, and we have argued many times in the past about me wanting to expect more of him. Tired of arguing, I got to the point of leaving him alone. However, my kids need to learn good habits so I wonder if I can do work with them despite my husband's negative habits?"

A fantastic question to an all-too-common family problem. Can we expect our children to live to 'higher standards' than one of the parents in the family?

That's what we address in the episode, using an example from our personal life, along with experiences working with clients.

We also touch on why 'ADHD is a label that lies' and what's really going on instead.

AND we give additional strategies that are more effective than nagging to help encourage and inspire your spouse to 'step it up'. This applies to encouraging husbands AND wives.

Don't miss this powerful episode that will inspire you to 'bring the tide' in your family.


RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.

Feb 05, 202401:16:20
#247 What to do When You're Both INSPIRED & DEPRESSED by Listening to Our Podcast

#247 What to do When You're Both INSPIRED & DEPRESSED by Listening to Our Podcast

If you're like me, then there's probably been a time when you've felt like this:

"...you're convincing me [to change my life]! And I know I have some development to do, but I start to feel so much lack sometimes when I listen to your episodes! 😉 Like there is so much to do and change that it seems it will take too long and we are starting so late...stuff like that.

I also need to still believe that everyone is on a journey and it is OK if we are far behind the ideal (that's how I feel even though I've come so far)... [And] my husband has a hard time listening to these podcast episodes because he feels that the ideal is pushed so hard that there is no room for grace. But when I spend time with you guys I know that's not how you intend it to come across and not who you are....

I rambled on but I really respect you and your work and how much goodness you're putting out in the world. I'm inspired and depressed by your examples all at the same time 😁😁"

We (Greg and I) can relate to this. We have felt EXACTLY the same way, many times throughout our life as we've pursued our dreams.

That's because being exposed to an IDEAL causes you to feel 'depressed', overwhelmed, and insufficient.

It's the nature of coming face-to-face with a vision of who you could be -- if only you face your fears and pursue your own greatness.

So what do you do when you're filled with both feelings of inspiration and inadequacy?

We walk through it in this episode and explain the approach we have taken -- and are currently taking -- as we continue to pursue bigger and bolder dreams on the journey of creating an extraordinary family life.

Listen now!


RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your growth journey.

Jan 24, 202401:00:41
#246 Why 'Every' Family* Should Homeschool Their Kids if They Want EXTRAORDINARY Outcomes

#246 Why 'Every' Family* Should Homeschool Their Kids if They Want EXTRAORDINARY Outcomes

First, let us start by explaining what we're NOT saying in this episode. EVERY family should not homeschool. But *most* families should (we explain what that means).

And NO, homeschooling does not automatically guarantee certain outcomes. There will still be TONS of work and intentional effort involved to produce the desired results.

However, if you have an elevated vision of what you want your family life and legacy (and children's education) to be like:

  • deep, connected relationships
  • lifelong love of learning
  • respect and admiration from your kids into their adulthood
  • critical thinking skills
  • parent influence over peer influence
  • mental and emotional health and well-being
  • personal leadership skills (time management, goal setting, project management, etc.)
  • social leadership skills (the ability to have a meaningful conversation with anyone, anywhere)
  • and much more...


...then homeschooling (or alternative schooling) may be the ONLY way to effectively achieve those extraordinary ends.

The truth is, government (aka public) schooling is NOT getting the job done (for the most part).

As Jordan Peterson recently said,

"The education system -- K-12 and college -- is one of the most corrupt systems on the planet."

It's time to rethink your approach to education especially if you want to create something in your family life that is BETTER than mediocre.... even if you think your current situation is pretty 'good' (we'll explain why good is the enemy of extraordinary).

Listen now to this paradigm-shifting episode.


If you have teens and want to homeschool high school, make sure to check out our Habits for a Successful Life online class and Mentoring Accountability Program.

Jan 16, 202401:36:55
#245 Face & OVERCOME the (Inevitable) Obstacles to Your Family's Goals & Dreams!

#245 Face & OVERCOME the (Inevitable) Obstacles to Your Family's Goals & Dreams!

As we begin the New Year and pursuing new goals, this timely episode shares a real-life *happening now* obstacle to pursuing our dream (to buy a chateau in France) -- getting stuck and stranded in Casablanca, Morocco.

We walk through WHY obstacles and roadblocks to your dreams happen, what to do about them, how to handle them in-the-moment, and most importantly, how to overcome them so you can continue pursuing your goals and dreams.

If you've ever set a big goal and failed to achieve it -- or became discouraged and disheartened, wondered if it's 'not meant to be' or if God didn't want you to have/do/achieve it -- this episode is for you!

Listen now for encouragement, inspiration, and practical tactics.


RESOURCES

Interested in more information about investing in or being a part of our Chateau Project?

Send an email to greg@gregdenning.com

Jan 09, 202459:56
#244 Make NEXT Year Your Best Yet! How to Turn Your Family Dreams into Reality

#244 Make NEXT Year Your Best Yet! How to Turn Your Family Dreams into Reality

As we record this we're sitting in an Airbnb in Tangier, Morocco, living yet *another* of our family's dreams -- to road trip from Portugal to Morocco.

Before this trip is over we'll travel from our home base in Portugal to the Sahara Desert in Morocco, having visited Ronda, Grenada, and Cordoba, in Spain, and Tangier, Chefchouen (the Blue City), Fes, Volubilis ancient ruins, Meknes, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Ait Ben Haddou and Zagora.

We'll spend New Year's Eve beneath the stars of the desert with a bonfire and a Berber band, eating tajine and sand bread as we discuss The Alchemist and what it means to 'Live Your Personal Legend.'

But this is just the most recent family dream that we've made come true. Last Christmas we dog sledded in Norway, saw the Northern Lights, took a one-reindeer-open sleigh ride, and visited the Christmas markets before taking a train ride and Christmas cruise from Sweden to Finland. Then we backpacked through 15 countries before reaching Portugal.

Before that, we drove the Pan American Highway (three times), toured Europe for four months, hiked to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest, circled Iceland, and rode horses across the Mongolian steppe... plus much more.

HOW do we do it? How do we make so many dreams come true even with two businesses, homeschooling, and seven children?

That's what we share in this episode. Discover the exact process we've used to make our many family dreams come true.

Get a powerful start to this next year with this actionable episode that provides realistic steps for turning your family dreams into real life.

Listen now!


RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Get our Extraordinary Family Life Planner

28-Day Challenge for Moms

Be The Man app for Men -- iOS or Android

Dec 26, 202301:06:48
#243 Why You Don't Enjoy Parenthood As Much As You'd Hoped You Would
Dec 11, 202301:08:10
#242 HOW to (Enjoy) Spending More Time with Your Spouse & Kids

#242 HOW to (Enjoy) Spending More Time with Your Spouse & Kids

"What would I actually do if I spent more time with my wife and kids? What does that look like?"

"I went on a getaway with my husband and I was bored. I couldn't wait to get back to the kids."

"I've been going on more dates with my husband (because of the 28-Day Challenge) but we're not enjoying them. He doesn't like to do what I do, and I don't like doing what he does."

"My husband and I went away and it was amazing, but I hated returning to the kids who just fight and quarrel every day."

"I waited so long to become a mom and then it finally happened. But now I'm not enjoying it."


We've heard questions like these -- and more -- over the past several weeks.

People understand -- intellectually or philosophically -- that spending time with family is important.

But emotionally, they don't always enjoy it. Or it feels like a chore -- or sometimes even torture.

They would rather be doing something -- anything -- else, by themselves, with friends, at work.

They can't stand the 'unproductivity' of sitting around, playing games, watching movies, or having to do an activity they do NOT want to do.

But is this what 'spending time with family' really has to be like?

Is there a better way?

A way that makes you TRULY WANT to spend time together -- even 24/7/365 (like our family does)?

In this episode, we outline intentional strategies we've used to create a family culture where we actually LOVE spending time together doing things that we LOVE doing.

There's no torture or pain or wishing we could get away.

Instead, there's true enjoyment and delight in being with one another, day after day, week after week.

Let us show you how to make this a reality in YOUR family.

Listen now.


RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Donate or support AerialRecovery.org

Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for Moms

Greg's Be The Man Coaching & Tribe for men.

Habits for a Successful Life online class for teens.


Dec 06, 202301:00:23
#241 Stop Controlling Your Kids & Instead Gain Their Love, Respect & Admiration

#241 Stop Controlling Your Kids & Instead Gain Their Love, Respect & Admiration

Do you want to develop a parenting style and family culture that nurtures instilling values through individual autonomy INSTEAD of through parental control?

Parents face many challenges -- and the temptation to control their children -- when they are overly attached to specific outcomes for their family. Greg and Rachel emphasize the importance of letting go of control and cultivating an environment that encourages children to make their own choices and paradoxically is better at actually creating the short- and long-term results and outcomes you want.


The hosts delve into personal experiences, illustrating how they have successfully implemented these principles in their own family. Greg recounts his teenage years out on his own at a young age, highlighting the freedom he had to make good choices without strict parental control. The couple emphasizes the significance of setting an example as parents and creating an atmosphere where your children want to open up and talk to you. By allowing their children to choose and make mistakes, you can build a family culture where autonomy works to create shared values as your children adopt and embrace values as their own instead of simply being obedient to their parent's values.


The conversation deepens as the hosts explore the delicate balance between setting an example and mentoring. They stress the need for parents to be both exceptional role models and effective teachers. Greg and Rachel share anecdotes from their family life, demonstrating that by practicing detachment from the outcomes they want actually contributes to cultivating the unique family culture where children willingly seek guidance and approval.


Finally, the hosts encourage listeners to contemplate and implement these principles in their own families. Stop controlling your children and instead use the transformative power of embracing detachment in your daily parenting interactions, enabling children to become the architects of their destinies within the framework of shared family values. The Extraordinary Family Life podcast provides valuable insights for parents seeking to raise empowered, self-aware, and responsible individuals.


Nov 15, 202340:48
#240 Dealing with Picky Eaters & Empowering a Lifetime of Healthy Food Choices

#240 Dealing with Picky Eaters & Empowering a Lifetime of Healthy Food Choices

Are your kids picky eaters? Are you concerned about their short and long-term health because of a lack of nutrition?

Then listen to this episode where we discuss the importance -- and strategies -- for instilling good dietary habits in children and overcoming pickiness.

To begin, Greg and Rachel shed light on the significance of food choices and the impact it has on a family's well-being. They emphasize the role of parents in setting a positive example and creating an environment where children are empowered to make healthy choices. This episode is a valuable resource for parents seeking to navigate the often challenging landscape of family nutrition.


Our hosts continue to explore the intricacies of providing nutritious options for children. They share personal anecdotes and insights gained through their journey of raising a healthy family.

They address common challenges faced by parents, such as dealing with picky eaters, battles over food, and navigating the temptations of junk food. By setting boundaries and cultivating a love for wholesome, delicious food, they offer practical strategies for families to transition towards a healthier lifestyle -- and mindset towards food and eating.

Listeners will also gain valuable advice on reading food labels, recognizing and avoiding harmful ingredients, and providing nutritious alternatives. The hosts emphasize the power of conviction and creating a positive food culture at home, where children feel free to make their own choices within the framework of a nutritious menu.

The episode underscores the idea that healthy eating is a long-term investment in the well-being of both parents and children. By instilling good dietary habits from an early age, families can enjoy the benefits of vitality, energy, and a life free from common health issues. The Extraordinary Family Life Podcast delivers inspiring insights and practical tips to help parents raise healthy, happy children within a supportive, nourishing environment.

Tune in to this enlightening discussion to discover how you can provide your family with a foundation of good nutrition and the long-term benefits it brings. Join us as we embark on a journey towards a healthier, more vibrant life for your extraordinary family.

Nov 07, 202357:14
#239 Stop Punishing. Learn How to (Effectively) Discipline Your Kids
Oct 31, 202301:31:03
#238 Israel/Palestine, Ukraine, W.H.O., 'The Great Reset', Tolerance, Murdered Activists, and Other Craziness! 🤪

#238 Israel/Palestine, Ukraine, W.H.O., 'The Great Reset', Tolerance, Murdered Activists, and Other Craziness! 🤪

Oct 24, 202301:08:45
#237 The Stability of Your Family Life DEPENDS on the Stability of Your Marriage

#237 The Stability of Your Family Life DEPENDS on the Stability of Your Marriage

In this series about raising well-adjusted kids and better family stability, we're now diving into the 2nd level of the Extraordinary Family Life Pyramid -- Marriage!

YOU are the foundation of your family life, followed by your MARRIAGE.

Without strong INDIVIDUAL mental, emotional, spiritual, social, physical, and financial health you don't have the 'solid footing' necessary to raise well-adjusted kids.

The same is true when it comes to your marriage. You and your spouse are providing the up-close-and-personal look at interpersonal relationships that your children will take into their adult life and their own relationships.

You can NOT fake this. You can't say one thing and do another and expect your kids to get the 'right' message. Your marriage must be strong, thriving, and attractive if you want to raise the strongest, healthiest, most well-adjusted kids possible.

And if it's not? What then?

There are still things you can do to improve the situation -- whether you're still married, considering divorce, already divorced, or looking for a partner, the way you handle THIS topic is SO important.

Listen now to learn the strategies you need to make your marriage THRIVE or the tools required to pass on the right lessons to your kids if your marriage is less than you hoped it would be.


RESOURCES:

Greg Denning's Book List (including recommend Marriage books):

https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/greg-denning-booklist


Rachel Denning's Book List (including recommend Marriage books):

https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/courses/ambitious-well-read-mom-booklist


28-Day Challenge for Moms (including the 28-Day Marriage Challenge):

https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-family-life-bundle


Be The Family Man 7-Day Challenge:

https://www.bethemanworkshop.com/products/be-the-family-man-challenge-men

Oct 10, 202301:00:04
#236 Creating Stability: Become a Better Problem Solver to Become a Better Parent
Oct 03, 202301:00:26
#235 Creating a Family Culture of Stability, Safety, Trust, & Well-Adjusted Family Members

#235 Creating a Family Culture of Stability, Safety, Trust, & Well-Adjusted Family Members

"My kids are having a hard time adjusting to _______ (moving, traveling, homeschooling, divorce, death, etc). How can I help them?"

We've received a question like this dozens of times over the years. Parents the world over wonder how they can create family stability, safety, and healing -- especially in today's mixed-up crazy world.

Some claim stability comes from 'staying in one place' -- as one commenter on Instagram said,

"Kids want stability, staying in one place, traditions, predictability, and the same friends."

And as others have said in the past, "You're ruining your kids by traveling/moving so much."

Yet if it truly were predictability and staying in one place that produced stability and well-adjusted kids, wouldn't ALL people who stayed in one place and had the same friends be well-adjusted?

We know this isn't the case. Every one of us knows of a very unstable person or family who has stayed in the same place their entire life.

So what is it then? What actually creates this 'well-adjustment' that we all want for ourselves and our children?

Ultimately it comes down to a set of principles and practices that establish 'location independent' family stability, safety, and trust that result in well-adjusted family members -- parents and children.

We've been asked before,

"Is your family really as well-adjusted as you appear to be on social media?"

The answer is, 'Yes', and in this episode, we give you the tools we've used to make it possible. We share the strategies that just work for creating a healthy, happy, progressing, thriving family -- no matter where you go, or what challenges come your way.

Listen now to begin developing these skills today.


RESOURCES MENTIONED:


28-Day Challenge for Moms

https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-family-life-bundle


Be the Man Masterclass for Men

https://call.formidablefamilyman.com/

Sep 26, 202301:25:11
#234 College, Drug Lords, Billboards & Totalitarianism in America

#234 College, Drug Lords, Billboards & Totalitarianism in America

After nine months of traveling outside of the USA (to 17+ countries from Tromsø to Cairo), we return to take care of some things that will help us make a permanent transition to our home base in Portugal...

But as usual, there are things that STAND OUT to us as we visit this country after an extended absence.

In this episode, we share what those things are, and -- in the bigger picture -- why they are significant to our families, the nation, and the world as a whole.



RESOURCES MENTIONED:

- Wild Swans by Jung Chang

- Animal Farm by George Orwell

- 1984 by George Orwell

- In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park

- The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmet


OTHER RESOURCES:

#138 Thou Shalt Follow the Science (Dark Horse Podcast)

Does History Repeat Itself? with Mattias Desmet

#373 Social Justice: A Religious Movement (Jordan Peterson Podcast)

#380 A Resurgence of Vision with Vivek Ramaswamy

#363 Rekindling the Spirit of the Classic Democrat with Robert F. Kennedy (removed from YouTube by them for 'violating terms of service' but reposted -- temporarily? -- here)

"If you look at history, the people censoring are always the bad guys."

