The EXTRAORDINARY Family Life Podcast Greg & Rachel Denning

In this enriching episode, Greg and Rachel delve into invaluable strategies for supporting your spouse's personal growth and enhancing your relationship.



What strategies do Greg and Rachel recommend for supporting your spouse's personal growth within a marriage?:



They begin by offering insightful marriage advice, emphasizing the importance of actively helping your partner improve within the context of your shared journey



They underscore the importance of implementing "pattern interrupters" — strategies to break out of negative cycles and habits that may hinder personal growth. They highlight the significance of trying new approaches to foster fresh perspectives and promote constructive change, even if they involve doing the opposite of what hasn’t been working.



They also recommend the principle of reciprocity in relationships. They stress the need for both partners to engage in behaviors that the other appreciates and values actively. This intentional effort strengthens the bond between spouses and enhances mutual understanding and appreciation.



They also share how trust evolves through consistent actions and honest communication. They address the role of testing in relationships, emphasizing that challenges can serve as opportunities for growth and deeper connection when approached with empathy and understanding.



Rachel and Greg advocate for personal growth and self-improvement as essential components of a thriving marriage. They encourage listeners to strive to be the kind of person they want their spouse to be, promoting a cycle of positive influence and mutual support.



RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.


Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠


Join the ⁠⁠28-Day Challenge⁠⁠ for Moms


Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠


⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠


Join the ⁠⁠Be The Man Coaching & Tribe⁠⁠


Download the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man app on iOS⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Android⁠⁠


Take the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.⁠⁠⁠


Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠


Gather with us at the ⁠World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort⁠ in Portugal

Welcome to "Raising Teens Today," where Greg and Rachel Denning challenge the norms of parenting teens in today's world.



The Denning's share personal anecdotes that unravel the joy and unexpected friendship that can blossom during the teenage phase. They emphasize the profound impact of early emotional connections, and underscore the critical roles of sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle choices in shaping teenagers' behaviors and mental health.



Delving into contemporary challenges, Greg and Rachel dissect the influence of social media and video games on teenagers, advocating for minimizing these distractions to foster healthier development. Their approach to discipline revolves around natural consequences and practical life lessons, emphasizing responsibility and earning privileges through tangible contributions.



Practical strategies are unveiled for handling defiance and motivational hurdles in teenagers, emphasizing clear expectations and constructive family dynamics. Ultimately, they illuminate the path to earning respect from teenagers while nurturing a positive, productive environment at home during these formative years.



Tune in to gain invaluable insights and rethink your approach to parenting teenagers with Greg and Rachel Denning.



RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.


Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠


Join the ⁠⁠28-Day Challenge⁠⁠ for Moms


Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠


⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠


Join the ⁠⁠Be The Man Coaching & Tribe⁠⁠


Download the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man app on iOS⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Android⁠⁠


Take the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.⁠⁠⁠


Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠



Gather with us at the ⁠World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort⁠ in Portugal

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message

If you’re feeling lonely in your marriage, like a roommate ‘with benefits’ instead of partners, best friends, and lovers, then you’ll want to listen to this episode!

We received this great question from one of our podcast listeners: 

“I’ve been listening for a long time.  Thank you for your podcasts, and for championing greatness in personal and family living. Because of your podcasts and recommended reading I’ve realized that my husband needs physical intimacy more than I do, and I’ve tried to step up and make sure that his needs are met. When he’s home, he’s not home - he’s on the computer playing games. When we are on a date, he’s not on the date - he’s looking at his phone. When we go on vacation together, he’s not with me - he’s on the iPad. 

I’ve expressed my need for his attention, but I don’t feel heard. Habits are deeply rooted (on both sides) and we fall into our same patterns of interaction. I have become more autonomous (which he hasn’t liked because I’m less available). I’ve gone back to school (online), I go to the temple alone, I find my own projects to work on. 

We recently went on trek (camping) where there was no cell phone or internet coverage. I had his undivided attention for one night before everyone else arrived, and it was wonderful - we talked like we did when we were dating and I didn’t feel like an afterthought. 

