Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Joy of God is Your Comfort and Strength | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:25:57 | |
An important part of spiritual growth is learning to be comforted and strengthened by the joy of the Lord. Yet it can be challenging to experience joy in the midst of mundane life and human struggle. All of us can learn from Rabbi Jesus who teaches us to draw joy from Abba that transcends our circumstances. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi ponder Jesus’ invincible joy that endured the poverty of the manger and agony of the cross. You’ll be equipped with spiritual disciplines to help you “take heart” with Jesus and embrace joy through nature, relationships, contemplation, and the hope of redemption. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Getting Out of a Shame Storm | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:29:04 | |
Have you ever been trapped in a shame storm? It’s tempting to isolate when feelings of judgment and rejection overwhelm us. But defending against our emotions only becomes a barrier to embracing our greatest need — to be fully seen, known, and loved by Jesus, often through one of his ambassadors. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi offer guidance to help you work through moments of feeling unworthy and unlovable. You’ll become aware of the sadness underneath your shame, learn to express your needs, and take the courage to care for yourself with Jesus and others. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| John Newton’s Amazing Grace | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:30:27 | |
It’s easy to assume God is absent when life gets chaotic or pain and hardship strike. But often the events we interpret as “useless” or “damaging” become the greatest blessings to our relationship with Jesus and formation in Christlikeness. That’s why we can take heart in the sovereign hand of God that guards us in all of our wanderings. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks and enjoy a “Soul Food Reading” from a recent Institute retreat. Bill shares the little-known story of John Newton — the preacher and hymnist who wrote Amazing Grace. You’ll be encouraged to see how God weaves all the details of your life together to draw you to himself, lead you deeper into grace, and shape you into a wounded healer who ministers to others with compassion. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Caring for Anxiety & Panic Attacks | 18 May 2023 | 00:34:16 | |
When anxiety grips us, it can feel like the walls are closing in. Anxiety disorders affect 31% of Americans, and all of us will experience anxiety and stress overload at some point in our lives. Even though this feels like an inescapable part of life, it is possible to experience freedom from anxiety! Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore anxiety and panic attacks. Though it is common to think avoiding triggers is the answer, anxiety presents an opportunity from the Lord to dig deeper into underlying emotions. You will understand the roots of anxiety, find pathways for dealing with these feelings, and access the support you need. You don’t have to let anxiety limit your life. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Understanding Depression | 09 May 2023 | 00:25:52 | |
Many Christians are told their depression is a lack of faith, and if they only think differently and trust God their depression will go away. This sort of shaming holds us back from getting the help we need. Mental health conditions affect our ability to access our insight, intelligence, and brainpower and can disconnect us from God. Depression is paralyzing, but action is curative. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi help us understand depression. You’ll learn about the spectrum of depression and various interventions that help so you can join Jesus in his love and ministry to those suffering in this way. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Is Suicide a Sin? Offering Compassion and Hope | 02 May 2023 | 00:28:27 | |
Suicide is an issue that isn’t often discussed in church. Yet it is the 12th leading cause of death in the US and the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-19. As soul shepherds, we have an opportunity to compassionately love those struggling with mental health challenges, and most tenderly, anyone who is suicidal. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss suicide and God’s mercy for the hurting. You will learn some warning signs of suicide, ways to check in with someone who is struggling, and steps to get them help. As we care for those in a vulnerable state, we want to minister God’s kindness, empathy, and love to them. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Finding Shelter From the Enemy in Jesus’ Face | 25 Apr 2023 | 00:21:31 | |
When you picture Jesus looking at you, do you see a smile? Many of us find we project a frown or a distant look on the face of God. But Jesus’ shining face is looking at you with a smile of love, and you can learn to see it! Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the shelter of Jesus’ smiling face against the attacks of the enemy. Reflecting on an older translation of Psalm 31:20, they share the importance of agreeing with God’s grace and the challenges we face with that based on our stage of faith and our personality. You’ll learn ways of training to overcome unhealthy aspects of your personality that limit you from seeing his smile for you. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Refuting Half Truths From the Enemy | 18 Apr 2023 | 00:25:11 | |
