When it comes to the decisions we have to make, the choices we carry and the many potential roads we could walk down, its important to remember that we don't face these decisions neutrally or at zero every time. Like a good novelist begins her story with the story already happening, that's how we arrive at every decision we make. And that means we're carrying some things we may need to leave behind. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode:

• Episode 137: Remember What You Know
• Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
• The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi (Details about preorder bonuses here).
• Email me here with questions you may have for Kendra
• The Sacrament of Letting Go by Macrina Wiederkehr
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

From the scientists to the school board, no one really knows for sure what the next best step is in the midst of this continuing coronavirus epidemic — and those who thought they knew for sure before keep changing their minds. We have to make decisions without all the facts, with a rapidly changing landscape of advice, and with fewer certainties we've come to rely upon. Now more than ever it's essential to remember what we already know and practice doing just the next right thing. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode:

• Today's episode is sponsored by Ancestry.com. The Next Right Thing listeners can get their AncestryDNA kit and free trial here.
• Episode 33: Gather Co-Listeners
• Psalm 23 (MSG)
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

Today's episode is inspired by a few comments I received after I shared on Instagram that I am a slow processor. Several of you raised your hand and said you are slow processors too and it's good to hear from someone like me who continues to put content out weekly and seems to be a functioning human adult person but that I too am someone who thinks slow. Is there room for slow processing in this fast moving world? How can we make thoughtful decisions when everything moves so fast? Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode:

• The Next Right Thing listeners can get 2 free months of Skillshare! Details here.
• 10 Things To Tell You: Has The Internet Ever Changed Your Mind?
• Episode 60: Start Before You're Ready
• Essentialism by Greg McKewon
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

For the last few years, I've created some intentional space to slow down a bit on purpose around the same time every year. In today's episode I wanted to share with you what that looks like practically and a few ideas that could help you do the same. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

• The Actor's Life by Jenna Fischer
• The Nap Ministry on Instagram
• Episode 88: Come Away For A While
• The Rest of the Body // A Guest Post by Tara M. Owens
• Embracing the Body by Tara Owens
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

How can we continue to move forward when so many things seem like they're standing still? When we're still carrying grief? When our hearts are broken? Sometimes our next right thing isn't to solve a problem, it's to carry it longer. It's called lament and I'm learning it is my next right thing. Maybe it's yours too?

Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

• The Next Right Thing listeners can get 2 free months of Skillshare! Details here.
• This Too Shall Last by K.J. Ramsey
• Psalm 13 (NIV)
• The Redemptive Edge: Creative Action Begins with Lament
• Whistling in the Dark by Frederick Buechner
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey once said, "We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience." At the end of every month, I take some time to reflect because in order to discern my next right thing, it's important to learn from the past. If you would like to practice refection but don't know where to start, asking and answering questions is a solid beginning. Today I'll show you how. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

• Sign up to receive my monthly newsletter
• The Book of Waking Up by Seth Haines
• With You Now by Ellie Holcomb
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

In the United States, we place a high value on our independence, on our ability to choose for ourselves, and to have things the way we want them when we want them. And while I know I'm speaking in broad strokes and this doesn't necessarily describe every US citizen, it does in many ways describe us as a whole. But this is not necessarily a shared value around the world. Why is it so hard for us to make decisions? Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode:

• Literary London with Tsh Oxenreider
• In Europe, little refrigerators hold a grand reason for less waste by Evan Kleiman for the LA Times
• Sheena Iyengar's TED Talk The Art of Choosing and her book by the same title
• How cultures around the world make choices by Amy S. Choi
• What's Your Decision? by Fathers Michael Sparough and Tim Hipskind
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

What can I do? This is a question many of us are asking as we're learning more about what it means to work towards hopeful change and justice in this country. And in that question, it can become quickly overwhelming to know where to start. Speaking as a fellow journeyer without easy answers, I still believe what we talk about here every single week is as relevant now as ever - do the next right thing. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

• On Racism: Learning to Speak and to Listen
• Ephesians 2 (NIV)
• One by Deidra Riggs
• Start Where You Are by Rashawn Copeland
• One by Deidra Riggs
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

I'm used to asking what sounds smart, wise, kind, or thrifty. But when it comes to making decisions, one question I often forget to ask: what sounds fun? Here's a personal story of how I'm learning to give that question some attention in my own life and how it's impacting my business and ministry. Listen in.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

• Episode 114: Welcome Your Loneliness
• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Annie F. Downs and her podcast That Sounds Fun
• That Sounds Fun Network
• Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing
• Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman
• Download Transcript

This episode may seem a bit disjointed, last minute, and scattered. That's because it is all of those things. But if we wait to speak out until we feel polished or impressive, I fear we'll be silent for far too long. I confess that's been true for me.

Sometimes our next right thing is to stumble forward together, not because we know exactly what we're doing but for the sake of love and justice.

May we know when to speak up and when to stay silent. When we are silent, may it be because we are learning and listening and not because we are afraid.

Links + Resources From This Episode:

• Brownicity and Dr. Lucretia Berry
• Osheta Moore on Instagram
• Download a transcript of this episode.