You asked for a list of things that bother your listeners about their marriages. This is at the top of my list. I don’t want to be roommates with benefits (he gets sex, I am a financially well-kept woman). I want to be partners.”  

Join Greg and Rachel as they explore the essential elements of a thriving marriage. They discuss the importance of identifying areas for improvement and making proactive changes rather than settling. The conversation touches on navigating feelings of being like roommates, leveraging technology responsibly for deeper connection, and the significance of emotional honesty and vulnerability.

Greg and Rachel emphasize the necessity of clear communication and mutual understanding in relationships. They provide practical advice on prioritizing each other's needs and desires, promoting a culture of openness and sincerity to strengthen marital bonds. Whether you're looking to enhance your partnership or address challenges, this episode offers valuable insights into fostering a resilient and fulfilling marriage.

RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.


Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠


Join the ⁠⁠28-Day Challenge⁠⁠ for Moms


Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠


⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠


Join the ⁠⁠Be The Man Coaching & Tribe⁠⁠


Download the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man app on iOS⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Android⁠⁠


Take the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.⁠⁠⁠


Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠


Gather with us at the ⁠World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort⁠ in Portugal--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/extraordinary-family-life/message

If you're NOT a new parent, you still want to listen to this episode -- because it may help you to understand WHY you have the current relationship you do with your children and/or your spouse because of things that happened or did NOT happen during the baby and child-rearing phases!

But this episode came in response to this question which we received:

"My husband and I have been married for a little over two years and we are expecting our first baby in the Fall. We've both listened to and loved your podcast even before we were married. Now that we are about to become parents, we are relistening to your podcasts since they've taken on a decidedly new meaning and depth. Understandably, your podcasts talk a lot about older children, teenagers, and your adult children launching into successful lives.

What I (wife) was wondering is if you could answer some questions about what it was like to become parents for the first time. I've listened to prominent speakers like Jordan Peterson talk about how wives are essentially "gone" from their husbands for up to six months after the birth of a baby due to the intense vulnerability and helplessness of the new infant as well as the healing mom needs to go through after giving birth. And, while the husband acts as protector of the mother's energy and sanity during these first crucial months, he will just have to be patient as he "waits for his wife to come back to him."First off, what does "gone from him" even mean? How did Rachel overcome the need to be the on-demand mom for so long without neglecting Greg? If she struggled, what did you do about it? My husband says he is not terribly worried about it and has told me to just take the birth and first few months as it comes — that I have his full permission to be there for the baby.

However, the worried side of me won't seem to shut off because I don't want to be just the mother of his children, I want to be his wife first and foremost. Maybe six months doesn't sound like a long time to veterans, but it certainly sounds like a long time to essentially "clock out" of wifey duties. 



In this episode, Greg and Rachel, parents of 7 children, discuss the challenges and dynamics of becoming new parents, particularly as it relates to intimacy between spouses.

They emphasize the importance of understanding the physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. They also highlight the significance of this time meeting the needs of babies for their mental, emotional, and psychological development.

Greg and Rachel stress the importance of support and communication between partners during this time and offer insights on creating a balance between parenting and maintaining a strong marital relationship. The conversation explores the challenges and strategies for maintaining intimacy and connection in a marriage after having a baby. They emphasizes the importance of intentional self-care for the wife and leveling up for the husband.

The couple discusses the need for physical and emotional healing after childbirth and the gradual process of getting back into a sexual relationship. They highlight the importance of communication, routines, and meeting each other's needs. The conversation also touches on the impact of parenthood on personal growth and the significance of sex in a committed relationship.



RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.


Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠
Join the ⁠⁠28-Day Challenge⁠⁠ for Moms
Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠
⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠
Join the ⁠⁠Be The Man Coaching & Tribe⁠⁠
Download the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man app on iOS⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Android⁠⁠
Take the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.⁠⁠⁠
Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠
Gather with us at the ⁠World School Fam

"I have a follow-up question to podcast 264. Greg talked about kids being more autonomous, but that you don't want your spouse to be autonomous. This is a new concept to me. What I've heard (from [well-known life coach]) is that since you can't control circumstances that you need to change the way you think about them so that you are OK with your circumstances instead of being discouraged or saddened by them.

So, I have, in some ways, done this with my husband, so that I won't be bothered by things he does or doesn't do. I'm wondering now if that was a mistake. I just don't want to be one of those wives that is constantly getting after her husband and being critical of him because I know that criticism from a spouse is hard and can hurt. I'd rather my husband feel like I'm his cheerleader. I know for myself when people see the good in me I am encouraged to do better, and when people are critical of me it can feel discouraging."

In this episode, Greg and Rachel answer this question and discuss the importance of being interdependent with your spouse instead of independent.

They emphasize that being interdependent is key to creating an extraordinary marriage and adds layers of vulnerability, intimacy, and connection. They criticize the half-truths taught by some coaches and experts, stating that while it may produce short-term results, it doesn't address the underlying issues.

They stress the need to understand the real underlying problems in a marriage and to have open and honest dialogue with your spouse.

They also discuss the differences between men and women in terms of emotions and the significance of stability and constancy in a relationship.

In this conversation, Greg and Rachel discuss the importance of addressing underlying sources of frustration in a marriage and finding the balance between being critical/providing feedback and being a cheerleader for your spouse.

They emphasize the need for constructive criticism and setting firm boundaries when necessary. They also highlight the significance of interdependence and the vulnerability that comes with needing each other in a marriage.

They caution against becoming too autonomous and seeking emotional support or validation from sources outside of the marriage. Overall, they stress the importance of open communication and working together to create an extraordinary marriage.



RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family marriage & life journey.

Additional episodes about marriage & sex:


#148 What Wives Need to Know About Husbands' (Sex Drive) and What Men Need to Understand About Themselves
#150 The Sex-quel. Follow Up Sex Episode With Rachel Denning
#151 What Husbands NEED to Know About Their Wives
#167 How to Get Your Spouse on Board -- Plus Why Your Marriage Needs a 'Breaking Point'
#174 Marriage Q&A: Intellectual Conversations, Over-Helping, & Why This Famous Sexpert is WRONG
#198 Masturbation & Cheap Sexual Acts Are a Poor Substitute for Real Connection — A Message for Teens AND Spouses
#215 A Message to Husbands: How to Actually Listen to Your Wife
#221 Specific Strategies & Tools to Make Your Marriage Good, Better, Great & EXTRAORDINARY
#224 How (& WHY) to Have Sex 3-6 Times a Week EVEN with Kids, Businesses, Homeschool, Jobs, Activities, and More
#227 Babe, I Want to Be Able to Talk to You About ANYTHING -- Let's Listen & Discuss This Episode
#253 Sex IS a NEED for an Extraordinary Marriage
#254 What to Do When Your Spouse is Not 'Showing Up' or Investing in Your Extraordinary Marriage/Life
#262 Improve Communication with Your Spouse & Process Emotions to Build an Extraordinary Life & Marriage

More Resources for your Extraordinary Life


Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠
Join the ⁠⁠28-Day Challenge⁠⁠ for Moms
Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠
⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠
Join the ⁠⁠Be The Man Coaching & Tr

It's easy to get stuck in a rut and to fill that your days blur together... especially while raising a family.

So how do you change that?

How do you have more happiness, meaning, and joy in the day-to-day 'to do's that otherwise feel so pointless and mundane?

That's what we discuss in this episode.

Despite the 'Instagram perfect' image of what your 'dream life', might look like, the reality is it will be filled with hard work.

In fact, you may already be living your dream life and you just don't know it (if you ever 'dreamed' of getting married or having a family, then you're now living that dream).

So how do you make life more 'dreamy' and less 'blah'?

Listen now to discover the specific strategies that Greg and Rachel use on a daily basis to 'practice happiness' and to bring more magic to the moments and meaning to the otherwise mundane.



RESOURCES:

Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.


Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠
Join the ⁠⁠28-Day Challenge⁠⁠ for Moms
Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠
⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠
Join the ⁠⁠Be The Man Coaching & Tribe⁠⁠
Download the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man app on iOS⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Android⁠⁠
Take the ⁠⁠⁠Be The Man 7-Day Challenge.⁠⁠⁠
Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠
Gather with us at the ⁠World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort⁠ in Portugal