Building For Life

Chris Logan Media

A podcast from Missy Manuel and Allison Babin from Manuel Builders.  All are experts in the building process, and are now helping you build your life!

  1. EPISODE 1

    When Life Shatters Your Blueprint: A Journey Through Grief and Growth

    September 12th started like any other day for Missy Manuel. She dropped her husband Greg off at the airport, said goodbye, and went about her day. Hours later, she received the phone call that would change everything – his plane had crashed. In one moment, the life she had designed with her husband of 38 years was completely altered. This raw and powerful season premiere takes us through Missy's journey of navigating profound grief while still showing up for her business, her community, and herself. With remarkable candor, she shares the tools that have sustained her through life's darkest valley – from prayer and journaling to leaning on spiritual family and embracing vulnerability. "I had to give myself permission that everything wasn't fine and I didn't know the next step necessarily," Missy reveals, offering listeners permission to honor their own struggles. What emerges through this conversation isn't just a story about loss, but a masterclass in resilience. Missy speaks about redefining every aspect of her life – her home, her role, her future – while honoring both her grief and the possibilities that still lie ahead. Her journey demonstrates that growth isn't linear but continuous, requiring both strength and the willingness to acknowledge when we're not okay. The episode concludes with a powerful question for listeners: "What do you need to give yourself permission for?" Whether it's permission to rest, to cry, to have fun, or to pursue something others don't understand – Missy invites us all to extend ourselves the grace we so readily offer others. Join us for this deeply moving conversation about building life when the blueprint suddenly changes, and discover tools that can help you navigate your own unexpected turns with courage and hope.

    13 min
  2. EPISODE 2

    When Life Burns Down: Finding Grace in Grief and Gratitude

    Life rarely asks permission before demolishing our carefully constructed plans. Miss Emanuel knows this firsthand, having faced both her husband's unexpected death and a devastating propane grill explosion within six months. What makes her story remarkable isn't just her survival, but her ability to find genuine gratitude amid these life-altering circumstances. When everything familiar vanished overnight, Miss Emanuel found herself navigating unfamiliar terrain - managing an airplane, properties, and businesses while processing profound grief. Her practice of "art journaling" became crucial, allowing her to visually map her emotional landscape and identify what no longer served her new reality. This wasn't mere journaling; it was emotional scrapbooking that engaged different neural pathways and brought clarity amid chaos. Just as she was finding her footing, a propane grill accident left her hospitalized with severe burns, dependent on neighbors for basic care, and unable to enjoy simple pleasures like wearing sleeveless dresses or enjoying the summer sun. Yet even this trauma became transformative. "It shifted me," she reflects, explaining how the experience forced her to slow down, release over-responsibility at work, and develop deeper empathy for others in suffering. Her perspective remained remarkably centered: "Even though I may never wear a sleeveless dress again, it's still good. It's skin... it grew back." What equips someone to navigate such profound demolition with grace? Miss Emanuel credits years of cultivating an intimate spiritual practice where God's presence feels tangibly real. This foundation gives her confidence that painful circumstances still serve some greater purpose. Her wisdom for listeners facing their own demolition? Start with reflection: examine what pathways, thought patterns, or relationships no longer serve your highest good. Be willing to release familiar discomfort to discover the spacious staircases that may have been available all along. Ready to examine what needs demolition in your life before circumstances force change upon you? Subscribe now and join us next week as we discuss "doing it afraid" - because transformation rarely begins in our comfort zones.

    12 min
  3. EPISODE 3

    Embracing Fear: The Path to True Courage

    What if the bravest people aren't fearless at all? In this thought-provoking discussion, Missy Manuel and Allison Babin challenge conventional wisdom about courage by exploring how true bravery often means moving forward while carrying fear like a backpack. Through vulnerable personal stories, Missy shares how she navigated a high-stakes business opportunity by processing her fear rather than ignoring it. The hosts examine practical approaches to handling fear—journaling, prayer, consulting trusted advisors—and explore how emotions serve as valuable signals when we pay attention to them. Rather than suppressing fear or letting it control us, they suggest a middle path of acknowledging its presence while continuing to function. The conversation takes fascinating turns through leadership challenges and parenting dilemmas, with both hosts sharing moments when fear drove unhealthy reactions. Missy's practice of "circling back" after fear-based responses demonstrates how emotional intelligence operates in leadership settings. Meanwhile, Allison reflects on balancing her parental fears with her daughter's need for independence and growth. Their candid exchange reveals how naming our fears diminishes their power, while community support from those further along similar journeys provides crucial perspective. As Missy quotes her mentor, "Jump and build your wings on the way down"—sometimes courage means taking action before feeling fully prepared. This episode equips listeners with practical tools for developing a healthier relationship with fear while continuing to move forward in life's uncertain moments. Ready to transform your relationship with fear? Subscribe to Building for Life for more conversations that blend practical wisdom with vulnerable insights about growth, leadership, and living with purpose.

    10 min
  4. EPISODE 4

    The Illusion of Control: Finding Peace in Letting Go

    Surrender. The very word can make us uncomfortable. But what if the path to peace runs directly through letting go of what we can't control? On this episode of Building for Life, we dive into the challenging but transformative practice of surrender. We explore how acknowledging our lack of control—far from being a sign of weakness—actually becomes a doorway to unexpected strength and resilience. My co-host Allison and I share personal stories of surrender from very different perspectives. I reflect on navigating life after profound loss and physical trauma, while Allison opens up about the challenges of parenting a child with health concerns. Together, we discover that surrender isn't about giving up, but rather about recognizing what truly deserves our energy and attention. The conversation takes a practical turn as we walk through the powerful "palms up, palms down" exercise—a somatic practice that helps physically release burdens we were never meant to carry. We also explore how small shifts in language (from "I'm not good at that" to "I'm not good at that yet") create measurable changes in how we physically experience stress and limitation. Perhaps most powerfully, we discuss reframing our definition of success and embracing the unexpected turns life takes. When plans collapse and dreams shift, surrender becomes not just a spiritual nicety but a vital skill for moving forward. As I share from my own journey, finding peace in God's "second life" for me doesn't minimize what was lost, but opens space for what might still be. Whether you're facing major life transitions or simply feeling overwhelmed by daily pressures, this conversation offers gentle wisdom and practical tools for releasing what weighs you down. Subscribe to Building for Life for more conversations that blend faith, resilience, and practical wisdom for life's challenges.

    8 min
  5. EPISODE 6

    Building a Company That Gives Life: Stewardship, Shade, and Resilient Culture

    What kind of wake do you leave behind—calm water that carries people forward or chop that wears them out? We take that image and build a practical, human playbook for creating a company that gives life and a life that makes others stronger. From faith-shaped focus to day-to-day leadership habits, we map the small moves that add up to a culture people can feel. We unpack stewardship over ownership—how “nothing’s mine” turns success from a prize into a responsibility. That shift shows up in the room: being fully present, receiving people and moments without rushing, and telling the truth with kindness. We break down how to create safety without coddling, using clear feedback rituals, naming shared goals, and separating the person from the problem. You’ll hear why kindness includes challenge, how to spot resentment before it leaks into decisions, and the simple “water bottle” exercise that turns feedback into a win-win. Pressure doesn’t have to poison purpose. We talk resilience as a bounce-back factor, the rhythm of rupture and repair, and leading teams through stressful seasons like software launches with honesty and boundaries. Beyond the walls, we look at community impact—serving partners, customers, and neighborhoods so the business feels like a tree by water: rooted, stable, and generous with shade. We close with concrete reflection prompts to check your wake, your fruit, and your early signs of burnout so you can course-correct fast. If you’re ready to build a culture that feels different—steadier, kinder, and more courageous—press play. Then share your one practice you’ll try this week, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

    14 min
  6. EPISODE 7

    Why Vulnerability Beats Perfection When Leading Through Uncertainty

    Leadership doesn’t happen on the mountaintop; it happens in the mud. We’re pulling back the curtain on what it means to lead when nothing is tidy, decisions are imperfect, and the pressure to “look polished” is loud. Instead of chasing an image, we walk through how presence beats perfection, why asking the so-called “dumb” question speeds up learning, and how modeling vulnerability turns quiet rooms into engaged teams that solve problems together. We share candid moments from our own leadership—admitting uncertainty in high-stakes meetings, owning costly mistakes, and rebuilding trust by telling the truth fast. You’ll hear how simple practices like public debriefs, employee surveys, and transparent decision-making create psychological safety without lowering standards. We explore the difference between entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, the power of giving people “real estate” to own, and the role of cross-functional gatekeepers who protect blind spots and keep feedback flowing. If you’ve ever waited to step up until everything felt “ready,” this conversation is your nudge to move now. You’ll leave with a practical weekly exercise: name one real challenge, share it with someone you trust, and ask for feedback. Strong enough to depend on, open enough to relate to—that’s the tension we hold. Subscribe, share this with a leader who needs it, and tell us: what’s one messy challenge you’ll name out loud this week?

    14 min
  7. EPISODE 8

    Why Safe Community Is Essential For A Life That Thrives

    Some walls hold up the house; others just look pretty. We talk about the kind of community that actually carries weight—confidential, honest, and steady enough to challenge you when you drift—and why it’s the difference between a life that creaks and a life that thrives. We break down clear traits of a safe circle: people who honor your story, keep confidence, resist quick judgment, and offer real challenge rather than empty agreement. From showing up at a small group when it felt inconvenient to marking a painful anniversary by serving the city, we show how commitment and generosity turn community from a buzzword into muscle. You’ll hear how a team closed the office to pick up trash with Parish Proud, why caring for places builds pride, and how grief can become an engine for giving back. Along the way, we explore layered networks—spiritual family, friends, colleagues, trades, and vendors—and how each one strengthens resilience at home and at work. Not an extrovert? Good. Discernment, calm presence, and meaningful questions connect as powerfully as small talk. We share practical scripts and small moves: learn names, notice values, offer precise compliments, and create routines that hardwire safety—no gossip, high candor, high care. If you feel alone, start with three traits you need in safe people, look for those patterns, and take the first honest step toward them. Community isn’t a luxury; it’s load-bearing. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a safer circle, and leave a review with one trait you look for in your people.

    14 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A podcast from Missy Manuel and Allison Babin from Manuel Builders.  All are experts in the building process, and are now helping you build your life!