Your People

In this episode, co-hosts Michael & Marissa dig into radical vulnerability—what it is, what it’s not, and why it matters deeply in our pursuit of real connection 🤝💬.We live in a culture that often confuses vulnerability with over-sharing or glamorized chaos (“look how messy my house is!” 🙈). But true vulnerability goes deeper. It’s not about constant complaining or being reckless with our emotions. It’s about intentionally opening up in the right time, space, and place to build trust, intimacy, and genuine support 💞.We share personal stories, practical ways to begin sharing struggles (not just successes) 🎯, and how being the first to be vulnerable can create space for others to do the same 🌱.How do we become someone others can trust with their stories? 🤔 What does it mean to be a safe place for honesty and growth? 🛡️💬Vulnerability is a pinnacle of building lasting and deep community. And there is so much we have to learn about doing it well—and often. Let’s dive in! 🎧👇LET'S CONNECT!Visit our website 💻 Follow us on Instagram! 👋🏼Want to chat? Drop us a line at yourpeoplepodcast@gmail.com

Is pulling back really protecting you… or is it slowly stealing your joy? 🤔 In today’s episode, we’re diving into the hidden cost of isolation and why choosing community—even when it’s hard—is one of the most powerful, healing decisions we can make.We’ll talk about: ✨ How isolation often sneaks in quietly 📖 What Scripture says about living in relationship 🛡️ Why the enemy loves when we isolate ourselves 💬 What healthy, life-giving community can actually look likeWhether you’ve been hurt by people or just feel safer keeping your circle small, this conversation is a loving reminder: you were never meant to do life alone. Let’s rediscover the beauty of being known and the freedom found in connection. 💛LET'S CONNECT!Visit our website 💻 Follow us on Instagram! 👋🏼Want to chat? Drop us a line at yourpeoplepodcast@gmail.com

After three months apart, Michael and Marissa are back together to share the highs, lows, and lessons learned from this deployment season. From 24-hour shifts and navigating loneliness to solo parenting while sick and longing for connection, they open up about the challenges they faced on both sides of deployment.Michael shares the reality of maintaining operations with little rest, the struggle to find meaningful community, and what he’d do differently next time. Meanwhile, Marissa reflects on holding down the fort, unexpected hardships (hello, flu!), and the surprising ways time both flew and dragged. Through it all, they leaned on faith, community, and the choice to thrive rather than just survive.Whether you're facing a deployment, a season of distance, or simply a challenging transition, this episode offers insight, honesty, and encouragement for finding connection—even in the hardest moments.Let's Connect!Visit Our website 💻 Follow us on Instagram 👋🏼Drop us a line at yourpeoplepodcast@gmail.com

In today’s episode, Marissa sits down with her sister Emily, a licensed professional counselor working within the university system. Together, they dive into one of the most pressing challenges college students (ages 18-23) face when trying to build meaningful relationships: the impact of devices and social media. They explore why this stage of life makes it especially tough to connect and share five practical, encouraging steps to help you find and grow relationships with your people. And for those who have moved beyond the college years, they offer thoughtful insights on how adults can come alongside and support young people as they navigate this journey.Looking to found a counselor in your area? Psychology Today is a great resource!Connect with us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/yourpeoplepodcast/

Boundaries can be a tricky topic—but they can make or break our ability to love others well.Are boundaries barriers that keep people out, or tools that help us build healthier relationships? And what does the Bible have to say about it? In this episode, co-hosts Michael & Marissa Ceci dive into the tension between setting healthy limits and vulnerably letting others in, in order to building deep, lasting community.We’re not experts, just two people navigating this messy, beautiful thing called relationships—learning, growing, and figuring it out together. We’ll talk about when to say "yes," when to say "no," and how to balance loving others while protecting our own hearts. From boulders vs. knapsacks (you’ll love this metaphor) to avoiding the people-pleasing trap, we’re getting real about what it means to set boundaries in a way that honors God, strengthens community, and fosters deep, meaningful connections.So, if you’ve ever wrestled with feeling stretched too thin or wondered if it’s okay to take a step back, this one's for you. Let’s work through it—together.SHOW NOTES:Books:Boundaries by Henry CloudTipping Point by Malcom Gladwell (the one Marissa referenced with Good Samaritan Study)Podcast episodes we found helpful:How to Set Healthy Boundaries as a Christian10 Steps on How to Set Boundaries without Offending PeopleSetting Boundaries within Relationships

After a not-so-brief (should have seen it coming) hiatus... we are BACK! (well.. almost)Between Michael leaving for deployment, Marissa single parenting for months, technical difficulties, traveling over the holidays and the inability to make an episode happen while Michael is deployed, an unintentional hiatus happened. Co-host Marissa welcomes listeners back into the space of finding and loving Your People after rehashing some of the details behind why things went on a bit of a pause. With 2 pre-recorded upcoming episodes set to release in the coming weeks, Michael returning very soon from his deployment, and so much more they want to unpack regarding community, they are BACK and are excited to have you come along. Like, comment, leave a review and share with someone you love so we can all join in on the conversation around the importance of, and HOW to build, better community!Connect with us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/yourpeoplepodcast/Visit Our Website: www.yourpeoplepodcast.com