Growth Minded Marriage

Kevin and I were thrilled when Kristen Young, Executive Director of Leadershape, accepted our interview request. In doing so, she took a big leap of faith. She exemplifies someone who is willing to take a risk and open herself up to new experiences, something Kevin and I deeply value. Kristen believes in the mission of Leadershape, "To transform the world by increasing the number of people who lead with integrity and a healthy disregard for the impossible." The last 16+ years of Kristen's life have been dedicated to helping others see their own innate greatness and become agents for positive change. Two of those people were Kevin and I when we attended Leadershape's flagship program, The Leadershape Institute. Our conversation with Kristen clarified how the values and ideas planted in us at Leadershape have continued to guide us. A lot of pieces fell together for Kevin and I, and a lot of questions were answered as to where we got this desire to align our lives with our passions and values. We hope this conversation inspires you to ask some questions about your own purpose and passions. Let's Grow!
Resources mentioned:

• To learn more about Leadershape and its offerings visit https://www.leadershape.org/
• Sign up for Resilience 2021 go here (click link in bio)
• Sign up for Courageous Dialogue 2021 go here (click link in bio)
• If you are a Leadershape grad and lost your binder you can email Leadershape and request a copy of the most current materials. Kristen offered this as a way to refresh and reconnect with your passions and values.
• Follow Leadershape on Instagram
• To hear more about how Leadershape impacted us listen to episode 5. Our Secret To Happiness

As Kristen says in this episode, "feedback is love". We would love to hear how this episode impacted you, or maybe how it missed the mark? Here at Growth Minded Marriage we are committed to growth, which means we are open to all feedback. We would love to hear from you in any of these three ways.

• Email us at [email protected]
• Message us on Instagram
• Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts

(To leave a review- scroll down from this episode listing and click "More Episodes", scroll to the bottom of that screen and under "See All Episodes" you will see our current ratings. Below the last review in tiny letters you will see "Write a Review". Click that to leave us your feedback.)

If you are struggling to stay calm with your child and don't know who to turn to, you can call The National Parent Helpline 1-855-427-2736 (in the U.S.)
With a bit of nerves we offer this honest conversation about our parenting journey thus far. In the first half of this episode, we bring you up to speed quickly on the past 7 years of parenting. Some of our listeners may not even know we have kids! We have a son who is nearly 7, and two girls ages 5 and 3. But, this episode really is about the struggles we have been facing in parenting since the pandemic. We just aren't exactly sure what we are doing wrong, or if it is supposed to be this hard? All we know is that we have to keep going even when we don't want to, keep seeking advice and keep communicating with each other.
This conversation is the first of a two part series. In two weeks we look forward to sharing a conversation with Kerri Gray, LMFT M.S. Kerri is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She works with ReDiscover and Lee's Summit CARES, nonprofits in our local Kansas City area, to bring education to parents, kids and teens using the positive parenting approach. Kevin and I are anxious to talk through some of our struggles with her and receive guidance from her positive approach to parenting. Along with her expertise she will be sharing some free resources to help us all be happier parents raising happier kids. Amen!
Email us with your questions for Kerri or your thoughts on this episode at [email protected]
Resources from this episode:

• 5 min read- What is Positive Parenting?
• 5 min read-Why has the pandemic been so hard on parents?
• How The National Parent Helpline can help
• The sleep training system we loved Babywise

Free Conversation Prompts from this episode to help start your own growth minded conversations.

Here, at Growth Minded Marriage, we are committed to growth which means we are open to all feedback. We would love to connect with you in any of these ways.

• Share this episode with a friend, share why they'd love it.
• Email us at [email protected]
• Message us on Instagram
• Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts

I feel truly inspired to share my new self-compassion practice. You know when something just hits you on the right day at the right time and it feels like you just stumbled in to your future??? As I continue on my personal growth and healing journey I have become more and more open to new ways of approaching the same problems and finding a lot of creative solutions. Self compassion feels like the next creative (yet logical and rooted in science) addition to my journey. I release the feelings of foolishness or vulnerability when I tell people "every morning I look in the mirror and tell myself that I am my own best friend". Nobody judges me more than me, and now I say enough. I deserve better.
Resources I mention:

• Healing Shame with Compassion (with Dr. Chris Germer) Being Well Podcast
• The Secret to More Calm, Clarity & Joy: Redefining Mindfulness & Self-Compassion with Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D The Feel Good Effect Podcast
• Definition of Self-Compassion Dr. Kristin Neff
• Free Self-Compassion Meditations Dr. Kristin Neff (I like "Affectionate Breathing")
• Free Supportive Touch Exercise Dr. Kristin Neff (the cheek cupping thing)

This is NOT a comprehensive list, but truly where I started. These three researchers (Germer, Neff and Shapiro) appear to be the biggest names in the field. So I definitely stumbled into the best place to start.
I am honored you are joining me on this journey, and I want to hear from you. Seriously!
Email me @ [email protected]
Connect With Us:
Instagram @GrowthMindedMarriage
We would be giddy with delight if you left us a rating and review. Truly makes a huge difference to receive your feedback. Thank you!

Trailer episode
Connect With Us
Email us! [email protected]
Instagram @growthmindedmarriage

“Most of life is choosing what you already chose.... Our lives are stories of recommitment. ~David Brooks
Kevin and I come full circle in this episode. We are recommiting to our dream life. Our lives will be a balance between a satisfaction with who we are now, and an openness towards who we could become. We are focused on making the ordinary feel extraordinary. Our lives are about staying true to what we have already chosen, and exploring the expansive world our focus now allows us to see. Plus, we continue to re-establish intimacy between the newest versions of ourselves.
*Editors note: After numerous listens it was determined that Kevin was in fact correct in his early assessment @ 3:10. Mary was possibly a tad defensive in the moment. #youwereright
Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Listen: Our Dream Life episode 1
• Read + Watch: What is "Wu Wei" that Mary mentions?

Growth Minded Marriage Podcast is committed to growth which means we are open to all feedback.

• Share this episode with a friend, tell them why they'd love it.
• Email us at [email protected]
• Message us on Instagram
• Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts