Means to a Friend

This is part 2 of our conversation with Jeff and Shari or “Coach and Mother”. We have covered their childhoods and early dating years but now we will get into life after having kids to the present. Listen as they further discuss the importance of church in their family’s lives and the deep community they have built through church and like-minded ministry. The priority on church that Coach and Mother have shared today has had a big impact on us, and we hope it will on you too. Remember, we were created for good relationships. Good relationships start with a relationship with God. And the means to a friend God has made, is the church.

"Coach and Mother" are two of the most impactful people in my (Matt's) life. These two godly people have invested in countless college students, soccer players, and church members in their lives while undoubtedly prioritizing family. These are the type of people you want to be like when you grow up!  In part 1 we talk about their childhood years and early marriage years as well. The general theme? Contentment. Neither of these two have spent their lives chasing satisfaction in relationships and that was a major encouragement to Joanna and I. 

This episode we finish our conversation with Ben and Karrie and find out where they are now and how they approach friendships as a couple. They share their service emphasis and a their team mentality when going into relationships. 

This episode we have Ben and Karrie on and they both share their growing up experiences with friendship through college. Ben shares his experience with losing his first wife at a young age to a sudden health complication and what that did to his theology of friendship. 

This episode we pick up where we left off with Adam and Tori. We discuss their move to a new state, church, and community and what they have learned from it. They also discuss their pursuit of purposeful friendship that go against the normal idea of how friendships happen. 

Listen as we chat with Adam and Tori about what friendship has looked for each of them growing up. Both grew up in pastors homes but experienced different types of friendship interactions before meeting each other.  This is just part one, so come back for part two when we get into how they have been purposeful with friendship after marriage. 

This episode we do a review of a book called Friendish by Kelly Needham. This book has been a topic of conversation for us for quite a while now so we decided to share some of it here.  We have been challenged by the God-first nature of Kelly's outlook and by the fact that much of our longings and discontent with friendship can be explained by a lack of relationship with God.  We hope you all enjoy enough to get a copy yourself!   

Amos and Pam are two of the most giving people we know. They are quick with help and with thoughtful gifts. When it comes to drama... well there isn't any. People you relax around. But, they talk about the challenges they have had with friendship dealing with different life circumstances such as growing up in a different country, struggling being vulnerable, or having kids.  Ultimately, it was awesome to see the security they have with each other, and how that gives them confidence to face friendship in their own unique way. 

"T and Kris" are a typical young married couple. Busy. Taylor plays professional soccer while also working at a local university. Kris works for a local hospital.  They talk about learning to prioritize each other first when they got married a year and a half ago and how they prioritize the people in front of them wherever they might be.  Their infectious energy and willingness to engage with people is evident during this episode! 

Bridger and Hannah share their respective stories about friendships. Bridger shares how growing up in a military family impacted his early friendships and how both college and a positive work culture have cemented his stance on the importance of relationships. Hannah shares how all throughout her life friendships have played a vital role and how having common goals with people have helped her grow closer to people.  Combined, these two really challenged us to think about relationships as a non-negotiable and they live out what they say by decisions they have made. 

Matt and Joanna introducing the idea of the podcast with their own experiences with friendship and what has led to the creation of Means to a Friend.