FUELyourLIFE

Summary In this conversation, John Troutman and Charles Draper discuss the importance of having conversations about purity with their children. They explore the challenges of raising kids in a sexually charged world and the need for intentional parenting. They share personal stories and insights on how to approach the topic of purity with preteens, emphasizing the importance of emotional regulation and teaching children to see others as individuals rather than objects. They also discuss resources and books that can help guide these conversations. The conversation explores the importance of teaching self-control and navigating relationships in the context of purity. The hosts discuss the emotional aspect of physical contact and the need for intentional conversations with children about boundaries and relationships. They emphasize the significance of celebrating a child's coming of age and the unique love within a romantic relationship. The conversation encourages parents to have open and intentional discussions with their children about purity and relationships, as the culture can easily influence them. Takeaways Having conversations about purity with children is crucial in a sexually charged world. Parents need to be intentional and proactive in teaching their children about emotional regulation and seeing others as individuals. Starting conversations about purity early and using resources can help guide parents in navigating this topic. Earning the right to speak into children's lives requires consistent connection and relationship building. Teaching self-control is crucial in navigating relationships and maintaining purity. Having intentional conversations with children about boundaries and relationships is essential. Celebrating a child's coming of age and discussing the unique love within a romantic relationship is important. Parents need to have open and intentional discussions with their children about purity and relationships to counter the influence of the culture. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 04:25 Understanding Purity in a Sexually Charged World 08:31 Teaching Emotional Regulation and Seeing Others as Individuals 11:49 Starting Conversations Early and Using Resources 20:05 Earning the Right to Speak into Children's Lives 25:14 Teaching Self-Control and Navigating Relationships 28:12 Celebrating a Child's Coming of Age 30:33 The Unique Love Within a Romantic Relationship 37:35 Having Open and Intentional Discussions About Purity

Summary In this episode, John Troutman and Charles Draper discuss parenting and how to raise children with intentionality. They share their own experiences and reflect on the values and practices instilled in them by their own parents. Key themes include the importance of being present and engaged with your children, the value of community and relationships, and the significance of modeling and teaching core values and beliefs. They emphasize the need for consistency and intentionality in parenting and highlight the impact of instilling character and practicing key values in shaping children's development. In this conversation, John and Charles discuss the importance of viewing children as blessings and prioritizing their well-being. They emphasize the need for parents to invest time and energy into their children's lives, as well as the significance of nurturing a strong marital relationship. They also highlight the power of prayer in guiding and protecting children. The conversation concludes with a reminder to love and cherish both spouse and children, recognizing the interconnectedness of these relationships. Takeaways Be present and engaged with your children, creating meaningful connections and fostering a sense of togetherness. Model and teach core values and beliefs, focusing on character development and instilling practices that align with your family's values. Prioritize community and relationships, both within your family and with other families, to provide a sense of belonging and support. Have fun with your children and create joyful experiences that strengthen your bond. Be transparent and involve your children in important decisions and discussions, teaching them how to navigate life with faith and integrity. Children are blessings from the Lord and should be viewed as such Parents should invest time and energy into their children's lives A strong marital relationship is essential for a healthy family dynamic Prayer is a powerful tool for guiding and protecting children Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences 02:32 Teaching Core Values and Character Development 08:12 Instilling Practices and Consistency 13:23 The Value of Being Together and Building Community 21:04 Transparency, Faith, and Navigating Life's Challenges 24:51 Viewing Children as Blessings 27:01 Investing in Your Children's Lives 31:21 The Power of Prayer in Parenting

Summary In this episode, John Troutman and Charles Draper discuss the importance of prioritizing family and how it can positively impact other areas of life. They share personal experiences and insights on how focusing on family can lead to personal growth, better relationships, and a more fulfilling life. They emphasize the need for intentional planning, active listening, and open communication within the family. The conversation also touches on the role of faith in strengthening family relationships and the importance of modeling healthy behaviors for children. The hosts provide practical tips for building strong family connections and encourage listeners to prioritize their families in order to thrive in all areas of life. Takeaways Prioritizing family can lead to personal growth and fulfillment in all areas of life. Active listening and open communication are essential for building strong family connections. Modeling healthy behaviors and prioritizing faith can strengthen family relationships. Intentional planning and regular check-ins can help ensure that family needs are met. Focusing on family requires effort and a willingness to learn and grow. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Decision to Continue the Podcast 03:29 The Impact of Prioritizing Family on Work and Life 05:14 The Role of Faith in Family Relationships 07:00 Jesus as the Model Servant and the Sermon on the Mount 09:24 The Challenges and Joys of Family Life 11:27 The Importance of Self-Reflection and Relationship with God 13:14 The Profound Love and Impact of Family 15:39 Practical Steps to Focus on Family 27:08 Open Communication and Prayer in the Family 31:14 Overcoming Guilt and Shame in Family Relationships 36:38 Applying the Principles to Other Relationships 40:36 Conclusion and Invitation to Future Episodes

