We’ve all felt it—the pit in your stomach that says the good can’t last, or the ache that whispers the pain will never end. Living braced for impact robs us of the very joy and resilience we’re longing for. In this episode, Justin and Abi get personal about financial fears, health crises, PTSD, and the cycles of marriage that tested their ability to trust goodness. They share how childhood pain shaped their anxiety about loss, and what helped them shift from sabotage and foreboding to presence and freedom. From bite-sized safety practices to the science of post-traumatic growth, they unpack how to expand your capacity for joy, let go of false control, and anchor your well-being in something deeper than circumstances. If you’ve ever feared the other shoe will drop—or felt stuck in a season that won’t end—this conversation will remind you: you can make it through, and you will be okay. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Also get your hands on The Tree of Life, an allegorical novel by Justin Stumvoll on Amazon now: https://shorturl.at/hl1n4
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354: What Chronic Sickness is REALLY Like
Chronic sickness can make you feel like you’ve lost yourself and that you’re letting everyone else down too. It impacts more than just your body; it reshapes your identity, your relationships, and your sense of hope. In this episode, Justin and Abi get personal about their journeys with long-term illness, the pressure to push through, and the silent grief of not being who you used to be. They unpack how sickness affects connection, the loneliness of being in survival mode, and the power of regulating your nervous system to support healing. Whether you're the one who’s sick or you love someone who is, this conversation will help you feel seen and remind you that your worth isn’t tied to your capacity. There is hope, and it might look different than you expected. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Also get your hands on The Tree of Life, an allegorical novel by Justin Stumvoll on Amazon now: https://shorturl.at/hl1n4
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353: The Key to Relational Resilience
Shame is one of the most powerful forces in relationships and one of the least recognized. It hides behind defensiveness, blame, denial, and emotional shutdowns. It keeps us from hearing each other, owning our impact, and creating real repair. But what if we could build shame resilience and become great at relationships? In this episode, Justin and Abi get personal about the ways shame shaped their marriage—and what finally helped them break the cycle. They unpack why most people confuse shame with guilt, how shame can masquerade as moral failure, and why separating identity from behavior is essential for connection. From psychoeducation to spiritual perspective, they share what helped them heal. Whether you collapse when someone’s upset with you, or go on the offense to avoid feeling wrong, this conversation will help you clarify what’s happening and build the courage to show up with more ownership and compassion. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Also get your hands on The Tree of Life, an allegorical novel by Justin Stumvoll on Amazon now: https://shorturl.at/hl1n4
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352: The Expectation Hangover
Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, holiday, or vacation—we often attach so much meaning and pressure to these moments that they end up feeling more stressful than special. But what if it doesn’t have to be that way? In this episode, Justin and Abi get personal about how their own celebrations have stirred up unexpected grief, unmet expectations, and even old trauma. They unpack why we tend to expect too much from big life events and share what it actually takes to enjoy them—mess and all. From rethinking holiday traditions to letting go of fantasy-filled expectations, this conversation is filled with real talk, laughs, and practical ways to feel more grounded in life’s most emotionally charged moments. If you’ve ever felt let down by an event that was “supposed to be” magical, this episode is for you. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE! Also get your hands on The Tree of Life, an allegorical novel by Justin Stumvoll on Amazon now: https://shorturl.at/hl1n4
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351: The Missing Piece to Trauma Healing
Many of us can talk logically about our feelings and for years replay the same stories in an effort to make sense of the pain, yet never truly finding healing. But what if the secret to repair has been hiding in our bodies all along? In this episode, Justin and Abi get personal about their journeys with somatic counseling and what it looked like to reconnect with their bodies after years of dissociation, trauma, and anxiety. They share how completing “unfinished” instinctual responses, learning to say no without guilt, and noticing small physical cues transformed the way they handle conflict, boundaries, and experience healing. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your head, struggled to overcome pain, or been blindsided by triggers, this conversation is just what you’re looking for. You can WATCH us at https://www.justinandabi.com/theconnectedlife Don’t forget to RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
The Connected Life is a thought-provoking conversation about all the beautiful and messy ups and downs of life. Join Life Consultants Justin & Abi Stumvoll as they share vulnerable stories and practical wisdom that will lead you on a journey of connecting with yourself, others, and the world right in front of you. Their authentic, no-BS style will make you laugh, challenge you to dig deep, face your fears, and inspire you to love yourself and others more.
New Zealand