#232 PROTECT Your Kids NOW from Traffickers & Sexual Abusers

Why I Hope My Kids Never Go to College

My JBP Challenge

⁠#211 What to Eat & How -- What's ACTUALLY Healthy? Our Food Journey⁠

⁠#213 What to Eat Part 2 -- Snacks, Recipes, Rules, & When to Break Them


Colleges I would consider:

Sep 19, 202301:00:29
#233 The Impending Unraveling (and Collapse?) of Society -- How to Protect Your Family
Aug 29, 202301:30:20
#232 PROTECT Your Kids NOW from Traffickers & Sexual Abusers
Aug 22, 202301:00:11
#231 Stop Lying to Your Kids — Speak ONLY Truth to Gain More Influence

#231 Stop Lying to Your Kids — Speak ONLY Truth to Gain More Influence

We've never told any of our 7 children there is a Santa Clause or a Tooth Fairy. That's because we always wanted to be seen as people our children can believe and trust -- NO MATTER WHAT -- especially when it comes to discerning truth in the world and discovering what is real and what is not. And while it's not just about Santa Clause, this approach of ALWAYS speaking Truth is one of the key philosophies that has helped us to raise children, teens, and young adults who truly trust, believe, and seek out our advice, even into young adulthood. It is an approach that has led them to know that we will ALWAYS be straight with them -- no matter if it's about their health, weight, looks, friends, ideas, dates, or choices. No matter what questions they have, they can come to us and get REAL answers. We won't be overly harsh, but we also won't sugarcoat things. We won't underplay the risks, but we won't exaggerate them either. We don't know all the answers, but we will share everything we do know to be true -- whether it's about faith, religion, quantum physics, history, wellness, money, or our personal choices. And our kids can trust what we tell them TRUTH because we've NEVER intentionally told them something that wasn't true or tried to convince them of stories or myths are reality. We still like to pretend and make-believe and we love stories and myths and using our imagination (mythology and science fiction are my kids' favorite genres) -- but we are honest with our kids when it's a STORY and when it is TRUTH -- when we're teasing and pretending and when it's REAL. We completely respect other people's beliefs and practices, and we're definitely not condemning people for telling their kids to believe in Santa. But we do have a very interesting conversation in this episode about lies, honesty, and the power of influence that comes into your relationships when you commit to speaking only Truth. Listen now! --------- Check out our upcoming Trips & Adventures
Aug 08, 202301:00:11
#230 How to Handle the Stress & Pressure of Family Life and to Move Into Higher Level Emotions

#230 How to Handle the Stress & Pressure of Family Life and to Move Into Higher Level Emotions

I (Rachel) cried today. It was because of the stress and pressure and overwhelm of 'all the things' I have to get done by a looming deadline, and it was sparked by the small irritations of family life.

So Greg and I do what we usually do in a situation like this -- we sat down and psychoanalyzed WHY I was crying so we could process the 'emotional stacking' to help me get back to a positive state (and then recorded this episode 😁 ).

But this isn't something I do only when I cry or feel overwhelmed by stress.

This is a similar process to something I do on my own anytime I'm feeling a lower-level emotion that is below contentment or satisfaction -- things like disappointment, doubt, worry, irritation, frustration, or discouragement.

This is the same process Greg has been doing for 20+ years -- anytime he feels doubt, worry, dissatisfaction, impatience, irritation, frustration, or discontent.

In fact, he's gotten so good at it that, unless appropriate, he's learned to process these lower-level emotions in seconds so he can very quickly return to higher-level emotions like passion, excitement, love, enthusiasm, and joy, which is where he spends 95+% of his time.

How did we learn to do this?

How do we manage to remain in a positive mental and emotional state MOST of the time -- despite all of the stress, strain, challenge, and pressure required to run a business, homeschool and raise 7-kids, travel to 50+ countries, and live a high-achieving, extraordinary family life?

Listen to this episode now to learn how we do it and how YOU can do it too.



Join Rachel's 28-Day Challenge for Moms:

https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/bundles/extraordinary-family-life-bundle


Join Greg's 7-Day Be The Family Man Challenge

https://www.bethemanworkshop.com/products/be-the-family-man-challenge-men


Follow us on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/worldschoolfamily

https://instagram.com/greg.denning

Jul 18, 202359:36
#229 How to Plan BIG Adventures for Your Family (+ Budget & Costs)

#229 How to Plan BIG Adventures for Your Family (+ Budget & Costs)

After posting reels on Instagram about our most recent 6-month trip to 17 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, I've had many people ask:

"How do you even BEGIN planning a trip like that?"

"What was your budget for this experience?"

"How do you afford it?"

In this episode, we walk through our process for dreaming, envisioning, and then executing BIG goals and dreams.

It's the exact process we've used again and again to travel to 50+ countries on five continents with our 7 children for the past 17 years.

We explain how to pick a destination and what to book first -- without risk.

We tell you when to buy the flights and where to look for accommodations.

We also share our daily and monthly budget costs for traveling with a family -- now and then.