Areas of stress are opportunities for the enemy to drive us down. The father of lies takes something that is true and twists it into a half-truth with a lie embedded in it, hitting us right in the most vulnerable parts of our personality. Yet, with God as our shield, we can refute the lies of the enemy! Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share personally about recent attacks from the enemy. Understanding our emotions is the key to understanding our personality, particularly the four core emotions of anger, shame, anxiety and sadness. By working through those emotions we grow in self-awareness, intimacy with Jesus, and the ability to wake up and reject the lies of the enemy. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Resisting the Enemy's Accusations | 11 Apr 2023 | 00:24:06 | |
Each day we experience the accusations and lies of the enemy that target our specific areas of weakness and bury us in fear, anxiety, resentment, shame, and isolation. Yet scripture tells us we are safe when we submit to God Almighty, our Creator and Redeemer, and resist the devil. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack the accusations of the enemy and how we can learn to agree with God’s grace instead. As you understand the ways the enemy attacks you personally, you can resist his lies and seek the help of brothers and sisters to receive God’s grace. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Loving & Leading With the Risen Jesus | 04 Apr 2023 | 00:26:33 | |
You don’t have to be perfect. God often does his best work of grace telling the story of Jesus through our brokenness. As he meets us right where we are, we can learn to move from the cycle of works to the cycle of grace. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss Spirit-led Ministry from the CHRIST stages. While there isn’t less stress during this stage, there is less striving. In Spirit-led ministry you can learn to depend on the presence of the Risen Christ at work to empower you with his strength, giftings, abilities, and power like a sailboat is activated by the wind. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| A Life-Changing Journey For You | 28 Mar 2023 | 00:31:18 | |
Have you ever wondered if your current experience of spiritual life is all there is? Seasons of feeling distant and dry can be reframed as opportunities for a journey of deeper intimacy with God as you come to understand the stages of spiritual growth. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore the pathway for a life-changing spiritual journey. Understanding this roadmap gives you language for your own experience and opens doors for greater emotional honesty, freedom from shame, and deeper connection with the grace and power of God in your life. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Living Immersed in God's Presence | 21 Mar 2023 | 00:27:42 | |
As Jesus’ apprentices, we have an invitation to live a life that is immersed in God’s presence. But sometimes we default to serving him out of our own strength or trying to earn his love without realizing it. When we focus on our enthrallment with Jesus, we return to live with him as our ultimate mentor! Tune in to this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore this immersive life expressed in the great commission. By reminding yourself of past times in God’s presence and discovering new ways to awaken to his presence all around you, you’ll cultivate habits of thinking and feeling that deepen your apprenticeship to Jesus. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Loving Others By Loving Jesus | 14 Mar 2023 | 00:18:31 | |
We tend to focus our attention and effort on our skills in ministry and the needs of those around us. Yet there is another way to encourage others to draw close to the Lord — through cultivating our own devotion to Jesus. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss a meditation on Song of Solomon 1:3. “Draw me and we will run after the fragrance of your love,” from The Story of a Soul by St. Teresa of Lisieux. You will be encouraged that your own devotion to Jesus can overflow and inspire others in their intimacy with Jesus, creating a community where we spur one another on to love and good deeds. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| The Fix - A Surprising Path for Transformation (Conversation with Ian Cron) | 28 Jan 2025 | 00:37:32 | |
Not everybody struggles with obvious addiction but all of us have a “fix.” The solutions we use to soothe our pain, meet our needs, and manage our lives apart from God seem to work temporarily but leave us with bigger problems. Thankfully, the brokenness of addiction serves as an invitation from Jesus to experience a level of intimacy and transformation that we didn’t think possible. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks for a conversation between Kristi and Ian Cron — bestselling author, psychotherapist, and Enneagram teacher. Your heart will long to surrender everything to our compassionate and powerful God after hearing Ian’s story and insights from his new book, The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone in Between. Resources for this Episode:
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| Jesus Feels For You at the Cross | 07 Mar 2023 | 00:36:24 | |
Shame has many colors, variations, and related emotions. We see in Jesus' cross journey that he is unforsaken by God and we are unforsaken by God in our sin and shame. He invites us to bring all of our needs to him because he is our shame-taker. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi walk us through the journey of the cross. As you look at the fifteen stations of Jesus' cross from the gospel stories, you’ll see Jesus drawing close to show you his empathy for your sin and shame and mediating God’s grace to you. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Jesus' Cross is For You Everyday | 28 Feb 2023 | 00:22:23 | |
When we think about Jesus on the cross, we may only feel pain and shame for our sin and inadequacies. Yet Jesus chose to draw close to us in his humanity to reveal his great love for us! Tune into this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack the power and beauty of the cross for our daily lives. As you recognize you are unforsaken through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and incarnate life, he replaces your shame with grace and you can have love, joy, and peace in any situation in the kingdom of God. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| The Cross Heals Your Shame | 21 Feb 2023 | 00:26:28 | |
Shame can leave us feeling worthless and isolated, disconnected from God’s loving presence and the support of friends. We may feel unable to access God’s best gifts and the abilities and capacities he has given us through his grace. Yet the cross of Jesus has the answers for our sin and shame! Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore shame and its effects. You’ll be encouraged to see you are unforsaken and Jesus’ love and empathy are ready to free you from shame and reorient you back to the truth of God’s embrace. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Keys to Relationship Satisfaction | 14 Feb 2023 | 00:20:24 | |
Intimacy, communication, and understanding are so important to healthy relationships. We work out the practicalities of our discipleship with God in the context of our human relationships, and we all need at least one soul friendship where we can share vulnerably and be understood. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss how to cultivate understanding, safety, and trust in your closest relationships. Two Soul Shepherding assessments — Relationship Satisfaction Assessment, and Marriage Needs Test — will help you identify and communicate your own needs and the needs of your loved one, and address the key challenges in your relationship. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| 365 - A Problem Well Defined is Half Solved | 07 Feb 2023 | 00:22:44 | |
Assessments for our mental, emotional, and spiritual health can give us language to describe our particular experience unique to our personality, stage in life, and situation. A problem well defined is half solved, and assessments are a powerful tool to help us identify problem areas. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi explore the power of assessments in two areas—adrenaline addiction and image of God. You’ll see the impact these areas can have on your life and learn how to train in order to experience freedom and peace. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Whole Life Discipleship to Jesus | 31 Jan 2023 | 00:29:43 | |
What is discipleship? Often our understanding of discipleship separates our spiritual health from the other aspects of our life which can leave us disintegrated and soul sick. Our first call is to be a disciple of Jesus — ahead of the specific work of our ministry — so we learn to live in full dependence on him. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack whole life discipleship to Jesus. You’ll learn how to integrate your mental, emotional, relational, spiritual, and physical health within discipleship to live out of the overflow of your attachment to Jesus. Resources for this Episode:
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| Flourishing in Life by Practicing Solitude & Spiritual Direction | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:17:11 | |
Solitude and silence are essential for deeper submission, trust, and intimacy with the Lord. While our experience of these disciplines may change through different stages of our faith, they remain foundational for us to flourish in life. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share the power of practicing rhythms of solitude and spiritual direction. Together these practices transform and awaken your soul to perceive the beauty, goodness, and love of God, and the many ways he is caring for you right now. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Sensing God’s Presence and Leading | 17 Jan 2023 | 00:24:38 | |
How can we know we are hearing God’s voice? We may hear a call from the Lord, but often there will be decades between receiving a word or promise and its fulfillment. How do we hold on to faith so we don’t lose heart and give in to doubt among the enemy’s attempts to steal it away? Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack the ways God speaks to us through different stages of our faith. You’ll see how the Lord often leads us through experiences and circumstances to become the kind of person who is living a “with God” life in the school of discipleship to Jesus, and that it’s never too late to learn to discern God’s presence, voice, touch, and encouragement more clearly. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Staying Encouraged That God's Call for You Will Prosper | 10 Jan 2023 | 00:32:41 | |
We may feel called by God to use our gifts, yet experience confusion during seasons of deep discouragement or setback. David, Joseph, and Moses also walked through years of waiting and mystery, wondering about their dreams and calling. Tune in to this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi and Bill discuss the seasons of waiting and discouragement that often accompany God’s calling. You will be encouraged to hear how God uses these seasons of perseverance to deepen your first call to love him faithfully and shape your character into the image of Christ. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| A Year of Slowing Down (Conversation With Alan Fadling) | 03 Jan 2023 | 00:29:32 | |
Many of us have an incredibly strong work ethic, but we don’t have an equally robust rest ethic. The biblical vision of rest as sabbath is the very fabric of creation. Resting is a gift from God just as surely work is a gift from God, so how can we learn to welcome every gift that God has given us? Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill interviews Alan Fadling, author of A Year of Slowing Down: Following Jesus’ Rhythms of Work and Rest. You’ll be inspired by this conversation about pace of life, unique spiritual disciplines to slow down as an act of prayer, perfectionism, and learning to live unhurried in God’s presence. Resources for this Episode:
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| A Pastor Displaced by LA Fires Shares His Experience and Ministry | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:39:28 | |
The wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed thousands of homes and displaced even more people. Our hearts are devastated for everyone affected. We’re especially praying for the friends we’ve made through Soul Shepherding who find themselves both experiencing and ministering through trauma. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi talks with Terry Fouche — a Sr. Spiritual Director with Soul Shepherding and pastor in a neighborhood hit hard by the Eaton fires. You’ll be drawn to go deeper into the compassionate heart of Jesus as Terry shares how emotional honesty, lament, and empathy have shaped him and his community during these challenging times. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Disentangling From Codependent Relationships | 27 Dec 2022 | 00:23:12 | |
It is a challenge to be present to someone’s emotions with empathy while balancing our own emotions and needs. Patterns of codependency often result when we are unaware of our own unmet needs, unresolved disappointments, or stresses. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi continue their conversation about codependency, empathy, and disentangling from codependent relationships.You’ll learn to cultivate awareness of your own emotions and boundaries through intentional conversations with soul friends, freeing you to bear the burdens of loved ones while maintaining objectivity, hope, and peace. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Empathy or Codependency? | 20 Dec 2022 | 00:25:50 | |
What is the difference between empathy and codependency? Sometimes our empathy for loved ones can cross over into codependency, rescuing, and trying to protect them from consequences of their choices that are necessary for their growth and maturity. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack empathy and codependency. You will learn from the Scriptural example of carrying someone’s burden versus his load, and how to draw close to people with empathy while also being able to step back with appropriate boundaries. Resources for this Episode:
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| Help For Anticipatory Grief | 13 Dec 2022 | 00:23:05 | |
Anticipatory grief is often triggered by our own aging, or a loss or grief we know is coming in the future. While these emotions can be robbers that steal the joy of the moment, they can also open us to receive more of God’s grace. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk about healthy and unhealthy ways of handling anticipatory grief. You’ll learn how to acknowledge these conflicting feelings of sadness and gratitude, grief and joy, and be present to enjoy the moments you still have now. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Calming an Anger Allergy | 06 Dec 2022 | 00:35:17 | |
