This is an episode of the Alive & Free podcast that we just absolutely loved, although we might have had just a bit of a vulnerability-hangover afterwards.

We all have seasons or circumstances in our lives that drain our capacity for anything else.

But how can we still own our pain, not blame our loved ones, and fight for deep connection?

In this episode, We take you through the trials and triumphs of raising our son, Wilder, and the toll it takes on sleep, sanity, and our relationship. Parenting is far from perfect, and we're here to share our journey through the sleep-deprived nights and the joyous moments that make it all worth it. More importantly, we open up about how we've managed to stay connected, even when it feels like everything is falling apart.

Listen in as we tackle the intimate aspects of postpartum life, including the changes in our sexual dynamics after Wilder's arrival. We get candid about the challenges of maintaining intimacy, Spencer's past struggles with lust, and how we've navigated our desires and needs in the midst of newfound parenthood. It's a conversation that sheds light on the emotional complexities of a relationship in transition, and how we've found fulfillment and connection beyond just the physical.

This is an episode for both men and women. If you don't get actionable steps and help from this episode, at the very least, you will feel understood at deep levels of your painful and difficult seasons.

For info on our inner healing course for men and women, you can find more details at https://www.yourheartfree.com/comealivecourse/

For info on our life coaching and business school, go to https://www.thecoachlaunch.com/go

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:01) - Navigating Parenthood
(0:12:34) - Navigating Postpartum Intimacy Challenges
(0:24:44) - Navigating Pain, Compassion, and Selflessness
(0:36:10) - Navigating Challenges in Marriage and Motherhood
(0:48:11) - Navigating Hard Times Together

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:01) - Navigating Parenthood
Our honest reflection on marriage, parenthood, and raising a high-needs baby, including struggles and triumphs, personal growth, and spiritual walk.

(0:12:34) - Navigating Postpartum Intimacy Challenges
Postpartum challenges, managing sexual needs, and enduring pain and growth in different seasons of our relationship.

(0:24:44) - Navigating Pain, Compassion, and Selflessness
Validating personal pain in relationships, self-compassion, and spirituality's role in healing and connection.

(0:36:10) - Navigating Challenges in Marriage and Motherhood
Balancing family, work, and marriage while relying on non-family child care can impact attachment, boundaries, and intimacy.

(0:48:11) - Navigating Hard Times Together
Compassionate commiseration, self-care through spirituality, and embracing vulnerability for healing during tough times.

Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Sam Cabra, a pastor from Reunion Church, as we explore the depths of our spiritual journeys and the quest for authenticity in our relationship with God.

In this episode, you'll discover the transformative power of personal encounters with the divine, moving you beyond intellectual understanding into the realm of experiential faith. We tackle the challenging task of reconciling the images of God from the Old Testament with the loving figure of Jesus, and engage with touching stories of healing, miracles, and the pursuit of a deeper connection with our Creator.

Our dialogue with Pastor Cabra offers profound insights into the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our faith and decisions, and how embracing the concept of God as 'Abba, Father' can enrich our spiritual lives. Hear about moments that defy logic and challenge the balance between faith and reason, inspiring a renewed openness to the charismatic gifts of the Spirit.

This conversation is an invitation to reflect on the humility and growth that come from our personal experiences with God, and how they can navigate us through trauma, skepticism, and towards a genuine embrace of His presence. Wrapping up, we contemplate the delicate dance between taking action and patiently waiting on God's timing.

The heart and the Holy Spirit emerge as central guides in this journey, leading us to trust in the wisdom within us. As you join us on this episode, we trust you'll be inspired to recognize the joy that stems from a true, loving connection with God, and to appreciate the balance between self-reliance and divine surrender. Don't miss the opportunity to have your heart stirred towards a deeper, more authentic faith.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:01) - Navigating Relationship With God and Authenticity

(0:10:43) - Encountering God's Healing Presence

(0:15:49) - Encountering Miracles and Spiritual Growth

(0:28:11) - Deep Dive Into Spiritual Growth

(0:39:44) - Fatherhood and the Holy Spirit

(0:43:48) - Trusting Your Heart in Faith

(0:48:14) - Trusting in God and Self

(0:57:56) - Gratitude for Podcast Support

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:01) - Navigating Relationship With God and Authenticity Experiencing God's presence, reconciling Old Testament image with Jesus, creating space for personal encounter to understand His goodness.

(0:10:43) - Encountering God's Healing Presence Spiritual experiences can heal trauma, bypass conventional communication, and challenge traditional religious expectations.

(0:15:49) - Encountering Miracles and Spiritual Growth Divine intervention, humility, skepticism, and healing through prayer and ministry are explored through transformative experiences. (0:28:11) - Deep Dive Into Spiritual Growth Jesus's actions reflect God's nature, offering choices and challenging individuals to let go of pride and find fulfillment in their soul and love.

(0:39:44) - Fatherhood and the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit helps us see God as a loving father, transforming our beliefs and behaviors through encountering His love.

(0:43:48) - Trusting Your Heart in Faith God's word, heart's deepness, old vs. new covenants, trusting our hearts, Holy Spirit's guidance, genuine desires for joy and love.

(0:48:14) - Trusting in God and Self Trusting God in decision-making, balancing action and waiting, and staying connected to Him through life's challenges.

(0:57:56) - Gratitude for Podcast Support Nature's discussions on language, culture, and perception, and the importance of ratings and reviews for our work.

To learn more about what Sam is doing in church or in his ministry school:

Reunion Church: www.reunionhawaii.com

Kingdom Living ministry school: www.kingdomlivingoahu.com

If you've been a christian long enough and attended church for long enough, the chances are high that you have been hurt by a person or a leader...

So what do you do with that?

And what is a healthy way to go about church community?

Should we just attend and serve? Is it wrong to "church shop"? Should we just honor leaders no matter what?

We get very vulnerable with our process in this episode as well as build a case for how we believe church community should be done.

Hope you enjoy the episode!