Summary

In this episode of the Our Two Cents podcast, hosts Aaron and Aja share their experiences and reflections on their recent trip to Australia, their relationship journey over the past 14 years, and the challenges and joys of parenting. They discuss their initial impressions of Australia, the evolution of their relationship from high school to adulthood, the struggles of long-distance relationships, and the financial challenges they faced while buying their first home. The conversation also touches on the arrival of their children, Baker and Luca, and how their roles have shifted as they navigate family life together.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Australia: First Impressions

05:22 The Evolution of Us: A Journey Through Time

23:56 Navigating Independence in Relationships

25:22 Balancing Needs and Expectations

28:06 Collaborative Decision-Making in Long-Distance Relationships

29:27 The Impact of Personal Growth on Relationships

30:52 Managing Emotions During Competitive Times

33:04 Investing in Relationships

34:43 Finding Personal Fulfillment

37:32 The Journey to Homeownership

42:48 Living Together: The Transition from Dating to Co-habitation

43:36 Navigating Domestic Life Together

44:38 Financial Struggles and Growth

47:13 The Journey of Homeownership

50:24 The Transition to Parenthood

58:33 Challenges of Raising Two Children

01:04:22 Evolving Roles and Responsibilities

Takeaways

• Australia feels like a mix of North America and Mexico.
• Traveling can bring a sense of home and comfort.
• Long-distance relationships require understanding and effort.
• Navigating financial struggles can strengthen a relationship.
• Parenting brings both challenges and joys.
• Teamwork is essential in a relationship.
• It's important to adapt roles as life changes.
• Experiencing hardship can lead to greater appreciation for success.
• The arrival of children changes dynamics in a relationship.
• Communication is key in understanding each other's needs.

Summary

In this episode of the Our Two Cents Podcast, Aaron and Aja discuss the evolution of their mindsets over the years, particularly in relation to personal growth, education, employment, and entrepreneurship. They reflect on their experiences as parents, the impact of COVID-19 on their lives, and how these factors have influenced their decisions to pursue entrepreneurship. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mindset in navigating life's challenges and opportunities, and how their perspectives have shifted towards valuing time flexibility and personal fulfillment over traditional employment.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mindset

01:42 Personal Mindset Perspectives

06:22 Education and Employment Mindset

13:05 Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

20:18 Life Changes and COVID-19 Impact

28:13 Finding Flexibility in Work

31:37 Journey into Network Marketing

37:16 Mindset Shifts and Personal Growth

44:03 Employment vs. Entrepreneurship

50:14 The Value of Time Flexibility

55:58 Investing in Yourself and Your Future

Summary

In this episode, Aja and Aaron share their experiences traveling with their children in Thailand after spending three months in Costa Rica. They discuss the cultural differences they observed, particularly in how children are treated, and reflect on their journey from the USA to Thailand. The couple highlights unique experiences such as visiting a safari zoo and exploring local markets, while also addressing the challenges of traveling with kids. They conclude with a sense of gratitude for the adventures they've had and the lessons learned along the way.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey

01:42 Reflections on Costa Rica and Arrival in Dallas

05:12 Experiencing Family Connections in Dallas

10:40 Cultural Contrasts: Kids in Costa Rica vs. North America

15:29 Traveling to Thailand: The Journey Begins

18:59 First Impressions of Bangkok

26:05 Late Night Adventures in Thailand

28:11 Reflections on Travel and Safety

37:24 Unique Experiences in Thailand

49:11 Cultural Insights and Personal Growth

Takeaways

• Traveling with kids can lead to unique experiences.
• Cultural differences impact how children are perceived and treated.
• Simple luxuries, like hot showers, are often taken for granted.
• The pace of life varies greatly between cultures.
• Traveling opens up opportunities for family bonding.
• Experiencing local food and markets enhances travel experiences.
• Children thrive in environments that value their exploration.
• Traveling can change perceptions of safety in different countries.
• Engaging with animals in a zoo setting can be a memorable experience.
• The importance of community and support in different cultures.

Summary

In this episode of the Two Cents podcast, Aaron and Aja Pauls share their experiences of embarking on a long-term family travel adventure, starting from their time in Costa Rica to their current stay in Bangkok. They discuss the challenges of planning such a trip, the adjustments they had to make while living in a new country, and the memorable moments they created with their children and family members who visited them. The conversation highlights the importance of embracing new experiences, overcoming obstacles, and the joy of creating lasting memories while traveling as a family.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Travel Adventure

01:26 The Seed of Travel: Early Conversations

03:15 Catalyst for Change: The Costa Rica Trip

04:55 The Journey Begins: From Canada to Costa Rica

14:43 Transitioning to Local Life in Costa Rica

21:03 Challenges of Adapting to a New Culture

28:23 Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable

31:47 Weathering the Storm: Coping with Challenges

32:34 Embracing the Elements: A Rainy Adventure

34:52 Challenges of Living in a Small Town

39:15 Transitioning to Jaco: A New Experience

46:59 Family Visits: A Touch of Home

54:12 Reflections on Memorable Experiences

Takeaways

• Traveling as a family has been a long-standing dream for us.
• The idea of living in another country has always intrigued us.
• Planning a long trip involves many challenges, especially with kids.
• We had to sell our house while being away, which was a significant challenge.
• Packing for an unknown duration was difficult; we learned to pack light.
• Adjusting to life in Costa Rica was both exciting and challenging.
• The kids adapted better than we expected to the new environment.
• Finding community and social interactions was easier in Jaco than in Samara.
• Family visits during our travels created unforgettable memories.
• Traveling has deepened our appreciation for different cultures and experiences.

Summary

In this introductory episode of 'Our Two Cents', hosts Aja and Aaron share their journey of starting a podcast together. They discuss their relationship, family life, and the motivations behind creating this platform. The couple aims to have unfiltered conversations about various topics, including parenting, business, and travel, while building a community and connecting with listeners.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Our Journey

03:05 The Motivation Behind the Podcast

05:35 Expectations and Future Plans

08:09 The Name and Themes of the Podcast

Takeaways

• Aja and Aaron have been together for 14 years and have two children.
• They have a passion for traveling and exploring the world together.
• Starting a podcast was a way to have uninterrupted conversations between them.
• They want to share their experiences and learn from others.
• The podcast aims to create a sense of community and connection.
• They plan to have guests on the show in the future.
• The podcast will cover a variety of topics relevant to their lives.
• They want to engage with listeners through social media.
• The name 'Our Two Cents' reflects their unfiltered approach.
• They hope to add value to their listeners' lives.