The conversation revolves around the concept of what we feed in our lives and how it impacts us and those around us. The hosts discuss the importance of being mindful of what we feed ourselves emotionally, physically, and mentally. They explore the idea that inputs shape outputs and emphasize the need to nourish ourselves well. The conversation also touches on the power of unity and the destructive nature of discord. They highlight the importance of addressing and not feeding discord in relationships and communities. The conversation explores the importance of unity and how it is not about agreement on doctrine, but about showing up in love and recognizing the humanity of others. Discord is rooted in the belief that one's perspective matters more than others', while unity recognizes the importance of others' perspectives. The speakers share personal stories of building relationships and finding common ground through respectful conversations. They emphasize the significance of listening, slowing down, and being intentional in interactions. The conversation concludes with the question of what we are feeding in our relationships and the impact of our actions. Takeaways Be mindful of what you feed yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally. Inputs shape outputs, so nourish yourself well. Address and do not feed discord in relationships and communities. Strive for unity rather than a unity of doctrine. Unity is not about agreement on doctrine, but about showing up in love and recognizing the humanity of others. Discord is rooted in the belief that one's perspective matters more than others', while unity recognizes the importance of others' perspectives. Building relationships and finding common ground can be achieved through respectful conversations and active listening. Slowing down, being intentional, and focusing on people are key to promoting unity and sowing positive impact in relationships. Sound Bites "What are you feeding in your life?" "Inputs shape outputs." "Discord like a mustard seed can tear down mountains." "Unity is not this agreement of doctrine. Unity is agreement of, hey, I'm going to show up to you in love." "Inherent in discord is my perspective matters more than your perspective." "Having that conversation, you don't always have to be agreeable, but sometimes just sitting at the table with another individual and talking about life, you're going to realize that you have more in common than not." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 03:20 The Power of Feeding: Nourishing Our Bodies and Minds 11:11 Feeding Discord: The Dangers of Negative Inputs 15:20 Unity Beyond Uniformity: Embracing Healthy Disagreements 23:03 The Power of Unity and Love 26:27 Building Relationships with Different Beliefs 37:56 Promoting Unity in Everyday Interactions feeding, inputs, outputs, nourishment, emotional well-being, unity, discord, unity, perspective, love, discord, relationships, conversation, listening, slowing down, intentionality

Summary In this episode, John Troutman and Charles Draper discuss Charles' transition from school administration to a new role at his church. They talk about the process of making this decision, the importance of championing something you love, and the value of surrounding yourself with supportive people. Charles shares his excitement about working alongside his pastor and the existing team at the church, as well as his passion for organization and efficiency. They emphasize the significance of seeking God's will and finding what makes you come alive in your work. Takeaways Making a big life transition requires careful thought, prayer, and seeking counsel from trusted individuals. Championing something means investing time, effort, and passion into it, and finding what makes you come alive. Surrounding yourself with supportive people who share your values and beliefs is crucial during times of transition. Leadership involves freeing others up to do what they do best and what makes them come alive. Seeking God's will and trusting Him to guide your path is essential in making life-changing decisions. Sound Bites "I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me, my family, for the church, for just our community." "God, if I'm yours, then your will and what would you have me do and what does this look like?" "We need more people who are coming alive." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 02:00 Charles' Transition to a New Role 11:11 The Process of Making the Transition 25:55 Excitement for the New Role and Supporting Others 35:09 Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People 36:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Summary In this conversation, John Troutman and Charles Draper discuss the topic of humility. They explore the meaning of humility and its importance in leadership. They emphasize the need to serve others and seek God's kingdom first. They also discuss the challenges of considering others more significant and the distortions of our culture that promote self-centeredness. The conversation highlights the deep happiness that comes from humility and the role of prayer in developing humility. They draw lessons from the journey of Abraham and the importance of waiting on God's will. Takeaways Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. Humility is essential in leadership and requires serving and understanding others. Developing humility involves seeking God's kingdom first and considering others more significant. Our culture promotes self-centeredness, but humility calls us to focus on serving and seeking God's will. Prayer and waiting on God's will are crucial in developing humility. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Topic 00:26 Exploring the Meaning of Humility 03:09 Humility in Leadership 04:07 Understanding and Practicing Humility 05:39 Humility in Serving Others 07:02 Being Humble to Serve God 09:11 The Blessings of Humility 10:24 Seeking God's Kingdom First 11:33 The Challenge of Considering Others More Significant 14:37 Developing Humility through Service 15:58 The Importance of Separation and Surrender 22:08 Seeing the World with Good Eyes 28:32 The Distortions of Our Culture 32:56 The Deep Happiness of Humility 38:10 The Role of Prayer in Developing Humility 41:22 Learning from Abraham's Journey 44:28 The Power of Waiting on God's Will 45:08 Conclusion

