Before you ever opened the Bible or stepped into a church, the way that you see and relate to God was already taking shape. That's because family formation plays a foundational role in spiritual formation. How do we reconcile the harmful with the helpful as we desire to grow in our relationship with God and others?

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi has a special conversation with her sisters, Tara and Sue, about their family experience growing up. Their reflection will give you a window into how your own childhood has affected your life in God. Thankfully, Jesus doesn't leave us where we are — he continues to invite us into greater healing, freedom, and growth.

There are moments when all of us have experienced Scripture as boring or lifeless. But what if we approached the Bible as part of an intimate and interactive relationship with Jesus? Thankfully, God's Word is more than a book to study — it's an invitation to join the love song that our tender Father is singing over you and all of Creation.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi continue their conversation with Xander Stok — professional singer, songwriter, and founder of Project of Love: The Bible in Song. The "biblical soundtracks" that he creates in collaboration with the Spirit will draw you into an encounter with God as you contemplate and appreciate him through the Word and worship.

Connect with Xander Stok

Go Deeper with Soul Shepherding

All of us have experienced struggles that seem impossible to overcome. From wrestling with sin to battling a mental health disorder to losing faith altogether — there are times when life itself feels hopeless. Yet it's often at our lowest when Jesus seems to draw the nearest. It's there that he sets us free by awakening us to the depths of the Father's heart.```

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi host a discussion with Xander Stok — professional singer-songwriter and founder of Project of Love: The Bible in Song. His testimony of coming to know God as a loving Father will fill you with fresh hope to discover the healing and freedom that's available through a simple, conversational, and creative walk with Jesus.

Connect with Xander Stok

Go Deeper with Soul Shepherding

It might seem like being a "good Christian" and "working hard for God" is all that's available when it comes to following Christ. Yet eventually, most of us run into struggles, questions, or doubts that leave us needing to untangle ourselves from a faith that once felt solid. What does it look like to live a better life with Jesus?

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi have a conversation with Tim Timmons — a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, plus author of a new book called Waking Up Again: A Journey of Grief & Gratitude. He talks about how his diagnosis of incurable cancer helped him to wake up to Jesus' nearness and discover a lighter and freer life in God. His fresh perspective will inspire you to pursue deeper trust and fuller joy in how you relate to Jesus and follow him.

Resources for this Episode:

• Visit Tim's Website to Get His Book, Listen to His Music, & More
• Subscribe to Tim on Substack
• Learn More About Soul Shepherding
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Those of us who have a zeal for serving God often don't realize we're susceptible to running too hard for too long. We might not see our need for rest until we're weary, exhausted, or overwhelmed. Whether you're burned out or simply desiring a sacred season of renewal — all of us need extended times of rest for healing, discernment, and deeper intimacy with Jesus.

​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the importance of rhythms, such as retreat and Sabbatical for all followers of Jesus. You'll learn how powerful longer, immersive experiences of rest are for cultivating health and wholeness in everyday life and ministry.

Resources for this Episode:

Sabbath rest is a gift that's talked about all over Scripture. Yet, we often interpret what God intended to be a blessing as a burden instead. Let's be honest: the idea of setting aside work to embrace a day of rest might feel unnecessary, intimidating, unattainable, legalistic, or just plain boring.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack the biblical heartbeat of the Sabbath — a day to slow down, trust God with your responsibilities, and delight in Jesus. They'll help you overcome resistances to God's gift of rest and equip you with simple, doable rhythms to help you experience the deep soul rest you long for through practicing Sabbath and spiritual retreats.

Resources for this Episode:

• Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live Empowered
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us long to experience the renewal of deep, soul-nourishing rest. Trying to rest through entertainment or "zoning out" often leaves us feeling more restless than before. Even some vacations are not truly restful. What does it look like to genuinely recover and recharge in body, mind, and spirit?

​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach us how to take a real rest with Jesus. You'll learn how to differentiate between temporary relief and holistic renewal as you grow in the ability to practice soul care alongside the Good Shepherd.

Resources for this Episode:

Nobody wants to be in the position of needing to forgive another person for harming them. It's unsettling to feel angry or to realize we hurt someone. It’s worth the effort because forgiveness  brings healing to us and others.

​Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi talk about the "hidden blessing" of forgiveness. Learning to prayerfully walk through the process of forgiving others helps you go deeper into the grace and truth Jesus offers. You'll be empowered to overflow with God’s empathy for everyone — even those who have mistreated you.

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Many of us have learned that forgiveness includes minimizing hurt or making superficial reconciliation. These misunderstandings hinder us from stepping into the freedom we long for. Yet the Bible paints a more holistic picture of forgiveness that helps us trust Jesus with our emotions and follow him into relational wisdom.

​Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi bring helpful clarity to what forgiveness is and is not. You'll find the courage to surrender outcomes of conflict to Jesus and experience the settledness of releasing those who hurt you into his hands.

Resources for this Episode:

Forgiving those who have wronged us is one of the most challenging things to do in apprenticeship to Jesus. It’s tempting to rush into surface-level forgiveness in effort to be a “good Christian.” Yet authentic forgiveness requires that we get into our hearts. Often it includes walking through a process of addressing uncomfortable emotions and relational conflict. 

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share honestly about a recent conflict that happened in their relationship. You'll learn from their example how prayer, reflection, and patience are valuable dimensions of forgiveness that lead to greater growth and freedom.

Resources for this Episode: