Running Ahrens

So… We’re BackWe didn’t plan a big dramatic return. Life just kept moving… and gave us a lot more to talk about.Since season one, our kids got older (how does that keep happening?), one got engaged, a few are stepping into careers, and somehow we now live in a house that rotates between full chaos and “wait… where did everyone go?”We’re not parenting little kids anymore.We’re not fully empty nesters either.We’re somewhere in the middle… and honestly, it’s kind of great. And a little confusing. And sometimes loud again.The Shift (That No One Really Warns You About) This season is about what happens next.The move from managing to mentoring.From solving everything… to realizing maybe we shouldn’t. From control to trust. Or at least trying to.We’re talking about parenting adult kids who still need you… just not for the same things. About learning to listen more and fix less (still working on that one). And about what it means to stay connected without holding on too tight.Also, yes… adult kids coming back home is a thing.It’s like roommates you love… who don’t always do the dishes.What This Season Will Look LikeWe’re slowing it down a bit this season. One to two episodes a month. One to two blogs alongside them.More time to think. More time to write. More space to actually say something that matters.We’ve already recorded some episodes we’re really excited about. Some just the two of us. Some with our kids. Some with people who make us think, laugh, and occasionally call us out in the best way.Why We’re Doing This Season one was us talking things out loud.Season two feels more like paying attention.To what’s changing.To what we’re learning.To what we’re still getting wrong… and laughing about later.We’ve hit over 2,500 downloads, which for a podcast like this feels pretty amazing. Not because it’s huge, but because it’s real. Real people listening. Real conversations connecting.We don’t take that lightly.Want to Go a Little Deeper?A lot of what we’re talking about this season ties into Justin’s new book, Being HumanKind. It’s about showing up better. Not perfectly. Just better. At work, at home, and in the everyday moments that matter more than we think.You can check it out here: https://behumankind.today/And if you’ve heard us joke about wearing our own merch on our own show… yes, that’s still happening. Probably more than it should. You can grab some gear (and join the inside joke) here: https://www.runningahrens.today/storeReally… Thanks for Being HereWe’re still figuring this out.Still learning how to be better parents, better partners, better people. Still laughing at ourselves along the way.And we’re really glad you’re here with us.Season two goes deeper… and gets a little more fun.Let’s keep running,Sarah and Justin#RunningAhrens #MarriageAndParenting #ParentingAdultChildren #FamilyPodcast #RealLifeConversations #EntrepreneurLife #MarriageRealTalk #ParentingJourney #LifeInTransition #PersonalGrowth #IntentionalLiving #WorkAndFamily #PodcastLife #HonestConversations #BeingHumanKind

Season one started as an experiment. Justin and Sarah wanted a place to talk about marriage, parenting, and running a business together. Business shows up. But it didn’t take long to realize this show isn’t really about business.It’s about the human stuff underneath. Adult kids. Identity. Change. Belonging. Staying connected when life shifts. The chaos in the house. The hard parts. The funny parts. And the friends who have shown us how wide life can be.And somehow, nobody pulled the plug. Still feels like a win.What Shaped the SeasonWe were intentional about reflecting the real spectrum of our lives and friendships. Not as a checkbox. Just honestly.Different races and backgrounds. Different beliefs and non-beliefs. Different orientations. Different stories. Married, divorced, rebuilding, starting over.What mattered most was this: we stayed friends. We stayed human. We loved each other. Our kids grew up watching that. And now their friendships reflect it too.Also, a few running jokes became permanent:Wearing our own show merch on our own showThe “no going to bed mad” rule (Sarah follows it, Justin forgets it exists)“Not raising asshole kids” as a loose family goalThe drinking game made from our verbal tics (rude, accurate, funny)Top Episodes (Most Listened)Crazy Sports ParentsParenting in the Launch YearsIntro: Meet the AhrensFamily Boss of the Moment (Ava)The first Enneagram episodeTop BlogsSeason 1 reflections and recapThe Mackenzie episode reflectionMid-season: what we’ve learned so farBoth sides of the family, how friendship becomes moreGratitude for the Rowans sharing their storyTakeawaysThis is a business-owner podcast only on paperThe launch years of parenting are tender and blurryAdult kids still want support, not managementFriendships shape your kids more than you realizeThe most human episodes connect the mostMarriage rules sound great until 10:30 PMPresence matters more than perfectionWe want new tech and more analog life at the same timeWhat We’re Learning (and Unlearning)Business is part of your story, not the centerKids are resilient, parents carry the weightParenting adults is about trust, not controlFixing is not the same as helpingBravery is something you grow intoA full house can still feel untetheredYou can raise open, honest kids without making it performativeSeason one became something better than we planned.Season two goes deeper.

In this honest and very human conversation, Justin and Sarah sit down with their friends JJ and Jamey to talk about what it costs to tell the truth about who you are, and what it looks like to build a family afterward.JJ grew up in a pastor’s home, became a missionary and theology professor, and spent years trying to pray his sexuality away. He shares the panic attack that sent him to the hospital, the reality show deal that surfaced everything he’d been avoiding, and the 40 day stretch of monasteries and wine country that finally pushed him toward honesty. He also talks about coming out slowly, one conversation at a time, before sharing his story publicly.Jamey grew up in small town Tennessee, married young, and spent 16 years raising four kids. He remembers the moment his teenage daughter bravely shared she was attracted to another girl, how that opened something in him, and the long, painful process of ending his marriage and finally naming his own truth.Together, they share how they met online, fell in love, and built a queer family in Nashville with four kids, two in college and two at home. They talk about “instant parenthood” for JJ, navigating school changes and safety issues, holding grief and joy at the same time, and the weekend JJ became a dad and lost his own father. School forms, therapy, Cub Scouts, prom committees, and drag queens all show up in this story.They reflect on what they wish they could tell their 35 year old selves, why hard does not mean wrong, how to support someone who is coming out, and what it takes to choose audacity when your whole life shifts.This episode is about leaving old scripts, starting over in the middle, and choosing family, truth, and joy in a place that does not always make that simple.Takeaways & Talking Points:• Growing up gay in conservative Christian spaces• How a TV deal and a panic attack changed JJ’s life• Jamie’s move from long marriage to finally speaking the truth• What midlife coming out actually feels like• Instant parenting and rebuilding family under pressure• School transfers, safety, and helping kids find stability• Grieving a parent while becoming one• Dating long distance in a pandemic• What supportive friends do well• How to respond when someone comes outThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning):• Coming out is a long process, not a moment• Faith and sexuality often need to be rethought with honesty• The “right” choice can still feel painful early on• Later-in-life coming out brings your whole story with you• Kids can handle change when at least one home is steady• You cannot rush someone’s timeline for truth• “I love you” should be the first sentence• It is not the job of the person coming out to hold your emotions• Healing is slow, ordinary work• Audacity means taking one brave step at a timeStats Worth Knowing:• Many LGBTQ+ adults say they sensed “difference” in childhood• Family acceptance is a major mental health protector for LGBTQ+ youth• Leaving high control religious environments can bring grief and isolation• Queer families in conservative regions often face added legal and safety stressThis episode is for anyone coming out later in life, for parents trying to support their kids while sorting out their own beliefs, and for friends who want to show up well when someone they love trusts them with their story.#RunningAhrens #FamilyConversations #ComingOutStories #QueerFamily #MarriageAndFaith #ParentingInTransition #LGBTQStories #RealTalk #ModernParenting #AudacityAndForward #MentalHealthMatters #ChosenFamily #PurposeDrivenLife #BeingHumanKind

In this honest, funny, and very real conversation, Justin and Sarah sit down with their oldest child, Mackenzie, the one who made them parents and set the curve for everyone who came after.Born on Sarah’s birthday and right on her due date, Mackenzie talks about what it was really like to grow up as the first of four in a loud, intense, loving house. She shares how school started to fall apart in sixth grade, what it felt like to be “bad at turning things in,” and the huge shift that came when she was finally diagnosed with ADHD in high school.She remembers demanding sports parents, running gassers, throwing up at practice, sabotaging her own basketball tryout, sneaking out, secret social accounts, and being “the mean big sister” who threatened her siblings to keep quiet. Then she walks through the hard parts of college: flunking out, hiding it, making herself sick with anxiety, fighting her way back in, and eventually graduating on her own terms.Mackenzie also shares the story of coming out to her parents at a booth in a college bar, what she was most afraid of in that moment, and how that conversation reshaped their family and their expectations. Today, she talks about losing nearly 100 pounds, choosing therapy, working in a therapeutic autism school, and finally feeling at home in her own skin.It is a story about being the first one through the wall. About messing up, owning it, and trying again. About a kid who grew up in chaos and found a life of purpose, care, and steady joy.Takeaways & Talking Points:What it really feels like to be the oldest in a family of fourHow undiagnosed ADHD shapes school, behavior, and self-worthSports, pressure, and the line between pushing and breaking a kidThe “full-time job” of parenting a struggling teen, and what Mackenzie remembersSneaking out, getting caught, burner phones, and why she was “bad at being bad”Coming out as bisexual to faith-shaped parents, and what everyone had to grieve and reframeCollege probation, reinstatement, and rebuilding trust after hiding the truthFinding her way back to special education and discovering work that fits how she is wiredWhat it took to change her health, heal her anxiety, and choose movement for herselfThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning):Firstborns often carry invisible pressure no one named out loudYelling and grounding can work short term, but shame lingers for yearsKids are not being “lazy” when their brains are working differentlyComing out is not just about identity, it is about safety, belonging, and being believedParents have to grieve their expectations so kids can grow into who they really areHealing takes time, therapy, and a lot of small, boring choicesYour child’s path does not have to be linear to be goodStats Worth Knowing:About 1 in 20 children are estimated to have ADHD, and late diagnosis is common, especially for girlsRoughly 30 percent of first-generation college students leave school within three years, often due to academic and mental health strugglesMore than half of LGBTQ+ young people say family acceptance strongly protects their mental healthThis episode is for oldest kids who felt like the family experiment, for parents wondering if they “ruined everything” with their first, and for anyone trying to rebuild trust, identity, and health after a rough start.#RunningAhrens #FamilyConversations #OldestChildEnergy #ADHDStories #ComingOutStories #ParentingAdultKids #RealTalk #GrowingUpAhrens #FullHeartLiving #FamilyStories #MarriageAndParenting #MentalHealthMatters #ModernParenting #PurposeDrivenLife

What happens when the person you grew up with becomes one of the fastest cyclists in the world? And what happens when your life together becomes a mix of airports, race radios, tiny apartments overseas, and two babies born into a world that never slows down?In this episode of Running Ahrens, we sit down with Christian and Leah Vande Velde, childhood friends, high school sweethearts, and partners who have spent three decades learning how to stay connected through a life that has never been simple.From third grade band class in Lemont to the Tour de France to building a new chapter in Greenville, their story is full of love, detours, restarts, and the kind of grit you only learn by living it.This isn’t a sports story.It’s a relationship story.It’s about what it looks like to keep choosing each other when the pace is fast, the pressure is real, and the path is rarely straight.What We CoverMeeting in third grade and finally dating senior yearBreaking up so they could grow, and finding their way backChoosing cycling over college and stepping into the Olympic Training CenterLeaving everything familiar to start a life in Girona, SpainHaving their first daughter there, and sending Christian to the Tour two days laterWhat it really means to be married to a pro athlete without losing yourselfWatching their daughters grow up around cyclists, commentators, and “uncles” from all over the worldTakeaways and Talking PointsLove in Real Life How you stay connected when one partner is gone most of the year and the other is carrying the everyday load.Identity Beyond the Jersey Why both people need dreams, not just the one in the spotlight.Risk, Regret, and Saying Yes Choosing a sport, choosing a move, choosing each other, and learning which risks are worth it.Parenting on Two Continents Raising kids across time zones and race seasons, and what the girls actually remember.Life After Racing Retiring from pro sport, trying on new careers, and finding a new rhythm with NBC, Peloton, and a vintage ice cream truck.Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning)A big life doesn’t require a big ego.Supporting someone else’s dream shouldn’t erase your own.Home is built through habits, not geography.The small things hold everything together.The real endurance work is choosing each other again and again.A Few NumbersMost pro cycling careers last under 10 years. Christian raced for 17.The Vande Veldes have lived in multiple states and countries, yet talk about Boulder and Girona like old friends.This episode is not a highlight reel.It’s a look underneath the race coverage and into a marriage built on honesty, resilience, humor, and a lot of showing up.Thanks for listening,Justin & Sarah#RunningAhrens #VandeVelde #CyclingLife #TourDeFrance #ProAthleteLife #MarriageAndFamily #ParentingTeenagers #LifeAfterSport #PartnershipInMotion #EntrepreneurLife #WorkingParents #LoveAndGrit #RealConversations #NBCSports #PelotonCommunity #GreenvilleSC #StorytellingPodcast #RelationshipsMatter #BehindTheScenes #ShowUpForEachOther

Self-awareness only matters if it changes how we show up.That’s what this conversation is about.In part two of our Enneagram series, we sit back down with Michael Burditt Norton, a certified Enneagram teacher and conscious leadership coach, to explore what happens when understanding becomes practice.How does awareness change the way we love, lead, parent, and connect? How do we use the Enneagram as a guide without turning it into a label or a weapon? And what does it look like to live more awake in our relationships, our work, and ourselves?Michael helps us take the Enneagram off the page and into real life, offering practical wisdom for couples, families, and teams who want to grow with more empathy, honesty, and presence.Takeaways & Talking PointsAwareness in Action How understanding your patterns leads to compassion and better communication at home and work.Love and Leadership Why the same tools that deepen marriage can strengthen teams and friendships.Parenting with Perspective Seeing your kids’ worldviews without trying to fix them, and finding grace for your own.Emotional Intelligence at Work How conscious leadership and the Enneagram help build trust, curiosity, and courage in teams.Staying Human Why emotional connection is our greatest strength in an age of artificial intelligence.Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning)Awareness is only useful when it changes behavior.You can’t lead others if you won’t look at yourself.Curiosity is stronger than control.Presence turns conflict into connection.Every relationship gets better with compassion.Stats Worth KnowingLeaders with high emotional intelligence outperform others by up to 30%.Self-aware teams report higher trust and collaboration.Strong relationships are built on understanding differences, not eliminating them.The Enneagram isn’t about who you are, it’s about how you see.When you learn to see yourself clearly, you make space for everyone else to be seen too.Thanks for listening,Justin & SarahPS: The conversation doesn’t stop here. Visit the Running Ahrens AI Hub to explore our custom AI tools, including EnneaQuest—your guided Enneagram companion.#RunningAhrens #Enneagram #SelfAwareness #Marriage #Parenting #Leadership #PersonalGrowth #ConsciousLeadership #RealConversations #Podcast

Some tools help you manage life. Others help you understand it.The Enneagram is one of those tools.This is part one of our two-episode Enneagram series. We sit down with Michael Burditt Norton, certified Enneagram teacher, conscious leadership coach, and facilitator with The Conscious Leadership Group. Michael blends theater training, somatic work, and clear teaching to make a complex system simple and useful. Together we unpack what the Enneagram is, how the nine types work, and why self-awareness changes how we show up in marriage, parenting, friendship, and at work.This isn’t about labels or boxes. It’s about attention, presence, and growth.Takeaways & Talking PointsWhat It Is Nine types. Three centers of intelligence. A map for patterns of attention, not a box for who you are.Why It Matters Self-awareness is the starting point for better conversations, fewer blowups, and healthier teams.Patterns We Live By How our worldview filters what we notice, miss, and repeat under stress.Using It With Care How to avoid typing kids too early. How to use the tool without using it as a weapon.From Insight to Practice Simple ways to notice reactivity in your body, name it, and choose a better next move.Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning)You can’t change what you won’t look at.Labels limit. Attention expands.Curiosity opens doors that criticism shuts.Compassion tends to follow understanding.Presence beats perfection.Stats Worth Knowing95% of people think they are self-aware, while only 10–15% actually are.Leaders with higher self-awareness often see stronger team trust and better decisions.Couples who can name stress patterns report higher satisfaction.If you have wondered why you react the way you do, or how to grow beyond it, start here. Episode two continues the conversation with real-life application in home and work.Thanks for listening,Justin & SarahPS: The conversation doesn’t stop here. Visit the Running Ahrens AI Hub to explore our custom AI tools, including EnneaQuest—your guided Enneagram companion.#RunningAhrens #Enneagram #SelfAwareness #MarriageAndParenting #Friendship #Leadership #ConsciousLeadership #PersonalGrowth #RealConversations

In this honest and funny conversation, Justin and Sarah sit down with their second child,  and first-born son, Jackson. A quiet observer, deep thinker, and self-proclaimed nerd, Jackson opens up about what it’s really been like growing up as an Ahrens, navigating sports, college, and now early adulthood.From basement wrestling matches and “Jack accidents” to the discipline of Batavia football and a long recovery from injury, Jackson reflects on how risk-taking, leadership, and comfort have evolved for him. He talks about his shift from wild kid to steady presence, why he doesn’t buy into personality labels, and what studying psychology taught him about people (and himself).It’s a story about growing up in a loud family while finding your own volume. About learning when to push, when to pause, and how to build a life that’s yours, even when your last name is Ahrens.Takeaways & Talking Points:The shift from fearless kid to thoughtful adultWhat football taught him about leadership, pain, and teamworkThe psychology major’s take on why humans changeWhy being “The Ahrens Brothers” came with pride and pressureHow growing up in a creative, entrepreneurial house shaped him, and what he’d do differentlyThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning):Kids evolve faster when they feel trusted, not managedLogical thinkers still crave connectionLabels can help some people grow, and frustrate othersHome doesn’t stop being home, even when you leave itStats Worth Knowing:73% of Gen Z say mental health is their top personal focus (APA)Only 1 in 4 college grads say they felt prepared for real-world jobs (Gallup)Nearly half of Gen Z describe themselves as “introverted, but expressive” (Morning Consult)This episode is for parents learning to see their grown kids in a new light, and for young adults trying to figure out who they are beyond family expectations.#RunningAhrens #FamilyConversations #ParentingAdultKids #GenZVoices #RealTalk #GrowingUpAhrens #FullHeartLiving #FamilyStories #MarriageAndParenting #ParentingPodcast #LifeAfterCollege #ModernParenting #LeadershipAtHome #BusinessAndParenting#PurposeDrivenLife

Some friendships fade when life gets busy. This one hasn’t.For more than twenty years, Justin and Sarah Ahrens have called Deon not just a friend, but family, “Uncle Deon” to their kids and a steady presence through every season. In this episode, Justin sits down with Deon to talk about what it means to build a life that doesn’t follow the script,  and still leads to purpose, connection, and impact.They go back to where it started, Illinois Wesleyan University, and talk about how race, friendship, and shared experience shaped their lives in ways neither expected. Deon opens up about growing up Black in Joliet, the realities of bias he faced on and off the field, and how those experiences built empathy and strength. Justin reflects on learning to see his own privilege and the responsibility that comes with it, lessons that have influenced how he and Sarah raise their kids and build friendships across race, culture, and difference.It’s a conversation about presence, perspective, and the quiet ways people make each other better.Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning)Family isn’t only who you’re born to, it’s who shows up.Real friendship means listening to experiences that aren’t your own.Mentorship is a form of parenting that never stops giving.Community grows when we cross lines of race, story, and background.Legacy isn’t measured by success, but by who you invest in.Gratitude and empathy build bridges that last a lifetime.Stats Worth Knowing1 in 4 U.S. adults say they rely more on chosen family than biological relatives.Adults with at least one non-family mentor report 3× higher life satisfaction.Over 70% of adults say having “someone who truly listens” impacts their mental health more than professional advice.Nearly 60% of Americans say they have at least one close friend of another race — but only 35% say they talk openly about race or lived experience.People who maintain long-term cross-cultural friendships are more than 2× as likely to describe their communities as “hopeful.”This episode is for anyone who’s ever had someone outside their family change their life, or been that person for someone else. It’s also a reminder that when we make room for stories different from our own, our world,  and our families,  get bigger.#RunningAhrens #FamilyPodcast #ChosenFamily #FriendshipThatLasts #FaithAndPurpose #MentorshipMatters #RaceAndFriendship #CommunityAndConnection #MarriageAndParenting #RealConversations

Do you talk in the car? We do. Road trips have always been where some of our best conversations happen long stretches of road, a little music, a lot of questions, and even some solid sing alongs. That space has been a thread through our marriage, parenting, and business. So this time, on the drive home from dropping Ava at school in Iowa, we decided to bring you along for the ride.We’re 14 episodes in now, with several more already recorded and being edited. So far, we’ve shared what it means to parent adult kids, to stay married while running a business, to build friendships that last decades, and to walk through hard seasons with honesty. We’ve talked about faith, loss, joy, resilience, and the mess in between. And we’ve sat down with couples and friends who remind us that relationships don’t just happen, they’re made.Looking ahead, we have more conversations coming with our kids, with other couples, and with people who have shaped how we see marriage, parenting, and purpose. But in this moment, on this road trip, we wanted to pause and do a kind of litmus test. What’s connecting with you? What do you want more of? Where should we go deeper?This Road Trip Q&A isn’t just a one-off experiment. It’s something we may bring back now and then, because sometimes the best conversations happen when you least plan them.In this first one, we cover a lot of ground:At The Table – why gathering matters. People who prioritize meaningful connection outside of work report 2x higher life satisfaction.Menopause & health – yet only 1 in 5 doctors has formal training on menopause, even though nearly every woman will experience it.AI & bias – 78% of AI research authors are men. The lack of representation shows up in the answers we get, and in who feels included.Parenting adult kids – 74% of adult children say they want emotional support more than advice, while 43% of parents say letting go is the hardest part.Travel & independence – studies show kids who travel before age 18 are more adaptable and confident problem-solvers as adults.Body image & purity culture – nearly 70% of women say purity culture shaped their views of self-worth and sexuality, while men and women both report double standards that linger.What we’re watching – sometimes the best reflection comes from what entertains us (or what we choose to stop watching).Q&A FeedbackHere’s where you come in. As we keep shaping Running Ahrens, we’d love your voice to be part of it.From past episodes: Which story or topic has stayed with you the longest?From this episode: Would you want a full conversation on menopause, body image, purity culture, or AI bias?Looking ahead: What’s one topic about marriage, parenting adult kids, or running a business you’d like us to unpack?Bonus: What’s your favorite road trip or travel game, and do you still play it?And anything else, what do you want more (or less) of as we keep building this show together?Send us a note, DM us on Instagram, or reply in our newsletter. We read every message, and your voice helps shape where we go from here.Glad you are here,Justin and Sarah#RunningAhrens #MarriageAndParenting #FamilyPodcast #ParentingAdultChildren #BusinessAndMarriage #LifeConversations #RealTalkPodcast #RoadTripConversations #MarriagePodcast #ParentingPodcast #TravelAndFamily

Some friendships are casual. Others become essential. For nearly 20 years, Jenn and Ken Visocky-O’Grady have been part of our inner circle, the people we laugh with, travel with, raise kids alongside, and lean on when life shifts.In this episode, we explore what makes a friendship last, even across states and differences. From their early days running a design studio while teaching, to raising their daughter Lulu as “onlys,” to navigating career pivots and family traditions, Jenn and Ken have lived a life by design, on purpose, together, and with friends who became more than friends.This is a conversation about investing in people, building circles of trust, and why relationships don’t just happen, they’re made.Takeaways & Talking Points:How It Started Why two only children and a big, loud family clicked instantly, and the stories that still make us laugh from those first years.Designing a Life What Jenn and Ken learned from running a studio and building academic careers, and why intention matters when you’re shaping both work and relationships.Parenting Lulu The lessons (and surprises) of raising an only child, and how community filled the gaps biology couldn’t.Across States and Differences The practical rhythms that keep long-distance friendship close, and why shared values outweigh shared lifestyles.Traditions That Hold Vacations, group texts, and small rituals that keep nearly two decades of friendship strong.Looking Ahead How they think about legacy, support, and the next chapter as kids become adults and life keeps shifting.Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning)Friendship isn’t found—it’s built.Consistency matters more than proximity.Big life pivots are easier with a circle at your back.Kids thrive when they feel surrounded, not just parented.Traditions carry weight, make some on purpose.Gratitude is what keeps long friendships alive.Stats Worth Knowing20% of U.S. adults are only children, and many build deep, lasting friendships.Couples who align careers report 40% higher life satisfaction.Children of only parents are 2.5x more likely to be onlys themselves, and thrive just as much.Friendships lasting 10+ years depend more on shared values than shared lifestyles.People who live with intention report nearly 2x higher life satisfaction.At the end of the day, it’s the people who keep showing up that shape our story. Jenn and Ken have been those people for us, and we hope you have (or find) the same kind of friends in your own life. Send the text. Plan the dinner. Make the trip. Relationships don’t just last by accident. They last because we choose them, again and again. This episode is a reminder: don’t wait for the perfect moment. Reach out today.Thanks for listening!Justin & Sarah#RunningAhrens #FriendshipGoals #LifeByDesign #MarriageAndParenting #FamilyPodcast #FriendshipMatters #RelationshipsThatLast #ParentingAndLife #PodcastCommunity #RealConversations #MarriageAndFriendship

A year ago, Justin and Sarah thought the house was starting to empty. Kids were graduating, moving out, building their own lives. But now? Three of the four are back under one roof,  and life looks very different than they imagined.From shared meals and grocery bills to rethinking roles and expectations, they talk about the joy, challenges, and surprises of parenting adult kids at home. Along the way, they open up about midlife shifts, faith that keeps evolving, supporting aging parents, and finding meaning in this second half of life together.Even though this isn’t the season they pictured, it’s become a blessing,  a chance to enjoy each other in a new way and to see family life from a fresh perspective.With honesty, humor, and gratitude, Justin and Sarah share what’s working, what they’re still figuring out, and why even the messy parts can feel like a gift.This is a conversation full of laughter, perspective, and reminders that you don’t need to have it all figured out to enjoy the chapter you’re in.Takeaways & Talking PointsThe Return Home Why three of their four kids are back under one roof,  and what it means to parent adults with more trust, more respect, and more room to growThe Dinner Table Shift Sarah’s reflections on decades of family meals,  and how food is more than fuel, it’s connection (even when the planning gets old)New Rhythms at Home How expectations change when everyone’s grown,  and why communication, shared space, and humor matter more than rulesSecond Half of Life How parenting, marriage, and faith feel different in midlife,  and why it’s less about answers and more about staying curious togetherFull Circle Moments Celebrating Jackson coaching, Mackenzie and Quinn working in schools, and Ava carving her own path,  and how it feels to watch your kids thrive in their own waysParenting While Parenting Up Learning how to walk alongside aging parents with empathy, respect, and responsibility,  while also holding space for their kids’ growthLegacy & Letting Go Why this season is about asking better questions, practicing gratitude, and remembering that love expands as roles evolveThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning)•Parenting doesn’t stop, it transforms•Everyday chores and routines can be chances for connection•A full house can be noisy and busy,  and still a blessing•The “second half of life” is less about control and more about curiosity•Gratitude makes room for growth,  even in seasons of transitionStats Worth Knowing•1 in 3 young adults in the U.S. live at home with their parents•65% of families report tension over chores, money, or shared space•74% of adult kids say they want emotional support, not advice•More than 50% of midlife adults balance care for both kids and aging parents•The average parent spends over 30 years cooking family mealsThis one’s for anyone walking through the launch years, welcoming kids back, or navigating the shifting seasons of family and faith.You’re not alone. And you’re not behind. You’re living the story, and there’s joy to be found right where you are.#ParentingAdultChildren, #FamilyLife, #RunningAhrensPodcast, #MarriageAndParenting, #LifeInTransition, #HonestConversations, #EmptyNestAndBeyond, #SecondHalfOfLife, #FamilyDynamics, #ParentingUp, #GratitudeInTheMess

In this sibling spotlight episode of Running Ahrens, we sit down with our third child, Quinn, a national champion, a natural leader, and a 200% energy kind of guy. From being the tallest kid in school to learning when to slow down (literally), this conversation is fast-paced, funny, and full of heart.We talk about what it was like growing up Ahrens-style: full schedules, loud houses, big feelings, and sometimes, misunderstandings. Quinn reflects on his sports highs and heartbreaking injury, what it felt like not to be believed, and how his confidence evolved through speech struggles and being the “middle kid.” He also spills some secrets, names the best sibling drama moment, and shares how he’s navigating what’s next.It’s a story about movement, resilience, and identity, and why home still matters even when you’re grown.Takeaways & Talking Points:The challenge of being tall, loud, and underestimatedEarly speech issues and how they shaped his confidenceThe ups and downs of sports, from glory to injuryReal talk about parenting, from sports sidelines to the living roomSibling chaos, secrets, and growing up in the middleLetting go of what defined you and figuring out who you are nowThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning):Kids don’t always feel heard, even when they’re loudBeing competitive doesn’t mean you don’t have fearsTrusting your kids’ pain and letting them grieve mattersMiddle children are often watching more than you knowComing home as an adult can bring both comfort and clarityStats Worth Knowing:Middle children often develop stronger conflict resolution and leadership skills than their siblings (Journal of Personality)70% of kids quit sports by age 13, burnout and pressure are top reasons (Aspen Institute Project Play)Over 33% of youth athletes experience injuries that change their trajectory (AAP)Gen Z is the most values-driven generation yet,  67% say they define success more by meaning than money (Pew Research)This episode is for anyone navigating the messy middle, whether it’s in the birth order, in recovery, or in the journey of figuring out who you really are.#RunningAhrens #SiblingStories #CrazySportsParents #MiddleChildEnergy #FullHeartLiving #ParentingReflection #GenZVoices

In this special episode of Running Ahrens, Justin and Sarah open up about the wild, wonderful, and sometimes chaotic story of building a business and a marriage, together.From the early days of paychecks that didn’t always cash to growing a nationally recognized creative agency out of their unfinished basement, they share what it really looked like to raise a family, run a business, and somehow stay married through all of it. With honesty, humor, and a few deeply relatable moments, they reflect on everything from business pivots and burnout to parenting, power struggles, and even employee work attire standards.It’s the kind of conversation you’ll laugh through, nod along with, and maybe even feel a little less alone after hearing.Takeaways & Talking Points:Starting Something With NothingThe (un)romantic truth about launching Rule29 while pregnant, broke, and living with familyPaychecks, Pivots & The Basement OfficeHow Sarah took over the books, Justin rebuilt the business from scratch, and their unfinished basement became the birthplace of a creative agencyRules We Made for Each OtherWhy they signed a literal contract before rebuilding the business, and what it taught them about boundaries, expectations, and shared goalsWhen Everything ChangedBusiness challenges, financial pressures, and the hard decisions that shaped their next chapterThe Collaboration ContractLearning to divide responsibilities (and not kill each other), grow a team, and raise four kids while running the showThe Exit That HurtWhy Sarah ultimately stepped away from Rule29, what it cost them, and how it made space for her to step into her own storyLove, Regret & What They’d Do DifferentlyThe honest truth about ego, burnout, creativity, and how they’d build something together now, if they ever did it againThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning)You can love someone deeply and still feel unseen in the business you built togetherContracts aren’t just for clients, they can save your marriageThere’s no such thing as “enough” for a driven creative… unless you define it togetherEven the best partnerships have seasons of resentment, reinvention, and releaseSometimes, letting go is the bravest (and kindest) move you can makeStats Worth KnowingOnly 3% of businesses make it 25 years60% of married co-founders eventually part ways professionally75% of couples in business together admit they argue over who does what45+ interns and countless team members have launched careers through Rule291 contract, 4 babies, and two rebuilt careers later… the story continuesThis one’s for anyone who's ever tried to build something without losing everything else. For the dreamers, the doers, the co-founders, and the couples working side by side (or trying to).You’re not alone. And you’re not crazy. This is what building something real looks like.#CreativeCouples, #BuildingTogether, #BusinessAndMarriage, #RunningAhrensPodcast, #Rule29OriginStory, #BehindTheBusiness, #WomenInBusiness, #FamilyAndEntrepreneurship, #HardConversations, #RebuildingTogether, #MarriageAndWork, #PartnershipInBusiness, #DesignLife, #CreativeLeadership

In this moving episode of Running Ahrens, Justin and Sarah sit down with their longtime friend and former teammate Kelly Allison, a creative force, solo parent, and survivor of some of life’s hardest chapters.What begins as a conversation about growing up in a deeply conservative world quickly unfolds into a rich, layered story of becoming. From singing in a ska band in college to building a photography business without a blueprint, Kelly shares how her life unraveled, and how she found herself in the wreckage.She opens up about walking away from an 18-year marriage built on silence and control, the financial abuse that kept her small, the sudden loss of a partner who saw her fully, and the fight to protect and keep the family she chose.But this isn’t a story about falling apart. It’s a story about what happens when you decide to become someone new anyway. Takeaways & Talking PointsWhen the Picture Breaks What happens when the life you thought you’d have disappears, and how to grow something real in its placeFrom Ska to Studio How creativity became Kelly’s oxygen, and the unexpected path that led her from band life to building a thriving photography practiceWhat Abuse Doesn’t Always Look Like The slow erosion of self, the invisible toll of financial control, and how naming it is the first step to reclaiming your lifeLove, Loss & Starting Again How she loved again, and what it meant to lose her partner just as healing was finally taking rootParenting Outside the Lines Choosing to raise someone else’s child with fierce love and radical commitment, even when it means standing aloneFaith, Boundaries & Becoming Whole Leaving the familiar, drawing lines with family, and still choosing love as the compassThe Art of Becoming How grief, creativity, and unshakable truth helped her rise, and why she’s still becomingThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning)Boundaries are not the end of love; they’re where honest love beginsYou don’t need permission to rewrite your lifeGrief and growth are not opposites, they’re companionsChosen family can become your truest foundationBeing “too much” might be exactly who you were made to beStats Worth Knowing1 in 5 women experience financial abuse in relationships (NNEDV)Sudden cardiac arrest is the #1 natural cause of death in the U.S. (AHA)LGBTQ+ youth with affirming caregivers are far less likely to experience depression or attempt suicide (The Trevor Project)7 in 10 adults say they’ve had to set a boundary with family (Pew Research)This episode is a love letter to anyone standing in the wreckage of what they thought life would be. Kelly reminds us: your story doesn’t end here. Even in the unraveling, you are still becoming.#GriefAndHealing, #BecomingWhoYouAre, #RebuildingAfterLoss, #CreativeEntrepreneur, #SoloParentLife, #BoundariesAreLove, #LGBTQFamily, #FinancialAbuseAwareness, #FaithAndDeconstruction, #ChooseYourFamily, #StoryOfBecoming, #ParentingWithPurpose, #PodcastForGrowth, #HealingJourney, #RunningAhrensPodcast

In this first-ever “kid interview” episode of Running Ahrens, Justin and Sarah flip the script and invite their youngest, Ava, into the hot seat. What follows is an honest, hilarious, and unexpectedly profound conversation about growing up in a loud, passionate, and sometimes chaotic family.From sibling drama and sports parent confessions to the unspoken perks (and pitfalls) of being the “baby” of four, Ava holds nothing back. She calls out family myths, shares what it’s really like surviving Ahrens-level energy, and gives us a glimpse into how she’s turning her story into her own arena.Whether you’re the youngest in your family, raising one, or just trying to parent through the messiness of business, life, and love, this episode is a celebration of personality, laughter, and what it takes to keep showing up for each other.Takeaways & Talking PointsThe Youngest’s POV: What it’s really like to grow up last in line, and why “overlooked” isn’t in Ava’s vocabularyThick Skin, Big Laughs: How family banter, sibling alliances, and the occasional “Snapchat roast” shaped Ava’s confidence and independenceWhen Parenting Gets a Rewrite: Justin and Sarah on how their approach changed by round four, looser reins, new boundaries, and why each kid gets a different version of youRules, Rebellion & Real Talk: From cutting her own hair to breaking screen-time curfew, Ava spills on how family rules evolved, and which ones she actually followedThe Real Group Chat: A peek inside the secret sibling group texts (and what parents really want to know)Unlearning and Evolving: Why parenting “by the book” went out the window, and what Sarah and Justin would do all over againThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning)There’s no such thing as “fair”, just what each kid needsYour last child teaches you as much as your first, if you’re willing to listenLetting go isn’t giving up; it’s making space for growthFamily drama can be fuel for deeper connectionThe stories we tell ourselves as parents aren’t always the stories our kids are livingStats Worth KnowingOnly 3% of US families have four or more kids; youngest children are more likely to be independent, outspoken, and resistant to being overlooked (Pew Research)Enneagram 8s make up about 15% of the population, and often show up as early leaders (Enneagram Institute)74% of adult children want emotional support from parents, not advice (American Psychological Association)Also introducing the newest Ahrens podcaster - check out Ava's Arena!

Love, laughter, and legal loopholes, today, we sit down with Jeff and Ed, a couple who have not only weathered the storms of marriage, but also navigated the wild, often heartbreaking, landscape of LGBTQ+ rights in America. Their story is filled with joy, hard-earned wisdom, and more kindness than we could ever put into words.We know that everyone’s story and background are different, and some of our listeners might find this episode stretches them in new ways. That’s okay, in fact, we think that’s what makes conversations like this matter. Our hope is that you’ll listen with curiosity and kindness, and maybe, like us, be inspired by the love, resilience, and community at the heart of Jeff and Ed’s story.From meeting in a crowded bar and building a life together, to having their marriage recognized, annulled, and finally re-recognized, Jeff and Ed share what it really means to choose each other, again and again, even when the law, family, or culture seems to push back. If you’re looking for hope, humor, and a reminder that every relationship, no matter how it’s defined, deserves celebration, this one’s for you.TakeawaysHow love outlasts legality: What Jeff and Ed’s journey through marriage recognition (and annulment) taught them about resilience and hope.Choosing each other, daily: Why building a lasting partnership is more about small, everyday choices than any one big moment.Laughter as medicine: The power of joy, even when life (or the law) gets heavy.The meaning of “chosen family”: How community can carry us through when family or culture doesn’t understand.Showing up, even in hard seasons: Lessons on supporting a partner through health struggles, grief, and the unexpected.Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning)There’s no single “right way” to build a family—love makes its own rules.You don’t have to agree on everything to show up for each other.True belonging sometimes comes from the people you choose, not just the ones you’re born to.Legal recognition matters—but so does everyday kindness, laughter, and grit.Relationship milestones aren’t always predictable, and that’s okay.It’s possible to both grieve what’s lost and celebrate what’s still possible.Stats Worth KnowingLGBTQ+ marriage rights: Same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in the U.S. in 2015 (Obergefell v. Hodges). Before that, couples like Jeff and Ed often faced years of legal uncertainty, annulments, and state-by-state recognition.Family support matters: LGBTQ+ individuals who feel supported by family or chosen family have significantly higher mental and physical health outcomes (Human Rights Campaign).Chosen family is common: Over 39% of LGBTQ+ adults say they rely on “chosen family” for primary support, compared to just 9% of non-LGBTQ+ adults (Pew Research Center).Resilience in relationships: Couples who experience adversity together (legal, health, or social) report deeper connection and greater long-term satisfaction than those who don’t face such hurdles (Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy).Ready to be inspired by a love story that’s both extraordinary and deeply human? Hit play and join the conversation.

