Extraordinary Relationships

Extraordinary and Ordinary Love with Shared Purpose

In this conversation with Andrew and Danielle in Barcelona, Jason and Caroline reflect on 35+ years together since meeting at university, describing their relationship as both extraordinary and ordinary: a long unfolding of commitment, shared purpose, and growth through bliss and struggle, now including four adult children exploring relationships themselves. They recount co-leading a service trip to Honduras, falling in love, marrying young, and later living in Bolivia doing service work with street youth, establishing a pattern of “shared projects” that continues to this day through family life and co-leading couples workshops. They share how they have evolved from people-pleasing, disembodiment, emotional illiteracy, and control into greater self-awareness and relational skills, including how to repair when things get challenging. They offer many ideas and suggestions for keeping the aliveness thriving in a long-term relationship. These include structured Imago Dialogue (mirroring, validation, empathy), appreciation practices, and a renewed focus on pleasure, playfulness, and embodiment. Guest Links & Resources: Jason & Caroline’s workshops & website [https://www.thriveinrelationship.com/] Getting the Love You Want couples workshops [https://www.thriveinrelationship.com/relationship-workshops/] Imago therapy & dialogue [https://positivepsychology.com/imago-therapy/] Enneagram 2 [https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-2/] Internal Family Systems (IFS) [https://ifs-institute.com/] Ma (間): A Japanese aesthetic concept translated as “pause,” “interval,” or “space-between”. In painting, it refers to the empty space that gives form to the overall artwork, often considered as substantive as the painted areas. Reflections Episode soon to come: In our Reflections episode, we reflect on the key moments, insights, and practices that stood out in our conversation with Jason and Caroline. We share: * Observations and highlights from the original conversation & experience. * Personal insights from Andrew and Danielle on applying these principles in daily life. * Practical ideas and exercises you can try to deepen the connection in your own relationships. * A worksheet with instructions you can download. The Reflections episode is a shorter, intimate companion to the main interview—designed to help you process, integrate, and embody what was discussed. Get full access to Extraordinary Relationships Podcast at extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe [https://extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Listening in Prayer, Discernment, and Non-Dual Glimpses of God

In this episode, we drop in with Father David, who is currently serving the Catholic Church as the Founding Executive Director of the Discerning Leadership Program. This program is a collaborative initiative that provides leadership formation for senior Vatican officials and major superiors of religious orders. He lives and works in Rome at the Jesuit General Curia steps away from the splendour of St Peter’s Square. We’ll explore David’s journey from early childhood to being moved by the 1989 assassination of Jesuits in El Salvador, applying to the Jesuits, and receiving confirming signs amid doubts. He reflects on conditional self-worth rooted in childhood financial insecurity, God’s healing toward unconditional love, and cautions about attachment to mystical experiences. He explains the Examen as a daily practice and outlines his work fostering discernment, shared dignity, and participatory church leadership encouraged by Pope Francis and Pope Leo. If the word ‘God’ makes you bristle, we get it. We invite you to swap in whatever word works for you: the sacred, love, mystery, the force that connects us, or simply the deepest truth you know. This conversation is really about what it means to be fully human with each other, and that belongs to everyone. Guest Links & Resources: Father David McCallum Discerning Leadership [https://discerningleadership.org/team-and-faculty/mccallum-david-sj/] The Examen [https://www.jesuits.org/spirituality/the-ignatian-examen/] Being integrally informed [https://integraleuropeanconference.com/integral-theory/] Spiritual Bypassing [https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-empowerment-diary/201901/what-is-spiritual-bypassing] Pantheism [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism] and Panentheism [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheism] St. Ignatius of Loyola [http://St. Ignatius of Loyola] Teresa of Avila [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_of_%C3%81vila] I - Thou [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_and_Thou] Subject-Object Theory [https://integrallife.com/over-our-heads/] Kenosis [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenosis] Reflections Episode & Worksheet soon to come: In the coming weeks, we will release our Reflections episode where we reflect on the key moments, insights, and practices that stood out in our conversation with Father David. In our reflections episode, we share: * Observations and highlights from the original conversation & experience. * Personal insights from Andrew and Danielle on applying these principles in daily life. * Practical ideas and exercises you can try to deepen the connection in your own relationships. The Reflections episode & Worksheet are an intimate companion to the main interview—designed to help you process, integrate, and embody what was discussed. These are only available on Substack via paid subscriptions. Get full access to Extraordinary Relationships Podcast at extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe [https://extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Reflections on Evolving Through Love and Radical Acceptance

