Restoring Connections

Matthew Dawson
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Restoring Connections

Thoughts and stories about staying connected to the people you love in the midst of pain and disappointment. Matt & Aurore [Cora] share honest experiences from their own marriage and life at home with 4 kids in rural Aotearoa, New Zealand.

  1. JAN 21

    How Do You Not Give Up?

    Life can be absolutely brutal. When the people we love the most, or perhaps even God, leave us feeling deeply disappointed, it is soul-crushing. But without hope, you simply can’t grow and sustain healthy relationships. Hope is an essential ingredient for love—non-negotiable. So, how do we maintain hope after experiencing so much loss and trauma? In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Alistair Reese, a close friend and mentor, and someone I admire greatly. He is a man of extraordinary hope, and given some of the profoundly painful and traumatic experiences he and his dear wife Jeannie have endured, I would describe the resilient hope within him as miraculous. Dive into this episode for some inspiration and practical guidance on cultivating resilient hope in your life.

  2. 11/28/2024

    What Does It Take To Build a Bridge Between People?

    When people feel threatened by each other, it creates a chasm of mistrust. Self-preservation kicks in, and walls of defence go up. Sometimes, relationships tragically break down because of simple misunderstandings that create baseless fear. Other times, healthy boundaries are needed because of genuine abuse. Either way, it raises the question, “Can the bridge between us be rebuilt? If so, how?” In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Dallas Harema, a dear friend of mine here in Aotearoa. Dallas and his wife Lucy have spent decades working with people from all walks of life to help diverse communities thrive together. They have to wrestle with this question every single day in the community work they do and have learnt so much along the way. I love Dallas’ honesty and openness on this incredibly difficult topic, and I reckon you will as well.

  3. What would it take to make this right

    10/09/2024

    What would it take to make this right

    Sometimes someone important in your life does something that causes you so much pain, it’s impossible to imagine the relationship ever being healed. When trust gets damaged this deeply, the thought of it ever being restored is unthinkable. Why would you bother considering what it would take for this person to make things right with you? In this short episode, I unpack some of my own journey and how I’ve found it helpful to reflect on what it would take for the people who have hurt me the most to restore their relationship with me. Whether or not they ever lift a finger to re-earn my trust, knowing what it would take to do so has been a huge part of my own healing in these relationships. Have a listen to hear why and how.

  4. 09/02/2024

    Why would I even try to understand you?

    Each and every one of us is infinitely complex. Put two people together in a relationship, and now you’ve got infinite complexity times two! With all of that wonderful [or hellish] uniqueness, is it really worth even trying to understand each other? Is it even possible?  In this episode, I interview Cora, who has in many ways, devoted her life to the pursuit of understanding people. As a certified CliftonStrengths Coach, certified Enneagram Coach, Restoring Connections Mentor, mother of four, and wife to a man of profound mystery [that’s a joke], she knows a LOT about what it takes to truly understand someone. She shares openly about what gives her confidence that it’s possible and gives some practical advice on how to overcome obstacles to better understand the people you love most.

  5. 08/01/2024

    Core Value No.4 - Healthy Boundaries

    Our current podcast series provides short overviews of each of the four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections. They are: Personal Responsibility, Proactive Care, Powerful Communication, and Healthy Boundaries. In this episode, we look a little closer at: Healthy Boundaries - Protecting the Connection and these principles: 1. I learn and keep learning my limits 2. I set up boundaries and break down walls 3. I set boundaries for me and let you set boundaries for you 4. I have a plan for unmet needs

  6. 07/12/2024

    Core Value No.3 - Powerful Communication

    Our current podcast series provides short overviews of each of the four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections. They are: Personal Responsibility, Proactive Care, Powerful Communication, and Healthy Boundaries. In this episode, we look a little closer at: Powerful Communication - Guiding the Connection and these principles: 1. I prepare myself before important conversations 2. I pursue understanding first and agreement second 3. I tell you about me and let you tell me about you 4. I participate in establishing a clear way forward

  7. 06/21/2024

    Core Value No.2 - Proactive Care

    Our current podcast series provides short overviews of each of the four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections. They are: Personal Responsibility, Proactive Care, Powerful Communication, and Healthy Boundaries. In this episode, we look a little closer at: Proactive Care - Feeding the Connection and these principles: 1. I care for you because I choose to. 2. I actively care for you even when I'm in pain. 3. I learn about you and care for you according to who you are. 4. I embrace my need to be cared for by you.

  8. 06/07/2024

    Core Value No.1 - Personal Responsibility

    There are four core values at the heart of Restoring Connections.  They are: 1. Personal Responsibility  2. Proactive Care 3. Powerful Communication  4. Healthy Boundaries These are practices we've gleaned from those we are mentored by and that we learn from regularly. They are ancient truths that we have simply brought together in a new format. Restoring Connections was birthed out of the heartache and disappointments that we have navigated in our closest relationships. In our darkest moments, we had support from others who possessed the strength and wisdom that we needed. The lessons we have learned along the way have formed the core values of our training curriculum. It is now our privilege to support people in their own journey of strengthening their most important relationships and in turn, supporting them to mentor others also.

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Thoughts and stories about staying connected to the people you love in the midst of pain and disappointment. Matt & Aurore [Cora] share honest experiences from their own marriage and life at home with 4 kids in rural Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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