We weren’t bad sports parents—we just had some things to unlearn.In this episode of Running Ahrens, Justin and Sarah reflect on the emotional rollercoaster of raising kids in competitive sports while navigating marriage, business, and personal growth. From intense sideline moments to cringey car rides home, they share real stories, missed layups, and what it’s taken to grow into more mindful, present parents.Whether you’re parenting an athlete, leading a family business, or trying to balance love, leadership, and letting go—this episode is full of lessons, laughter, and life-changing perspective.Takeaways:The game-winning layup Sarah missed (and what it taught her decades later)What it means to raise kids when you're still healing from your own unmet dreamsWhy we wish we had “cheered more and critiqued less”How to show up with love—whether they win, lose, or walk away from the sportThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning):Your child’s sport is not your second chance—it’s their storyEncouragement builds character; pressure can crush itThe car ride home should be a safe space, not a second scoreboardCelebrate effort, not just outcomesBeing loud doesn’t always mean being supportiveParenting, like sports, takes practice—and graceStats Worth Knowing:Over 60 million U.S. kids play organized sports—yet by age 13, 70% quit, with parental pressure as a leading reason (Aspen Institute Project Play)Kids pressured by parents are 3x more likely to burn out or stop playing entirely (TrueSport.org)Former athletes are nearly 2x as likely to push their kids to compete at a high level🎥 Watch this short video that inspired part of the episode: The Ride Home – TrueSport

Marriage and Business Don’t End, They Evolve.Most people think a thriving marriage and business partnership just needs hard work and luck. But for Martin and Heila Rowan, the real magic and challenge was learning to stay together when everything felt like it was falling apart.In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Sarah sit down with the Rowans to talk about the journey from young love in South Africa to raising kids, moving continents, and building a life in the US, together. Martin and Heila share how they navigated the early years of entrepreneurship, the strains of building something new, and the deep rift that nearly ended it all.From almost calling it quits to finding a new kind of love, they share raw and honest stories of what it means to rebuild without losing each other. They talk about what they’ve had to unlearn about success and marriage, how faith and therapy played a role, and how they’re still learning to check in and truly hear one another.Whether you’re juggling work and family, building something new, or feeling the distance in your own relationship, this episode is a powerful reminder: it’s not about avoiding the hard stuff; it’s about moving through it, together.Takeaways:The power of checking in before it’s too lateWhy the provider mindset can mask disconnectionHow therapy and vulnerability can transform a marriageThe freedom of seeing work as just one of life’s adventures, not the whole storyThe quiet relief of knowing you’re not alone in the struggleThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning):31% of couples in business together cite emotional burnout and role confusion as the biggest threats to their relationship.Couples who attend marriage counseling see a 70–80% improvement in relationship satisfaction.Even the strongest partnerships need regular gut checks and the courage to say, “Something’s not right.”👉 Book Martin mentioned: Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott — Read it here 👉 Curious about the Enneagram? The Enneagram Institute’s free resources and descriptions 👉 Here’s a great article on how to support your marriage when you’re also building a business: Read the article

Parenting doesn’t end—it transforms.Most parenting advice ends at high school graduation, but the launch years? That’s when the real shift begins. In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Sarah Ahrens reflect on celebrating their son’s college graduation and dive into the complex, often unspoken world of parenting adult children.From learning to mentor instead of manage, to navigating the return of grown kids to the family home, they share honest stories about what it means to let go without losing connection. They explore how their business and leadership experiences have shaped their parenting, what they've had to unlearn, and how they're still evolving alongside their four kids.Whether you’re in the thick of transition, bracing for an empty nest, or figuring out how to stay close without crowding your kids, this episode offers practical insights, real laughter, and a reminder that it’s okay not to have it all figured out.Takeaways:+ How to parent adult kids with presence, not pressure+ When to step back—and when to lovingly step in+ Why leadership traits like adaptability and vulnerability matter in parenting+ What legacy really means when your kids are grown+ The joy (and chaos) of welcoming adult children back homeThings We’re Learning (and Unlearning):+ 74% of adult children want emotional support, not advice.+ Respecting autonomy builds stronger long-term relationships.+ The brain doesn’t fully develop until around 25 — so yes, that explains a lot. 😉 👉 Here’s a great article on brain development if you're curious.

Justin and Sarah have been partners in business and life for over three decades. They started a creative agency while starting a family—and over the years, they’ve experienced the highs, lows, and in-betweens of running both a household and a company together.In this honest, funny, and sometimes raw conversation, they unpack the emotional weight of ambition, the unspoken expectations that come with traditional gender roles, and what it takes to stay on the same team when your dreams—and your stress levels—aren’t always aligned. Whether you’re building a business, raising kids, or doing both, this episode delivers some much-needed real talk and encouragement.Takeaways:The early years of building a company while raising babiesUnspoken resentment, invisible labor, and how they addressed bothThe “SWOT meeting” that changed how they communicateWhy staying curious about your partner might be the key to staying close

Justin and Sarah grew up in two completely different worlds—one marked by constant change, single-parent homes, and loud, expressive family dynamics; the other, rooted in perceived stability, structure, and quiet expectations. In this episode, they share how their unique family backgrounds shaped everything from communication and conflict to holidays, parenting, and emotional growth.With humor and honesty, they reflect on the early days of marriage—what they didn’t know, what they had to unlearn, and how they’ve grown through the tension of opposites. If you’ve ever wondered how your past impacts your present relationships (or what it’s like to marry into a totally different kind of family), this one’s for you.Takeaways:How calling your dad instead of your spouse can cause real tensionWhy early marriage fights aren’t always about what you thinkNavigating holidays with two very different expectationsWhy understanding where your partner comes from changes everything

In this short kickoff, Justin and Sarah Ahrens introduce Running Ahrens, a show about the messy, beautiful reality of building a life together. With over 30 years of marriage, four kids, and decades of running businesses side-by-side, they’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to navigate work, love, and family without losing your mind (or each other). Whether you're raising kids, launching something big, or simply craving real conversations, this teaser sets the tone. Spoiler: there's laughter, a little fear, and one seriously good reason why it’s called Running Ahrens.Takeaways:Why Justin and Sarah started the showWhat listeners can expect (honest convos, real stories, practical insights)Why “Running Ahrens” is about more than errands