The Groow Zone with Shaunie and Keion Henderson

“Is love found or created?” Keion asks to kick off this episode. The Hendersons discuss Black love and Black joy, emphasizing the need to understand what brings happiness to oneself and to our partner. Reflecting on their love story, Shaunie declares that they found love and then created joy. Keion affirms that the superpower of their relationship is consistently choosing to love one another by cultivating joy together. The Hendersons also confess that imposing one’s rules and standards on a partner may block the other's joy. They highlight the importance of self-sacrifice and prioritizing the happiness of their partner. Shaunie shares how Keion’s efforts to learn what fills her joy tank strengthens their love and why contributing to their relationship brings her joy. In this episode, we learn how to love your partner better by speaking their love language, why it's important to celebrate your partner’s path to joy, and how to discover what fuels your joy so you can share it with your partner. We have to be intentional about discovering what brings us joy as individuals instead of expecting to find it in our relationships.  As Keion faithfully reminds us, just like growth, joy is an inside job. For further growth, check out The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman.

As sought-after public figures, Keion and Shaunie maneuver sharing the spotlight in marriage and business. The cultural and religious superstars illuminate how they tag team and complement each other in work and life: Keion tends to assume a “visionary” big-picture role while Shaunie typically functions as a detail-oriented “facilitator.” In this episode, the Hendersons unpack why “competition isn’t good for the house” and how to keep “business baggage out of the bedroom.” As leaders at church and at home, they’ve learned to swap visionary-facilitator roles based on what their partner needs. Tips and advice include how to set boundaries between work and home, why communicating crucial decisions with your partner early on helps them trust the final outcome, and why it’s important not to “split the negative” but share both successes and failures. It takes growth on the inside to not only share the spotlight with your partner but to help each other shine. Above all, Keion reminds us that “You cannot share the spotlight without also sharing the darkness.”

Black children in America are growing up in a society that often reduces them to destructive stereotypes. Keion and Shaunie Henderson discuss how they’ve used discipline as a shield to keep their children safe. Keion emphasizes the importance of teaching children to respect authority while also instilling in them a sense of self-worth and the ability to navigate societal expectations. Shaunie shares her concerns about raising Black children in a world that often misunderstands and misjudges them. They also touch on the fear of police encounters, the need for discipline and respect, and the empowerment of Black girls. In this episode, we learn why discipline helps mitigate consequences Black children may face in the future, how to empower them to achieve while combating negative stereotypes, and why the Hendersons regularly upgrade their parenting strategies. While recognizing the challenges of being Black today, Keion and Shaunie remain hopeful that we will have a future where character, not skin color, determines one's worth.

Parenting is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Keion and Shaunie agree that while parents can be friendly with children, attempting to be friends undermines the parental role. Believing that kids need guidance, Shaunie critiques the concept of “gentle parenting,” and emphasizes the importance of creating structure for children. She also reflects on her parenting style, acknowledging that she overcompensates in areas where her parents fell short. Keion cautions against “parenting out of regret” and stresses that developing a healthy relationship with your child requires finding a balance between functioning as both a “cheerleader” and a “principal” to your child. In this episode, we learn how to instill healthy fear and respect in our children, why the vulnerability required for friendship is incompatible with the parent-child dynamic, and unpack the link between parenting and trauma. Ultimately Shaunie and Keion conclude that boundaries must evolve as children mature because fear must evolve into respect.

What do our relationship hangups and boundaries have in common? The Hendersons discuss how unhealthy relationship baggage has the potential to become healthy boundaries. Shaunie explains how establishing a clear marriage mission creates healthy boundaries, and shares how giving Keion the time and space to challenge her painful experiences helped her address relationship trauma. Shaunie also advises men to respect a partner's boundaries while working together towards emotional connection. Keion emphasizes the need for clear communication, consistency, and commitment to establish healthy boundaries. In this episode, we learn how to acknowledge the reasons for our baggage, why it’s important to own our hang-ups and work through them, and when it’s appropriate to present our baggage to a potential partner. Keion encourages us not to let our baggage keep us from growing, reminding us that there is safety in healthy boundaries. Ultimately, baggage only protects the individual while boundaries protect our relationships.For further growth,  Check out Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken by Dr. Henry Cloud!

Keion and Shaunie tackle the age-old question: “Can men and women be just friends?” Shaunie raises concerns about the potential for infidelity and the need for setting healthy boundaries. Keion emphasizes the importance of using wisdom: while it’s okay to have friends of the opposite sex, your partner should always be your “safe space” and the person you confide in. They also touch on the idea of remaining friends with exes and the importance of closure before entering a new relationship. In this episode learn why presentation matters when introducing a friend of the opposite sex to your partner, how to ward off potential threats to your relationship, and why respect and transparency are major keys to securing your relationship. Keion believes a healthy relationship requires both partners committing to growing past their insecurities, and dealing with the reality that no one can be everything to their partner. In short, they agree that our relational triggers and trauma will always be a bigger threat to our relationships than any friend of the opposite sex could ever be.

Keion and Shaunie learned everything they know about money the hard way. The Hendersons examine money’s role in the power dynamic of a committed relationship. Shaunie discusses moving from being provided an allowance in her previous marriage to learning the hard way how to be financially independent and save for a rainy day. Reflecting on a recent large expense, Keion emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and his desire to have a more balanced budget in the future. They also break down the politics of helping family members financially, and why open communication is needed between spouses in such situations. In this episode, we learn how to be “fabulous on a budget,” why it’s important to designate a line item in your finances for your spouse, and how to maintain open communication when financial priorities shift. Keion reminds us of scripture, "Where your heart is, your treasure will be also," and that you must ensure your money and your heart are always in the same place.

There’s a certain stigma that accompanies being single in church. Our dynamic hosts get into why presenting marriage as the gold standard for relationships might undermine the benefits of being “saved and single.” Keion reminds us that the consequences for not living a righteous life aren’t reserved for the single members of the church. Shaunie opens up about her experience in the dating pool after her divorce. And she cautions single christians against dating without a goal. In this episode, we learn why there’s a difference between loneliness and being alone, how both marriage and singleness are fulfilling paths, and why enjoying your alone time is crucial to a healthy and happy marriage (should you choose it!). Who you are as a single person has a profound impact on how you show up in marriage. As Keion says, “successful marriages aren't made up of two halves, but two whole people.” Above all else, Keion and Shaunie remind us that no matter your relationship status–single or married, satisfied or seeking–God sees you, values you, and loves you right where you are.For further growth, check out: 7 Myths About Singleness by Sam Allberry!

Keion believes we live in a time when people covet convenience and “are allergic to commitment.” With his wife, Shaunie, he discusses why devoting oneself to marriage is a blessing and not a burden. Shaunie questions whether we’ve moved away from true commitment because we’re more focused on what we can get out of a relationship instead of what we can contribute. Keion dispels the misconception that a wife being “a helper” in a marriage is a sign of weakness, highlighting that it is actually a position of strength. Challenging us to move away from viewing marriage as transactional, the Hendersons stress the significance of mutual growth and understanding within a marital union. In this episode, discover why partnership is about filling in each others’ deficits, what a wife’s role has to do with ranks in the military, and why commitment will never go out of style. Reminding us that “marriage is a joint inside job,” Keion and Shaunie caution against falling for the Hollywood definition of a successful marriage. They encourage us to commit to personal growth while building a mutually beneficial partnership.

Despite differing communication styles, Keion and Shaunie are committed to a relationship based on respect and mutual growth. She’s a self-described “winger” who is used to going at it alone. He’s a planner and delegator who usually has a clear vision. In this episode, they get into why men experience anxiety when they hear “We need to talk.” And why when men say “Let’s talk,” they tend to have a goal and solution in mind, while when women say it there’s often a deeper reason for the conversation. Guided by the first of Don Miguel Ruiz's four agreements – "be impeccable with your word" – "the faith guy" and "the culture lady" break down how to avoid having “jaded conversations” and honor your partner with the commitment and promise of healthy communication instead. Tips and advice include how to “solve communication knots,” how to save your man from awkward moments, and how to talk things out when someone utters the dreaded phrase. Ultimately, because “Growth is an inside job,” it takes talking to truly “grow with each other in real time,” as Shaunie reminds us.For further growth, check out: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and The Shift by Pastor Keion Henderson.

Growing up, Keion’s mother outlined clear family values: “Always tell the truth,” respectfully address people as “Sir” or “Ma’am,” and reserve judgment (lest you be judged yourself!). Shaunie’s mother taught her to be “ladylike” and “stay out of grown folks’ business,” while her father taught her to be “street smart” and “keep her head on a swivel.” Despite being raised states apart in two different families, the underlying expectation their parents had was the same: ”Don’t embarrass us!” In this episode, Keion and Shaunie deconstruct how the principles from their upbringing shaped them into the people they are today, and why they believe Black families in America are united by some core values. They trace the source back to the damage caused by generational racial trauma. From enslavement to Jim Crow segregation to redlining, pain has been passed down to the point where “African-Americans don’t recognize their own power,” Keion declares. The culture maker and spiritual leader dissect exactly why  family values protect Black Americans given that “to be Black in America is to be African with no home and American with no privilege,” as Keion believes. Key insights include why the Hendersons believe Black people often feel the need to “defend the entire race,” how a lack of unity in Black culture has led to a “communal search for identity”, and the surprising force they believe binds Black people together. Taking inventory of where you come from and the forces that drive your decisions requires growth on the inside. While African-Americans may always combat obstacles and cultural misconceptions, Keion and Shaunie believe there’s always an opportunity to create a lasting legacy of triumph and write a new narrative for the extended Black family.

Shaunie and Keion Henderson know firsthand that co-parenting isn’t an overnight success. From witnessing their parents’ unhealthy co-parenting as children to learning to co-parent as divorced adults, the Hendersons may not be experts but they are experienced. In this episode, they provide suggestions for how to sidestep pitfalls and offer a healthy alternative to blending a family. Shaunie recalls how her mother’s emotions put a strain on her relationship with her half-siblings. And Keion explains what it was like to be the child caught between parents in a blended family. The two talk about why “co-parenting isn’t about you,” how to “protect your child from the pressure to pick a side,” and why it's important as parents to deal with your trauma. Sharing candidly from their own experiences, Shaunie and Keion elaborate on how planting seeds of love requires growth on the inside. “The parents' decisions create the conditions for healthy or unhealthy co-parenting,” Keion says. He asserts that what you bring into a blended family (the seeds) “always survives the blend.”

Keion and Shaunie’s commitment to growth means that change is always on the horizon. The word ‘change’ often gets a bad wrap, but the Hendersons believe it’s both an inevitable process and a representation of growth. Keion insists that “Change ain’t change until you’ve changed,” while Shaunie reasons that people should receive credit for embarking on the path to change. In this episode, they describe the necessity of transformation and how embracing new circumstances during critical transitions has helped them upgrade their relationship. They also dig into why compassion is a key ingredient to evolving because “All change starts with having a better relationship with yourself.” Gain valuable insights on how to be patient with a loved ones’ growth journey, when it’s okay to outgrow people, and how to be a perpetual “student of life.” Everyday we’re presented with an opportunity to either settle for “the sea of the same” or welcome the changes meant to unleash the best version of ourselves, so choose wisely. It takes growth on the inside to develop “a mindset of change” and “nine times out of ten, we do ourselves a favor when we grant ourselves the freedom to evolve,” as Shaunie reminds us.

Shaunie Henderson breaks the mold of the traditional First Lady of a church. The television star’s transition from basketball wife to pastor’s wife came with many unexpected challenges, including excessive public scrutiny and unrealistic expectations. In this revealing episode, Lighthouse Church’s first couple explore the delicate balancing act Shaunie navigates daily –between assumption and authenticity. They also discuss why they believe some religious norms and expectations are more cultural “pageantry” than Biblical wisdom. As First Lady, Shaunie says she’s more committed to “embodying her role instead of explaining it.” Less concerned with “quoting Bible scriptures” and “being untouchable,” she’s dedicated to “showing more grace and being relatable.” As a highly visible pastor with his own challenges, Keion affirms that Shaunie “should have as much latitude” to express herself in her role as he does. Key episode insights include how authenticity makes you a stronger leader, why your character should always outrank your title, and how transparency sets you apart. For the Hendersons, “growing in your truth” means knowing your lane and being clear on what expectations you allow yourself to be influenced by.  After all, as Keion questions, “Who can lead anybody when you lose yourself?”

Driven by the belief that “without a vision, the people perish,” Keion and Shaunie Henderson are on a mission to thrive in their marriage. Soon after getting married, Keion –the self-appointed “technocrat”– sat with Shaunie, notebook in hand, to lay out a detailed vision for their union. Despite being a self-professed “winger,” Shaunie recalls how refreshing it was to unite around their purpose, and define the kind of relationship they wanted. A marriage mission may sound like rigid rules, but it’s actually a roadmap to a strong and lasting relationship. As Keion asks, “If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you ever know when you get there?” In this episode, the couple describes 3 relationship frameworks –A-frame, H-frame, and M-frame – and explain why they are committed to building an M-frame relationship. The Hendersons say they nurture their marriage mission by practicing “10-Minute Wednesdays,” a communication exercise that helps them hash out misunderstandings and actively listen to and learn from one another. Listen and learn why the Hendersons’ marriage isn’t 50/50, why Shaunie believes “submission isn’t a bad word,” and why a marriage mission is ever-evolving. Commiting to the vision of a marriage requires much growth on the inside, but Keion reminds us, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  For further growth, read more about Davidson’s relationship frames.

As the lead pastor of a mega-church and executive producer of the reality TV series Basketball Wives, Keion and Shaunie couldn’t appear more different. The Indiana native and LA transplant hail from very distinct worlds. So how do they come together to make their marriage work? Delving into what they dub the 3Cs of a healthy relationship –compromise, compassion, and communication– the faith and culture powerhouses unpack how embracing their differences strengthens their interpersonal dynamic. In this episode, they share why there are “levels to grace,” why “knowing when to communicate is a sign of maturity,” how “compromise doesn’t always have to be verbal,” and the reason Keion keeps a notebook full of his thoughts about Shaunie. The Hendersons' commitment to growth on the inside has enabled them to spend less time identifying their differences and more time appreciating them. But their most important lesson has been prioritizing each other’s needs. Growth becomes a joint inside job when each individual puts their partner first, never allowing them to wonder if they will get their needs met. For further growth, check out: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

How did a Pastor get with a Reality TV Mogul? Find out on this episode. Keion shows himself on a different level and listen to Shaunie in a new, evolved space in life from Basketball Wives. It’s almost like an introduction as a couple, as a unit. This is the backstory, to the lovestory we all have been waiting for. Who's side is the truth? We'll let you decide!