If you've ever wanted to plan a BIG family adventure, then don't miss this episode! If you're not already, make sure to follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/worldschoolfamily https://instagram.com/greg.denning


Jul 11, 202301:17:33
#228 How to Help Your Kids LOVE 'Reading' (aka Stories, Learning, & Growing)
Jun 27, 202301:00:08
#227 Babe, I Want to Be Able to Talk to You About ANYTHING -- Let's Listen & Discuss This

#227 Babe, I Want to Be Able to Talk to You About ANYTHING -- Let's Listen & Discuss This

Jun 20, 202301:12:49
#226 Please Don't Be Offended That I Shared This Episode With You -- Here's Why YOU (and I) Need a Coach
Jun 13, 202359:31
#225 How to Help Your (Public or Homeschool) Kids Get a World-Class Education
May 30, 202301:25:48
#224 How (& WHY) to Have Sex 3-6 Times a Week EVEN with Kids, Businesses, Homeschool, Jobs, Activities, and More

#224 How (& WHY) to Have Sex 3-6 Times a Week EVEN with Kids, Businesses, Homeschool, Jobs, Activities, and More

This episode would not be complete without listening to these episodes as well:


This episode was in response to a question we received:


I just listened to one of your trainings and you guys mention having sex 4-7 times a week. If there is a podcast or a training on this somewhere please direct me to it.

I’m a morning person and my husband is a night owl. I wake up at 4 and go to bed at 9 he wakes up at 8 and goes to bed at midnight. I have 6 kids and homeschool and do my business on the side.

How do you create time to do it that many times? 🙃 I feel like it takes too much time. I’m working on upgrading my thoughts about time with him. But this is where I’m at right now.

And I don’t know where to add it into my schedule and honestly, I’m in pain all day long after I do it. 😬

How do you do it so much and how do you make it a part of your schedule and life?


Ultimately it comes down to STRATEGY. Get all the nitty-gritty details in this episode. 😁


Get our recommend books on marriage and sex here:


May 23, 202301:19:42
#223 How to Prevent 80% of Problems & Find Lasting Solutions When Challenges Do Arise
May 16, 202356:10
#222 How Sugar Contributes to Disease & How to Give it Up FOR GOOD

#222 How Sugar Contributes to Disease & How to Give it Up FOR GOOD

As part of the 28-Day Challenge we ask participants to choose one food to give up.

Some choose sugar. But it’s not always easy to give it up. As one mom said:


“…the sweet tooth got the best of me.  I don’t drink soda and haven’t had a donut in two years; those our out.  I don’t eat things with corn syrup, and I mostly use olive and coconut oils. 

But every time I decide, no more sugar, I can almost feel my brain go into panic mode.  And it’s like a wave of dessert ideas comes in and the ability to resist seems impaired.  I want to lose weight, but it feels like Mount Everest is in front of me.  If “the obstacle is the way”, I am not sure how to proceed here. 

I know that eventually I get mad enough and then I am strong enough to resist sugar for a good few months.  But I want to make it the lasting change and TRAIN my brain to love NOT getting the sugar fix.”


If you’ve ever felt the desire to improve your overall health and well-being and lose weight by eliminating sugar and replacing it with healthier alternatives — but feel your willpower is lacking then listen to this podcast (because willpower WILL not do the job -- you need better strategies).

If you’re currently not aware of the HUGE negative impact that refined sugar is having on the insulin/glucose process in your body which is contributing to all major diseases — heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, dementia, stroke, high blood pressure, etc. then you MUST listen to this episode now!

In it, we’ll provide specific tips, strategies, and tactics we have used to help ourselves and our clients eliminate refined sugars from our diet — for good.

—————

Become a calmer, more patient, joyful, and HEALTHIER mom in the next 28 days with my 28-Day Challenge.

May 10, 202356:23
#221 Specific Strategies & Tools to Make Your Marriage Good, Better, Great & EXTRAORDINARY
May 02, 202301:26:24
#220 "My Kids Are Fighting So Much!" How to Put and End to Fighting -- For Good

#220 "My Kids Are Fighting So Much!" How to Put and End to Fighting -- For Good

"I'm feeling sooooo burnt out of motherhood... My kids are fighting so much. Last week we did a 'no fighting' challenge for 7 days. They did pretty well and each got a prize.

This week has been a total dumpster fire. I keep circling back to me. Making sure I am good, but I'm just not. I feel so drained at the end of my day after so much fighting. Any advice?"


We get it. Fighting is exhausting -- mentally, emotionally, and physically. It takes away from family and personal productivity and peace. How do we best handle it and put an end to it -- for good? And is it actually possible?

In this episode, we outline the strategies we use from the Pyramid of Peace to 'help things go right' in order to prevent problems and fighting AND how to 'fix what's gone wrong' when fighting actually occurs (which is rare when you spend 80-90% of your time and energy 'helping things go right'.)

We'll show you how to basically eliminate fighting in your family -- for good -- in a realistic approach that focuses on conflict resolution -- because conflicts will arise, but that doesn't mean they have to turn into fights.

If your kids fight at all, then you will want to listen to this insightful episode to understand WHY they are fighting and how to prevent it in a healthy, holistic way.

Resolving conflicts at home and in our families is the beginning of resolving conflicts in the world. Learn how to have more familial peace this week and gain tools for increasing peace in your communities.

---------

Get the specific, step-by-step tools you need to increase personal inner peace so that it can expand into your family life. Join my 28-Day Challenge and earn Badges as you create your own Extraordinary Family Life.


Apr 25, 202301:42:12
#219 How to Get Your Kids to Do _________ (Homework, Chores, the 'Right' Thing) WITHOUT the Battle

#219 How to Get Your Kids to Do _________ (Homework, Chores, the 'Right' Thing) WITHOUT the Battle

We received a great question from a mom which we answer in today’s episode.

Just a reminder — we love receiving questions. Feel free to ask us anything by visiting podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com where you can leave us a voice or text message.

This mom asked:


“I have a 13-year-old daughter. She gets homework from coop  & every week it’s a battle. I remind her about her assignment- she says yes, I know… and gets mad at me every time I bring it up but then either doesn’t do it or is up late the night before it’s due. Wisdom - please!!!!”


