Current Events Episodes

This episode centers on self development as the key to navigating today’s divisive political and social climate. Instead of getting lost in the noise of opposing viewpoints and endless debates, Rachel and Greg invite you to turn inward and focus on personal growth. They emphasize that truth isn’t static or one-sided — it evolves as we develop emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning explore the profound impact of societal systems on parenting and family life. They delve into the concept of “the matrix” — the conventional structures that shape education, success, and personal identity — and how these systems can keep families stuck in unproductive patterns, preventing them from creating an extraordinary, significant life. They emphasize the importance of fostering a stro...

In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning delve into the pervasive issue of entitlement in families and society , exploring how it shapes behavior and undermines resilience. They emphasize the importance of free speech as a tool for understanding and compromise, highlighting that open communication often requires navigating discomfort. A recurring theme is the critical role parents play in fostering resilience in children , rather than over-coddling them. The hosts argue that life's pressures sho...

Welcome to this episode, where hosts Greg and Rachel Denning dive into a crucial and timely discussion: Why are so many people leaving the church? They tackle the often-taboo topic of questioning religious beliefs and practices, emphasizing the importance of examining and challenging these aspects to foster genuine transformation and growth within faith communities. With a keen eye on both the potential for positive change and the shortcomings that sometimes plague churches, the Dennings advocat...

In this compelling episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning dive deep into making sense of current events and the societal trends that are causing increasing concern for many parents. They explore the chilling effects of speaking out against emerging issues, the fear of being labeled, and the deliberate erosion of traditional values. The conversation spans the infiltration of left-leaning ideologies into education, government, and big businesses, and examines the dangers of extremism on both ends ...

In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning dive deep into today's global issues and share their insights on how to stay informed and prepared . They discuss the significance of asking the right questions and seeking information from credible sources , rather than relying solely on mainstream news . Greg and Rachel explore a range of interconnected themes, including the potential impacts of food shortages, political division, and challenges within the healthcare system. They also address the rise o...

Join Greg and Rachel Denning as they take you on a thrilling journey through their recent bucket list adventure and travel across London, Kazakhstan , Mongolia , China & Qatar . In this episode, they share captivating stories from their travels, including their daring horseback ride in Mongolia, the unique experience of preparing and eating goat, and navigating the cultural complexities of China . Greg and Rachel reflect on the profound lessons learned from their travels— emphasizing the importa...

It wasn't too long ago that I would have been hesitant to make such a bold statement -- that wokesim is a dangerous cult. That's because I have many beliefs that are in line with the underlying viewpoints, such as open-mindedness, acceptance, and tolerance. But after lots of study, research, and observation over the past year or two, and, being presented with multiple 'case studies' of woke ideology gone wrong... Plus combining that with books we've been reading such as Crime and Punishment , An...

We cover a LOT of things in this episode as we discuss, examine, and analyze things that have been on our minds during the last week and as we ask each other WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD?? We're not talking about conspiracy theories... but actual conspiracies. Stay with us here... these aren't crazy ideas that we've come up with from our imaginations... ...these are actual, proven things that are happening and we're just asking the questions: What does that actually mean? Where will this actuall...

After nine months of traveling outside of the USA (to 17+ countries from Tromsø to Cairo), we return to take care of some things that will help us make a permanent transition to our home base in Portugal... But as usual, there are things that STAND OUT to us as we visit this country after an extended absence. In this episode, we share what those things are, and -- in the bigger picture -- why they are significant to our families, the nation, and the world as a whole. RESOURCES MENTIONED: - Wild ...

In this episode, we philosophize (are you surprised?) about observations we've been making for the past decade or more as we've read, studied, and traveled to 50+ countries. It's kind of like putting together a puzzle. You take one piece after another and see where they fit and little by little a picture begins to emerge. In this case, the picture that's forming shows the current state of the world and the impending disasters that seem to lurk around the bend. We expound on a few of them, get an...

In our podcast episodes, we like to answer questions we’re asked or to discuss topics that impact — or fire — us up. Lately, we’ve been discussing together the most recent school shooting in the United States (and the resulting usual public discussion about the need for gun control ). As American citizens, we also have a unique viewpoint because of the near decade or more we’ve spent living outside of the United States (in more than 50 countries). It’s allowed us to gain a unique perspective of ...

Hey everybody! Greg and I are in Oslo, Norway with our family, recovering from jet lag. In a few hours, we fly to Tromsø, 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle . Tomorrow begins our first Norway trip where 18 other people will be joining us for reindeer sledding, dog sledding, and the Northern Lights. ( Check out our 2023 travel schedule and join us here! ) This week’s podcast is audio taken from our most recent coaching sessio n for the Extraordinary Family Life Formula. We discussed why boys an...

2:20 "If you haven't played video games in the last 10 years, they have become more addictive. The people who create games, and other media, are strategically using their knowledge of psychology and neurology in their favor. In schools, competition is being removed and discouraged and many boys are turning to video games. 7:17 From your experience, being married, raising boys, and working with boys, what have you perceived boys want and need? Tony Robbins teaches every human being has 6 basic ne...

We like to get our podcast topics from issues that really ‘fire us up’ (it makes for better discussions). This week, I was fired up by some comments left on an Instagram Reel I created about allowing ‘boys to be boys’ with audio taken from our recent Workshop on Boys Adrift — The Growing Epidemic of Undermotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men . Some of them said things like: This post really misses the mark. The toxicity that exists around masculinity has nothing to do with children having ...

There is a lot of ‘surface tension’ in the media today -- social and mainstream. Lots of polarity and opposition about intense topics. And it bothers me. Because it paints the picture that there are only two sides to any issue. And that’s just not true . We (as individuals and society) have to look beyond the ‘surface tension’ of topics to the underlying problems and underlying causes of those problems. There is so little we know — we as a society, (and especially ‘we’ as in Greg & Rachel). But ...

Greg and I are always fascinated by ideas , the search for truth , intellectual discussion , and meaningful connection . As intentionally as we have designed our lifestyle, it’s still rare for us to have all of those things in one evening. But we got the chance last week when we drove to Birmingham, AL to listen to Jordan Peterson present a live lecture at the Alabama Theater. He discussed a chapter from his new book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life about the importance of beauty and art. I...

In our last episode (#158), Greg hinted at doing another episode about the v*ccine. I wasn't so sure. But after thinking and discussing it, we decided to do it together -- partly because our individual views balance each other out and help us both to come to a more centered truth. We discuss how C*vid and the v*ccine have become politicized and what implications that has. We also examine C*vid's significance now compared to other times in history, and examine how politicizing a topic can skew ea...