Hi Reader,

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Wes used to say he wasn’t emotional.

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Not in an avoidant way- he genuinely didn’t think emotions played a role in how he showed up.

But underneath? He was drowning in shame, fear, and loneliness.

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Six years ago, he was burned out from being an entrepreneur, exhausted from hustle culture, and unsure of what came next.
Now? He’s chasing joy.
Like- real, soul-filling, fully alive kind of joy.

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In this week’s podcast episode, Wes and I talk about how learning to name and process his emotions-especially using the Core Emotion Wheel- opened the door to live with more freedom and purpose than ever before.

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This summer, Wes and I spent 25 days apart. And instead of drifting into disconnection (like we used to), we stayed emotionally close by practicing what we teach.

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We shared Core Emotion Wheels even when we were miles apart.
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We kept naming what was happening for us- fear, loneliness, joy- because connection doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by intentional practice.

And we walk you through that practice in this episode.

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We actually do a Core Emotion Wheel and an issue-specific Wheel live on the podcast- so you can hear just how much emotion shows up in our everyday life, and how quickly the tools help us get beneath the surface.

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At 40 years old, Wes began pursuing his dream career.
And this summer alone, he hit 8 National Parks with our sons.
He’s dreaming again. And it’s joy that’s driving him.

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🎧 Listen to the episode here:

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Or click on your favorite place to listen:

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What is happening at Connection Codes:

🛫 Summer 2025 Certified Coaching Cohort has officially graduated! ​
Today we wrapped our Summer 2025 Certified Coaching Cohort- and wow. I am speechless every time.

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One of the coaches said her marriage reached “rated X” status… not because of the sex (okay, maybe a little), but because they’re connecting so deeply. 🌶️

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Another coach, a business leader, told us:

This work isn’t surface-level.
It transforms marriages, teams, families, and lives.

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If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, I want to personally invite you to join our Fall Coaching Cohort- enrollment is now open!
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If you're craving:
✅ Deeper relationships
✅ A way to serve your community
✅ Tools that sharpen your coaching or leadership skills

→ This program is for you.

➡️ Learn more + apply now​

📣 Dr Glenn & Phyllis spoke in Omaha, Nebraska​
Dr. Glenn and Phyllis visited Certified Coaches Todd & Kristen and Becca in their hometown. These incredible coaches organized speaking events in their city to introduce their community to the Connection Codes framework.
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Glenn and Phyllis laid the foundation, and now Riverwell Coaching is continuing the work- investing into their city, their relationships, and their local culture.

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It’s such a beautiful picture of what’s possible when coaches are empowered to bring these tools into their own communities.

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A quick note about travel & joy…

Since we talked about joy and adventure in the podcast this week, I wanted to share something fun. (And anytime I find something I LOVE, I want you to know about it!)
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Wes and I have found creative ways to travel with four kids- without breaking the bank 😅. This summer, we hosted three families from Europe in our home through HomeExchange.

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Because of those swaps, we’ve now earned enough points to visit Europe (or anywhere in the world!) for 30–45 days.

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It’s been such a meaningful way to combine connection, adventure, and savings.

If that kind of travel sounds fun to you, here’s the link to check it out (and get bonus points when you join!):
👉 Learn more about Home Exchange​

What About You?

So many people are waking up each day and simply surviving.

They’re doing everything “right”- checking boxes, showing up for their people- but joy? That feels far away.

If that’s you, here’s your gentle challenge:
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Pause for a moment today and ask yourself:
​Am I experiencing joy?​
Not fake happy. Not performative.
​True joy.

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If not- what’s in the way?
And what needs to be processed so joy can rise?
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Hit reply and let me know ❤️

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Let's do this.

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Ps. After years of recognizing joy, I am sitting in gratitude sending this newsletter. I wish I could sit a room with each of you and listen to your stories... hold space for you to process... watch you find your own joy. Thanks to Zoom, I did experience it today with 30 of our brand-new coaches. They have found deep joy because they continue to go deeper in their processing. It is possible- and you deserve it, too.
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Disclaimer: This podcast and newsletter are co-created with a marriage and family therapist, but we are not your therapist. The information shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. If you’re experiencing overwhelming emotions or need personalized support, we encourage you to seek help from a licensed therapist or counselor or a coach. Remember, your emotions matter, and asking for help is a superpower.

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