Listen Now

Show Notes: Episode 42 This episode is a continuation of my interview with Kristin & Danny Adams. In the previous episode, we heard some of their story as they followed what they believed to be God’s prompting to leave the security of their Hollywood jobs and move back to Danny’s hometown in the midwest to create family-friendly online content.  We pick up in this episode digging into some of the realities of working together in a new business. Listen for the ways they adjusted during the pandemic, when their primary source of income disappeared, how they have learned to work together in business, and some key principles that guide them as they pursue this dream and keep the needs of their young family at the forefront.  For more information on their new book, The Road to Love and Laughter,  or to reach them about booking, you can go to their website. If you want to leave me a message or have a question, click here to record a message. The post Kristin & Danny Adams: Part 2, The Road to Love & Laughter appeared first on .

Show Notes Episode 41: Who says working on your marriage can’t be fun?  Kristin & Danny Adams have a LOT to say about working together as a team. So much so, that we recorded 2 episodes!  (From their website). Kristin & Danny both worked in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles for 15 years. Kristin was an American Idol contestant, whose fame was sealed when she slipped and slid under the judges' table on live tv. She went on to work as a television host and correspondent. Danny was an actor, comedian, and stunt man for sports commercials.  In May 2016, they decided to leave Los Angeles and move to Danny's hometown of Indianapolis, IN, in order to focus their efforts on producing online family-friendly content where God is always welcome. Known and loved for their lip-sync videos, they began to emcee live events and marriage conferences around the country. That is, until covid hit. (There’s a link in the show notes to the video that went viral & helped expand their speaking engagements.) Behind the laughs, however, are a real couple, with real challenges—the kind we all face if we’re honest. They share more of their story and what has helped their marriage get through some challenging times and become stronger in their brand new book, The Road to Love and Laughter.  Buckle up and join me in this 2 part conversation with this wildly talented couple.  Show notes: For more information or to connect with Kristin & Danny go to their website or find them on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube by searching “KristinandDanny”. Their new book is The Road to Love and Laughter. One of the videos that changed their life, watch here. Read the full transcript here The post Kristin & Danny Adams: The Road to Love and Laughter, Part 1 appeared first on .

Show Notes Episode 40: I’m joined today by Matt & Joy Eggerichs Reed, all the way from Paris. Well, they’re still in Paris, they just teleported in for the interview, as one does now with technology. Matt & Joy married a little later than many of their peers, so they put the pedal to the metal. In the 5 short years they’ve been married, they made an international move, added 2 children, and Joy launched a new business—Punchline Agency—just weeks before they moved. And she shares some more big news here on the podcast. Something else that will be birthed just about the time this goes live.  Listen for the way they stay focused on their mutual goals, the ways Matt is a thought partner for Joy’s business, how standup comedy provided an important tool for their communication, and an important question they come back to in this busy season of life.  Mentioned in the episode: For a link to the calendar that Joy & Matt use, click here.   Here's a link to her new book, Get to the Publishing Punchline: A Fun (and Slightly Aggressive) 30 Day Guide to Get Your Book Ready for the World  Read the full transcript here The post Matt & Joy Eggerichs Reed: On Staying Grounded While Launching Family & Punchline Agency appeared first on .

Show notes: Savage Sublime is the husband/wife duo of Brandi & Danny Graves. They create artifacts that you will actually use in your daily life but are sturdy enough to become heirlooms. Brandi makes beautiful cutting boards from the trees on their property in Sebastopol, CA. Dan makes & curates historical Viking axes and WWII knives. Together, they collaborate to create a life and home that honors the beauty of simple things. Listen for the important legacy of their fathers, how they teach their children about business and creativity, and how collaboration connects them and keeps them dreaming. I can’t wait for you to meet this delightful couple! You can find their beautiful products at https://www.savagesublime.com/ Follow them on Instagram @savagesublimeandco Mentioned in the episode: 5 Marys Farm “Small Business from Scratch“, or find them on Instagram, @fivemarysfarms To leave a question or comment, click here. To read the full transcript, click here. The post Brandi & Danny Graves: Collaboration as Savage Sublime appeared first on .

Show Notes: Today’s episode covers so much ground with Mark & Marj McClain. You just can’t distill the wisdom of 35 years of marriage and decades of multiple ventures into 20 minutes. So listen in 2 parts if you need to, or catch the Takeaways episode that will follow. But don’t miss it! Mark wanted to be an attorney. But, as often happens, doors close and we’re forced to try avenues we didn’t think we were even good at. Mark went from budding careers at IBM then HP in California, to a startup in the faraway land of Texas.  Mark is currently the CEO and founder of SailPoint (NYSE:SAIL), a leader in the enterprise identity management market. He has led the company from its beginnings in 2005 through its VC-and PE-backed stages to its IPO in 2017, as it grew from a team of 3 to over 1,200 employees. They have customers in thirty-five countries. His recent book, Joy and Success At Work: Building Organizations That Don’t Suck The Life Out Of People, unpacks ideas for creating workplace culture that places people at the heart of a successful business. Listen for the ways Mark & Marj have learned to accommodate each other as opposite personalities, how they view risk in a startup, what helps them through hard times, and their guiding principle that has led to success in all areas of life.  Read the full transcript here The post Mark & Marj McClain: Successful IPO (SailPoint) AND Marriage? Do Tell! appeared first on .

Episode 37 Show Notes: Every once in a while, social media provides something more than a way to fill empty time or to entertain ourselves with endless puppy pictures (I’m looking at you, sweetie!) Sometimes, it provides a connection to people you might never have met otherwise.  I first “met” OL & Sway Buckley on Instagram. After following them for awhile, I saw how much great information they have for entrepreneur marriages and wanted to introduce them to you, also. Go follow them and you might even learn some smooth dance moves! OL is a former internationally award-winning banker, turned entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of RO Strong Real Estate & Financial Education firm as well as the CEO of OL Buckley Consulting. Sway is the CEO of a creative arts staffing firm, as well as the founder of Smart Artist Institute Consulting. Together, “OL & Sway co-created MarriedpreneurLife.com and co-host the Marriedpreneur Life podcast, where they help mission-minded marriedpreneurs create momentum in life and business (from their website).  Listen for the different types of entrepreneur marriages they have identified, what empathic communication can look like, how they define success, and advice they would give to couples getting started on the entrepreneur path.   You can find a full transcript here. If you'd like to leave a comment or ask a question, click here. The post OL & Sway Buckley: Marriedpreneur Life appeared first on .

Show Notes: My guests today are Zech & Rachel Newman. I was introduced to Zech through a mutual coach, Mike Loomis when Zech was releasing his book a few years ago. His book is titled: Chasing Dreams in a Minivan: For men with big goals, and the women who put up with them.  Well, I was pretty sure they would be kindred spirits, and after interviewing them, my suspicion was confirmed. Zech has owned 2 Figaro’s pizza restaurants and served on staff at their church, but recently found himself in transition again. There is one thing that most entrepreneurs have in common—they tend to be restless, always thinking about the “next”.  Zech indulges his enneagram 4  by writing, mostly, he said, to remind himself to keep first things first. Listen for how his writing opens the door for conversations with Rachel, how he views work and ministry, and how they have learned to create realistic expectations over the years, especially since his busiest times at work happen to be…dinnertime. Where to find Zech's writing: Zech has written for Fast Company, The Good Man Project, entrepreneur.com, Mind Body Green. His website is http://zechariahnewman.com/ For a full transcript, click here. The post Zech & Rachel Newman: Keys to Rewriting Their Marriage & Life Playbook appeared first on .

