alexa & carlos penavega on grief, marriage & finding joy again

special forces episode 5 is here, and we're breaking down what might be the most intense season yet! this week, we're reacting to the high-stakes challenges, unexpected mistakes, and the physical and mental exhaustion the recruits are facing. from the chaos of the hostage rescue mission to a brutal trek through the mud, we're sharing our honest reactions and comparing these moments to our own experience on special forces. we're also diving into the emotional side of the competition, why failure doesn't always mean you're out, and what it really takes to keep pushing when everything in you wants to quit. let us know what you thought of episode 5 in the comments! **THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!** → **HOME CHEF:** for a limited time, get 50% off and free shipping on your first box, plus free dessert for life! visit https://www.homechef.com/eastfam to claim your offer. must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert. → **OAK ESSENTIALS:** head to https://www.oakessentials.com and use code EASTFAM for 15% off your first order at checkout. → **NOBL TRAVEL:** head to https://nobltravel.com for up to 46% off your entire order! after you purchase, please let them know our show sent you. → **WAYFAIR:** wayfair makes it easier to find something that fits your style and budget! shop at https://www.wayfair.com. (0:00) Episode Introduction (2:17) Duty Recruit Role (4:29) Shared Suffering Challenge and Repelling challenge (7:37) Different Departments of Entertainment (11:10) Joking in Serious Situations (16:57) Shawn and Andrew’s Experience With Rules (21:37) How Winning Works (24:50) David Charvet interview (28:50) The Jungle Trek (33:53) Oliver's leadership struggles (35:26) Choosing Who Goes Back (37:49) Conflict with Staff (44:54) Emergency Rescue (49:40) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

special forces episode 4 is here and we're back with another recap!! things are only getting more intense, and watching this season after experiencing special forces ourselves brings back SO many memories. from the physical challenges to the mental battles, there's really nothing that can prepare you for what it's like until you're actually there. this week we're breaking down episode 4, sharing our reactions, giving a little behind-the-scenes perspective from our own experience, and talking about what it really takes to make it through special forces: world's toughest test. whether you've been following along since episode 1 or you're just joining us, we're so glad you're here! let us know your thoughts on this week's episode in the comments and who you're rooting for! love you guys! shawn & andrew (00:00) Special Forces Episode 4: pushing past your breaking point (00:17) how the DS uncover your weaknesses (03:21) character development: Candace Cameron Bure + Colin Gosselin (05:20) leadership under pressure (06:15) the water bottle check + mental stress (08:34) Colin's perfectionism: helpful or overbearing? (10:49) the difference between being helpful + overbearing (13:00) the hostage rescue challenge (16:16) Hannah's leadership struggles + the pressure to make decisions (18:14) what makes a good leader under pressure? (20:10) David Charvet's hostage rescue + the red mist (24:30) Candace steps up as team leader (27:09) Candace's interview: confidence, leadership + marriage (29:44) being supported by your partner vs. being overprotected (34:30) how childhood experiences shape who we become (37:18) Candace + Colin: two very different childhood experiences (40:15) chemical warfare + Mauricio's emotional exit (41:23) interrogations, mind games + the gas chamber (43:58) Colin's search for family + belonging (45:00) what's next for the recruits + final thoughts **a big thank you to our sponsors!** → david protein: https://davidprotein.com/eastfam — buy four cartons and get the fifth free! → ka'chava: https://www.kachava.com — use code EASTFAM for 15% off your order! → minno: https://www.gominno.com — enjoy a 7-day free trial! → skims: https://www.skims.com — shop skims cotton and all our favorite pieces! after placing your order, select “podcast” in the survey and choose our show from the dropdown menu so they know we sent you! subscribe for more special forces recaps and new episodes of couple things every week! follow along: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couplethingspod/ #specialforces #specialforcesworldstoughesttest #couplethings #shawnjohnson #andreweast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

alexa and carlos penavega are back on couple things, and this conversation is one we won't forget. since we last sat down together, life has brought unexpected challenges, heartbreaking loss, and a whole new perspective on love, marriage, and faith. in this episode, alexa and carlos open up about navigating grief after the loss of their daughter, indy, how their marriage has evolved through difficult seasons, and the importance of leaning on each other when life doesn't go as planned. we also talk about their new book, *joy isn't canceled: what grief taught us about pain, peace, and purpose*, and the lessons they've learned about finding hope and joy even in the midst of heartbreak. we're so grateful to have these two back for another honest, vulnerable, and encouraging conversation. whether you're navigating loss, walking through a difficult season, or simply looking for a reminder that joy is still possible, we hope this episode encourages you. preorder *joy isn't canceled* (out november 3, 2026): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joy-isnt-canceled-carlos-penavega/1149631899 thanks for listening! ❤️ 0:00 Introduction 0:50 Life updates and projects 3:33 Choosing Tennessee over Florida 6:49 Balancing life and ambition 9:08 Redefining success and legacy 12:53 The Pareto principle in life 16:35 Overcoming the need for control 19:25 The power of saying no 22:34 Cultivating genuine community 27:52 Discernment and grace 36:57 Walking through loss 47:16 Joy in the midst of grief 55:00 Lessons from the aftermath 1:07:55 Finding lasting perspective Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

family vacations with kids... equal parts chaos, adventure, and memories we'll never forget 😂 this week on couple things, we're talking the pod remote and talking all things family travel! from the challenges of packing up and traveling with three kids to why we think making these memories together is always worth it. we're sharing some of our favorite family vacation moments, what we've learned about traveling with little ones, and our recent experience aboard Disney Cruise Line! between the excitement, the activities, and getting to experience a little Disney magic together, it was such a special adventure for our family. a huge thank you to Disney Cruise Line for having us and helping us create memories we'll cherish forever! ❤️ we'd love to hear from you guys! what's your favorite family vacation you've ever taken, and what are your best tips for traveling with kids? love you guys! shawn & andrew (00:00) traveling with kids: what’s worth it + what’s not(01:11) Shawn’s childhood Disney cruise memories(02:00) how we grew up vacationing differently(03:09) why Disney works for the whole family(05:07) the family travel equation + what makes a trip worth it(07:35) five questions to ask before traveling with kids(08:49) Disney World vs. Disney Cruise: which is more worth it?(10:52) routines while traveling with young kids(12:36) ranking family trips: Disney, skiing, Dubai + Japan(18:09) the Tijuana mission trip + teaching kids to serve(20:13) Pigeon Forge, Branson + Wisconsin Dells(26:45) learning to travel with kids as parents(27:47) rapid-fire: the best ages for different trips(31:30) the East family’s rules for traveling with kids Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

we're back with another special forces recap, and episode 3 is bringing back ALL the memories! as former contestants on we're back and breaking down this week's challenges, the growing pressure on the recruits, sweet moments, our favorite quotes and contestants AND what it's actually like to experience these moments firsthand. from the physical demands to the mental battles, we're sharing our reactions, behind-the-scenes insight, and the things you don't get to see on tv. plus, we're talking about who's impressing us, who we're rooting for, and how quickly everything can change when you're in that environment. if you're watching along with us, let us know your thoughts on episode 3 and what you want us to cover next week! thanks for watching and being part of the east fam! ❤️ (00:00) episode 3 recap + what to expect(01:45) packing your Bergen + the weight requirements(03:31) dish duty + hygiene(05:34) the mind games behind the challenges(07:26) hand-to-hand combat(10:27) “red mist” + what happens when you lose control(12:20) athleticism, turning off your mind + emotional awareness(16:16) Alicia Baumgartner takes on the milling challenge + why her technique stood out(20:12) Maksim’s heartbreaking story + vulnerability(23:50) the interrogation challenge + sharing your story(26:00) the matchups + facing your fears(28:00) watching your child struggle + a parent’s perspective(30:00) preparing your kids for hard things(32:00) Alexia opens up to her dad(34:00) “our world is violence” + the Special Forces mindset(35:37) understanding the world through a soldier’s eyes(38:00) exhaustion, emotions + what’s coming next(40:00) final thoughts + looking ahead to the next episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sat down with Olympic ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates to talk about what it takes to compete at the highest level alongside the person you love. From becoming partners on the ice to falling in love, getting married, and continuing to chase huge goals together, Madison and Evan share what their journey has really looked like behind the scenes. We talk Olympic pressure, marriage, trust, competing as a couple, and what keeps them coming back after all these years. As athletes ourselves, we loved getting to compare experiences and hear what it’s like when your teammate also happens to be your spouse. This was such a fun one. Enjoy! (00:00) we have a couple crush (01:30) what’s your dynamic as a couple? (03:20) navigating the rough times & going home (05:30) life post-olympics (07:06) the community around chock & bates (09:00) who is more likely to be…? (18:45) confidence on the ice (21:00) feelings are moldable (23:44) the subjectivity of our sports (27:40) the mixed zone & kiss and cry cameras (32:15) quantitative vs. qualitative “success data” (34:27) the journaling process (39:35) the art of designing costumes (43:15) our shared love of sports & vacations (45:13) the post-olympics blues (47:18) what’s next for chock & bates? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

