Mindset, Heartset, & Skillset Episodes

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...

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 lis...

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...

Greg and Rachel emphasize the value of being interdependent in marriage rather than independent.

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 you just don't...

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 f ocus 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...

This week's awesome questions come from wives asking, "What do you do when your spouse tells you that you need to get a backbone and manage your own emotions when you tell him that the demeaning way he looks at you is hurtful during a disagreement? He is only trying to give me a firm "no" in response to something I wanted to discuss, but the way he looked at me was cold and intense ...it's so hard to describe. So I was trying to communicate to him that he can still disagree but do it in a pleasa...

This much-needed episode addresses something we've been concerned about, thinking about, and researching for years regarding ADHD/ADD in adults and children . Based on our own experience (having at least 3 kids with ADHD, and at least one of us -- Greg 😁) and experience gained by working with thousands of clients -- plus the added perspective of traveling to 50+ countries which provides a look at the way people do things around the world -- we share some unique and paradigm-shifting perspectives...

In this episode, Greg Denning explains why so many people feel both Inspired and Depressed at the same time—motivated by what’s possible, yet stuck by hidden threats to personal safety. Through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, he reveals how emotional instability, toxic language, fear, lack of meaning, unhealthy environments, and misplaced attachment to things quietly drain confidence and momentum. Greg shows that when these deeper safety needs go unmet, inspiration turns into frustration and overwhelm—but restoring emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual safety allows inspiration to become action and lasting growth.

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 ...

Do you want to develop a parenting style and family culture that nurtures instilling values through individual autonomy INSTEAD of through parental control? Parents face many challenges -- and the temptation to control their children -- when they are overly attached to specific outcomes for their family. Greg and Rachel emphasize the importance of letting go of control and cultivating an environment that encourages children to make their own choices and paradoxically is better at actually creati...

"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, predictability,...

We've never told any of our 7 children there is a Santa Clause or a Tooth Fairy. That's because we always wanted to be seen as people our children can believe and trust -- NO MATTER WHAT -- especially when it comes to discerning truth in the world and discovering what is real and what is not. And while it's not just about Santa Clause, this approach of ALWAYS speaking Truth is one of the key philosophies that has helped us to raise children, teens, and young adults who truly trust, believe, and ...

I (Rachel) cried today. It was because of the stress and pressure and overwhelm of 'all the things' I have to get done by a looming deadline, and it was sparked by the small irritations of family life. So Greg and I do what we usually do in a situation like this -- we sat down and psychoanalyzed WHY I was crying so we could process the 'emotional stacking' to help me get back to a positive state (and then recorded this episode 😁 ). But this isn't something I do only when I cry or feel overwhelme...

Do you feel stuck? Or like you're constantly dealing with the same problems -- in your marriage, with your kids, or your finances? Does it feel like you can never 'afford it' -- no matter what it is? Or that you keep having the same health issues crop up? Do you feel like " life sucks and then you die "? Did you realize that you can PREVENT most of these problems before they happen? Most people think that when things like this arise that it's ' just life '. But our research, study, and experienc...

This topic is one that can be sensitive so we want to handle it appropriately . As usual, the subject came up because of an activity in Greg’s online class for teens — Habits for a Successful Life — and a resulting email from a mom. (We love getting emails). The students were asked to take a self-assessment of multiple areas of their life — mental, emotional, physical, etc. As part of the physical assessment, different activities were done — holding their breath, touching their toes, counting pu...

In this episode, it seems as though we start talking about one subject and end with another. Yet, they are connected. We begin discussing how to deal with children who are ‘high spirited’ with minds of their own (which can sometimes be aggravating or embarrassing) and who grow up feeling ‘not good enough’ or as though there’s something wrong with them because of the constant correction they receive. We also mention the ‘quiet’, ‘good’ kids that ‘go along to get along’ but who internally might be...

We truly love receiving emails and questions from followers, clients, and listeners because it gives us specific situations and challenges to address. We’ve learned that even though we (as humans) often feel that we’re the ‘only one’ dealing with a problem or circumstance , the truth is, we’ve discovered, if it’s happening to one person it’s likely happening to hundreds of others as well . That’s why we answer these questions in a podcast episode so that it doesn’t just help the person who asked...

We received another question from a mom who was interested in joining my Family Charts & Systems course and community . In an email I sent out, it said: As a mother of seven children, my life seriously changed forever once I learned how to FINALLY get organized. So when moms tell me they don't have a system for chores or study time, I'm like... "Say what?!" I get it. Some of you don't like systems . You'd rather live free-flowing and in the moment. I was that mom too , about ten years ago. But t...

You might not realize it, but as a parent, YOU have a moral obligation to make sure that your child (or children) are NOT annoying. Why? Because in order for your children to function normally in the world — and to have a healthy, happy life — they need to be able to interact effectively in society. They can’t do this if they haven’t gained the skills of social interaction . One of the major signs (at any age) that they’re lacking these skills is if they have annoying behavior . If your children...

Welcome to the podcast! We’re coming to you from Warsaw, Poland. Our kids are on the other side of town in an Airbnb and we’re spending the weekend at a luxury hotel to celebrate Greg’s 45th birthday. (Please excuse any sounds of the city such as sirens, etc.) There is a philosophy in parenting and education (perhaps started by TJED) that states ‘Inspire, Not Require’. The idea is that instead of requiring your children or students to do things — chores, reading, studies, being kind — you inspir...

We’re coming to you today from the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. We have loved traveling through the Baltic States. Today we’re going to continue answering some questions (since we were accidentally cut short in the last episode). We were asked about certain types of activities and whether or not our children participate in them because of our unique lifestyle. For example, ballet, piano, gymnastics, sports, and other activities that require mastery. In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons —...

We’ve been asked several times over the years by coaching clients and others regarding masturbation . Specifically, they want to know how to approach masturbation in general — with their children or teens , and in their marriage . Is it normal for teens to masturbate? What are the side effects or outcomes? And what about in marriag e? Is masturbation okay or normal, especially if your sex drive doesn't match up with your spouse? We’ve also been asked by young adults and college students IF or WH...

Many, if not all of us, know of someone — are ARE someone — who has dealt with the devastating effects of anxiety and depression. Methods for dealing with these issues can be very charged. It’s a subject that’s often difficult to discuss , for a variety of reasons — shame, guilt, anger, frustration, despair. But they are subjects that NEED to be addressed — least of all because it’s becoming a crisis for youth and adults today . And what those who are struggling need most are advice and strategi...