Lunchtime in Rome

<p>In episode 306, the guys welcome back Abby Herr – Brian’s daughter – who first joined the table a few years ago as a precocious 10-year-old and now returns as a thoughtful, self-aware 14-year-old eighth grader. The conversation is warm, funny, and surprisingly deep for a teenager sitting between three grown men who love to talk.</p><p>The episode kicks off with the usual “how’s everybody doing?” chaos: Brian recounts an “acid-trip of a week” that included a canceled flight turned 6-hour drive to Long Island, an unforgettable lunch in a gold-and-marble basement with the mysterious “Chicken Man” and a room full of Middle Eastern businessmen, and the sudden, heartbreaking loss of Lex’s brother Jon. Jay shares about leading a police officer’s memorial service and the unexpected encouragement it brought to the officers in attendance. Eric just tries to keep up.</p><p>Then the spotlight turns to Abby. The guys ask how she’s changed in the three-plus years since her first appearance. Her answer? Morally and in her core values she’s the same, but she’s grown kinder, more understanding, and noticeably more focused on her faith. She credits a mix of youth group, good friends, and (whether she admits it or not) the influence of her parents – Brian’s confidence and Lex’s sweetness.</p><p>Highlights from the conversation with Abby:</p><p>* She’s still very much herself – self-regulating, comfortable saying no, and unwilling to compromise who she is to fit in with a crowd.</p><p>* Social life: marching band visual ensemble, the upcoming junior-high musical Matilda (she’s Amanda… who gets swung around by her pigtails), and a tight group of friends who make school bearable.</p><p>* On Gen Alpha stereotypes: “People think because we’re the same age we all get along and like the same things – we don’t.”</p><p>* Social media wisdom (at 14!): “My choices and emotions aren’t curated for other people.”</p><p>* How she processes hurt and rejection: a flash of anger, a little guilt, then she moves on without bitterness.</p><p>* Phone/social media stance: okay after elementary school, but heavily restricted until high school.</p><p>* Favorite apps: TikTok #1, Snapchat #2.</p><p>* Unlimited liquid from her fingers superpower: water, Dr Pepper, iced tea, gasoline (smart), and she’s still thinking about the fifth finger.</p><p>The episode closes on a tender note discussing how Abby is navigating the sudden loss of her uncle Jon – going quiet at first, then the weight hitting later, and finding comfort at a worship night with her youth group.</p><p>It’s a fun, heartfelt hour that reminds everyone at the table (and everyone listening) that even at 14, with the right foundation, you can be remarkably grounded, kind, and wise.</p><p>Catch the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video at lunchtimeinrome.com. While you’re there, take the free relational needs questionnaire and consider becoming a paid subscriber – new content and perks are coming in 2025!</p><p>See you next week for episode 307.</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at <a href="https://www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe</a>

<p>In this warm and laughter-filled episode, the guys welcome back the beloved Amy Rayman after a long hiatus (a “big minute,” as they call it) for a deep dive into the many seasons every marriage seems to pass through.</p><p>The table starts with lighthearted catching-up: gym routines, snow days vs. “FID days,” rental cars the size of roller skates, and the invention of Thanksgiving Street Corn (yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds—complete with mayo-sour cream dressing, fresh sage, thyme, shallots, Asiago, and a festive pop of pomegranate seeds).</p><p>After plenty of tangents (and a few technical difficulties), the conversation turns to the heart of the episode: <strong>the seasons of marriage</strong>.</p><p>The guys and Amy brainstorm an honest list that resonates with nearly everyone:</p><p>* Honeymoon bliss</p><p>* Ships passing in the night (busy schedules, kids, careers)</p><p>* Power struggles & roommate vibes</p><p>* Trauma seasons (loss, illness, crisis)</p><p>* Young kids / “the darkness” of survival mode</p><p>* Empty nest rediscovery</p><p>* Caring for aging parents</p><p>* Hitting your stride as a couple</p><p>* Retirement (both the “we’re together 24/7” adjustment and the golden “we’re the same organism” years)</p><p>They emphasize that seasons themselves aren’t good or bad—what matters is facing them together so neither spouse ever feels alone. As one listener beautifully put it, marriage is a living organism; with good communication, humility, and commitment, couples can flourish through every change.</p><p>For fun, the guys asked Grok (X’s AI) for its comedic take on marriage stages. Highlights included the “oxytocin-high honeymoon,” the “dishwasher-loaded-like-a-raccoon-on-bath-salts” reality check, scheduled romance via Google Calendar, and the golden-years battle over who hid the TV remote or warmed the cold side of the bed first.</p><p>Through all the laughs, the core message shines: no matter the season—joyful, exhausting, heartbreaking, or mundane—the goal is to keep choosing each other, respecting each other’s systems (and pierogi traditions), and loving unconditionally.</p><p>If you’ve ever felt your marriage shift into a new season, this episode will make you laugh, nod, and maybe text your spouse from the couch: “You up?”</p><p>Listen to Episode 305 wherever you get podcasts, or watch the (mostly) live video on YouTube. And don’t forget to take the relational needs questionnaire at lunchtimeinrome.com—it’s a great tool for any season you’re in!</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at <a href="https://www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe</a>

<p>How to Build Relational Intimacy</p><p>In this heartfelt episode of <em>Lunchtime in Rome</em>, the guys (minus Chris, who was melting into his couch after a rough day) dive deep into what it really takes to move a relationship from “good” to “great.” The core idea? Emotional and relational intimacy is the missing piece for most couples and friendships that feel stuck in “fine.”</p><p>They break it down into two big steps:</p><p>* <strong>Heal from past hurts</strong> – both individual childhood wounds and old conflicts in the current relationship. The guys emphasize that most people grind through present-day issues while carrying unhealed baggage from years ago. Healing individually first softens your heart toward your partner (or friend) and makes current conflicts easier to handle as a team.</p><p>* <strong>Practice the three ongoing components of intimacy</strong>:</p><p>* Slow, team-oriented communication of needs (outside of conflict when possible)</p><p>* Purposeful, specific attempts to meet each other’s emotional needs (give your partner the cheat-code instructions!)</p><p>* Constant feedback, mutual encouragement, and lots of grace when efforts fall short</p><p>The conversation gets real about why so few people actually do this work: fear of reopening old wounds, apathy, detachment, or simply never having seen what a truly great relationship looks like. The guys stress that this isn’t a one-time fix—it’s a lifelong discipline of intentionality, vulnerability, and celebration when the other person tries (even if they miss the mark).</p><p>Mixed in with the heavy stuff, the guys keep it light with plenty of laughs—everything from the hilarious (and highly recommended) Internet Invitational golf series, unexpected cheesesteak-poutine masterpieces, built-in shelving victories, and the chaos of hosting 24 people for Thanksgiving gets covered too.</p><p>Key takeaway: Great relationships aren’t accidental. They’re built when two people decide to heal, communicate slowly and honestly, intentionally meet each other’s needs, and cheer each other on with tons of grace.</p><p>If you’re tired of “comfortably miserable” or just want to level-up from good to great, this episode is for you. Grab the full show wherever you get podcasts, take the emotional needs questionnaire at lunchtimeinrome.com, and let’s all work toward relationships that aren’t just good—they’re great.</p><p>Happy Thanksgiving from the table—see you in two weeks for episode 305! 🦃</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at <a href="https://www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe</a>