Some circumstances we encounter can trigger an “anger allergy”—a strong reaction that may connect to deeper feelings below the surface. Angry emotions are painful and we often want to avoid them, but they are actually a form of intelligence that can help us to grow. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack some recent anger allergies and model the importance and process of emotional repair. You’ll learn steps to understand your anger, resolve conflicts, and restore effective partnerships in life and ministry. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| How to Benefit From Empathy and Spiritual Direction | 29 Nov 2022 | 00:19:22 | |
We all need a safe place to be completely authentic, free from the pressure to manage our reputations. We are blessed when we have a person in our life who knows us, listens to us, and seeks the Lord on our behalf. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi discuss the benefits of spiritual direction. You’ll learn how a spiritual director can help you in all seasons of your faith, creating space to be present to you and to God—praying for you, listening to the Lord, and helping you access emotions you may not be aware that you carry. This practice is a critical component to a healthy spiritual life. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Cultivating Grateful Emotions | 22 Nov 2022 | 00:26:12 | |
Many of us would like to become more thankful, but how do we cultivate grateful emotions? Research has shown the tremendous value of gratitude for our mental health and physical well-being, but in spite of simply trying to think the right thoughts, we may have emotions that could block our ability to feel thankful. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the benefits and pathways to cultivating a grateful life. You will learn keys to grow in gratitude and overcome emotional roadblocks to thankfulness. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Enjoying Advent—Even in the Stress | 15 Nov 2022 | 00:22:48 | |
In the coming season of Advent, we love to celebrate together with friends and family and in times of silence and solitude. You can experience greater depth and intimacy with Jesus during advent by meditating on the biblical accounts of Christ’s birth even in the midst of stressful circumstances. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share which character in the Christmas story they most relate to in this season of their life and ministry. You’ll learn how you can use Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for Advent for visual devotions to deepen connections in your small group, ministry, and family gatherings as well as for your personal devotions. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Distracted? How to Wake Up to God's Presence | 08 Nov 2022 | 00:23:45 | |
Our lives are full of distractions— from both the world around us and from our own choices. Seeking to numb out as a medication for worry, fatigue, sadness, or overload robs us of true rest. Jesus invites us to join him in every moment of our day to find true refreshment and life. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi unpack living in a world of distractions versus tuning into God. You’ll learn how to train your soul to live in God’s presence, and combat habits of distraction to redeem each moment as a work of love. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Earth Filled with Heaven (A Conversation with Aaron Damiani) | 01 Nov 2022 | 00:29:32 | |
We may wonder how we find God when our emotions, thoughts, and service are running dry. A season of hitting the Wall might feel like failure, but can actually be God’s means of grace in our lives. We find rest in Jesus’ easy yoke — through practices and sacraments that invite us into renewal with Jesus and his people. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Kristi talks with Aaron Damiani, lead pastor of Immanuel Anglican Church in downtown Chicago, and author of Earth Filled With Heaven: Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments, and Other Ancient Practices of the Church. Hearing their discussion of his story and the 3 questions of spiritual formation will help you catch a vision for these ancient church practices that are essential supplies for Jesus’ life-and-death Kingdom rescue mission. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| A Prayer to Put Stress in the Father's Hands | 25 Oct 2022 | 00:10:09 | |
When we combine God’s word, simple breathing, and a specific need, we discover an effective, engaging, and powerful way to pray— forming a habit that will fill small moments throughout our day with meaningful spots of prayer. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share how practicing breath prayers can help you release stress into the Father’s hands. You will learn techniques you can practice regularly to nourish and strengthen your union with Jesus, and use for intercessory prayer. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Sharing What You Know With Empathy | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:27:26 | |
