Grace is central to our faith yet its meaning is often confused. Mixed messages can leave us in a tug-of-war between “doing nothing” and “trying harder” to earn God's favor. What is grace actually and how does it affect our daily apprenticeship to Jesus?

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi unpack what they’ve learned about grace from Dallas Willard. Discover how grace can go beyond “undeserved merit” and become fuel for your life, relationships, and ministry. You can set aside pretending, presuming, and pushing to respond to grace and join God’s activity in everything you do! 

(If you want to go deeper into the insights we gained from Dallas Willard, we invite you to join us on a retreat or train to become a spiritual director with Soul Shepherding. You can learn more by following the links below.)

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
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

God is with us always — not only in “big” or “spiritual” moments but also during the ordinary challenges of day-to-day life. Yet it’s tempting to think we’re alone when experiencing stress at work, emotional hurt, or relational challenges. How can we become more aware of Jesus’ presence and live a God-saturated life?

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss a transformational vision they caught from Dallas Willard — the Kingdom of the Heavens is open, now! Their conversation will stir you to rethink the kind of life that’s possible with Jesus as you learn practical ways to integrate him into your life, ministry, work, challenges, and relationships. 

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
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You
• Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth
• Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the Enneagram
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

If prayer is so foundational to our relationship with Jesus, why do many of us find it so challenging? Maybe you’ve experienced practicing prayer as dutiful — something you do only because you’re “supposed to.” Perhaps you feel discouraged, disoriented, and unsure if talking to God really makes a difference at all.​

Tune in for this updated episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi reflect on the teachings from Dallas Willard that have transformed how they understand and practice prayer. Your desire for prayer will be reignited as you explore the multi-dimensional layers of conversation with Jesus and learn how you can integrate partnership with the Good Shepherd into all of life. 

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
• Prayer Guides Bundle
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Praying to become more like Jesus can seem out of reach or surface feelings of shame. Yet growing in Christlikeness is a lifelong journey that includes highs and lows, consolations and desolations, and a range of feelings. Regardless of your current spiritual terrain or emotional challenges, your life can become a school for training with Jesus.​

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi introduce the Apprentice Prayer — a prayer designed to stir your longing for Jesus and paint a picture of what life in the Kingdom of God can look like. This favorite podcast replay will help you connect with Jesus’ grace as you aim to grow and change this new year.

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

Let’s face it — the chaos of travel, family gatherings, and exchanging presents can cause us to forget the miracle of Christmas. It’s easy to become numb or distracted from the treasure of Jesus. Meditating on Scripture helps us reorient ourselves to the surprising arrival of Immanuel and the stunning reality of his everlasting kingdom.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi unpackages the real gift of Christmas using the beautiful words of the prophet Isaiah. This reflection and prayer will stir your longing for more of Jesus and lead you into deeper worship of the One we call Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Resources for this Episode:

• Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for Advent
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us long to know Jesus’ presence with us as we go about each day. Imagine sharing unbroken intimacy with the Good Shepherd during every mundane moment, challenging circumstance, and distressing emotion you experience. The good news is that Jesus desires to be with you always in the secret place of your innermost soul.

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi draw you into the reality that Jesus is with you here and now. You’ll discover practical ways to practice God’s presence (like scripture memorization and breath prayers) and get help sorting through the emotions of your inner world as you move toward abiding in Christ.

Resources for this Episode:

• Breath Prayer Guides
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Do you struggle to share your "big" emotions with God and others? Many of us are tempted to hide our feelings because we fear being "too much" or feel ashamed at some of the attitudes that lie underneath our hurts. Yet this keeps us from receiving the grace that all of our souls desperately need. 

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill listens to Kristi with empathy and helps her see how her emotional honesty is a blessing to her relationship with God and those around her. You'll be equipped to integrate thinking with your feelings as you find safe people (like a spiritual director or soul friend) who can help you sort through your emotions as you become more healthy and whole like Jesus.

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Most of us experience our dreams as a collection of random events that leave us feeling confused or distressed. But what if your dreams were more than something to brush off? Inviting the Spirit of Jesus into your dreams can spark deep conversation with him and lead to emotional health. 

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi model a surprisingly easy and helpful method for discerning the psychological and possible spiritual meaning of your dreams. Through prayer and the help of others (e.g., a spiritual director or soul friends on retreat), you can learn to draw from the wisdom and direction that come to you in your sleep.

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Dream Interpretation Resource
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

The birth of Jesus changed history forever, yet it might not feel very personal in your heart. Let's be honest — it's easy for Advent to become white noise. Thankfully you can have a fresh experience with Jesus when you enter the story through the eyes of a "soul friend" like Mary, Elizabeth, or even one of the animals!

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi and Briana talk about becoming enthralled with Jesus during Christmastime through Surprising Joy Advent cards. You'll be inspired to get intentional about prayerful meditation and conversation with loved ones this Advent as you experience the impact it has made and continues to make on their family today.

Resources for this Episode:

• Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for Advent
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks
• Read Elizabeth’s Empathy Cured Mary’s Shame

*The Surprising Joy Advent cards will be 20% off along with all the books and resources in the Soul Shepherding shop. The sale starts on Black Friday (Nov. 28th at 12am Pacific) and lasts through Cyber Monday (Dec. 1st at 11:59pm Pacific).

What comes to mind when you think of God's posture toward you? All of us long to know for certain that Abba looks at us with eyes of love, but it's easy to project our own judgment and rejection onto his heart for us. Yet Jesus reconciles the love of God to us through his empathy and desires that we become familiar with his loving gaze of delight.

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi get practical about cultivating a loving friendship with Jesus. You'll be blessed with fresh insight into scriptures that ooze Jesus' empathy as you're equipped with help to nourish your soul through his ever-deepening love and care.

Resources for this Episode:

• Deeply Loved: Receiving and Reflecting God’s Great Empathy for You
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Retreat
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

*Please note: You'll receive the BOGO discount on Deeply Loved by adding two copies to your cart in our shop. This sale runs until November 27, 2025. Click the link above to get this special deal.