Show Notes: One of the joys of having grown children is getting to meet their amazing friends. We met Brent & Julie Cody through Ryan & Amy, our middle son & daughter-in-love.  We haven’t had 1:1 time with Brent & Julie, so it was really fun to hear their story.  They talk about how they decided it was time for Brent to venture out as a startup business, in a Volkswagen van with 3 rambunctious boys. What could possibly go wrong?!  Their honesty about the challenges of a new business, self-care, and prioritizing their marriage made for another great conversation, I hope you’ll enjoy it.  Leave a voicemail or question here. Find the full transcript here. The post Brent & Julie Cody: Framing Startup Risk as a Family Adventure appeared first on .

Show Notes Episode 34: Marriage is a tricky deal. There is so much about being married, and even working together, that is fun and fulfilling, comfortable, passionate, exciting, and surprising. But, let’s be real…assuming that 2 people with different life experiences, personalities, needs and expectations will get along just because they love each other is a setup for trouble.  My guests today are one of the most honest couples you’ll ever meet. Seth & Melanie Studley, hosts of Anatomy of Marriage, had a rough start, ironically, as Seth was finishing up requirements to be a licensed Marriage & Family Counselor.  Yes, it takes more than head knowledge to create a healthy relationship, and counselors have to do the work, also. But they chose to work on themselves and to keep fighting FOR their marriage. Gradually, they were able to rebuild trust and create a dynamic, life-giving marriage.  They have shared openly through their Instagram and Facebook live conversations about their journey, and now work full-time providing “real help for real couples”. You can check out how to connect with them through the links in the show notes. Listen for the ways they gradually rebuilt trust in their marriage, for Melanie’s secret desire, and how they are learning to adapt to each other’s personality styles.  Read the full transcript here  Where to find Seth & Melanie: thestudleys.com. You can find links to all 3 shows: Anatomy of Marriage, Anatomy of Family, and Anatomy of Sex on their website. Instagram: @anatomyofmarriage Facebook: The Studleys Resources they referenced: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer The Shift (movie) with Dr. Wayne W. Dyer Brené Brown on leading with vulnerability (all of her books are gold) If you have a question or comment, you can leave a voicemail here.  The post Seth & Melanie Studley: How Learning to Fight FOR Their Marriage Led to Helping Others Do the Same appeared first on .

This episode highlights and expands on key principles to apply to entrepreneur marriage, from episode 31, with Liz & Ben Bohannon. The post 33. The Takeaways: Liz & Ben Bohannon, Co-founders of Sseko Designs, on Doing ALL of Life Together appeared first on .

Show notes: Note: Heads up if you're listening with young children in the car– there are a few words sprinkled through the interview that might not be for young ears (no “f” word). Today’s episode is the first of several that will focus on entrepreneurs who create art through their words, music, or visual arts. … The post Walt & Tina Wilkins: Reflections on the Road They Chose appeared first on .

Show notes: Today I am so happy to have Ben & Liz Bohannon, co-founders of Sseko Designs as my guests. Liz recently released her book Beginner’s Pluck: Build Your Life of Purpose, Passion and Impact Now, which tells about her trip to Uganda as a young adult and her unconventional way of discovering her purpose and passion. I loved the audio version of the book, read by Liz. Her story and insights are sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking, but always truth telling. I highly recommend it.  Liz’s challenge of finding a way to support Ugandan women eventually led to an untested plan.  She designed a sandal that Ugandan women could make, and then she committed to selling enough sandals to fund 3 young women to go to college. This was the beginning of Sseko Designs—a social enterprise that sells beautiful fashion products made by women in Uganda, and now a few other countries. They provide jobs for women so they can earn a fair wage and have the money they need to attend college.  We get to hear a little bit about Ben in the book, but today we’re going to dive in with Ben & Liz, and hear how they manage to do all of life together. Listen for the way they sort out their roles at home and work, the role of mentors especially as newlyweds starting this new business, how they create boundaries, and how they integrate faith, work, and life.  ssekodesigns.com You can find Liz on Instagram @lizbohannon, Ben @ben_bohannon Click here to leave a message or ask a question (up to 90 seconds) Find a full transcript here. The post Liz & Ben Bohannon: Co-founders of Sseko Designs, on Doing ALL of Life Together appeared first on .

