Extraordinary Lifestyle Episodes

In this inspiring episode, hosts Greg and Rachel Denning delve into the philosophy of 'escaping the unhappy dream of our life' and creating a truly fulfilling life instead. They discuss why so many people are 'content' with the results they have instead of pursuing the results they really want. Creating a truly happy life requires deliberate choices and intentional actions. Hard work is required to achieve anything extraordinary. The difference is, with the right coaching and mentoring, yo...

Join hosts Greg and Rachel Denning in this enlightening episode, where they delve into the vital themes of healthy eating and overall health self-improvement amidst today’s societal challenges of unhealthy processed food options (including during the holidays). Discover the concept of obligation eating and the social expectations of consuming foods that aren't good for you. How do you say no? One key is to fully understand the hidden dangers of processed foods, and the importance of healthy e...

In this episode of the Extraordinary Family Life podcast, Greg and Rachel Denning share a real-life experience happening to them now to illustrate the journey of pursuing goals which is often filled with unexpected twists and challenges. They reveal how pursuing big goals often leads through a series of obstacles, each one becoming an opportunity for growth and learning. Join them as they share their highs and lows, and explore how embracing these challenges shapes your journey in profound ways...

Feeling lost and overwhelmed by all the advice and strategies out there about how to change your life? In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Rachel and Greg Denning—successful business owners, avid world travelers, and parents to seven—dive deep into how to tackle the daunting process of making life changes. They respond to this question from one of their listeners: “So if someone wants to change their life, what is step one? I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. I’ve just been...

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 of d...

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 import...

It's easy to get stuck in a rut and to fill that your days blur together... especially while raising a family. So how do you change that? How do you have more happiness, meaning, and joy in the day-to-day 'to do's that otherwise feel so pointless and mundane? That's what we discuss in this episode. Despite the 'Instagram perfect' image of what your 'dream life', might look like, the reality is it will be filled with hard work. In fact, you may already be living your dream life and...

This week's question came from a member of Rachel's 28-Day Challenge who said: "I really struggle with trying to do everything. I feel like when I was doing the M1 (Marriage Level 1) Challenge my marriage was great. But I can't keep it up on that level while I'm trying to focus on my kids. And when I focus on my kids then my husband feels neglected. And if I take time for myself then I feel my kids and husband are being neglected. I feel that everyone needs me all the time and I can't be ther...

I received this excellent question in my Instagram DM "How do you decide which scientific research to listen to? Particularly when it comes to health-related topics like what is healthy to eat and what is not? It seems there is a pretty consistent message in science and research to avoid highly processed foods and sugar. But on the finer points with things such as seed oils, carnivore diet, intermittent fasting, coffee/tea etc. it seems that there is just as much research on the opposite side...

"Thanks for this episode. I wanted to get in touch to ask if you could share any advice for when your kids were younger and babies? I run a food business and recently had my first baby. I am struggling to manage the disparity between my big ambitions for my life and my reality. I want to be more capable... I want to take my business to the next level (which includes raising investment) I want to keep exercising and doing my favourite sports, I hate that my home is not organised and there is clut...

"I'm writing to tell you both what an inspiration you've been to me over the last year! I've listened to almost all your podcasts and am working my way through the family systems and charts course. All your information is clear and practical, and it's made a huge difference in my level of overwhelm and what our family has been able to accomplish.My husband and I are taking our kids (age 13 & 11) to Europe for 3 months this August, and I was wondering if you would have any tips for travelling wit...

As a follow-up question to a recent episode about helping your spouse 'show up' or invest in your extraordinary life, we were asked: "I love listening to your podcast. I'm a stay-at-home mom of four and I homeschool. I really wish I could live a little more extraordinarily as your family does, but alas, I have a spouse (who I of course love!) that doesn't feel the same. I desperately want to travel, but he doesn't. I long to do things a different way, but he doesn't. I like to read and listen t...

First, let us start by explaining what we're NOT saying in this episode. EVERY family should not homeschool. But *most* families should (we explain what that means). And NO, homeschooling does not automatically guarantee certain outcomes. There will still be TONS of work and intentional effort involved to produce the desired results. However, if you have an elevated vision of what you want your family life and legacy (and children's education) to be like: deep, connected relationships ...

As we begin the New Year and pursuing new goals, this timely episode shares a real-life *happening now* obstacle to pursuing our dream (to buy a chateau in France) -- getting stuck and stranded in Casablanca, Morocco. We walk through WHY obstacles and roadblocks to your dreams happen, what to do about them, how to handle them in-the-moment, and most importantly, how to overcome them so you can continue pursuing your goals and dreams. If you've ever set a big goal and failed to achieve it -- or...

As we record this we're sitting in an Airbnb in Tangier, Morocco, living yet *another* of our family's dreams -- to road trip from Portugal to Morocco. Before this trip is over we'll travel from our home base in Portugal to the Sahara Desert in Morocco, having visited Ronda, Grenada, and Cordoba, in Spain, and Tangier, Chefchouen (the Blue City), Fes, Volubilis ancient ruins, Meknes, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Ait Ben Haddou and Zagora. We'll spend New Year's Eve beneath the stars of the desert wi...

"What would I actually do if I spent more time with my wife and kids? What does that look like?" "I went on a getaway with my husband and I was bored. I couldn't wait to get back to the kids." "I've been going on more dates with my husband (because of the 28-Day Challenge) but we're not enjoying them. He doesn't like to do what I do, and I don't like doing what he does." "My husband and I went away and it was amazing, but I hated returning to the kids who just fight and quarrel every day." "I wa...

Are your kids picky eaters? Are you concerned about their short and long-term health because of a lack of nutrition? Then listen to this episode where we discuss the importance -- and strategies -- for instilling good dietary habits in children and overcoming pickiness. To begin, Greg and Rachel shed light on the significance of food choices and the impact it has on a family's well-being. They emphasize the role of parents in setting a positive example and creating an environment where childr...

In this series about raising well-adjusted kids and better family stability, we're now diving into the 2nd level of the Extraordinary Family Life Pyramid -- Marriage! YOU are the foundation of your family life, followed by your MARRIAGE. Without strong INDIVIDUAL mental, emotional, spiritual, social, physical, and financial health you don't have the 'solid footing' necessary to raise well-adjusted kids. The same is true when it comes to your marriage. You and your spouse are providing the ...

"My kids are having a hard time adjusting to _______ (moving, traveling, homeschooling, divorce, death, etc). How can I help them?" We've received a question like this dozens of times over the years. Parents the world over wonder how they can create family stability, safety, and healing -- especially in today's mixed-up crazy world. Some claim stability comes from 'staying in one place' -- as one commenter on Instagram said, "Kids want stability, staying in one place, traditions, predictab...

After posting reels on Instagram about our most recent 6-month trip to 17 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, I've had many people ask: "How do you even BEGIN planning a trip like that?" "What was your budget for this experience?" "How do you afford it?" In this episode, we walk through our process for dreaming, envisioning, and then executing BIG goals and dreams. It's the exact process we've used again and again to travel to 50+ countries on five continents with our 7 children for the...

Greg received an email from a friend who said, "My son needs a life coach :)" His response was, "EVERYONE needs a life coach." The stigma is that only people with problems or those who 'can't figure it out' need a life coach. But the truth is, if you want to have a truly EXTRAORDINARY life, you NEED a coach. You understand this when it comes to learning the violin or tennis -- if you want to be good you get a coach. Yet somehow too many people don't connect it when it comes to parenting, marria...

No matter if you homeschool or send your kids to public or private school, YOU are responsible for the outcomes of their education. The first step is for YOU to define what EDUCATION means to you. Is it academic learning? Grades, tests, and ACT scores? Getting into the 'best' colleges. Or is it MORE than that? Does it include their mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social, and financial development? If it doesn't, it should. What about experiences and exposure to people, places...

As part of the 28-Day Challenge we ask participants to choose one food to give up. Some choose sugar. But it’s not always easy to give it up. As one mom said: “…the sweet tooth got the best of me. I don’t drink soda and haven’t had a donut in two years; those our out. I don’t eat things with corn syrup, and I mostly use olive and coconut oils. But every time I decide, no more sugar, I can almost feel my brain go into panic mode. And it’s like a wave of dessert ideas comes in and the abi...

At work, home, family life, and marriage, it’s easy to blame the circumstances of life or to say ‘That’s just the way things are’… But the reality is that we’re often participating in, perpetuating, or creating our own chaos in marriage and family life — but that means we also have the power to prevent it with intentional planning and preparation. Of course, many couples and parents think “I don’t have time to be intentional and strategic like you’re describing. Our life is so crazy busy!” But...