Trending Up

Trending Up is all about improving ourselves and our relationships, so we're journeying with the Enneagram to learn more about ourselves and how to better relate with others. The Enneagram is a personality test that is broken up into a set of nine distinct personality types, numbering 1-9. 1 is the Reformer. 2 is the Helper. 3 is the Achiever. 4 is the Individualist. 5 Is the Investigator. 6 is the Loyalist. 7 is the Enthusiast. 8 is the Challenger. 9 is the Peacemaker. Points to consider from the Enneagram Institute It's common to find a little of yourself in all nine of the types We are born with a dominant type this inborn orientation largely determines the ways in which we learn to adapt to our early childhood environment. People do not change from one basic personality type to another. The descriptions of the personality types are universal and apply equally to males and females, since no type is inherently masculine or feminine. Not everything in the description of your basic type will apply to

Part 2 of our conversation with Garrison where we discuss the connection between Latinos and African Americans.  Check out our episode in Youtube here: https://youtu.be/Mh5RtGzZSlo Find our show notes here: https://trendingup.wixsite.com/podcast/episode-notes Garrison Hayes twitter profile: https://twitter.com/garrison_hayes

Garrison Hayes joins us to talk about his experience as a black man in America and what it's like especially considering our current political and divided climate.   Check out our episode in Youtube here: https://youtu.be/zfSkbgzdLAs  Find our show notes here: https://trendingup.wixsite.com/podcast/episode-notes  Garrison Hayes twitter profile: https://twitter.com/garrison_hayes

Join us as we talk about the importance of our thoughts and the mold-ability of our minds to become what we behold.  Our minds are wonderfully incredible machines and yet they are extremely moldable. That is why it is important to be aware of what we are putting in, because what we behold, we become. Article about couples looking like each other https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1006655 Heather Thompson Day (Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/HeatherTDay) Study that showed that our mind cant tell the difference between thoughts we think and reality. The more we focus on negative words and thoughts the more you can actually damage key structures that regulate your memory, feelings, and emotions. Negative thinking is self perpetuating. The more you expose your brain to it the more it will automatically generate additional negative feelings. Disrupt Negative Thoughts! The faster we can interrupt our brains reaction to real or imaginary threats, the quicker we can g

We talk about our reaction to the shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio where many lost their lives and where countless others were injured.  We remember the families of those affected and those who have lost loved ones, our heart goes out to you.  News about shootings:  NPR Up First - https://www.npr.org/2019/08/05/748165528/monday-august-5th-2019 The Daily Times - https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3MuYXJ0MTkuY29tL3RoZS1kYWlseQ&episode=Z2lkOi8vYXJ0MTktZXBpc29kZS1sb2NhdG9yL1YwL3I5YjJTWXRweTVfRThhUGZqdW40b1BpVmVPaElEbHRzd0ttbEcwYXF5czQ&at=1565061632918 What is empathy illustrated video by Brené Brown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw Anniella Rigacci (Sebastian's Cousin) Post on Facebook: There is not a right or wrong way to react or respond during a traumatic event or crisis. People respond/react in different ways. In the midst of a trauma or crisis, it is not appropriate nor is it helpful to tell someone how they should react or respond to what is happ

How much sports is too much? Can we be a fan of sports and still be Christian? Join us as we talk about the role of sports and our faith.  “Physically, Samson was the strongest man upon the earth; but in self-control, integrity, and firmness, he was one of the weakest of men. Many mistake strong passions for a strong character, but the truth is that he who is mastered by his passions is a weak man. The real greatness of the man is measured by the power of the feelings that he controls, not by those that control him.” PP 567 Check out our episode in Youtube here: https://youtu.be/4CIyZLZZS30 Find out more about us here: https://trendingup.wixsite.com/podcast Chantal's Fitness Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/chan.ptfit/

Robert Colon comes on the podcast to talk about his journey with his mental health and how he found recovery and healing. He speaks on his work now in helping others through his experience. Check out our episode in Youtube here: https://youtu.be/GD26X2Zh9cE Revive Ministries:  https://www.facebook.com/ReviveMinistriesFL/?ref=br_rs Revive Ministries Instagram: https://instagram.com/reviveministriesfl?igshid=73q1g9em7hn6 Suicide Prevention Hotline  1-800-273-8255 Substance Abuse Hotline 1-800-662-4357 National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 Not Ok App https://www.notokapp.com/

Edgar and I discuss the reasons we chose to stay in the church and how that has impacted us to this day.  For our episode notes, check here:  https://trendingup.wixsite.com/podcast/episode-notes Check out our episode on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/XVPv1H5UztI

Devin and I talk about his life and his journey with Jesus.   Enspire Productions  https://www.facebook.com/enspireproduction/  https://www.enspireproductions.org/?fbclid=IwAR2-nmlKXZWVT9xlSbZ8KxzSyXf6WcaoHjklrnfXU_vzKyXtW4Q8DJzapuA  Devin and Stefanies (1st) book: Shepherd of Oldeam found on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014CDD3KY

Take a listen as Edgar and I talk about our church memories from our childhood. For our episode notes, check here:  https://trendingup.wixsite.com/podcast/episode-notes

Listen to my conversation with Wandile and the many great things that he is doing for his community in South Africa.   Find him on Facebook @wandile.mthiyane  Email: wandile@ubuntudesigngroup.com  Check out some of his stuff here:  "Ubuntu Design Group" - https://ubuntudesigngroup.org/ "Child of Apartheid Trailer" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlhfCWEZff0&feature=youtu.be "Feature Maker" - https://www.studyarchitecture.com/blog/featured-makers/featured-maker-wandile-mthiyane-ubuntu-design-group/

Join us as we continue to talk about the keys to life that God has left for us in the Bible. God's Keys are His commandments that are found in Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5 They are God’s keys for our relational success 10 things you don’t have to worry about First 4 commands - our relationship with God (Vertical) Last 6 commands - our relationship with others (Horizontal) Throughout the last 6 keys, it is as if God is saying throughout, “I VALUE PEOPLE” I value your parents and family I value your belongings and those of others I value your life and the life of others I value faithfulness in relationship Love for Others “Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long life” IOW = “You can enjoy a life of harmony with your family and those around you, because of the principles that I am teaching you.” Through the Spirit’s power I was obedient and respectful to my parents, trying to think about how they felt, and not just the way I felt. “Do not murder” IOW = “You do not have to kill or

Join us as we talk about the keys to life that God has left for us in the Bible. God's Keys are His commandments that are found in Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5 They are God’s keys for our relational success 10 things you don’t have to worry about First 4 commands - our relationship with God (Vertical) Last 6 commands - our relationship with others (Horizontal) Matthew 22:37-40 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Love for God “Have no other Gods” IOW (In Other Words) = “You do not have to have other gods, I AM ENOUGH” I spent time with God each day before I did anything else, thinking about His love and asking Him to guide my day. “Do not make an image - to be worshipped” IOW =

In our relationships, we project feelings and emotions on others. Edgar and I talk about projection and how God projects good on us.  Projection is a defense mechanism that people subconsciously use in order to cope with difficult feelings or emotions (https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/psychological-projection-dealing-with-undesirable-emotions/) Projection is the single most derailing and destructive phenomenon in intimate relationships. It hurts our partners by casting them into a false role, and blocks authentic communication. (https://www.monikahoyt.com/projection-in-relationships/) How to avoid it: 1. Look within - Is the actual issue/problem with you, pause before you "attack" and see the role you play. 2. When you get triggered, stay with the feelings - Don't attack the person, but express how their actions made you feel. 3. Be aware of stress - the higher your stress level, the fewer emotional resources you will have. What to do when your partner is projecting 1. Be patient and lovin

Check out our conversation with Alex Castillo as he speaks about his faith journey and the period of waiting that he is in now. 

Join us as Edgar and I talk about the importance of our perspective and how the Bible helps us to have a good outlook in life despite what may be happening around us.  Perspective is important because it is how you view life and that around you. Differentiation of self “The ability to be in emotional contact with others yet still autonomous in one’s own emotional functioning is the essence of the concept of differentiation.” (Kerr & Bowen. 1988) “Differentiation is a product of a way of thinking that translates into a way of being….Such changes are reflected in the ability to be in emotional contact with a difficult, emotionally charged problem and not feel compelled to preach about what others “should” do, not rush in to “fix” the problem and not pretend to be detached by emotionally insulating oneself.” (Kerr & Bowen 1988) Understanding the conflict context you can have joy in the midst of uncertainty and troubles. If you know God’s character, you can hope that He has good plans for you (Jere

Edgar and I continue our dialogue about conflict but we discuss it from a biblical viewpoint and see how the Bible paints this conflict.  We can find a battle between good & evil in almost every corner of culture; we see it in movies, books, and religions. In looking at these battles between good & evil, there are casualities and unfortunate events that occur simply because of the fact that the context is that of a conflict. In the Bible, we also find that there is a major conflict between good & evil, namely, God and Satan. A fundamental principle for God is that He does not force you to do anything, because He knows that love cannot be forced. In this conflict, we find that God has to navigate through His ideal will and remedial will to help each and everyone of us in our best interest in light of the context of conflict. History between God and Satan (Genesis 3, Revelation 12, 13 -14, 17, 19) Satan wants Gods position, power, and prominence - Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28 Satan is cast out fr

Conflict is seen all around us in culture, religion, and everyday life. Join us as we seek to navigate our faith through the reality of conflict around us. 

Life is a roller coaster, it’s full of ups and downs; in the same way our spiritual life is full of ups and downs. Proverbs 24:16 "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." Just as a child, when learning how to walk, falls often, so we in out journeys fall - but we are encouraged to get up and keep going. The truth is that the struggle is itself a sign of life. In our struggle we can call out to God and cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Many Bible characters struggled, including Job, David, and Joseph. In their struggles and confusion, they continued to trust in God though they did not understand why they were in their predicament. Jesus also struggled in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:38) and at the cross (Matthew 27:46) and he shows us that it is okay to express our pain, emotions and feelings when we are going through the struggle. It's okay to have questions. The reality is that God wants us to find Him sufficient in the m

Check out our 1st episode of the Trender Series. We talk with Bec Reid about her journey with God, her growth, family, and how her faith and work relate.