All of us find ourselves in conversations — with both Christians and those who don't know Jesus — who feel it's unloving, judgmental, and arrogant to share the truth of Christ with others. It's sad when somebody's belief system keeps them from trusting the Good Shepherd more deeply. We often feel lost because we don't know the best way to love and care for them. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach you how to confidently hold the truth about Jesus while simultaneously relating to others with empathy and humility. You will be encouraged to see that building your life on the foundation of Christ will both mature the way you think and help you grow in compassion for others. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Leadership as Suffering—Yet, There is Joy in Jesus | 18 Oct 2022 | 00:20:34 | |
In leadership we experience different kinds of suffering, including loneliness, opposition, and spiritual attacks. Shepherding others involves following Christ into his way of blessing and also his suffering. Yet our Risen Savior walks with us through our trials, comforting us with his empathy, presence, and purpose. Tune in to this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack some of the challenges of leadership. You will be encouraged to find enduring joy even in painful times of leadership because you are not alone—you serve with Jesus and the God of all grace, and can find support from fellow soul shepherds who understand your suffering. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Breaking the Cycle of Abuse | 11 Oct 2022 | 00:29:43 | |
Many of us have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse ourselves, or care for people who have these wounds. The cycle of abuse can be emotionally and relationally trapping, but the good news is that it can be reversed. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi unpack the dynamics of the cycle of abuse. You’ll learn the necessary steps to break this cycle, increase your own awareness of the needs of those around you, put words to experiences of abuse, and help bring healing and freedom to those who are hurting. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Encouragement for Pastors | 04 Oct 2022 | 00:16:21 | |
We are blessed by our pastors who faithfully serve—loving us well, visiting hospitals and homes, counseling, teaching, and preaching. It’s a challenging time to represent Christ formally as a pastor. Often pastors carry the weight of expectations and responsibilities that many of us don’t see or understand. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share encouragement for those in pastoral leadership. You’ll receive insight to understand the challenges pastors face and learn practical suggestions to support and uplift your own pastors. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Healing Hidden Hurts with Evan & Jenny Owens | 27 Sep 2022 | 00:26:58 | |
Trauma can come in many forms, and all of us have experienced soul wounds. Masking our trauma under addictions—to include busyness— denies and delays the healing the Lord can bring us. We can find courage to face our trauma through connectedness with one another, and connectedness with the redemptive heart of God! Tune into this episode of Soul Talks, where Kristi talks with Evan & Jenny Owens, founders of Reboot Recovery, and authors of Healing What’s Hidden. You will find practical and accessible tips for overcoming trauma in your own life and turning your pain into purpose. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Best of Soul Talks: The Energy You Need | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:29:13 | |
What is your source of motivation? Our culture tells us to focus on self-motivation, but Jesus tells us the ultimate power and purpose for our lives comes from our connection with God. Join us for Best Soul Talks as Soul Shepherding’s Director of Operations and Programs, Jessica Stong, shares one of her favorite episodes—229 EQ: The Energy You Need. Bill and Kristi show how you can increase your emotional intelligence—focusing on the importance of activation and motivation— through greater intimacy and responsiveness to Jesus. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Best Soul Talks: How to Love and Lead WITH Jesus | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:31:35 | |
So much of our lives focus on what we do for God. Yet burnout in ministry is common when we depend on our own strengths, natural gifts, and abilities instead of depending on Jesus. While this often leaves us feeling distant from God, there is hope! Join us for Best Soul Talks as Soul Shepherding’s Director of Operations and Programs, Jessica Stong, shares one of her favorite episodes— 207: How to Love and Lead WITH Jesus. Bill and Kristi offer deep personal and biblical insight and practical tools to help you step into life with Jesus, where his love and delight restore your soul. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Best Soul Talks: The Unbusy Person | 06 Sep 2022 | 00:30:35 | |
Workaholism and people-pleasing are well-worn paths that inevitably lead to burnout. Jesus offers a different way! Being overly busy can steal your peace and joy, and it affects those around you. But following Jesus’ way of working brings renewed peace and strength when we set aside time for what is most important instead of just what is most urgent. Join us for Best Soul Talks this week as Sr. Spiritual Director and Coach Jessica Stong shares one of her favorite episodes— 299: The Unbusy Person. Bill & Kristi extend an invitation to live “unbusy” and “learn the unforced rhythms of grace” (Mt. 11:28-30 MSG) Jesus demonstrated in his life and ministry. Resources for this Episode:
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| Best Soul Talks: Failure is not Fatal | 30 Aug 2022 | 00:28:02 | |
Feelings of failure in ministry and life are far more common than we may realize. Whether we are “feeling” as though we failed, or we have in fact failed at something, in Christ, failure is not fatal! Join us for Best Soul Talks this week as Dave Rimoldi shares one of his favorite episodes— Failure is Not Fatal. Dave supervises the Soul Shepherding Spiritual Direction Training program and is a Sr. Spiritual Director and longtime pastor. In this vulnerable, honest conversation, Bill and Kristi look at what it means to receive empathy from Jesus in our failures and how beautiful the redemption is when we trust him. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Best Soul Talks: Is Faith Real If You Don't Feel It? | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:28:54 | |
| Best Soul Talks: Psalm 23 Meditation to Renew Your Soul | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:15:46 | |
We all need time to slow down and re-center in the middle of overly-full lives. When we shift our focus back to Jesus, we can rest in his peace regardless of our circumstances. Come step into the reality of the Kingdom of the Heavens with Jesus, our Good Shepherd! Join us for this episode of our Best of Soul Talks series where Sue Wood, Administrative Lead for the Soul Shepherding Institute and Spiritual Direction Certificate Program, shares her favorite episode: Psalm 23 Meditation to Renew Your Soul. Take a moment to allow Holy Spirit to minister to you in this time of quiet meditation on the powerful Psalm 23, led by Kristi. A spa for your soul! Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Resting in God's Providence Despite Difficulties | 07 Jan 2025 | 00:17:30 | |
Right now, there’s a war happening between darkness and God’s kingdom of light. Difficulties like financial hardship, sickness, loss, and relational tension can make it challenging to live in genuine peace. But all of us can train in Jesus’ easy yoke to experience the comfort of leaning into Abba’s providential care. Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi wrestle through the fully integrated process (thoughts and emotions) of trusting God deeply when your circumstances feel desolate and disorienting. They’ll equip you with practices (like The Apprentice Prayer and emotionally honest conversation) to cultivate a heart that rests in God before, during, and after hardship. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Best Soul Talks: When You’re Stuck in Your Head | 09 Aug 2022 | 00:31:28 | |
Many of us have been taught that if we can only change our thinking, we’ll change our lives. Yet, this often leaves us with a disconnection between our head knowledge and our emotions. Jesus invites us to spiritual authenticity through experiencing both our emotions and our thoughts resulting in lasting life-change. Join us for this episode of our Best of Soul Talks series, where Sr. Spiritual Director and Ministry Relations Advisor Amy Dalke shares the Soul Talk that showed her the power of integrating emotions and thoughts: Episode 79 —When You’re Stuck in Your Head. Like some ministry leaders today, Nicodemus was stuck in his head and emotionally reluctant. As you listen, you’ll be blessed by this insightful look at John 3:1-17, and the way that Jesus engages the heart of Nicodemus and engages your heart as well. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Emotional and Spiritual Recovery After Trauma | 02 Aug 2022 | 00:23:12 | |
If you are a survivor of abuse, our Shepherd Jesus sees you. He feels your pain and fear and wants to comfort you and help you experience healing, freedom from shame, and new courage. We want to help you heal and be restored in the care of Jesus. In this episode of Soul Talks, Sr. Spiritual Director and Coach Jessica Stong shares her powerful and personal account of trauma and redemption with Kristi. Her story of healing is an inspiration to bring our painful memories and trauma to a wounded healer who is a conduit of Jesus’ healing grace. As we allow the Lord to minister to our sacred wounds, we can experience his beauty, grace, and goodness. Resources for this Episode: | |||
| Best Soul Talks: Emotional Healing for a Trauma Trigger | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:30:17 | |
We all have “implicit memories” of childhood distress that need divine compassion. The Lord is near to bring his consolation and healing to us. Thankfully, a deep hurt offered to the Lord can become a “sacred wound” that heals others. Join us for the Best of Soul Talks series, where Soul Shepherding Director of Operations and Programs, Sr. Spiritual Director, and Coach Jessica Stong shares the Soul Talk that had a profound influence on her — Episode 73, Emotional Healing for a Trauma Trigger. In this episode, Kristi shares her “trauma trigger” and how the Lord ministered his shining face of love on her through empathy and words of blessing. You will be inspired to have the courage to offer your own hurts and traumatic memories to the Lord and soul friends, and receive his empathy and healing. Resources for this Episode: | |||