Shows / Shared Light

Shared Light
Shared Light is a real, honest conversation between two people who have walked through life side-by-side—through faith, family, challenges, growth, and everything in between.
Each episode feels like sitting at the table with friends as we talk about marriage, mindset, purpose, healing, personal growth, and what it really looks like to keep showing up for each other and for the life you’re building together. Nothing is off-limits, nothing is overly polished—just authentic stories, lessons…
Episodes
Shared LightEp. 44- Revisiting JR's Story - Part 2
The conversation focuses on men's mental health awareness, encouraging listeners to share their stories and seek help. The hosts, JR and Dustie, emphasize the…
Shared LightEp. 43 - Men's Mental Health Month- Revisiting JR's Story Part 1
In this episode of Share Light, Dustie and JR discuss mental health, revisiting personal stories and experiences related to their journeys. They emphasize the…
Shared LightEp. 42- The Journey That Made Us Family | Our Foster Care & Adoption Story (Revisited)
In this episode, Dustie and JR celebrate National Adoption Month by sharing their personal experiences with adoption and the joy it has brought to their lives…
Shared LightEp. 41- Part 2 of Dustie's Story: Revisited
In this episode of Shared Light, Dustie and JR discuss Dustie's personal experiences with domestic violence, emphasizing the importance of sharing her story…
Shared LightEp. 40- Dustie’s Story Revisited
In this episode of Shared Light, hosts Dustie and JR discuss the importance of domestic violence awareness, particularly in October, and revisit Dustie's…
Shared LightEp. 39 - Game Night and Shared Light-Passing Go, Making Memories
In this episode, Dustie and JR discuss the importance of family bonding through games, highlighting a shift towards analog gaming in a digital age. They share…
Shared LightEp. 38 - The 90's Called & Our Kids Answered: Style, Identity & 2 Chunky Boys
In this episode, Dustie and JR discuss the recent arrival of puppies and the dynamics of parenting during this time. They also explore the resurgence of…
Shared LightEp. 37 - Marriage in the Middle of the Mess: Joy, Laughter, and Being Present
In this episode of Shared Light, Dustie and JR discuss the changes in their lives as they navigate parenting, health challenges, and the importance of…
Shared LightEp. 36 - Parenting the Kid in Front of You
The episode discusses the challenges of parenting preteen children in the age of smartphones and social media. It explores the need for tailored parenting…
Shared LightEp. 35 - Navigating Sudden Adversity Together
The episode discusses the unexpected injury of Dustie, the impact on daily life, and the emotional challenges faced by both Dustie and JR. It also explores the…
Shared LightEp. 34 - Realigning our Foundation: When Life Gets Loud, We Get Intentional
The conversation begins with a reflection on the journey of the podcast and the challenges faced. It then delves into the purpose of the podcast and the…
Shared LightEp. 33 - Our Story Pt. 2 - Revisited
JR and Dustie reflect on past episodes and take a break before getting back to sharing their story. They discuss the excitement of settling down and preparing…
Shared LightEp. 32 - A Look Back at Our Story Part 1
JR and Dustie reflect on their journey, celebrate milestones, and acknowledge their listeners as they celebrate their oldest daughter turning 12. They also…
Shared LightEp. 31 - Why We Started: Revisiting Where the Light Begins
JR and Dustie take a look back at their first episode, sharing their philosophy and expressing gratitude to their listeners. Takeaways Reflecting on growth…
Shared LightEp. 30 - So Now the Internet is the Judge?
The conversation delves into the impact of social media narratives, the formation of assumptions, the importance of practicing humility, and the need to…
Shared LightEp. 29 - The Shift in Focus: Why Motivation Changes
The conversation explores the impact of motivation on various aspects of life, including work, health, and family. It delves into the challenges of maintaining…
Shared LightEp. 28 - Coffee, Chaos & Keeping Calm
The episode begins with Dustie and JR waking up and discussing the chaos at home with four new puppies. They then delve into the topic of dealing with chaos…
Shared LightEp. 27 - The Puppy Fiasco & the Power of Showing Up
The conversation covers the arrival of newborn puppies, the challenges faced during the puppy birth, the impact on family dynamics, reflections on the podcast…
Shared LightEp. 26 - The Beauty of an Ordinary Marriage
The conversation delves into the illusion of marriage, the beauty of ordinary moments, building trust and intimacy, the power of intentionality, and gratitude…
Shared LightEp. 25 - The Soft Life Trend
The episode explores the concept of the 'Soft Life' and its impact on mental health, relationships, and work-life balance. It delves into the importance of…
Shared LightEp. 24 - Soft Hearts in a Season That Feels Heavy
The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating financial struggles, maintaining motivation and mental health, finding light in family and goals…
Shared LightEp. 23 - Divorce
In this episode, Dustie and JR explore the complexities of marriage and relationships through the lens of celebrity divorce, emphasizing the importance of…
Shared LightEp. 22 - Softness in Marriage: Even When It's Hard
In this honest and emotionally grounded episode, JR and Dustie open up about the stress, uncertainty, and heaviness their family has been navigating — from…
Shared LightEp. 21 - SPECIAL EDITION - Kindness & Giving Back
The conversation begins with a celebration of milestones, marking the 21st episode and over 500 listens. It then transitions into a discussion about the impact…
Shared LightEp. 20 - Protecting Your Marriage: Emotional Safety, Boundaries and Repair
In this episode, JR and Dustie delve into the essential aspects of protecting and maintaining a healthy marriage. They discuss emotional safety, boundaries…
Shared LightEp. 19- The Art of Repair: How Healthy Couples Navigate Conflict, Communication, and Connection
The conversation explores the dynamics of conflict within a long-term relationship, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding underlying…
Shared LightEp. 18 - The Power of the Mundane: How Daily Routines Build (and Break) Connection
This episode dives deep into the quiet, often overlooked parts of marriage — the routines, rituals, and tiny daily choices that create emotional safety…
Shared LightEp.17 - Building the “Home Team”: Parenting Without Losing Your Marriage
This episode dives into the messy, beautiful evolution from couple to family. JR and Dustie reflect on their unexpected journey into parenthood, the tension…
Shared LightEp.16 - Speaking the Unspoken: Anxiety, Depression, Suicide and the Power of Support
This episode features a heartfelt and honest conversation about mental health, anxiety, depression, and the profound impact of suicide on families and…
Shared LightEp. 15- Kindness, Courage, and Crying Out for Help: When Your Child Says ‘I Don’t Want to Be Here’
The episode covers the launch of a new merchandise line, mental health awareness, and the impact of bullying on a child's mental health. It also delves into…
Shared LightEp. 14 - Same Team, Different Seasons: Staying Connected Through Change
This episode explores how emotional safety and effective communication foster growth and strengthen relationships. Dustie and JR share personal insights and…
Shared LightEp. 13- Emotional Safety in Relationships - How to Build It & Why It's Essential
In this episode, JR and Dustie discuss the importance of creating emotional safety in relationships. They emphasize the need for open and honest communication…
Shared LightEp. 12- Opposites Attract- And That's OK!
In this episode, JR and Dustie explore the dynamics of opposites attracting in relationships, particularly in marriage. They discuss how their differing…
Shared LightEp. 11 - Unspoken Expectations: How Silence Creates Resentment
The conversation delves into the topic of unspoken expectations and their impact on relationships. It explores the challenges and misunderstandings that arise…
Shared LightEp. 10- Intentional Marriage: Communication, Connection, and Choosing Joy
In this episode, JR and Dustie discuss the importance of connection in marriage amidst busy lives. They explore how prioritizing time together, building…
Shared LightEp. 9- Finding Balance, Connection and Light in Marriage
In this episode, JR and Dustie share their journey through family dynamics, personal growth, and the challenges of communication in marriage. They discuss the…
Shared LightEp.8- Foster, Adopt, Evolve: A Deep Dive into the Beautiful & the Hard- Our Story Pt. 2
The conversation delves into the journey of becoming foster parents, the challenges of foster care, navigating the adoption process, relationship challenges…
Shared LightEp. 7-The Story We Never Planned: Online Dating, Infertility, and Heartbreak - Our Story Pt. 1
Before kids, before stability, before the life you see today—there was a story we never expected to live. In this episode, we open up about the early chapters…
Shared LightEp. 6- Leaving the Hurt, Learning the Light: Dustie’s Journey Pt. 2
The conversation covers Dustie's journey from California to Idaho, leaving an abusive relationship, meeting and marrying her ex-husband, coping with trauma…
Shared LightEp. 5-The Weight of the Dark & the Work of the Light- JR's Journey Pt.2
I had to lose myself before I learned how to find myself. This episode dives into the moments that broke me, the choices that rebuilt me, and the light that…
Shared LightEp. 4-Seeking More: A Story of Validation, Rebellion & Healing- Dustie's Story Pt. 1
The conversation dives into the family dynamics and upbringing of Dustie, highlighting the influence of her grandpa. It also explores Dustie's perspective on…
Shared LightEp. 3-Addiction & Acceptance: JR's Journey Part 1
JR shares his personal journey, from feeling lonely as a child to coping with loss and trauma through substance abuse and self-destruction. His experiences led…
Shared LightEp.2 - The Handoff
In this episode of Shared Light, JR and Dustie explore the complexities of marriage, emphasizing that it is not a simple 50-50 partnership. They discuss the…
Shared LightEp.1 -Where the Light Begins
In our very first episode of the Shared Light Podcast, we open up about one of the biggest shifts that transformed our marriage: realizing it’s not me versus…