Show notes: Today I’m joined by Brent & Kierstan Fessler. Brent is another man that sat on a C12 board with Mark. Check out episode 3 with Brad & Jooyoung Voeller, and episode 29 with Trevor & Catie Bird, for interviews with other C12 peers. When Mark joined a C12 board, he found the life preserver he needed to get his head above water. These men—his board just happened to be all men—provided life-giving friendship and feedback at a critical time in the business, and our marriage. Now, we look for ways to support other entrepreneurs in their business and marriage. Brent launched Integreaters in January 2020—perfect timing for a consulting business launch! Listen for the singular principle that weaves its way through the Fessler’s approach to marriage, raising a family and building teams in the workplace. It’s simple, but not easy. Kierstan: @kfess04 on Instagram Brent: Integreaters.com Hallmark University The Connected Child C12—Christian Peer Advisory Groups The reference to pain/peace cycles comes from Five Days to a New Marriage, by Terry Hargrave & Shawn Stoever Have a question or comment? Leave me a message up to 90 seconds here You can find the full transcript here. The post Brent & Kierstan Fessler: Love Works in Marriage, Parenting, & Workplace appeared first on .

Show notes: About 15 years into starting and scaling Alzcare, the assisted living company Mark started in 1997, he was burned out. It began to take a toll on our marriage as neither of us had much left in the tank. A friend told Mark about C12—a Christian peer board that met once a month. This group of men—there are women on many of the boards, but his happened to be all men—became the antidote for the loneliness and burnout he felt. After the very first meeting Mark attended,  I felt like I’d gotten my husband back. Several interviews in the cue are people we met through that board. To each of you, I want you to know how grateful I am for the life-giving friendship you provided, just in time. And now you get to meet some of them! Brad & Jooyoung Voeller were interviewed in episode 3. Today I’m talking with Trevor & Catie Bird. In 2016, they moved from Texas to Durango, CO, to become co-owners of the Harley-Davidson dealership. Listen for the way they made this decision as a couple, how they are teaching their young children about business, what teamwork looks like, and how they keep their busy entrepreneur marriage growing. durangoharley.com If you'd like to leave a voice message (90 seconds max) with a comment or question, click here. You can find a full transcript here. The post Trevor & Catie Bird: Co-Owners Durango Harley-Davidson, On The Ride of Their Lives! appeared first on .

Show notes: The 3rd episode in a series where Mark & I chronicle buying a business. This episode covers the process of “dating”–getting more information, how the SBA loan process works, difference between buying assets and buying a business. And most importantly, how we process this as a couple. Find the full transcript here The post We’re Buying a Business! Part 3, “Dating & Engagement” appeared first on .

Show notes: Part 2 of a series where Mark & Kathy pull back the curtain on their process of buying a business. The pandemic created a heightened awareness of the need to diversify their income. Currently, all of their business involves long-term care, which took a big hit in the pandemic. We discuss the process of narrowing the many options of businesses for sale, and how we approach it as a couple, noting how different this is compared to when Mark started AlzCare 22 years ago! For more marriage resources, go to kathyrushing.com. Find the full transcript here The post We’re Buying a Business! Part 2: Narrowing the search appeared first on .

Show Notes: Mark & I are in the process of buying a business. In the middle (are we in the middle? Please say yes.) of a pandemic. This is Part 1 of what will be at least 4 parts: Why are we looking at buying a business? What homework have we done to get to this point? What dating (a potential business) looks like. Negotiation…marriage? Find the full transcript here The post We’re Buying a Business– In a Pandemic! Part 1 appeared first on .