In this Reflections episode, Danielle & Andrew revisit their in-person conversation with Joel & Ellen, unpacking the wisdom, practices, and principles that make their relationships thrive. We explore: * Key insights that arose during the interview * Practical ways to bring these lessons into your own life * Moments of vulnerability, growth, and connection that inspired us Join us as we slow down, reflect, and share what we learned—so you can bring more presence and connection into your own relationships. Take a moment to explore, experiment, and let the principles of extraordinary relationships come to life in your everyday moments. Share what you notice, and invite a friend to join you — connection grows best when it’s shared! * Revisit the original interview here: Evolving Through Love and Radical Acceptance [https://extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/p/evolving-through-love-and-radical-a24] * Download our 1-page worksheet to support you in experimenting with Joel & Ellen’s practices here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/15kPRjvx1TjnFFibkLON_jrxfLjzfoVoY/view?usp=drive_link]. * Subscribe to catch all upcoming episodes. Get full access to Extraordinary Relationships Podcast at extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe [https://extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Reflections on The Path of Sacred Love

In this Reflections episode, Danielle & Andrew revisit their in-person conversation with Justin & Londin, unpacking the wisdom, practices, and principles that make their relationships thrive. We explore: * Key insights that arose during the interview * Practical ways to bring these lessons into your own life * Moments of vulnerability, growth, and connection that inspired us Join us as we slow down, reflect, and share what we learned—so you can bring more presence and connection into your own relationships. Take a moment to explore, experiment, and let the principles of extraordinary relationships come to life in your everyday moments. Share what you notice, and invite a friend to join you — connection grows best when it’s shared! * Revisit the original interview here: The Path of Love [https://extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/p/the-path-of-sacred-love] * Download our 1-page worksheet to support you in experimenting with Justin & Londin’s practices here [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eDV9xy-MMlI7jK5cZv1vp1cAjSeAMa05/view?usp=sharing]. * See their book Playing with Fire [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986394254?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_Y47JWSR59PTCBH1WGKJ8] - pages 403-406 for specific instructions on “I See, I Feel practice” and Chapter 10, A Path to Guide You, for their exquisite model. * Subscribe to catch all upcoming reflections episodes. Get full access to Extraordinary Relationships Podcast at extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe [https://extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Evolving Through Love and Radical Acceptance: Joel & Ellen's Journey

In this episode, we drop in with Joel Monk and Ellen Waenink, who hosted us in their lovely community-oriented neighborhood in Amsterdam. Joel is the CEO and co-Founder of Coaches Rising, a company that creates deep, transformative training programs and insightful podcasts for coaches. They are deeply committed to help evolve the field and practice of coaching. Ellen’s work is about creating spaces where people can truly meet: themselves, others, the unfolding moment and life. Here, transformation happens not through force, but through the beauty of connection and trust in what arises. She calls it a natural unfolding. In this conversation, we’ll explore the extraordinary aspects of their relationship, emphasizing radical acceptance and evolutionary growth. They discuss the ways in which they support each other’s individual and collective journeys, balancing autonomy and togetherness. The couple shares insights on how they keep their connection vibrant through intentional practices and maintaining an open heart. The dialogue also explores the challenges and rewards of navigating vulnerability, the importance of curiosity, and the role of love and freedom in their relationship. The conversation concludes with reflections on the broader implications of relationship dynamics for personal growth and coaching. Guest Links & Resources: Coaches Rising [https://www.coachesrising.com/] Ellen Waenink [https://www.ellenwaenink.com/] Circling [https://www.transformationalconnection.com/] Hold Me Tight [https://holdmetightonline.com/about-dr.-sue-johnson/] by Sue Johnson Nonlinear Movement Method [https://www.michaelaboehm.com/the-non-linear-movement-method-2/] by Michaela Boehm Reflections Episode & Worksheet soon to come: In the coming weeks, we will release our Reflections episode where we reflect on the key moments, insights, and practices that stood out in our conversation with Joel and Ellen. In our reflections episode, we share: * Observations and highlights from the original conversation & experience. * Personal insights from Andrew and Danielle on applying these principles in daily life. * Practical ideas and exercises you can try to deepen the connection in your own relationships. The Reflections episode & Worksheet are an intimate companion to the main interview—designed to help you process, integrate, and embody what was discussed. These are only available on Substack via paid subscriptions. Get full access to Extraordinary Relationships Podcast at extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe [https://extraordinaryrelationships.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]