Before we release the final episode of the Made for People Podcast, we’re pressing pause for something a little different.

Over the past few weeks, so many of you have reached out with thoughtful reflections, personal stories, and honest questions. So instead of rushing to the finish, we’re giving you the chance to shape how this series ends.

We’re collecting listener questions—about anything we’ve talked about: friendship in marriage, parenting, loneliness, making friends as an adult, or something we haven’t covered yet—and in a few weeks, Matt, Steve, and I will release a final episode where we respond to your questions directly.

In the meantime, we didn’t want to leave you empty-handed—so we’re sharing this short bonus episode on a topic that has come up again and again: geography and how much your physical location shapes your relational life.

In just ten minutes, we talk about:

✔️ Why moving toward friendship could be one of the most important decisions you ever make

✔️ How proximity isn’t everything—but it changes everything

✔️ How to think about jobs, neighborhoods, and churches through the lens of community

📖 Want more? Grab a copy of Made for People wherever books are sold.

💬 Let’s Connect! Follow me on Instagram @justinwhitmelearley and join the conversation.

❓Send me your question! DM me your questions or email me at justin.whitmel.earley@thecommonrule.org and we might answer your question in the final episode!

What if the story of your marriage is also the story of your friendships?

In this episode of the Made for People podcast, I sit down with my absolute favorite guest yet (obviously)—my wife, Lauren Earley—to talk about how friendship has shaped our marriage through the years. From our early days with no kids, to the chaos of raising four little boys, and now to a season where rhythms are more established, we reflect on how friendship has changed—and sustained—us through it all.

We discuss:

✔️ The different stages of friendship in our marriage—before kids, with newborns, and now

✔️ How geography, the local church, and intentional rhythms have shaped our friendships

✔️ The art of making friends into family and family into friends

✔️ Why close friendships outside of marriage are not optional—they’re necessary

✔️ How to encourage (and challenge) your spouse to pursue deep relationships

✔️ Our hopes for our boys and the friendships they’ll carry into adulthood

Whether you’re newly married, in the middle of parenting chaos, or further down the road, this episode will help you reflect on the friendships that hold your life together—and how to keep making space for them.

📖 Want more? Grab a copy of Made for People wherever books are sold.

💬 Let’s Connect! Follow me on Instagram @justinwhitmelearley and join the conversation.

What if the most important thing your kids need from you isn’t a perfect home—but a model of deep, committed friendship?

In this episode of the Made for People podcast, I sit down with Joey Odom, co-founder of Aro (now rebranded as ReclaimWell), to talk about the powerful connection between technology, friendship, and parenting. We explore how our devices can either help or hinder our relationships—and how the way we use them is shaping the next generation more than we realize.

We discuss:

✔️ Healthier and less healthy ways technology shows up in our friendships

✔️ How to model friendship in everyday life for your children

✔️ Why the #1 predictor of your child’s future life is your current one

✔️ How to shepherd your children toward a life of deep relationships

✔️ Why friendship isn’t just a good idea—it might actually change the world

Join us for this honest and hope-filled conversation about how to build homes where friendship is normal, screens serve people (not the other way around), and kids develop the habits of deep and lasting friendship.

📖 Want more? Grab a copy of Made for People and check out ReclaimWell online.

💬 Let’s Connect! Follow me on Instagram @justinwhitmelearley and join the conversation.