140- “He Left His Kid With Us…Then Disappeared”
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
Release Date: 01/15/2026
141- 277 Days and Counting: The Unsexy Truth About Staying Fit as Busy Parents
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
Summary: In this episode of the Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna share the unsexy truth about working out 277 days straight with 6 kids and why it has nothing to do with motivation or weight loss. A cross-country move. Grief. The stomach bug. Travel days with all six kids. We still worked out every single day. This episode breaks down how we went from yo-yo fitness routines to consistent daily movement—even when we don't feel like it (which is most days). We share the mindset shifts, practical strategies, and why "I don't have time" is actually the biggest...
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140- “He Left His Kid With Us…Then Disappeared”
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
Summary: In this episode of the Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna discuss the impact of people-pleasing. A contractor left his 9-year-old with us. No warning. Just vanished. Chris confronted him. Johnna nearly puked from the discomfort. This episode dives into that wild moment, plus another where a stranger undermined our parenting and we did nothing. They unpack what these stories reveal about the fear of confrontation, the trap of people-pleasing, and how to teach our kids (and ourselves) to stand firm when it matters. If you’ve ever bitten your...
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139- Sports, Alcohol, Jesus Shirts & Spiritual Silence
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
In this episode of the Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna discuss the the feeling of spiritual silence, and they explore the concepts of dullness, distraction, and disobedience as barriers to spiritual growth. The conversation also touches on the impact of idolatry, particularly in relation to sports and alcohol, and how these distractions can lead to spiritual dullness. The hosts encourage listeners to seek deeper intimacy with God during silent seasons and provide practical steps for cultivating a closer relationship with Him. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The...
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138- Why Fear Doesn’t Control Us Anymore
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
Episode Summary: In this raw and deeply personal episode of Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage, Chris and Johnna tackle one of life’s most gut-wrenching questions: If God is in control, why do I still struggle with fear? What begins as a coffee-fueled conversation about fear, faith, and calling turns into a powerful testimony of how God uses pain, loss, and uncertainty for greater purpose. From personal stories of miscarriage and financial hardship to miraculous redemption through relationships, ministry, and even a lost car at the airport — this episode will challenge your view of fear,...
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137 - More Kids isn't Easier, You Just Get Stronger
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
SUMMARY Chris and Johnna discuss 00:00 – Prayer over the chaos & welcome our special guest, baby Lake (L6) 01:30 – “Does it get easier?” The real answer 04:30 – Gym analogy: God strengthens you 07:00 – Lowering expectations & parenting evolves 10:30 – Age gaps, helpers, and why 5 kids humbled us 13:00 – Culture, “meology,” and fear of more kids 16:30 – A decade of parenting: fleeting stages & perspective 19:30 – Don’t fix a marriage with another baby 22:00 – Are kids “hard”? Why they should be 27:00 – Screens, meals,...
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136- Riding the Wave of Revival: A Call to Bold Christianity
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
SUMMARY Chris and Johnna discuss the current revival momentum in America following the assissination of Charlie Kirk. They talk through ways that we, as Christians, can be bold in our faith and obedient to God in the ways He wants to use us, while also bringing up personal stories of ways they failed in disobedience, and how they are leading their children at home. 00:00 – Revival Momentum in America 01:50 – Navigating Criticism and Boldness 04:01 – The Role of the Church in Revival 05:47 – Creating a Welcoming Church Environment 11:24 – Teaching Our Children...
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135- Honoring Charlie Kirk And Advancing The Mission
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
In this raw and heartfelt episode, Chris and Johnna process the grief, shock, and spiritual weight of Charlie Kirk’s assassination 5 days later. 00:27 – Processing the Assassination & Unexpected Grief 03:00 – Why It Felt Like Losing a Friend 08:33 – Making Sense of Tragedy & Our Obsession with Details 12:54 – The Shooter Could Not Silence the Truth 16:10 – Good vs. Evil Made Clear 22:44 – Peaceful Vigils vs. Riots: Light in the Darkness 28:05 – Justice, Forgiveness, and the Call of Christ 32:41 – Courage for Our Faith: Charlie’s Legacy 37:23 –...
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134-Did Dr. John Delony Give Bad Marriage Advice?
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
In this episode, Chris & Johnna react to a marriage advice response from the Dr. John Delony Show on the Dave Ramsey Network. 1:00-10:30-Chris's comical confession 11:00---- John Delony Show Marriage Advice Reaction Links mentioned in the episode: Want to expand on this and connect with us? Don't forget you can text us (NEW NUMBER) @513- 449-1798! Love GYGYM? Here's five ways you can support us and the show! Subscribe to the show Share it Review it on Apple Podcast (aka help with production!) buymeacoffee.com/gygym Follow/interact with us on social
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133- Are We Fools To Have More Kids?
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
In this episode, Chris & Johnna announce Baby Farrell #6 and cover a myriad of topics around their decision to bring another life into the world. Fear of having another kid in this crazy world. Are Christians called to Big Families? Allowing our kids to be critical thinkers about Christianity. The Sanctifying nature of parenting. Non-eternal issues that cause us to limit how fruitful we are. Does God care about every little detail in our lives? Are we foolish to have more kids due to health or financial strain? Making aggressive decisions with a sound mind. What...
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132- Lessons From Our First 10 Years of Marriage
Grow Yourself Grow Your Marriage
WOW! Ten years of marriage. In this epsode Chris and Johnna cover the lessons from their first 10 years of marriage, what will make the next 10 years successfull and why they don't have the grass is always greener complex. Want to expand on this and connect with us? Don't forget you can text us (NEW NUMBER) @513- 449-1798! Love GYGYM? Here's five ways you can support us and the show! Subscribe to the show Share it Review it (you can text us @ 513- 449-1798!) (aka help with production!) buymeacoffee.com/gygym Follow/interact with us on social
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Summary:
In this episode of the Grow Yourself, Grow Your Marriage podcast, Chris and Johnna discuss the impact of people-pleasing.
A contractor left his 9-year-old with us. No warning. Just vanished.
Chris confronted him. Johnna nearly puked from the discomfort.
This episode dives into that wild moment, plus another where a stranger undermined our parenting and we did nothing.
They unpack what these stories reveal about the fear of confrontation, the trap of people-pleasing, and how to teach our kids (and ourselves) to stand firm when it matters.
If you’ve ever bitten your tongue and regretted it… this one’s for you.
00:00 — Intro & Shaving Cream Story
Chris opens with a real‑life moment about finding shaving cream and how it turned into early dopamine wins and relationship humor.
04:50 — Icebreaker Questions Gone Deep
Chris and Johnna ask each other light questions that immediately dig into personality, communication, and people‑pleasing tendencies.
09:00 — The Fireplace Guy & Boundary Crossing 🚨
The big story starts — a contractor leaves his son with them without warning. They unpack the weird situation, their reaction, and why it bothered them.
12:30 — Man‑to‑Man Confrontation
Chris confronts the contractor about why he left his son. What was said, how the contractor reacted, and what this moment reveals about boldness and uncomfortable truth.
17:20 — People Pleasing: Why We Don’t Speak Up
Johnna honestly opens up about the internal discomfort — not wanting conflict, caring about others’ feelings, and how people pleasing shows up in real life.
23:10 — Undermined Parenting at the Hotel
A random woman encouraged their son to act against their verbal no — and how that made them both feel undermined and caught off guard.
27:20 — Teaching Our Kids to Stand Firm
A deep parenting moment about obedience to parents vs. strangers — and why this matters more than ever.
30:30 — What People Pleasing Really Is
Discussion shifts to the root of people pleasing: prioritizing comfort over truth.
36:30 — Stories of Standing Your Ground
Real‑life examples of speaking truth in business, basketball, social situations, and why people respect authenticity when we don’t fold.
41:40 — Parenting Culture & Respect vs. Obedience
Johnna shares a powerful story from her teenage years.
47:00 — Raising Kids Who Speak Truth
A turning point: how we want our children to understand healthy assertiveness and not just follow adults blindly.
51:30 — Bigger Picture: Growth, Marriage & Vision
Conversation expands: how avoiding uncomfortable conversations keeps couples stagnant and how courageous dialogue fuels growth in marriage.
56:00 — Life Purpose & Not Settling
Chris and Johnna connect the episode’s themes to living intentionally, seeking God’s clarity, not pleasing culture, and pursuing the life you’re meant to live.
01:06:20 — Wrap & Final Encouragement
Final thoughts on people pleasing, truth, family priorities, and closing encouragement for listeners to grow personally, relationally & spiritually.
Love GYGYM? Here's five ways you can support us and the show!
- Subscribe to the show
- Share it
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- Buy us a coffee (aka help with production!) buymeacoffee.com/gygym
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