Trying to be Normal Human Beings with Joe Bonifacio and Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio

·58 min·5 clips

Jim asks Joe and Rica how they maintain their 'baseline human being' status while juggling parenting, work, and aging.

The episode begins with Jim framing the discussion around the daily struggle to feel like a 'normal human being' while managing parenting, work, and aging. Guests Joe and Rica Bonifacio join, sharing their personal hanash, such as Joe losing his voice from eating raw instant noodles and Rica dealing with family sickness. Joe introduces a metaphor comparing life in one's 20s to a blank canvas with pressure for perfection, versus life after 40 as a canvas with holes and rough patches that become part of the design. Rica discusses the importance of therapy, revealing she learned to grieve losses like independence after becoming a mom, not just deaths. The conversation shifts to social media, where Rica admits feeling pressured by influencers' perfect content while juggling homeschooling and two kids, contrasting with her preference for authentic creators like an Alaskan fisherman. They explore intergenerational dynamics, praising older friends who are curious and not condescending, and discussing Gen Z's work attitudes without judgment. Joe and Rica talk about their church, No Other Name, which they built after personal trauma, emphasizing embracing limitations and creating a space where people can call out leaders. Jim shares his own religious trauma, growing up with a fear-based view of God, and how listening to their podcast helped him connect with spirituality differently. Rica recounts a health crisis where their son Pancho was in the ICU for 70 days, which became a turning point in their faith. Joe describes a parenting moment where his son Phillip got angry for discussing his piano practice publicly, leading to an apology and a lesson in respecting autonomy. The episode touches on unlearning cycles, such as saying sorry to children and breaking patterns from their own upbringings. They discuss how fear often drives decisions, projecting parental figures onto God, and the need to see Jesus as a normal human being. The hosts and guests reflect on the beauty of repair in relationships and the ongoing journey of self-acceptance.

As heard by us

A loose, funny reset on sickness, work, and the long job of staying human.

Joe Bonifacio and Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio keep the spotlight on the daily work of staying human while parenting, work, and minor sickness keep colliding.

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Why you'd press play

You need a reset for the day when a fever feels like a full system crash.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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