Table Talks with the Tares

How do you know you're showing up the way you mean to? You won't unless you stop to check.

MJ and Ash are a husband and wife with completely opposite wiring. Raising kids in the years the intent is high, but the capacity is low. Every week they get honest about the story playing underneath the home they’re trying to build together, share notes and recalibrate before the next week. Because wanting better doesn’t always mean doing better.

Episodes

Jun 9, 2025

41 min

In this episode, we dive into MJ’s internal debate about upgrading his Corolla to an EV—and the conversations it sparked between us. We talk about how we navigate mismatched priorities, especially when a decision feels important to one of us but not urgent to the other, and how we try to stay aligned in the decisions that shape our budget.‌
Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/table-talks-with-the-tares/id1661247515?i=1000653897918
Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.
Visit our website: www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

Jun 2, 2025

35 min

In this episode, we’re talking about why hosting matters so much to us. Back in our college days, we were shaped by families who opened their homes, made space at their tables, and poured into us in ways we’ll never forget. Now, we get to pay it forward—and invite our kids into that same rhythm of generosity. Whether hospitality comes naturally to you or feels intimidating, we hope this conversation encourages you to see the beauty in simply making room for others.

Resources mentioned:
Espresso Machine: https://www.breville.com/en-us/product/bes450

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-12-the-sabbath-our-foundational-rhythm/id1661247515?i=1000600545828

Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

May 26, 2025

38 min

We don’t always see things the same way—and honestly, we used to handle that poorly.In this episode, we’re talking about how we’ve learned to disagree without turning it into a battle. From staying curious to asking better questions, we’ve found that it’s totally possible to have different opinions and still stay connected. If you’ve ever struggled to have hard conversations without things getting heated, this one’s for you.

Resources mentioned: https://a.co/d/ji98x7s

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-6-its-all-about-communication/id1661247515?i=1000593165224

Table Talks with the Tares: where we explore how to close the gap between what we intend and what we do, one honest conversation at a time.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

May 19, 2025

37 min

In this episode, we’re diving into Reddit’s most unpopular parenting opinions and sharing our own hot takes. We’re weighing in on what we agree with, what made us laugh, and what we’re still figuring out. It’s honest, lighthearted, and a fun look at the many ways to parent.

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-17-relationships-shoulder-to-shoulder-vs-face-to/id1661247515?i=1000606081801

Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

May 12, 2025

52 min

In this episode, we open up about what it’s been like to walk through pregnancy while carrying the weight of recent losses. We talk about how grief has impacted Ash’s mindset, fears she’s working through, and how we’re learning to support each other through it all. If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling with self-doubt, feeling stuck, or wondering if you have what it takes to overcome an obstacle—this one’s for you.
Resources mentioned:
Dwell App: https://dwellapp.io/

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-84-when-grief-hits-conversations-on-loss-and-hope/id1661247515?i=1000663667298

Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

May 5, 2025

37 min

This week, we’re getting super practical in walking through how we practice discipleship in our home. We talk about weekly rhythms like Sabbath, how we use holidays to point our kids to Jesus, and tools we’ve found helpful for letting our faith drive our weekly rhythms.
Resources:
Book: https://a.co/d/gDpWZyk
Resurrection Eggs: https://www.amazon.com/FAMILYLIFE-Family-Life-Resurrection-Anniversary/dp/B0CTGT7PY3?crid=125RUMJB3N034&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1Q_mqOm90pGHvUmxSA9qVpLWHzCLyDtlhLUo5f0Ztio-Wut4ngWImO_bbzpsI8iSGvKvYf8ThhBYs-ZKdSMiOLSpivTBxhs7zlujQdr_LazOehA8mq6clxt4BgZHcirh4nnXyaJVpy01H9YkQTbz5KPLsTKwS4gKuas581-72UQF_eo6g3lCiiONnVjk4iFbCw3DQenNzTEvoFqCKjThtD5mZQhxvImQddJAwmyACtL8V-b0vxRjzuqmHg1LVRIzUX-6Qk9K2RW457t9xxvMfEwQ1onRh29mdUxcCMPvieM.8YkWQUJIVzcrc4fEOuPfy7xrTnOTmzOcxNu8thwBhng&dib_tag=se&keywords=resurrection%2Beggs&qid=1746413399&sprefix=resu%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1&th=1
Easter Book: https://a.co/d/cjUAmQ7
Character Cards: https://septemberandco.com/collections/character/products/character-matters-cards?variant=37440423428258
The Family Teams Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-family-teams-podcast/id1447768183

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-89-family-dynamics-series-part-1-keeping-the-spark/id1661247515?i=1000668034998

Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

Apr 28, 2025

31 min

This episode we’re sharing a really special moment—a simple conversation with our daughter that turned into her confession of faith. We talk about what it looks like to have real, ordinary faith conversations with our kids, how the way we love them shapes the way they see God, and what it means for us to model repentance and trust in God for them.

Resources mentioned:
Book: https://a.co/d/hcSrUdM

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-111-should-household-and-parenting/id1661247515?i=1000690805482

Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

Apr 21, 2025

34 min

We’re back with Part 2 of our marriage rewind—picking up where we left off and diving deeper into how our perspectives, habits, and relationship dynamics have evolved over the last 9 years. If you enjoyed Part 1, this one’s even more fun. Let’s just say… growth is humbling. 😅

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-120-then-versus-now-comparing-the-1st-year-and/id1661247515?i=1000703445699

Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

Apr 14, 2025

36 min

We just hit 9 years of marriage, so we’re taking a fun look back at year 1 on all the ways life has changed since and what we’ve learned along the way.

Next episode recommended: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-70-8-years-strong-part-1-reviewing-reddits-marriage/id1661247515?i=1000651760696

Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.

Visit our website: http://www.honestunderscore.com.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

Apr 7, 2025

40 min

In this episode, we’re diving into what it looks like to recognize narcissistic traits in someone and how to set healthy boundaries without losing yourself in the process. Ash talks through some of the signs, the emotional toll it can take, and what it looks like to navigate those relationships with clarity and compassion. If you’ve ever felt drained, second-guessed your instincts, or struggled to maintain your peace around someone with a strong personality, we hope this arms you with the right tools to navigate these treacherous paths.
 
Next episode recommended: Ep 55 - Breaking inter generational habits in parenting, differences we’ve observed in how we individually approach being a mom and a dad
 
Table Talks with the Tares: conversations that inspire personal growth in leadership in every sphere of life.
 
Visit our website: The Honest Underscore.
Join our monthly newsletter for a curated blend of exclusive leadership insights, personal reflections, and resource releases delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions, please email us at hello@honestunderscore.com.

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