Relational Skills in Real Life

Have you ever wondered why reading a "how-to" book doesn't instantly make you an expert on that subject? Information alone doesn't equal transformation. 

In this episode, we go on a deep dive into brain science to uncover the mechanics of how our brains actually change, develop skills, and build habits. Join us as we explore the neurological bridge between knowing what to do and actually doing it, giving you the practical keys ...

Is focusing on relational skills actually Biblical, or is it just modern psychology? In this episode, Chris dives into the crucial difference between simply pursuing Bible knowledge and actually living out those truths in our daily interactions. Listen in as we explore the vital role relational skills play in our faith, and how mastering them allows us to truly reflect the character of God to a world desperate for hope.

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In a world that often pits logic against emotion, we are frequently taught that our feelings cannot be trusted. Many faith circles suggest that the ultimate fix for emotional struggle is to suppress our anxiety or sadness and simply declare biblical truth over ourselves. But is that how our minds—or our faith—were actually designed to function? Today we'll explore how emotions and truth work together in our brains and h...

Experiencing a breach of trust from someone close to us can cause profound emotional pain. Navigating the road to healing and rebuilding relationships is challenging but possible. Our friend Wendy shares her personal journey through a betrayal situation. Discover how she connected with God to process her emotions, maintain healthy relationships, and move forward with wholeness.

🔗 Dive deeper into this topic in our most recent onlin...

Why do mental health professionals consider the ability to quiet ourselves a key predictor of lifelong mental health? In this episode, Chris explores the importance of learning to rest and quiet ourselves, and why this practice is emphasized so often at THRIVEtoday. He also highlights a resource from Life Model Works designed to help us assess how well we truly rest and quiet ourselves—and recognize when we rely on distractio...

Did you know it’s possible to measure not only your level of joy, but even signs of “false joy”? While you can pay thousands of dollars for a brain scans, in this episode we’re sharing a free joy assessment resource you can use to get started as well as simple, practical ways to begin intentional strengthening your joy levels today. Understanding your current level of joy can help you identify where more pra...

On the heels of our event "The Pain of Disappointment: When Leaders Let us Down", this episode talks about how we can grow and become leaders who tenderly care for the people we shepherd. All leaders will make mistakes, but there are key skills and areas of growth we can pursue to become more like Jesus and lead with His heart.

🔗 Read the Rare Leadership book: https://www.amazon.com/Rare-Leadership-Uncommon-Increasing-Engagement/dp...

Tune in to hear our friend Steve tell about his journey to becoming a mature, safe elder for his children and grandchildren. He reminds us that it’s never too late to grow and become the person God created us to be!

🔗 Our 5-day in-person training is the most immersive experience we offer — designed to strengthen your skills through live practice in an intentional, joy-filled environment. Learn more about these in-person...

Chris explores how people have understood and dealt with human emotions throughout history, highlighting how different philosophies have shaped both hearts and lives. Turning to the Bible, he examines healthy ways to respond to strong emotions and gently guides us through an interaction with Immanuel, helping us process our own deep feelings in a meaningful way.

🔗 Tools for Navigating Emotions practice course: https://thrivetoday.t...

Chris and Jen explore moments when they—or the people they’re engaging with—slip into “enemy mode” during conflict. They discuss what it feels like, how it shapes our thinking, how to recognize it in others, and practical ways to shift back into a more relational, compassionate mindset.

🔗 LIVE on May 7th: "The Pain of Disappointment: When Leaders Let Us Down"

Join Chris Coursey for a 3 1⁄2‑hour event de...

How can practicing relational skills enhance your everyday interactions? What impact might they have on evangelism and representing Jesus to others?

In this episode, Chris and one of our Thrive missionary friends share personal stories highlighting the transformative difference these skills have made as they integrate them into both daily life and ministry.

🔗 Our 5-day in-person training is the most immersive experience we offer &md...

Can you learn relational skills online? In this episode, Chris explores research on how intentional choices can shape unconscious habits—habits that help us live each day more in line with who God created us to be. Tune in to discover which aspects of this growth can be developed through online learning and which require the depth of face-to-face connection.

🔗 Our 5-day in-person training is the most immersive experience we o...

If you have experienced offense, you know how difficult it can be to recover—especially when the hurt comes from someone you trust. As imperfect people, even those we respect and look up to can cause deep pain.

In this episode, we explore how our heart characteristics, emotions, and attachments contribute to experiences of offense, and offer encouragement and validation, highlighting a pathway toward reconciliation and healing...

How do we know if something is spiritual/demonic vs just unprocessed pain? When encountering difficulty while helping someone, it can be hard to discern whether the challenge stems from trauma and underdeveloped relational skills or from spiritual warfare. Chris takes us through some examples of what each of these can look like, and shares some next steps of ways to respond while staying relational and connected to Immanuel ourselv...

There are foundational skills we will continue practicing and developing throughout our lives. Chris shares research on how practice shapes our brains and strengthens our abilities, and explains how beginning with growth in peace and joy lays the groundwork for more complex relational skills — equipping us to show up at our best, even in difficult situations.

🔗 Learn more about our 5-week Foundational 5 Group offered periodic...

When we notice we’re lacking a relational skill, we can intentionally look for someone in our lives who demonstrates that strength. Rather than comparing ourselves and feeling shame about what we don’t yet have, we can choose to learn from one another. In this episode, we’ll explore how to recognize safe people to learn from — and how to stay curious and keep growing.

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How can relational skills help us heal from church hurt—and remain relational in the process? Many of us know this kind of pain firsthand, and we also know how difficult it can be to stay connected when we’ve been wounded.

Pastor and Thrive trainer Dana Bryan shares his personal story of a painful church experience. He walks us through the hurt, his journey of processing it, the relational skills he intentionally practic...

Many people experience a sense of dissonance between the God portrayed in the Old Testament and the God revealed in the New Testament. This can create deep attachment pain as they try to hold these images together. Certain Old Testament stories may evoke hurt or misunderstanding, causing doubts about God’s relationship toward us today. Rather than immediately engaging in theological debate, how can we acknowledge and validate...

This is the first episode in a series on using relational skills to bring reconciliation to painful situations within the church. When people are wounded by those who represent God, that pain often becomes associated with God Himself.

In this series, we will explore how such wounds can be healed, how to sit with people in their pain, and how to help them reconnect with Immanuel in a way that restores trust and relationship. We&rsquo...