we're back with even MORE special forces stories... and this time, we're hearing them straight from our instructor! 😂 today we're sitting down with Jovon "Q" Quarles (aka DS Q), our former directing staff instructor from special forces: world's toughest test, and our longtime friend Ian Schinelli, a former navy SEAL who actually went through BUD/S training alongside Q! this was our first time seeing Q since filming in Morocco, and it's safe to say it's a VERY different experience sitting across from him when he's not yelling at us. we're getting into all the behind-the-scenes moments you didn't see on TV, which contestants Q thought would make it to the end, stories from some of our toughest challenges, and how our special forces experience actually compares to real navy SEAL training. 😂 Q and Ian also share some pretty unbelievable stories from their own time in the military, what it really takes to survive BUD/S and hell week, and why mental toughness is so much more than physical strength. we also dive into life after serving, finding purpose outside of the military, and what happens when you step away from something that has defined so much of your life. between the hilarious stories, special forces memories, and some really meaningful conversations, this one was so much fun. we hope you enjoy it! thank you to our sponsors! → branch basics: get 15% off the home essentials kit with code EASTFAM at https://branchbasics.com → betterhelp: sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/eastfam → lola blankets: get 40% off select products with code EASTFAM at https://lolablankets.com → pave america: we're building our backyard court with america's sports construction, a division of pave america! learn more about bringing your own sports space to life at https://americasportsconstruction.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back for special forces EPISODE 2! this week we’re getting into everything that went down in episode 2 - the moments that made us cringe, the challenges that looked even worse knowing what they actually feel like, and the things we noticed as people who have been on the other side of it. we’re sharing our reactions as the episode unfolds, talking through the recruits’ decisions, and comparing it all to what we experienced during our own time on special forces. if you watched episode 2, come hang with us for the recap and tell us what you want us to break down next week! love you guys! shawn & andrew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

quick note before we get into it- we had a little technical hiccup while recording this episode, so the audio may sound a bit off at times. we hope you still enjoy this fun throwback with us! 🫶 Dancing with the Stars is back, so obviously we had to talk about it. 🪩 We’re reacting to this season’s cast, the performances and everything that’s happened so far — while also taking a trip down memory lane to Shawn’s own time in the ballroom. From favorite memories and behind-the-scenes moments to what it’s like watching the show now after actually competing on it, there was a LOT to unpack. Let us know who you’re rooting for this season and what you want us to talk about next! 🕺💃 head to https://oakessentials.com and use code EASTFAM for 15% off your order at checkout. embrace your salty side. go to https://kachava.com and use code EASTFAM for 15% off your first order. go to https://instanthydration.com/eastfam and use promo code EASTFAM for over 40% off your first subscription order. it’s Instant Hydration’s best offer available. head to https://gominno.com to start your free 7-day trial today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

special forces is BACK and we’re officially debriefing every episode 👀 as former contestants, we’re breaking down episode 1 from a completely different perspective - what surprised us, what looked painfully familiar, what you don’t fully see on tv, and what was probably going through the recruits’ heads during those first challenges. we’re talking first impressions, the toughest moments of the episode, who stood out, and all of the little details that brought us right back to our own special forces experience. if you watched episode 1, come recap it with us and let us know what moment you want us to talk about next week! We're so excited! Love you guys! Shawn & Andrew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices