Podcast Episodes
Looking Back, Moving Forward:
With Honesty, Mindset, and Kindness.
From South Africa to Here: Love Tested, Love Renewed
EP. 05
EP. 05
Marriage and Business Don’t End; They Evolve.
Most people think a thriving marriage and business partnership just needs hard work and luck. But for Martin and Heila Rowan, the real magic and challenge was learning to stay together when everything felt like it was falling apart.
In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Sarah sit down with the Rowans to talk about the journey from young love in South Africa to raising kids, moving continents, and building a life in the US, together. Martin and Heila share how they navigated the early years of entrepreneurship, the strains of building something new, and the deep rift that nearly ended it all.
From almost calling it quits to finding a new kind of love, they share raw and honest stories of what it means to rebuild without losing each other. They talk about what they’ve had to unlearn about success and marriage, how faith and therapy played a role, and how they’re still learning to check in and truly hear one another.
Whether you’re juggling work and family, building something new, or feeling the distance in your own relationship, this episode is a powerful reminder: it’s not about avoiding the hard stuff; it’s about moving through it, together.
Takeaways:
The power of checking in before it’s too late
Why the provider mindset can mask disconnection
How therapy and vulnerability can transform a marriage
The freedom of seeing work as just one of life’s adventures, not the whole story
The quiet relief of knowing you’re not alone in the struggle
Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning):
31% of couples in business together cite emotional burnout and role confusion as the biggest threats to their relationship.
Couples who attend marriage counseling see a 70–80% improvement in relationship satisfaction.
Even the strongest partnerships need regular gut checks and the courage to say, “Something’s not right.”
👉 Book Martin mentioned: Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott — Read it here
👉 Curious about the Enneagram? The Enneagram Institute’s free resources and descriptions
👉 Here’s a great article on how to support your marriage when you’re also building a business: Read the article
Listen to the full episode:
Parenting in the Launch Years
EP. 04
EP. 04
Parenting doesn’t end—it transforms.
Most parenting advice ends at high school graduation, but the launch years? That’s when the real shift begins. In this heartfelt episode, Justin and Sarah Ahrens reflect on celebrating their son’s college graduation and dive into the complex, often unspoken world of parenting adult children.
From learning to mentor instead of manage, to navigating the return of grown kids to the family home, they share honest stories about what it means to let go without losing connection. They explore how their business and leadership experiences have shaped their parenting, what they've had to unlearn, and how they're still evolving alongside their four kids.
Whether you’re in the thick of transition, bracing for an empty nest, or figuring out how to stay close without crowding your kids, this episode offers practical insights, real laughter, and a reminder that it’s okay not to have it all figured out.
Takeaways:
How to parent adult kids with presence, not pressure
When to step back—and when to lovingly step in
Why leadership traits like adaptability and vulnerability matter in parenting
What legacy really means when your kids are grown
The joy (and chaos) of welcoming adult children back home
Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning):
74% of adult children want emotional support, not advice.
Respecting autonomy builds stronger long-term relationships.
The brain doesn’t fully develop until around 25 — so yes, that explains a lot.😉
👉 Here’s a great article on brain development if you're curious.
Listen to the full episode:
Marriage or Business: Which Is Harder?
EP. 03
EP. 03
Justin and Sarah have been partners in business and life for over three decades. They started a creative agency while starting a family—and over the years, they’ve experienced the highs, lows, and in-betweens of running both a household and a company together.
In this honest, funny, and sometimes raw conversation, they unpack the emotional weight of ambition, the unspoken expectations that come with traditional gender roles, and what it takes to stay on the same team when your dreams—and your stress levels—aren’t always aligned. Whether you’re building a business, raising kids, or doing both, this episode delivers some much-needed real talk and encouragement.
Takeaways:
The early years of building a company while raising babies
Unspoken resentment, invisible labor, and how they addressed both
The “SWOT meeting” that changed how they communicate
Why staying curious about your partner might be the key to staying close
Listen to the full episode:
Different Worlds, One Marriage: How Our Upbringings Shaped Us
EP. 02
EP. 02
Justin and Sarah grew up in two completely different worlds—one marked by constant change, single-parent homes, and loud, expressive family dynamics; the other, rooted in perceived stability, structure, and quiet expectations. In this episode, they share how their unique family backgrounds shaped everything from communication and conflict to holidays, parenting, and emotional growth.
With humor and honesty, they reflect on the early days of marriage—what they didn’t know, what they had to unlearn, and how they’ve grown through the tension of opposites. If you’ve ever wondered how your past impacts your present relationships (or what it’s like to marry into a totally different kind of family), this one’s for you.
Takeaways:
How calling your dad instead of your spouse can cause real tension
Why early marriage fights aren’t always about what you think
Navigating holidays with two very different expectations
Why understanding where your partner comes from changes everything
Listen to the full episode:
Meet the Ahrens: Why We’re Doing This
EP. 01
EP. 01
In this short kickoff, Justin and Sarah Ahrens introduce Running Ahrens, a show about the messy, beautiful reality of building a life together. With over 30 years of marriage, four kids, and decades of running businesses side-by-side, they’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to navigate work, love, and family without losing your mind (or each other).
Whether you're raising kids, launching something big, or simply craving real conversations, this teaser sets the tone. Spoiler: there's laughter, a little fear, and one seriously good reason why it’s called Running Ahrens.
Takeaways:
Why Justin and Sarah started the show
What listeners can expect (honest convos, real stories, practical insights)
Why “Running Ahrens” is about more than errands
Listen to the full episode:
