JUNTO

Episode 46: Fame Fortune & Depression

1 in 5 people will experience clinical depression at some point in their life. 1 in 5! (Source AACC)
If this were an epidemic that could be solved with money, fame, or influence, many of the actors, singers, and entertainers we have grown to love would still be with us today and more importantly, they would be here living the “abundant” life and enjoying the fruits of their labors.  
If there is no hope for the rich, famous, & influential, what hope could there possibly be for us?  
I have to say that I was impacted by Twitch’s passing recently. Not because I was a big fan per se, or that I followed his career, but because I would have never seen that coming from him based on his content.  In fact, the video posted 2 days prior to his suicide on his #tiktok showed a happy, talented, influential man who was living his best life.  
On #Episode 46 we talk about the importance of being a “gatekeeper” to the friends and family in our care.  Depression, anxiety, & suicide still plague us, even as believers, but we know that the “abundant” life can be found in Christ and that hope doesn’t exist in money, fame, or influence, but Hope is a person, and His name is Jesus.  Jesus tells all who are weary and worn out to come to Him and He will give us rest.  
Full episode out tomorrow at 👉🏻www.juntopodcast.com
#fyp #reels #sad #depressionhelp #believer #christian #podcast

Episode 45: Talking Tradition

The Soto clan is together cooking up some traditions and chatting about memories and what’s most important.  In this episode learn how to make one of Heather’s childhood favorites, a super simple, & inexpensive yummy treat that the whole family will enjoy making.
What is one of your favorite traditions with your family? Comment below!
Remember to visit us at www.juntopodcast.com

Episode 44: Life After Covid-19

What were you doing when the world shut down?  What were your initial thoughts, or better yet, what were your initial emotions when you first heard of Covid?  In Episode 44 we reflect on the surreal time of the Covid-19 quarantine and how it is still affecting us today.
 The covid quarantine experiment exposed and confirmed the state of people’s mental health, as a whole, and reaffirmed the importance of relationships and being in community.  It exposed and answered the question for many businesses of “can a work at home model be successful?”  It exposed the resilience of people and the importance of faith in a higher power, namely God (Jehova). 
So much has changed that will never return to the way it was pre-covid, but regardless of how you view covid-19 or the pandemic, it is clear that we are living in a new world.  We are living the Post Pan Life.
What is something that you learned about yourself, or the world during quarantine?
Join the conversation at www.juntopodcast.com

Episode 43: 20 Marriage Hacks For 20 Years of Marriage

March 21, 1998, was a big day in my life…A young 20 year old on the brink of manhood.  Certainly, I still looked like a boy, and probably still felt like one too.  This was the day that I would meet my wife…Yeah, I knew her, and we had, up to this point, had previous encounters, but we were both too young before.  
On Episode 43 Heather and I share briefly about this encounter that changed both of our lives and deliver 20 marriage hacks, 1 for each year that we’ve been married, in hopes that these tid bits of what we’ve learned over the years might be a help or encouragement to someone else.  If nothing else, I think you’ll get a good laugh out of this episode.  Some of the “hacks” include things like;
 “Forgiveness Is Key”
“Compliment each other a lot when you like him, that way when you can’t stand him it’s not so bad”.
”Just Smack Her Butt”
I think you get the idea.  It is hard to do anything for 20 years, much less maintain a relationship with someone, but, by the Grace of God, we have made it to this point.  
What is a marriage hack that you would share?  Please join the conversation and comment your thoughts and visit us at:
www.juntopodcast.com
 
 

Episode 42: Wellness With CrossFit

📢 On Episode 42 I had the opportunity to chat with CrossFit Coach and owner of @crossfit870garage, Dickie Logan.
This is not your typical workout inspired conversation where the focus is on physical attributes only, but an honest conversation about the benefits of staying active, pushing yourself beyond what you thought you could do, and the importance of being in community.
If you’re anything like I was pre-crossfit, the first word that might come to mind when discussing CrossFit might be something like “cult”, “Extreme Athlete”, or, well, “stupid”. 🤷🏻… I get it.  
By no means, at my age, do I consider myself to be any type of “athlete” but I can say that it sure feels good to be active. To push through. To get it done, & to be doing it with others who are pushing themselves right along with you.  Since doing CrossFit I might still describe it as, well, stupid….but not in the literal sense of the word…In fact, the only reason I might say it’s stupid is because it’s hard.  It’s really, really hard at times.  But this is also the same reason that I keep going back.  You see in the moment, when it’s hard, is when we have the option to quit or to keep pushing passed the boundaries we have set for ourselves, or that our body has set for us.  The reward, for me, is simply to complete the workout and to know that I was able to look hard in the face, and keep going.
Catch the full #Episode this Tuesday at:
👉🏻 www.juntopodcast.com
#reels #CrossFit @crossfit #podcast #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #workout #podcasters