Summary The conversation revolves around the topics of organizing an end-of-year banquet for a ministry, the importance of reflection and community, and finding and shaping a community. The hosts discuss the challenges of summer break for college students and offer recommendations for staying connected and maintaining spiritual habits. They also explore the qualities they look for in a community and how to invite others to join. The conversation explores the concept of testimony and how personal stories can invite people into a community. It also discusses the perception that the younger generation is less relational and more inclined to isolation. The impact of screens and devices on attention spans and relationships is examined. The conversation delves into the importance of teaching children how to think instead of what to think, and the value of creating thinkers instead of mimickers in education. Takeaways Organizing events like an end-of-year banquet can be an opportunity to reflect on the past and set a foundation for the future. Summer break can be a challenging time for college students to maintain spiritual habits, but staying connected to a community and surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals can help. When looking for a community, it is important to find people who share similar values and beliefs, as well as those in similar life stages. Inviting others to join a community is best done through sharing personal stories and experiences, and consistently extending invitations. A community's growth and inclusivity depend on the mindset and passion of its leaders and members. Testimony is not just about sharing past experiences, but also about sharing how God continues to work in our lives. Personal stories are powerful in inviting people into a community or a cause. The younger generation is not necessarily less relational, but they interact differently through screens and devices. Screens and devices can affect attention spans and contribute to a culture of instant gratification. Teaching children how to think instead of what to think can foster critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of concepts. Chapters 00:00 Organizing an End-of-Year Banquet: Reflection and Celebration 06:34 Navigating Summer Break: Maintaining Spiritual Habits 29:16 Understanding the Interaction of the Younger Generation 36:21 Teaching Children How to Think

Summary In this episode, John and Charles discuss the pitfalls that leaders need to watch out for. They highlight the importance of avoiding being overly critical, as it can lead to negativity and discouragement within the team. They also emphasize the need to overcome doubt and distractions, which can hinder progress and success. The conversation concludes with practical steps for leaders to address doubt and regain focus on their vision and mission. In this conversation, John Troutman and Charles Draper discuss the importance of belief in oneself and others. They explore the fear of judgment and how it can hold people back. They emphasize the need to surround oneself with the right people who believe in and support one's goals. They also discuss the power of expressing belief in others and the impact it can have on their confidence and performance. They highlight the importance of actions that demonstrate belief and the role of ownership in building belief. They also address the challenge of dealing with individuals who are not coachable and the need for honest conversations and exit strategies. They conclude by encouraging listeners to recognize signs of doubt and to weather the storms of leadership with the support of others. Takeaways Leaders should avoid being overly critical, as it can negatively impact the team and discourage others. Discouragement is a common pitfall for leaders, but they have the power to choose how they show up and influence the energy of the team. Doubt can erode belief in oneself, the vision, and the team, so leaders must actively work on maintaining belief and staying focused. Distractions can divert leaders from their goals and hinder progress, so it's important to prioritize tasks and stay focused on what truly matters. The fear of judgment often holds people back from pursuing their goals. Surrounding oneself with the right people who believe in and support one's goals is crucial. Expressing belief in others can have a powerful impact on their confidence and performance. Actions that demonstrate belief are essential in building trust and confidence. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting 00:41 Easter Celebrations 06:24 Pitfalls of Leadership: Discouragement 09:29 Pitfalls of Leadership: Doubt 21:48 Dealing with Doubt as a Leader 25:13 The Fear of Judgment 26:27 Surrounding Yourself with the Right People 27:43 Believing in Others 28:43 Expressing Belief in Others 29:39 Showing Belief through Actions 31:04 Ownership and Belief 32:00 Building Capacity and Giving Ownership 33:20 Being More Committed to Belief 38:14 Being Honest with Unbelievers 39:16 Building Capacity and Exit Strategies 42:28 Recognizing Signs of Doubt 45:43 Weathering the Storm as a Leader 47:09 Overcoming Doubt and Plateauing 48:17 Believing in God's Belief in Us

Summary In this conversation, John Troutman and Charles Draper discuss the importance of serving others and disrupting the normalcy of life. They reflect on their recent spring break trips and the impact of serving communities in need. They also explore the concept of the promised land and how it relates to being a blessing to others. The conversation then shifts to the topic of passivity and the need for courage in standing for one's beliefs. Finally, they discuss the role of men in the household and the importance of being active leaders. In this conversation, Charles and John discuss the importance of traditions and last names, the concept of passivity and waiting, the significance of clarity and priorities, the power of consistency and routines, the process of working towards goals, the difference between outputs and outcomes, the concept of backwards design thinking, and the challenge of being active in family and church. Takeaways Serving others and disrupting the normalcy of life can create deep bonds and a sense of community. The promised land represents a place where one can be a blessing to others and interact with different ideologies. Passivity is not a characteristic of a man of God, and it is important to stand firm in one's beliefs. Men have a responsibility to lead their households and be actively involved in their families' lives. Traditions and last names hold significance and should be thoughtfully considered. Waiting is an active process that requires clarity and intentionality. Prioritizing and being consistent in routines and actions leads to positive outcomes. Working towards goals requires effort, work, and the right inputs. Understanding the difference between outputs and outcomes is crucial for success. Backwards design thinking helps in setting and achieving goals. Being active in family and church requires intentional planning and effort. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Spring Break Trip 03:10 The Power of Serving Others 08:10 The Promised Land and Being a Blessing 12:47 Passivity vs Courage 24:11 The Significance of Traditions and Last Names 25:31 Passivity and Waiting 27:23 The Importance of Clarity and Priorities 29:48 The Power of Consistency and Routines 32:08 The Process of Working Towards Goals 35:09 The Difference Between Outputs and Outcomes 37:04 Backwards Design Thinking 40:21 Being Active in Priorities 42:56 Using Backwards Design in Household and Spiritual Life 44:16 The Challenge of Being Active in Family and Church

Summary The conversation explores the topics of identity, assignments, and the relationship between love and obedience in the context of faith. The hosts discuss the concept of identity in Christ and the different relationships individuals have with God. They also examine the linear and non-linear progression of faith and the importance of understanding one's role and purpose in society. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the why behind what individuals do. Takeaways Understanding one's identity in Christ is crucial for navigating assignments and roles in life. The relationship between love and obedience is complex and requires discernment. Progression in faith is not always linear and can involve peaks and valleys. Asking deeper questions about one's purpose and the why behind what they do can lead to a more meaningful understanding of identity and assignments. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Leadership Challenge 01:19 Discussion on Identity and Assignments 04:30 Exploring Different Relationships with God 09:28 Linear vs. Non-linear Progression in Faith 22:27 Questioning Noah's Obedience 28:11 Identity and Role in Society 31:43 Identity as a Servant of Christ 35:08 Reframing the Question 'What Do You Do?' 37:54 The Why Behind What We Do 40:06 Closing Remarks

John and Draper talk about learning to see people instead of "objects." We easily fall into the "objectify" trap with judgment, but how can you lead when you see people instead of objects? How does it change the conversations and interactions you have when you see them as people?

John and Draper begin by jumping into the process of setting your Family's vision and how that can play out. Then they dive into the mystery of New Year's Resolutions and the struggle of fulfilling them. Instead, they offer to focus on small changes to create new habits.

Core Values...are they really that important to know and revisit? In this episode, John and Charles discuss the significance of understanding your core values, how it can guide you and help you fulfill the life you desire to live. They lay out their personal core values and discuss their impact on their lives, sharing stories of coming up short and how to use them to create consistency. Sit back and enjoy!

Jumping right into the thick of it, John and Charles discuss the power of a Vision and Mission and having clarity for yourself, your family, and your organization. Often leaders are thrown off, lack focus and drive, simply because they lack clarity on why they exist and where they are going. This episode John and Charles tackle establishing a Vision and Mission and how it can transform the way YOU lead!

In this episode, we dive into what we are all about and how our friendship has developed.  We talk about the mission of this podcast and our desire to help people Find, Unleash, and Elevate their Leadership in order to bring about a Loving, Impactful, Freeing Energy within them and around them.  

See what we're about! Hear the trailer for the FUEL your LIFE podcast!