<p>From “Fine” to “Very Good”: Unlock Real Intimacy in Your Relationships</p><p>Hey Lunchtime in Rome crew! Episode 303 hits hard: Why do most relationships stall at “good” or “fine” instead of God’s “very good” benchmark (Genesis vibes)? The guys unpack it with laughs, raw stories, and zero fluff. Let’s dive in—quick and punchy.</p><p>Life Wins Fuel the Fire</p><p>* Cabinets installed in a day (friendship goals).</p><p>* First disc golf ace (”It took its key out and let itself in!”).</p><p>* Gym streak: 6 days/week, push-pull-legs—feeling beast mode.</p><p>* CrossFit newbie: Lungs burn, but the community? Gold.</p><p>These aren’t side notes—they show intentional effort, just like relationships need.</p><p>The Problem: No Intimacy = Stuck in “Fine”</p><p>Premarital homework: Ask married folks about their marriage. Answers? “Fine.” “Better than most.” Never “great.” Why?</p><p>* <strong>Coexisting, not connecting</strong>: 1950s duty, 1980s distractions, today? Doomscrolling side-by-side.</p><p>* <strong>Blocks</strong>: Selfishness (survival mode), bad habits from upbringing, unmet hurts teaching “don’t vulnerability.”</p><p>* <strong>Communication levels</strong> (Jim’s gold): 1. Obligatory (”Hi”). 2. Observational (”It’s raining”). 3. Thoughts (”You’re wrong”). 4. Feelings (”I feel alone”). Stop at 3? No intimacy.</p><p>Intimacy = Vulnerable openness + meeting needs. Join their world: Rejoice/mourn together (Romans 12:15).</p><p>The Fix: 3 Steps to “Very Good”</p><p>* <strong>Slow need-sharing</strong>: No conflict— “It’d mean the world if...”</p><p>* <strong>Intentional need-meeting</strong>: Pour in, even if uneven. Model it.</p><p>* <strong>Feedback loop</strong>: “Loved that—here’s a tweak.” Receive without defense.</p><p>303 episodes of this podcast? Your cheat sheet.</p><p>Food Fun: Best Fake Ethnic Chain?</p><p>Taco Bell crushes (Crunchwrap Supreme nostalgia). Olive Garden salad/breadsticks honorable mention. Outback for “Australian” laughs. Aladdin’s shawarma with pickled turnips? Underrated.</p><p>Your pick? Comment below!</p><p>This episode’s a wake-up. Take the relational needs quiz at lunchtimeinrome.com. Subscribe on Substack for recaps + extras. What’s your “very good” move this week? Let’s chat. Pull up a seat! 🚀</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at <a href="https://www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe</a>

<p>Welcome everyone and pull up a seat at the table. It’s Lunchtime in Rome. Tonight’s episode 302 is titled “Jared Turner” Ohio? To Pittsburgh? Because Ishan (EE Shawn) asked you to go? What’s that all about? We’ll be finding out about all of that and more at The Table this evening.</p><p>Pull up a seat at the table and join us!</p><p>In this week’s episode of <em>Lunchtime in Rome</em>, the guys welcome Jared Turner, a young leader whose journey from Ohio to Pittsburgh has been shaped by faith, friendship, and purpose. From his childhood in Cleveland and Cincinnati to his work with Young Life, Jared’s story is one of belonging, curiosity, and learning to serve others authentically.</p><p>The guys dive into Jared’s upbringing as the son of a pastor, his early introduction to church life, and how a comic book–style <em>Action Bible</em> first sparked his interest in faith. Jared reflects on how his understanding of Christianity deepened through middle and high school, leading him to become involved with Young Life — an organization that ultimately guided him toward ministry and mentorship.</p><p>Jared shares the lighthearted yet powerful story of the “Cookie Tote,” where his simple act of handing out cookies at McDonald’s became a way to connect with students and create meaningful community. The guys also explore his relationship with his mentor Ishan, who encouraged him to take a leap of faith and move to Pittsburgh to pursue full-time ministry.</p><p>The conversation turns heartfelt as Jared discusses emotional needs like <em>belonging</em> and <em>respect</em>, how he handles challenges with calm maturity, and how curiosity drives his desire to truly understand people. The episode wraps with the guys’ trademark humor as they debate the best old-school cafeteria lunches — from pizza burgers to underbaked chocolate chip cookies.</p><p>Episode 302 captures the essence of <em>Lunchtime in Rome</em>: laughter, vulnerability, and the beauty of sharing stories that remind us what it means to belong at the table.</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Lunchtime In Rome Podcast at <a href="https://www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">www.lunchtimeinrome.com/subscribe</a>