Episode 41: Conversation With The Author

 On the latest episode of the @junto.podcast I had the opportunity to sit down with friend and author of “Keepsake Letters To My Child”, Lupita Wiles.
During our conversation Lupita shares her inspiration for writing the book and highlights the importance of building a legacy for family.  The book is an interactive read in that Lupita shares her letters, but gives the reader a section to write their own letters to the ones they love or to the ones they wish to leave a parting legacy. 
Keepsake Letters To My Child was written during the peak of the covid lockdown and is a product of deep introspection with the realization of the importance of verbalizing to those we love, what truly is important in our life.  In spite of the isolation.  In spite of the loneliness and fear.  In spite of all of the uncertainty.  Relationships were strengthened, priorities were realigned, faith was increased, and beautiful works of heartfelt art were produced.  This book is a product of all of these things. 
What letter would you write if you could and who would you write it to?  
Remember to subscribe to our YouTube, follow our socials and visit us at:
www.juntopodcast.com 
#podcast #author #book #read #fyp #reels #podcaster

Episode 40: Community Spotlight with Brad Moore

If you haven’t already, please consider subscribing to our channel!
Part 2 of our Community Spotlight features a conversation with Marion, AR City Council hopeful, Brad Moore.  In Episode 40 Brad talks about his role with the fire department and lessons of leadership he has learned throughout the years.
Brad also emphasizes the need for mental health reform, a subject near to my own heart, for our first responders not only in Crittenden County, but across the nation.  Oftentimes it is hard for our first responders, our hero’s, to seek help for mental health related issues since they are held in such high regard.  Brad brings a unique perspective to this issue and discusses what the campaign trail has been like his 2nd time around.
Be sure and comment your thoughts below and visit us at;
www.juntopodcast.com

Episode 39: Community Spotlight with Greg Shea

Greg Shea, Candidate for the Crittenden County Coroner’s Office discusses his experience working as a Deputy Coroner for the last 10 years and with the Shelby County Medical Examiners office for the last thirteen.
Greg shares much about the Coroners office that most common people wouldn’t know and details the types of loss and tragedies that he has encountered throughout the years.  This interview is not only informational, but eye opening to the things that coroners oversee within the community.
Be sure to comment your questions below and visit us at:
www.juntopodcast.com

Episode 38: Science, Prayer, & Gratitude

Science, Prayer, and Gratitude seem like an unlikely combination but believe it or not, there are times when all three of these overlap to aid us in the everyday need for dealing with stress, depression, and anxiety.
In recognizing October 10th as “World Mental Health Day” we felt the need to continue the conversation about mental health by looking at some statistics on mental health, approached from the lens of faith.
In addition to feeling a connection to a higher power did you know that prayer, from a physcial and psychological level will;
👉🏻 “elicit a relaxation response that will lower blood pressure.
👉🏻 “can elicit feelings of gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, and HOPE..”
Remember to visit us at:
www.juntopodcast.com
We hope that this is an encouargement to you!
 

Episode 37: Hallow What? Allhallowtide, Halloween, & Family

⁉️ Where did our Halloween traditions come from and how much have these traditions evolved over time? As we get further removed from our past the history of tradition can get lost in the midst of current culture but there is still plenty of information available to give us a great snapshot of how our ancestors celebrated, or not celebrated, the halloween season. 
In Episode 37 we discuss some of the traditions, mainly rooted in the Catholic Church, and discuss how they have evolved into what we now call Halloween.  We also discuss 6 ways you can celebrate the season of halloween while also incorporating your Christian beliefs in the process!
All Hallowtide is comprised of 3 days beginning on October 31st and ending on Nov 2nd and includes All Hallows Eve (shortened to Halloween), All Saints Day (All Hallows), and All Souls Day. We also discuss several ways that we can enjoy this holiday while still being a light in our communities and extending love to our neighbor!
We know that peoples views of Halloween are broad and can be extreme on both sides of the spectrum but for us, we approach this season as an opportunity to spend time with friends and family and of course, any time is a good time to love your neighbor and show love.
Remember to Subscribe and visit us at:
👉🏻 www.juntopodcast.com
(Time Magazine: Should Christians Celebrate Halloween. Olivia Wasman)(All Hallow’s Eve. Mary Reed Newland)(All Gifts Considered. 9-22-2022)