This is a challenge that all of us have faced — likely more than once — as parents. And it’s something that can be extremely irritating and draining — mentally and emotionally.

So how can we reduce the battles, not just around homework, but chores and anything else our kids 'should' do — and ultimately, help our children to WANT to do the things they’re ‘supposed’ to do?

Because that’s the IDEAL — not just that our kids do what we ask them to, but that they learn to do things on their own because they WANT to do it. 

If this is something you’ve ever struggled with as a parent — and wondered if there was a better way — then listen to this episode now.

—————

Become a calmer, more patient, and joyful mom — and a more grateful and trusting wife — in the next 28 days with my 28-Day Challenge.

Apr 18, 202301:00:05
#218 Body Shaming? How to LOVE Your Body AND Want to Get in Your Best Shape

#218 Body Shaming? How to LOVE Your Body AND Want to Get in Your Best Shape

This topic is one that can be sensitive so we want to handle it appropriately. As usual, the subject came up because of an activity in Greg’s online class for teens — Habits for a Successful Life — and a resulting email from a mom. (We love getting emails).

The students were asked to take a self-assessment of multiple areas of their life — mental, emotional, physical, etc.

As part of the physical assessment, different activities were done — holding their breath, touching their toes, counting pushups, and measuring ‘grabbable’ skin/fat on their belly. This last assessment is similar to what is done during a BMI examination (Body Mass Index test), except they measure belly, triceps, and inner thigh fat/skin.

One parent was concerned that grabbing the stomach… brought “attention to this area of their body and was damaging to their confidence… As a certified personal trainer and in my training it was strongly emphasized to never ask a client to assess the health of their bodies in this manner, it creates body shaming and sets a client up for failure.”

Some people struggle with body image and obsess about the very minor skin they can grab around their middle. The world on Instagram has them believing they need to be twigs.

“As a mom, I’m trying to teach them to love their bodies and our bodies don’t have to look like those on Instagram or other social media platforms. What is important, is being healthy and taking proper care through eating well and exercising, which [my children] are doing.”

She continued, “I want them to focus on healthy habits of movement and eating and if they do that their bodies will be healthy no matter how they might look compared to someone else.”

We absolutely agree. Women and girls (or men and boys) should not be obsessing about the perfection of their middle and our bodies should not be compared to others, especially photoshopped images on social media.

And yet, BMI matters because excess body fat can lead to long-term health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. It’s important for us to know if our body fat is increasing or decreasing — not because our ‘image’ matters and we’re trying to look like models on social media — but so that we’re aware of our overall health and wellness.

We need to teach our children to accept this balance -- a need to know without obsessing.

Plus, there is more to the subject than just the long-term diseases associated with excess body fat. In our experience and research, anytime we feel ANY emotion, there is some deeper issue that needs to be addressed. Shame and guilt about our bodies included.

The truth is, no one can ‘shame’ you. No one can make you feel anything. Emotions arise from within, YOU are the source of them. If and when uncomfortable emotions arise it's an opportunity to practice self-awareness about WHY we feel the way we do. Doing so will help us to develop an internal congruence — which makes us whole and immune to the actions, behaviors, or beliefs of others.

This episode is essentially the conversation we have in our own home around body image, body fat, and ‘body shame’. It is the conversation we have had — and continue to have — with our own daughters (and sons).

We discuss that each of us is responsible for getting in tune with our own bodies and letting that intuition guide us to our own unique level of health, wellness, and fitness according to our own long-term goals and desires. Our bodies know what our own ideal shape is meant to look like, and they will respond accordingly through biochemistry, emotions, and feedback loops. 

If you’re concerned about the messages in society today regarding body image — but also wondering if there’s more to it and how to find a healthy balance — then listen to this episode now.

Apr 11, 202301:28:46
#217 To Control Guns or Not to Control Guns? -- This is NOT the (Right) Question

#217 To Control Guns or Not to Control Guns? -- This is NOT the (Right) Question

In our podcast episodes, we like to answer questions we’re asked or to discuss topics that impact — or fire — us up. Lately, we’ve been discussing together the most recent school shooting in the United States (and the resulting usual public discussion about the need for gun control).


As American citizens, we also have a unique viewpoint because of the near decade or more we’ve spent living outside of the United States (in more than 50 countries). It’s allowed us to gain a unique perspective of the problems plaguing nations — and to compare and contrast their similarities and differences. 


School shootings are an almost uniquely U.S. problem. While violence and terrorism do occur in other countries — including genocide — a single shooter whose goal is to take out innocent lives (children) is a crime that is nearly exclusive to the United States. 


What’s going on here? Why is it happening?


Of course, it makes complete logical sense at first glance to blame it on the guns. We did about nine years ago while living in Costa Rica — a country with no military and no guns. But as we’ve thought, discussed, analyzed, and researched further, we’ve come to believe that the problem — and solution — may include more gun control, but it's also far more complex than that. There is an "underlying cause to the underlying cause" of the problem, and until it's resolved things won't change -- even if all guns were magically removed from the nation.


Whether you're pro-2nd Amendment or pro-gun control, listen now to this interesting episode to add awareness and understanding to your viewpoint — a key step in having healthy dialogue and debate which are absolutely essential for creating change.


And perhaps gain insight into how each of us individually has contributed to the instability and terrifying challenges facing our nations and communities. Because as Alexander Solzhenitsyn, author of the Gulag Archipelago said:


“A society with unlimited rights is incapable of standing to adversity… A stable society is achieved not by balancing opposing forces but by conscious self-limitation [responsibility].”


Listen now!

Apr 04, 202358:35
#216 Why Encouraging Your Kids to 'Talk Back' Develops Critical Thinking & Decision Making Skills

#216 Why Encouraging Your Kids to 'Talk Back' Develops Critical Thinking & Decision Making Skills

In this episode, it seems as though we start talking about one subject and end with another. Yet, they are connected.


We begin discussing how to deal with children who are ‘high spirited’ with minds of their own (which can sometimes be aggravating or embarrassing) and who grow up feeling ‘not good enough’ or as though there’s something wrong with them because of the constant correction they receive.


We also mention the ‘quiet’, ‘good’ kids that ‘go along to get along’ but who internally might be (unconsciously) building resentment to the arbitrary rules and restrictions of their parents (which often leads to some sort of rebellion or rejection of values when they become adults).


Both types of kids struggle because of the (often arbitrary) rules their parents and/or society have for them. Out of the best intentions, parents create rules for their family life so that children can be safe, they can have high standards and values, and some sort of order and control can be maintained. The rules are often communicated in a black-and-white way — we never eat in the living room, we never stand on the table, we never listen to pop music, we never swear, we never stay out past midnight, we never watch rated R movies, we never lie, etc. 


But the reality is, this black-and-white approach has long-term detrimental consequences for your relationship with your child, their critical thinking skills, and their ability to make decisions. That’s because life is rarely black and white. There are variables, nuances, and levels to all parts of our reality.


We end the episode by expounding on how allowing your children to ‘talk back’ and to argue/debate with you in an effort to persuade you to their point of view is a GOOD thing. Your rules are NOT black and white and kids (as well as parents) often intuitively feel this, they just can’t articulate it.


This is where ‘parenting relativism’ is required. And while that sounds bad or dangerous to some, it is actually an effective approach that helps us help our children to navigate the complexities of the world around us and life in general.


At the outset, the approach we outline in this episode seems like more work and thought, and effort on your part. But in the long run — done well — it creates WAY better results because this parenting process develops the ability to think critically, to strategically analyze, to effectively make decisions, and to confront moral dilemmas. As a bonus, it increases the trust and respect your children have for you as their parents and creates stronger life-long relationships.

Mar 28, 202355:39
#215 A Message to Husbands: How to Actually Listen to Your Wife

#215 A Message to Husbands: How to Actually Listen to Your Wife

In our work with couples and clients, we often come across marriages that are struggling. One of the MANY reasons this happens (or at least continues as an issue) is because of the husband’s inability or lack of skill in listening to his wife effectively in a way that she needs him to.

Just as women need to understand a man’s need and desire for sexual intimacy, he needs to understand her need for emotional intimacy. This is challenging because it is often communicated in a way that can be undesirable to men and can sometimes come off as complaining, whining, illogical, irrational, or incorrect.

This is something we’ve had to figure out in our own marriage — the best way for Greg to ‘listen’ in a way that produces the results we both want — deeper connection, more intimacy, vulnerability, and security in our relationship and with each other, with the freedom to express feelings that don’t always have to be taken as absolute facts.

(Of course, there are other things that Rachel’s had to figure out too in order to better meet her husband’s needs, but we’ve discussed those in previous episodes.)

Listening in this way can be challenging and complicated — it seems passive but is actually a very active process. When understood and done well it will transform your marriage relationship (and improve your sex life).

Of course, better communication will help in ALL relationships — including the workplace and your community. But listening to your wife in the way we outline in this episode is a whole other level that is very unique to this special relationship.

We’ll expound on emotional stacking, on the yin and yang of male/female relationships, why a woman will sometimes say the opposite of what she means, what she really wants you to do instead of ‘fixing’ her problems, how to get through the ugly crying without strangling her, and why all of this is okay and not something either side needs to be ashamed of or shy away from — because what lies on the other side is truly beautiful.

Learning to embrace the complexities of female emotion — and to understand that it’s an ocean that sometimes results in a storm — will help you to remain the lighthouse in that storm and will bring greater strength to each partner and to the relationship as a whole.

What results is a beautiful circle of intimacy that draws partners together mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically in an eternal loop of intellect, sentiment, passion, and desire — but only if both partners' unique needs are understood, addressed, and accepted.

This is a crucial part of the path to true INTIMACY — Into Me You See

Get more help with your marriage with the Extraordinary Family Life Formula. Learn more at https://courses.extraordinaryfamilylife.com

Mar 21, 202301:23:31
COACHING SESSION: NEW & Exciting Tools To Help You Get What You Want Most

COACHING SESSION: NEW & Exciting Tools To Help You Get What You Want Most

This content is taken from a recording of a live coaching session with our Extraordinary Family Life Formula coaching group. It is member-only content. If you would like to access it you can join The Formula or you can subscribe as a premium member of the Extraordinary Family Life Podcast.

Mar 16, 202355:45
#214 Where We've Been and How We've Made it Extra Special -- Celebrating 22 Years of Marriage

#214 Where We've Been and How We've Made it Extra Special -- Celebrating 22 Years of Marriage

Every year on our birthdays and anniversaries we love to reminisce and ask ourselves, "Where were we celebrating last year? I wonder where we'll be next year?"

Last year we celebrated in Portugal while we were scouting out the country to see if it could be a place we wanted to make a permanent home base. (We did a podcast episode about it because it was so serendipitous.) We could have never guessed then that this year we would be celebrating 22 years together in Turkey on the Aegean Sea!

In this episode, we reminisce about the 15 different countries we've celebrated our anniversaries, as well as discuss the principles and strategies we've used to celebrate our marriage -- because your marriage SHOULD be celebrated as often as possible. It's worth doing something 'big', momentous, or festive on special days to make them memorable. 

If you haven't done this as part of your marriage then it's time to make a change. Yes, we get it. It's not just about the one special day of the year. Every week you should be dating and every day you should be connecting. But you should also make your anniversary something extra special.

Listen to this episode to be inspired on WHY and how to level up your yearly 'honeymoon' trips with your spouse to celebrate your marriage and to reconnect as a man and woman in love.

If you feel like you can't do this because you can't afford it or can't leave your kids or ________, then you MUST listen to this episode now.

To fully level up your marriage in every aspect and to make it extraordinary, make sure to join our Extraordinary Marriage Masterclass. In the next 30 days, you can have a more Connected, Closer, Peaceful, and Passionate Marriage.

It REALLY is possible to create an extraordinary marriage with our 30-Day Step-by-Step Action Plan to an Extraordinary Marriage (with 22 training videos). Take your marriage from 'good' to 'extraordinary' by focusing on 5 simple strategies that anyone can do -- EVEN IF your spouse won't change!

Mar 14, 202301:00:16
#213 What to Eat Part 2 -- Snacks, Recipes, Rules, & When to Break Them

#213 What to Eat Part 2 -- Snacks, Recipes, Rules, & When to Break Them

After episode #211 about What to Eat we received a lot of follow-up questions (thank you!) and were asked to do a follow up episode to clarify some things, such as:

  • What if I'm lactose intolerant? What do you recommend to replace grass-fed milk?
  • What about food storage? I store a lot of grains and legumes. What's the best way to eat them.
  • Where do I find grass-fed meat, cheeses, butters, milk, etc.?
  • How do I know I can trust package labels at the store and that they're actually what they say they are?
  • How do you eat healthily while traveling?
  • What do you recommend for nutrient-dense snacks?
  • Do you guys eat much bread?
  • How do I get my family on board with eating healthier?
  • Do you have any recipes? What can I cook daily at home that's easy and can be done quickly?
  • What do you regularly buy and WHERE do you buy it?

If you had similar questions after listening to episode #211, then get them answered by listening to this episode now!


Mar 07, 202359:34
#212 True Balance Looks Like Yin & Yang and Walking 'The Labyrinth'

#212 True Balance Looks Like Yin & Yang and Walking 'The Labyrinth'

Thanks for all of the questions! They help us to have relevant conversations in these podcast episodes. If you have a question about anything in life or family, send them to support@extraordinaryfamilylife.com

This week’s question is related to full-time family travel vs. home base travel but the answer is relevant for all of us — it’s principle-based and applicable to every area of life. So if you’re not a full-time family traveler, you still need to listen to this episode because you’re likely experiencing something similar in one or more areas of your life.

Many of us think that balance means equal. But really, contrast — the yin and yang — is more accurate to how we develop. It’s why we have two hemispheres in our brain and it’s why we need ‘opposition’ in all things. It is how we find meaning and purpose in our life.

But the challenge is we sabotage ourselves. We don't want to let go of what we know to puruse something different, especially when we feel like what we have is 'right'. We want to stay with the familiar, we don’t want to ‘betray’ ourselves by ‘flip-flopping’ between ideas, beliefs, or lifestyles. We identify with this thing and it’s become a part of who we are, so if we change them or open our minds to something opposite, what will that do to our life, family, marriage, etc?

The truth is, we NEED to do that in order to become complete, whole, and fully developed. We NEED to explore the ‘other side’. That’s how we reach our full potential and become our full, complete selves. This is what we call ‘walking the labyrinth'exploring every area of yourself, life, etc. in order to become fully whole and complete.

But it seems scary, risky, or even wrong and ‘inappropriate’ — yet it is psychologically, biologically, mentally, and physically accurate and demonstrably true. Try it out and see for yourself. You’ll find more benefits, power, development and reach more of your personal and family potential. Listen now to learn HOW.

Book mentioned:

The Master and His Emissary

See a photo of the labyrinth here.

Feb 28, 202329:46
#211 What to Eat & How -- What's ACTUALLY Healthy? Our Food Journey

#211 What to Eat & How -- What's ACTUALLY Healthy? Our Food Journey

In many of our episodes, we often reference food and its connection to behavior and emotion.

So it’s not surprising that we received this request:

“I would LOVE to hear an episode on food! YES it is confusing and hard to navigate! We've already made some good changes, but I'd love to hear your specific thoughts about how you implement this both at home and on the road. I'd also love to hear some scientific evidence from books but mainly how you guys apply it… especially when your kids when they are surrounded by all the not-so-good-foods of their peers...

And I got confused: Rachel said, in the same breath when talking about bad foods/chemicals, almond and soy milk, and then whole foods....meaning those milks are considered bad or good?!

I think your intention was that those milks are bad...I didn't know that!”

It’s true, I did mention in a previous episode that soy and almond milks are not good for you.

In this episode, I expound how and why we came to those — as well as other ‘shocking’ — conclusions about our definition of what’s healthy and what is not.

If you’ve ever wondered ‘what to eat’ and what is actually healthy, then you don’t want to miss this episode. At the very least it will provide some ‘food for thought’. 😁

Feb 21, 202301:19:17
COACHING SESSION: Pursuing Your Dreams, Even in the 'Winters' of Your Life or World Events

COACHING SESSION: Pursuing Your Dreams, Even in the 'Winters' of Your Life or World Events

This content is taken from a recording of a live coaching session with our Extraordinary Family Life Formula coaching group. It is member-only content. If you would like to access it you can join The Formula or you can subscribe as a premium member of the Extraordinary Family Life Podcast.

Is it possible -- or wise -- to pursue your dreams even during the 'winters' of your life, or world events? We discuss WHY it's critical and HOW to do it in this coaching session.

Feb 16, 202301:17:41