Running Ahrens
One Couple. Two People. Four Kids. And decades of figuring it out—together.
Running Ahrens is a podcast about the long game of marriage, parenting, business, and personal growth. Hosted by Justin and Sarah Ahrens—a couple married for over 30 years with four kids and decades of entrepreneurial experience—this show is about the lessons learned through successes, failures, and everything in between.
With a focus on mindset, honesty, accountability, and kindness, Justin and Sarah dive into real conversations about building a family, running businesses, navigating faith, friendships, and growing through the hard stuff. Still learning, still laughing, still running together—they share what they’ve figured out (and what they haven’t) with humor, humility, and heart.
Along the way, they’re joined by friends, guests, and even their kids for open, often funny, and always heartfelt conversations about what really matters: relationships, resilience, and the lessons that come with time. You’ll also hear about the books, tools, and resources that have helped them along the way—so you can take what resonates and apply it to your own life.
If you’re looking for honest stories, practical wisdom, and a reminder that no one’s running this race perfectly, you’re in the right place.
Running Ahrens
Baby of the Family, Boss of the Moment: Ava Takes the Mic
In this first-ever “kid interview” episode of Running Ahrens, Justin and Sarah flip the script and invite their youngest, Ava, into the hot seat. What follows is an honest, hilarious, and unexpectedly profound conversation about growing up in a loud, passionate, and sometimes chaotic family.
From sibling drama and sports parent confessions to the unspoken perks (and pitfalls) of being the “baby” of four, Ava holds nothing back. She calls out family myths, shares what it’s really like surviving Ahrens-level energy, and gives us a glimpse into how she’s turning her story into her own arena.
Whether you’re the youngest in your family, raising one, or just trying to parent through the messiness of business, life, and love, this episode is a celebration of personality, laughter, and what it takes to keep showing up for each other.
Takeaways & Talking Points
- The Youngest’s POV: What it’s really like to grow up last in line, and why “overlooked” isn’t in Ava’s vocabulary
- Thick Skin, Big Laughs: How family banter, sibling alliances, and the occasional “Snapchat roast” shaped Ava’s confidence and independence
- When Parenting Gets a Rewrite: Justin and Sarah on how their approach changed by round four, looser reins, new boundaries, and why each kid gets a different version of you
- Rules, Rebellion & Real Talk: From cutting her own hair to breaking screen-time curfew, Ava spills on how family rules evolved, and which ones she actually followed
- The Real Group Chat: A peek inside the secret sibling group texts (and what parents really want to know)
- Unlearning and Evolving: Why parenting “by the book” went out the window, and what Sarah and Justin would do all over again
Things We’re Learning (and Unlearning)
- There’s no such thing as “fair”, just what each kid needs
- Your last child teaches you as much as your first, if you’re willing to listen
- Letting go isn’t giving up; it’s making space for growth
- Family drama can be fuel for deeper connection
- The stories we tell ourselves as parents aren’t always the stories our kids are living
Stats Worth Knowing
- Only 3% of US families have four or more kids; youngest children are more likely to be independent, outspoken, and resistant to being overlooked (Pew Research)
- Enneagram 8s make up about 15% of the population, and often show up as early leaders (Enneagram Institute)
- 74% of adult children want emotional support from parents, not advice (American Psychological Association)
Also introducing the newest Ahrens podcaster - check out Ava's Arena!
