We swore we were done with animal stories... but then Chesney the kangaroo happened. In this hilarious episode of Doing Life Together, we kick things off with the rogue adventures of a 16-month-old kangaroo named Chesney (yes, after Kenny Chesney) from a Wisconsin petting zoo. Spooked by stray dogs, he scaled an 8-foot fence and spent three days hopping free—evading heat-seeking drones, jumping into a cold river for strategic cooling, and generally living his best outlaw life. Eventually, he casually strolled back to his owner's car like nothing happened. A kid's book is reportedly in the works, and we're already endorsing it. (Imagine him in a cowboy hat, humming "hippity hop" tunes for maximum entertainment.) From rogue marsupials to real-life wisdom, we welcome our longtime friend and financial advisor Chris Jones (Edward Jones) into the studio for a practical, faith-filled conversation on money, stewardship, and doing life together. We bust the myth that "money is the root of all evil" (it's the love of money) and explore how the natural (smart planning) and supernatural (God's peace and wisdom) work together for success. Chris shares actionable steps for every season of life: - Young families: Build an emergency fund (3-6 months of bare-bones expenses, or up to a year for small business owners), participate in your 401(k) for the company match, secure life insurance if you have dependents, and avoid unnecessary debt. - Mid-life/accumulation phase: Leverage time and compound growth, increase contributions with raises, and stay diversified. - Pre-retirement/distribution phase: Pay down debt aggressively, shift to more conservative strategies, guarantee base living expenses (think annuities or pensions alongside Social Security), and prepare for inflation. - Legacy & estate planning: Don't leave chaos for your family—proper wills, beneficiaries, powers of attorney, and long-term care discussions can prevent heartbreak and preserve relationships. We dive into biblical principles too: the Parable of the Talents (don't bury what God gives you), Proverbs 21:20 on storing up wisely, tithing as an act of trust that redeems the rest (Malachi 3), and Psalm 24:1 reminding us that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it—including financial systems. God calls us to be good stewards, ask for wisdom (James 1:5), follow peace, and plan well while trusting Him completely (Proverbs 13:22 on leaving an inheritance). We also chat about our Total Health Challenge (daily rhythms of reading, Bible time, focused spousal conversation, exercise, diet, and silence), recommend great books—**Rhythms of Renewal** by Rebekah Lyons (phenomenal for anxiety and depression) and Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman (tongue control for all of us) Plus: fist-bump dings (still seeking a sponsor!), Topo Chico sound effects, and the realness of doing life with friends who know us inside and out—including shared businesses and land taxes. Whether you're just starting out, prepping for retirement, or anywhere in between, this episode blends laughs, practical money tips, and biblical encouragement to help you steward what God's given you with confidence and joy. Tune in, laugh with us, learn something useful, and remember: we're all just doing life together—one hop, one wise decision, and one prayer at a time. Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs encouragement in faith, finances, or just a good kangaroo escape story. #DoingLifeTogether #FaithAndFinance #Stewardship #TotalHealth