SHOWNOTES: I love meeting entrepreneurs. It’s like hearing a good adventure story when I listen to a seasoned entrepreneur tell their story from startup to sale. The episode with Bob & Rose Knorr, which was episode 2, was a nail biter, and I already knew the ending! But I especially love hearing the stories of young entrepreneurs that have so much vision and energy and drive. Today’s guests are early-stage entrepreneurs. I connected with Caitlin through Instagram last year, and have loved watching her grow CCS Flower Truck. Her partner, Nate, turns out, is an entrepreneur, also. Join me now as we unpack their story. Listen for the challenges they faced right out of the starting gate of this new business. Connect with Caitlin on Instagram, @ccsflowertruck For more marriage resources, go to kathyrushing.com. Find the full transcript here The post Caitlin Dunnagan & Nate Hunt: Early Stage Entrepreneurs & CCS Flower Truck appeared first on .

Show Notes: How do 2 strong willed, competitive people thrive for 33 years of marriage? By wrestling. Yep, that’s what they said!  Nathan & Dianne Baxter join me today, and boy, did we cover a lot of ground.  Their career paths seemed to be an unlikely fit when they fell in love. But as love would have it, they found they had more in common than they realized.  Nathan started his career as a youth pastor, then began to focus more on life coaching. After 20+ years on church staff, he launched  “Lead Self Lead Others”, a coaching and consulting business. Dianne has successfully built a Mary Kay business fueled by her passion to empower women to achieve their potential.  Their shared passion for life coaching culminated in the recent release of their book, Real Coaching Success: What it Takes to be an Excellent Coach and Build Your Business.  Dianne & Nathan share insights about how they found ways to stop fighting against each other and get on the same team. They talk about communication, scheduling, parenting, personality differences, and  finding a rhythm when working from home—which they’ve done for at least 20 years. Many thanks to our mutual friend, Mike Loomis, for introducing us!  Links: Lead Self Lead Others Real Coaching Success Read the full transcript here The post Nathan & Dianne Baxter: Life Coaches Share Keys to Long-Term Marriage (note: they couldn’t agree on anything in the beginning!) appeared first on .

Show Notes: This episode is releasing on January 12, 2021. This will forever be a special day for us— it’s our anniversary. This year marks 41 years since we stood in front of our family and friends, and committed to whatever was ahead. We were young and idealistic, and gave no thought to how hard that commitment would be at times. It’s probably a good thing that none of us knows what the future holds, or we might never take any risk. But we looked to a future that was full of hope and opportunity. I had someone by my side that loved me simply—Mark is not one for token gifts or platitudes. He simply sees me, with all my brokenness, and loves me anyway. Every day. That is something I still have trouble accepting some days, having grown up with a father that was mostly indifferent, then left us completely when I was 17. Mark’s love has been a safe place for me to learn what real love feels like. Thank you, babe. And cheers to many more years together. But that’s not to say that we haven’t struggled at times. There was a season when I wanted to leave…that’s a story for another time, but enough to say that we tied a knot and hung on to our faith in God’s goodness, and kept taking one day at a time. Maybe you have experienced a similar place in your marriage, or you’re there now. You don’t see a way out of the pain and can’t imagine how things can get better. Well, listen in to today’s episode with my guest Toni Nieuwhof. She is the author of a brand new book which is releasing today. Her book is called Before You Split: Find what you really want for the future of your marriage. A former divorce attorney, Toni writes very honestly about her now 30-year marriage to Carey Nieuwhof, and how they went from “that bad, to this good”. Carey is also a former attorney, and the founding pastor of Connexus Church near Toronto, Canada. I can only imagine what it looks like for 2 lawyers to fight it out! It took a lot of work, but they gradually transformed their marriage. Toni deeply believes that you don’t have to stay in a toxic place in your relationship. Her book offers tools and hope to other marriages that may be struggling. Join me now as Toni & I talk about this new book. You can connect with Toni on Instagram, @toninieuwhof Visit my instagram feed before Jan. 25, 2021, @entrepreneur_marriage_coach for a chance to win a free copy of Toni's book. You can find the full transcript here. The post Toni Nieuwhof, Author of “Before You Split” appeared first on .