Did you know that Jesus delights in the little child inside of you? It might be hard for some of us to believe that he wants to make us smile and laugh like an elated youngster during the holidays. But our Savior continues to pursue us out of his deep desire to bring us home into playful joy and secure trust. 

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share their reflections from a visual meditation on the Christmas Story. You will feel drawn to experience the depths of your Papa’s heart for you through the childlike experience of Jesus. Plus, they share practical ways to connect with Abba through the heart and eyes of a young one during the holidays. 

Resources for this Episode:

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

Any close relationship can bring us pain or grief when those we love make choices that are opposite of what we desired. This is especially true for parents with adult children. Thankfully, we can learn to trust our Perfect Father to teach us how to transition into a new season of parenthood.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi create a safe space to explore the relational dynamics with your adult children. You’ll be encouraged to trust Jesus to surround your kids with wounded healers, pray for relational restoration, and practice patience as part of your own apprenticeship to Jesus. 

Resources for this Episode:

• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the Enneagram
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us know (maybe a little too well) that problems are everyday occurrences. Simultaneously, God's kingdom is always open to us and the risen Christ is present in every trial. Learning to put our problems in light of Jesus' smile helps us stay present to our Best Friend and loving to those around us. 

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi teach you how to practice Jesus' presence during distress. Cultivating awareness of Jesus does not mean denying your pain and needs during hard times. Instead, you can be comforted by the Good Shepherd through practices like meditating on his suffering and emotionally honest soul talks with friends.

Resources for this Episode:

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

All of us have an inner child who needs to be securely attached to God. But sometimes, hurts, wounds, and untrue belief systems complicate trusting his extravagant love for us. Thankfully, Jesus runs to us with open arms so we can find safety in Abba's delight.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi share Bible insights that reveal a Heavenly Father who uniquely and personally pursues you in love. They give practical ways to build a secure attachment to God, including Scripture meditation, emotional honesty, finding healing for your inner resistance, and embracing warm empathy from others. 

Resources for this Episode:

• Secure: Letters From Papa to Help Moms Nurture Their Child’s Development
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

All of us talk to ourselves! Sometimes, the voices in our heads are holy and healthy while other times they’re shaming or critical. How do we cultivate self-talk that is truly helpful and draws us closer to God? 

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi alert you to some of the biggest pitfalls of self-talk, including self-help projects, cheerleading your soul, and “claiming” truth at the cost of suppressing your emotions. They use the Psalms as a model to teach you how to engage in self-talk that’s prayerful, emotionally honest, and invites empathy from God and soul friends. 

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Today's world of smartphones, streaming, and productivity keeps us from ever having to endure boredom. Plus, the restlessness that surfaces when left alone with our thoughts and feelings often reveals a discomfort we'd rather avoid. But constant distraction stops us from engaging in the meaningful spiritual work Jesus accomplishes when we are bored.

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi discuss the importance of embracing boredom. Sticking with practices like solitude, silence, and Sabbath (even when they feel boring) helps you get in touch with the deepest longings of your soul — your longings for Jesus. You can train to appreciate God in boredom and move into beauty, intimacy, and adventure with him. 

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

The union of marriage is one way we experience Jesus — his affection, his formation, and his invitation to selfless love. But navigating both our relationship with Jesus and a spouse doesn’t come without challenges. How do we love each other well when walking through different spiritual seasons?

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi and Briana Gaultiere discuss how stages of faith influence marriage dynamics. They teach you how to understand, support, and pray for each other’s unique needs in your marriage so you can grow closer together (and closer to Jesus) instead of farther apart.

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Journey of the Soul CHRIST Stages Assessment
• Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Cultivating a marriage that is spiritually, emotionally, and physically healthy takes intentional work. Busy schedules, family dynamics, and personal woundedness (not to mention parenting kiddos) can make this challenging. But you and your spouse can grow closer together as you both grow in Jesus’ wholeness. 

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi and Briana Gaultiere talk about cultivating a marriage that honors Jesus and each other. You will learn to see and support your spouse more deeply by growing in relational awareness, spiritual friendship, and emotional safety.

Resources for this Episode:

• Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the Enneagram
• Journey of the Soul: Soul Talk Cards
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Earn a Certificate in Spiritual Direction
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

The average person spends four and a half hours on their smartphone every day! Between text and email notifications, social media, sports news, and “trending” videos — there’s a lot fighting for our attention. Maybe it’s time to pause and ask an important question: What are the spiritual consequences of this constant distraction?

Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi and Briana Gaultiere discuss the pros and cons of smartphones on your growth in Christlikeness. You’ll learn the valuable role that attention plays in spiritual formation and feel inspired to seek God’s wisdom on how you and your family can best use phones in apprenticeship to Jesus.

Resources for this Episode:

• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Meet with a Soul Shepherding Spiritual Director
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

Sorting through grief is never fast or easy! All the “what ifs” and messy emotions feel unsettling and challenging to engage. Thankfully, we don’t grieve without hope. Because Jesus’ tomb is empty, we can trust in God’s goodness as we process times of complicated change and painful loss with him. 

Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Kristi interviews Steve Carter — teaching pastor and author of Grieve, Breathe, Receive: Finding a Faith Strong Enough to Hold Us. Drawing from Steve’s journey through the desert of grief, you will be empowered to take heart from Jesus in every season and embrace the healing work he wants to do inside your soul. 

Resources for this Episode:

• Grieve, Breathe, Receive: Finding a Faith Strong Enough to Hold Us
• More Resources From Steve Carter
• Attend a Soul Shepherding Institute Retreat
• Donate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks