Purpose in the Process
My co-host and I discuss a few of the potentially lasting changes (hopefully good ones) from the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
info_outline Episode 28: Mike Garrett - FInding Purpose in SufferingPurpose in the Process
My friend Mike Garrett joins us in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to discuss the purpose in the process of suffering. Thank you for your patience as I took several months off to “counter balance” a few other goals and projects. I’m glad to be back doing the podcast, especially now, and I appreciate all of the continued positive feedback and support. Some links for what we discussed in this episode: , by John Newton (I quote from this book several times in this episode). I found this book in an Episcopal church book store during a break at the Austin Film Festival, and it has...
info_outline Episode 27: Will Blackman - Staying in the MomentPurpose in the Process
My friend Will Blackman returns to help kick-off the second season of the podcast and give us an update. For his first visit, go check out Episode 19! In this episode, Will and I discussed: What Will has learned about the importance of staying in the moment - and how continuously returning to prayer throughout the day can help exercise that muscle Taking refuge within, despite “the shuffling of plates" How does Will feel about Viktor Frankl’s charge that we should strive to live in a manner “worth” our suffering? Learning to accept and embrace love (from both God and people) ...
info_outline Episode 26: Peter Merriman - A Humble Approach to HospitalityPurpose in the Process
Famous chefs don’t become known because of their humility. But as it turns out, their restaurants might. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with renowned chef Peter Merriman about his unique approach to hospitality in his restaurants. Why is it that a person always feels welcome when they check-in with his hosts? How does Peter motivate his entire staff to entertain like they are “throwing a party every night,” prepare each and every dish like they are “cooking for their mom,” and consistently go above and beyond to “do the right thing” for every customer they meet? In this...
info_outline Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional MedicinePurpose in the Process
We go to the doctor with the goal of feeling better, so it should come as no surprise that conventional medicine is often aimed at helping us deal with symptoms, rather than identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Such an approach is all the more likely in an overwhelmed healthcare system where doctors are increasingly unable to spend the time required to identify and address the root issues behind many “chronic” conditions, especially those with no immediately apparent source. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Hyla Cass about what has fueled her career-long desire...
info_outline Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional MedicinePurpose in the Process
We go to the doctor with the goal of feeling better, so it should come as no surprise that conventional medicine is often aimed at helping us deal with symptoms, rather than identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Such an approach is all the more likely in an overwhelmed healthcare system where doctors are increasingly unable to spend the time required to identify and address the root issues behind many “chronic” conditions, especially those with no immediately apparent source. In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Hyla Cass about what has fueled her career-long desire...
info_outline Episode 24: Discovering Your Seven StoriesPurpose in the Process
What accomplishments are you most proud of? When you think of the "top stories" of your life - those where you felt most empowered, full of joy, or simply had a great time doing something you were really good at - which experiences rise to the top? More importantly, what specific attributes seem to be common to each of those stories? On the heels of a couple deep philosophical episodes about finding “purpose,” I wanted to offer some concrete advice about the “process” someone might use to start figuring out what they want to be when they grow up. I’ve mentioned the “Seven Stories...
info_outline Episode 23: Finding Meaning In ResponsibilityPurpose in the Process
In this second part of a two-part special series I focus on the importance, and process, of finding meaning and purpose in life, as found in the book Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. Frankl explains how responsibility to oneself and others (and to what life is asking of you) is a vital counterpart to freedom, a concept echoed by many present-day authors, including notable thought leaders like Jordan Peterson and Jocko Wilink. If you only listen to one of these two episodes on Frankl’s book, this is the one to listen to for sure, because we talk and reflect on the second section...
info_outline Episode 22: Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For MeaningPurpose in the Process
In this special episode of the podcast I wanted to respond to a listener request by offering some takeaways from the globally renowned book Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. I’ve mentioned this book in past episodes when discussing the importance of living a life of purpose with various guests, because at the end of the day Frankl’s message regarding the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life is core to the whole point of this podcast. This is not intended to be a summary by any means, and is certainly not a scholarly attempt to interpret what Frankl wrote in 1946 -...
info_outline Episode 21: Staying Safe on the RoadPurpose in the Process
They say courtesy is not so common anymore - this seems to be especially true on the road. As I start to teach my son how to drive, I’ve been noticing that even some of the most experienced adult drivers are no longer driving in the kind of courteous and safe manner most likely to avoid both accidents and tickets. In this episode of the podcast I summarize a few principles about safe driving, and offer my insights as both a former police officer and attorney into some of the top ways to stay safer on the road, including how to avoid and deal with road rage. I hope you enjoy this episode...
info_outlineMentoring can sometimes be a difficult process - especially when it comes to sensitive topics like marriage. How can we best help our friends when they come to us expressing marital conflict? How can we learn to benefit from that same process ourselves, the next time we face challenges in our own relationships? Whether you’re a man or a woman, married or single, you’ll want to listen to this episode about how to help your friends, and how to continually improve your own marriage, by focusing on what we ourselves can do (whether as husband or wife) to better meet the others’ needs.
In this episode, I interviewed MacKenzie Price, a trained mentor and lay-counselor who has years of experience helping women recognize the value of living with intentionality in their relationships and creating lives that match their stated priorities.
MacKenzie and I discussed:
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The unique challenges women face in getting good advice about relationships
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Why marriages can quickly become a lower priority (and how to do something about it)
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The value of Socratic questions in helping people recognize the danger they are in
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What’s most important to husbands? (the answer may surprise you)
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The one thing that can’t be neglected for a healthy marriage (this answer won’t surprise you)
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Knowing when a mentee is ready for real growth, and how to respond when they aren’t
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The downsides of offering “blind support” and why it’s worth the confrontation
I hope you enjoy our conversation about the purpose in the process of mentoring a marriage!
MacKenzie Price is passionate about helping women see the value of living with intentionality in their relationships and creating lives that match up with their stated priorities. With a husband of 15 years and two daughters, she understands how hard juggling family, work and life in general can be, so she strives to help people create a full and vibrant life that goes beyond just getting by. Always up for conversation and adventure, she does work with personal development trainings through Reinvent Ministries, college mentorship with CRU, lay counseling with Women of Care and leads women’s study groups focusing on marriage, parenting, and Bible study.
MacKenzie has a B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University and began her career in software marketing and sales, then spent 17 years building a successful mortgage business from which she retired in 2018. She also hosted a weekly segment on Austin’s TWC News called On the Town. Passionate about education, MacKenzie helped build Alpha, a cutting-edge school for K-12 in Austin, TX. She has made her home in Austin, TX since 1998, but her favorite getaway is a trip to the mountains for some great skiing or hiking.
You can find and follow MacKenzie on Instagram @mackenziep18, and on Facebook @mackenzielarsonprice.
Links to Resources
Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs by Emerson Eggerichs.
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr
A great site for Ennegram testing - I reference this (my favorite personality profile test) in so many episodes…it’s worth your time.