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The EXTRAORDINARY Family Life Podcast

The EXTRAORDINARY Family Life Podcast

By: Greg and Rachel Denning
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 THE podcast for parents with big dreams who want to create an EXTRAORDINARY lifestyle but feel stuck. Greg and Rachel Denning are parents of 7 children whom they've traveled with to 60+ countries on 5 continents -- all while homeschooling and building a multi-six-figure location independent biz. Let them show you how to finally break through what's holding you back so you can achieve your biggest dreams -- even with a family!Greg and Rachel Denning Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Why Being “Content” Is Secretly Keeping You (and Your Family) Stuck

    Why Being “Content” Is Secretly Keeping You (and Your Family) Stuck
    Sep 4 2025
    Do you ever tell yourself you’re just being “content” or “grateful”—when in reality you’re actually settling for less than the life you truly want?In this powerful episode, Greg & Rachel Denning pull back the curtain on how false contentment quietly keeps parents stuck in unhappy routines—and why so many families end up living what they call an unhappy dream.You’ll discover why true happiness doesn’t come from removing desire, but from pursuing your best desires—and how embracing what we call “divine discontent” is the real catalyst for growth, joy, and lasting fulfillment.Instead of numbing out with distractions or convincing yourself you “should just be grateful,” you’ll learn how to: - Raise your standards and stop tolerating mediocrity in your health, marriage, parenting, and personal growth- Recognize the difference between gratitude and complacency—and why confusing the two keeps you stuck- Do the inner work first so you can become the kind of parent and leader your kids want to follow- Pursue challenges instead of avoiding them so you build the strength and confidence you need to thrive -Create a family life you don’t need to escape from—one filled with meaning, adventure, and joyIf you’re ready to stop settling, face what’s really holding you back, and design a life you genuinely love, this episode is your wake-up call.Key Takeaways✅ True happiness comes from pursuit, not from removing desire.✅ Divine discontent is healthy—stop tolerating what harms your life.✅ You teach who you are: do the inner work first, every day.✅ Swap “survive the day” for strategic focus + strategic disengagement.✅ Choose challenge over comfort to stay mentally and emotionally healthy.✅ Progress across six domains (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, financial).✅ If you don’t like the outcome, raise your standards—then match them with action.✅ Use the power-tool approach (coaching, systems) to collapse time and results.✨ Memorable Quotes🗣 “True happiness does not come from removing desire. True happiness comes from pursuing your best desires.”🗣 “Find more happiness by refusing to be content with circumstances you don’t like.”🗣 “If you don’t live the message, you suck as the messenger.”🗣 “The chief cause of failure is trading what you want most for what you want now.”🗣 “You get what you tolerate—so stop tolerating it.”⏱️ Chapters00:00 Why “Contentment” Keeps Families Stuck01:59 Divine Discontent: The Key to Growth05:19 True Happiness Comes From Pursuit07:47 Productivity & Strategic Rest09:07 Balancing Goals Without Burnout12:04 Why Coaching Collapses Time16:29 Sacrifice & Ownership in Parenting18:35 Start With What You DON’T Want21:48 Taking Full Responsibility23:44 Choosing Challenge Over Comfort25:29 The Cost of Complacency26:57 How to Create the Life You Really WantRESOURCES:Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE! Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and TribeGather with us at the ⁠World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort⁠ in Portugal
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    34 mins
  • From Stuck to Strong: Help Your Spouse Want to Change

    From Stuck to Strong: Help Your Spouse Want to Change
    Sep 3 2025
    Do you feel like your spouse won’t change—no matter what you try?Have you been tolerating non-improvement and calling it “keeping the peace”?In this episode, Greg & Rachel Denning share a practical blueprint for creating real change in marriage—without nagging, power struggles, or giving ultimatums. You’ll learn how to earn influence (instead of demanding it), build psychological safety so growth is possible, and use pattern interrupts to break the same old fights.They unpack why couples stall out—no shared vision, unresolved wounds, holes in the relationship “bucket,” and mixed signals that make one spouse armor up. You’ll get specific tools to create safety, raise standards, and stop tolerating non-improvement—so your marriage actually gets better month by month.What we cover:- Why “it’s okay to be wounded—but not to stay wounded.”- How to earn your spouse’s attention & respect (and keep it).- Pattern interrupts that disarm conflict and reset connection.- The Bucket Test: plug the leaks killing motivation & desire.- Strategic praise (what to amplify so it multiplies).- The Shared Vision your marriage needs to stay motivated.- When one spouse levels up—and what to do if the other resists.- Tough talks done right: letters, timing, tone, and follow-through.Bottom line: In life, you get what you tolerate. Don’t accept non-improvement. Use these tools to create safety, raise the standard, and build a marriage where both partners keep growing.📌 Key Takeaways✅ Influence is earned, not demanded—become the person your spouse wants to follow.✅ Safety first: no one grows while armored—reduce criticism, increase sincere praise.✅ Pattern interrupts break the drama triangle and open space for change.✅ Shared vision fuels motivation; without it, marriages drift.✅ Stop tolerating non-improvement—lovingly raise the standard and keep it.Memorable Quotes🗣 “Do not accept non-improvement. In life, you get what you tolerate.”🗣 “It’s **okay to be wounded—**it’s not okay to stay wounded.”🗣 “Earn the right to be heard; influence follows respect.”🗣 “Our most difficult conversations led to our biggest positive changes.”🗣 “Whatever you’re doing isn’t working? Do the opposite—create a pattern interrupt.”Chapters:02:24 Creating a Safe Space for Your Spouse to Improve04:39 Using Pattern Interrupters to Break Negative Cycles07:49 The Power of Reciprocity in Influencing Your Spouse11:23 The Importance of Self-Improvement in Helping Your Spouse17:04 The Power of Daily Affection and Verbal Expressions of Love18:27 The Significance of a Shared Vision22:45 The Role of Difficult Conversations in Positive Change27:43 Embracing Difficult Conversations for Personal GrowthRESOURCES:Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy momsJoin Greg’s 7-Day Challenge JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE! Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and TribeGather with us at the ⁠World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort⁠ in PortugalRead our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
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    36 mins
  • How to Prevent Teenage Rebellion (Without Yelling or Control)

    How to Prevent Teenage Rebellion (Without Yelling or Control)
    Aug 28 2025
    Are you worried about your kids rebelling as teenagers?Do you ever wonder if your parenting style today is planting the seeds of future rebellion—or resilience?In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning tackle the controversial connection between “restaurant parenting” and teenage rebellion. They share why forcing your children to “behave perfectly” in public often backfires, and how double standards in parenting create resentment and distance that can last for decades.Instead, they reveal a better way: building congruence, fostering autonomy, and meeting your child’s deepest needs for love, certainty, identity, and adventure. When you allow children to “act their age,” explain the why behind rules, and respect their growing independence, you prevent destructive rebellion and instead raise courageous, confident adults.This powerful conversation explores:Why unmet needs lead to rebellion (and how to meet them early)The difference between healthy vs. unhealthy rebellionHow giving your kids autonomy strengthens respect and influenceWhy congruence between public and private parenting matters mostHow to prevent resentment from turning into long-term rebellionThe secret to keeping influence with your kids as they grow into teens and adultsIf you want to raise teens who respect you, trust you, and stay connected—without power struggles, yelling, or forced obedience— this episode will shift the way you see rebellion forever.📌 Key Takeaways✅ Teenage rebellion often begins with unmet needs for love, acceptance, and autonomy.✅ Consistency and congruence between public and private parenting builds trust.✅ Healthy rebellion (risk-taking, questioning rules) prepares kids for adulthood.✅ Influence with your teens is earned by respect—not forced obedience.✅ Parenting long-term means thinking about the adults you want to raise, not just the behavior you want today.🎙 Memorable Quotes🗣 “If you ever try to make it a power struggle, even if you win—you lose.”🗣 “The time to think about teenage rebellion is when your baby is born.”🗣 “Resentment always comes from a need that’s not being met.”🗣 “You don’t prevent rebellion by controlling kids—you prevent it by giving them autonomy.”🗣 “Never stop earning your children’s respect. Be a respectable person.”🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More HereChapters:00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges04:05 Understanding Teenage Rebellion07:17 The Concept of Restaurant Parenting11:08 Building Healthy Relationships with Teens16:10 Creating a Healthy Environment for Choices18:21 The Importance of Earning Respect19:58 Understanding Teenage Rebellion22:32 Healthy vs. Unhealthy Rebellion25:19 Teaching Critical Thinking and Rule-Breaking31:18 Questioning Parenting NormsRESOURCES:Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)Rachel’s ⁠⁠Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms⁠⁠Greg's ⁠⁠Recommended Reading List for Parents & Youth⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@worldschoolfamily⁠ or ⁠@greg.denning⁠Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!Get Rachel's ⁠⁠Family Systems & Charts⁠⁠Join the Do More With Less Stress Workshop Series for busy momsJoin Greg’s 7-Day Challenge JOIN GREG'S 90-DAY HEALTH & FITNESS CHALLENGE! Join the Formidable Family Man Masterclass and TribeGather with us at the ⁠World School Family (Beach & Farm) Resort⁠ in PortugalRead our reviews here: https://podcast.extraordinaryfamilylife.com/reviews/
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    32 mins
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