Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

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:Soul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. Coaches

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:Soul Shepherding InstituteSoul Care Groups — Soul Shepherding Network

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:Unforsaken: Journey with Jesus on the Stations of the Cross

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:Unforsaken: Journey With Jesus on the Stations of the CrossSoul Shepherding Institute

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:Soul Shepherding InstituteUnforsaken: Journey With Jesus on the Stations of the CrossSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual Directors

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:Soul Shepherding NetworkSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. Coaches

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:Soul Shepherding NetworkSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. Coaches

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:Breath Prayer GuidesIgnatian Meditation GuidesLectio Divina GuidesYour Best Life in Jesus’ Easy Yoke: Rhythms of Grace to De-Stress and Live EmpoweredJourney of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual GrowthSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. CoachesSoul Shepherding Network—Soul Care GroupsContact UsSoul Shepherding on Instagram

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:Dallas Willard, Renewing the Christian Mind: Essays, Interviews, and TalksSoul Shepherding Institute

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:Soul Shepherding Spiritual Direction TrainingSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. Coaches

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:Soul Shepherding Spiritual Direction TrainingSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. Coaches

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:A Year of Slowing Down: Following Jesus' Rhythms of Work and RestUnhurriedliving.orgSoul Shepherding Network   

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:Donate to Support Soul ShepherdingSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSpiritual Direction Training ProgramSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Sr. Coaches

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:Spiritual Direction Training ProgramSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding InstituteDonate to Soul Shepherding 

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:Support the Ministry of Soul ShepherdingSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual Directors

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:The Apprentice PrayerSoul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual Directors

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:Soul Shepherding Sr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Sr. CoachesSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Network with Soul Care Groups

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:Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for AdventSoul Shepherding InstituteSr. Spiritual DirectorsSr. Coaches

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:Surprising Joy: A Journey with Jesus for AdventSoul Shepherding InstituteSr. Spiritual DirectorsSr. Coaches

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:Breath Prayer GuidesSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding NetworkSr. Spiritual Directors