Welcome to podcast episode 29, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

Today we are delighted to welcome Linda Hoffman to “A Work in Progress: growing up human” . She was instrumental in the beginning of Visalia First’s SAM which became First Step with Dan. She led the codependents group as she learned healthier patterns while living with an alcoholic husband. She also shares about growing up in a very strict religious home and the impact that has had on her life including spiritually.

Welcome to podcast episode 28, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

We are delighted to welcome Denise Patton Bailey. Dan met Denise as an elementary school student living down the block from his family. The families spent many holidays together over the years but not fully recognizing how crazy things were just beneath the surface at your house. We are happy you’re here to share the journey, your life, and ultimately Jesus changing your life.

Welcome to podcast episode 27, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

We are delighted to welcome Kent Kraning to “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human” podcast. Father of 6 boys, former public school teacher, director of Forest Home Christian camp and now ministering to ministers in “Standing Stone Ministries” and how the "&-Year Itch" impacted his life.

Welcome to podcast episode 26, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

We are delighted to welcome Brenna Blain to “A Work in Progress: growing up human” podcast. Author of “Can I Say That” which describes a lot of her personal journey and encourages exploring difficult questions about sexuality, Podcast host, theologian, wife, mom and a wonderful human being welcome!

Welcome to podcast episode 25, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

We as humans are tempted regularly to try and run the universe sometimes blatantly sometimes subtly. Think about the story of Abraham and his taking control of God’s promise of a son. He didn’t like God’s timing so he got together with Hagar, his wife Sara’s servant, and had Ishmael. Jews (sons of Isaac and Arabs sons of Ishmael) have been fighting for control ever since. Influence is authentically expressing /exploring what we’ve integrated in our lives (what we were created for originally) while respecting each other's unique contributions to relationships and community.

Dan: What do authors Dan Brown, Kurt Vonnegut, singers Neil Young, Whitney Houston, 50 Cent, Sinead O’Connor, Olivia Newton John, the band Boston,, punk band Blood for Blood, and in the gaming community World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade all have in common? Their use of The Serenity Prayer, written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

Welcome to podcast episode 24, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

Today we’re excited to perhaps bring an inordinate amount of energy for your listening pleasure.

We welcome Christian recording artist and podcaster, Brian Edward Duncan as he shares with us some of the ups and downs of his life in the recording industry. And how he’s been able to maintain a connection with God. You can listen to more of Bryan on his podcast, “Nutshell Sermons” which we highly recommend.

Welcome to podcast episode 22, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

Today we thank Dr. Greg Smalley as he joins for part two of our conversation about power vs. influence in marriage.

Dr. Smalley serves as the vice president of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family. Prior to joining Focus, Smalley worked for the Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University and as president of the National Institute of Marriage, now known as Hope Restored. He is the author of almost 20 books including 9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free and Reconnected: Moving From Roommates to Soulmates in Marriage. Smalley and his wife Erin host a popular weekly podcast called Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage.

Our focus will be differentiating between power/control and influence and what that looks like in our close relationships.

Welcome to podcast episode 22, of “A Work in Progress: Growing Up Human”. Our goal is to have conversations that move us toward being fully human. Looking at wholeness, we explore what someone created in the image of God, looks like, good, bad, and ugly. My friend Dan Holford and I blend our experiences in the fields of education, counseling, and recovery to facilitate that conversation.

Today we thank Dr. Greg Smalley as he joins in our two part conversation about power vs. influence in marriage.

Dr. Smalley serves as the vice president of Marriage and Family Formation at Focus on the Family. Prior to joining Focus, Smalley worked for the Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University and as president of the National Institute of Marriage, now known as Hope Restored. He is the author of almost 20 books including 9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free and Reconnected: Moving From Roommates to Soulmates in Marriage. Smalley and his wife Erin host a popular weekly podcast called Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage.

Our focus will be differentiating between power/control and influence and what that looks like in our close relationships. How is this different from what we hear come out of the current "Manosphere"?