Soul Talks With Bill & Kristi Gaultiere

If you are a survivor of abuse, our Shepherd Jesus sees you. He feels your pain and fear and wants to comfort you and help you experience healing, freedom from shame, and new courage. We want to help you heal and be restored in the care of Jesus.In this episode of Soul Talks, Sr. Spiritual Director and Coach Jessica Stong shares her powerful and personal account of trauma and redemption with Kristi. Her story of healing is an inspiration to bring our painful memories and trauma to a wounded healer who is a conduit of Jesus’ healing grace. As we allow the Lord to minister to our sacred wounds, we can experience his beauty, grace, and goodness.Resources for this Episode:Sr. Spiritual Director and Coach, Jessica StongSr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding InstituteSpiritual Direction Training

We all have “implicit memories” of childhood distress that need divine compassion.  The Lord is near to bring his consolation and healing to us. Thankfully, a deep hurt offered to the Lord can become a “sacred wound” that heals others.Join us for the Best of Soul Talks series, where Soul Shepherding Director of Operations and Programs, Sr. Spiritual Director, and Coach Jessica Stong shares the Soul Talk that had a profound influence on her —  Episode 73, Emotional Healing for a Trauma Trigger. In this episode, Kristi shares her “trauma trigger” and how the Lord ministered his shining face of love on her through empathy and words of blessing.  You will be inspired to have the courage to offer your own hurts and traumatic memories to the Lord and soul friends, and receive his empathy and healing. Resources for this Episode:Sr. Spiritual Director and Coach, Jessica StongSr. Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding InstituteSpiritual Direction TrainingJoin the Soul Shepherding NetworkJourney of the Soul

Sometimes we seek to avoid vulnerability and distract ourselves from areas where we may feel dependent. Yet in vulnerability there is a wonderful invitation into a different kind of life! Jesus has a tender way of meeting us in our places of deepest need and bringing us his joy.Listen in to this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi interview Trevor Hudson, South African pastor, teacher of spiritual formation and spiritual direction, and author of Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard. You will be equipped to meet Jesus in a deeper way and experience his joy through the life of discipleship taught by Ignatius and Willard.Resources for this Episode:Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas WillardSoul Shepherding InstituteIgnatian Meditation GuideSoul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding NetworkYou can find the transcript here. 

Discernment isn’t just learning God’s will for our lives. We may have limited our understanding of discernment in the past, missing the opportunity to walk with and notice God in a deeper way through life and leadership. Take heart — we can grow in our intimacy with Jesus, receiving his love and noticing his presence all around us. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi interview Steve Macchia, author and founder of Leadership Transformations. They discuss his new book, The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything, and equip you to discern God in new and life-giving ways.Resources for this Episode:Leadership TransformationsThe Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in EverythingSociety of Saint John the EvangelistYou can read the transcript here. 

Sometimes considered weakness or coddling, empathy is often misunderstood. We may not think we need empathy, and we may underestimate its value in our relationships. Yet empathy is a major key to our growth, our intimacy with Christ,  and our ministry with others. In this episode of Soul Talks, Bill and Kristi unpack empathy and the role it plays in relationships. Tune in to see how, as you receive the empathy the Lord has for you, there is healing and grace. Then, you can do the same for others as you respond to them with this same empathy and grace!Resources for this Episode:Soul Shepherding InstituteSpiritual Direction CertificateYou can read the transcript here. 

We know that Jesus is loving, holy, compassionate, and powerful.  On closer examination of his life in the book of Mark, we see he repeatedly handles stressful situations with a relaxed approach. We may struggle with stress and anxiety both in relationships and ministry.  Yet our relaxed and loving Lord is a wonderful example of resting in the easy yoke!In this episode of Soul Talks, Bill and Kristi focus on Jesus’ approach to life and ministry. He is our perfect example of walking in the easy yoke of the Father. You too can learn this way of life from our Lord, finding the freedom and rest he offers.Resources for this Episode:Follow Soul Shepherding on InstagramFollow Soul Shepherding on FacebookYour Best Life in Jesus’ Easy YokeSoul Shepherding StoreSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding NetworkYou can read the transcript here. 

Some of us are enduring chronic pain or suffering that can be exhausting. We may struggle to accept our own grief, loss, and lament around difficult circumstances that drain us of life and joy. But even in the midst of these trials, sharing our true emotions with soul friends can be the means to receive God’s comforting presence.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks, as Bill and Kristi talk about long-term trials, chronic pain, and ways we can return to joy. As a wounded healers, you need to care for your soul by sharing your emotions with others who listen with compassion and love. You are then freed to be Jesus’ ambassador, offering empathy and grace to those around you. Resources for this episode:Paraclete Mission GroupSoul Shepherding InstituteJourney of the SoulSoul Shepherding CoachingYou can read the transcript here. 

Some of us may have been impacted by spiritual abuse or church hurt. Many of us have hit a wall spiritually and experienced prolonged desert seasons. This doesn’t have to be the ending of our story—there is hope for healing, restoration, and freedom as we discover the hidden treasure of the Kingdom of the Heavens!Join us for this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi interview pastor Brian Steele unpacking his experiences in an abusive cult, and his journey with Jesus that ultimately led to true freedom, sabbath rest, and overflowing delight. Your heart will be encouraged to learn how you too can experience these gracious gifts from the Lord, regardless of the past seasons you’ve walked through. Resources for this Episode:Free PDF Resource from Brian Steele: Five Tools to Establish a “Kingdom-First Culture”Soul Shepherding InstituteSpiritual Direction CertificateJourney of the SoulWellspring Retreat Center for Cult VictimsYou can read the transcript here. 

As we go through various trials in life, we may experience different types of depression. This can cause us to turn our anger inward, judging and shaming ourselves into loneliness and isolation. But friends, our Risen Savior goes ahead of us always, and we are not alone. One of the hardest but most crucial things the Lord wants for us in our depression is to take action!Tune into this episode of Soul Talks, where Bill and Kristi share vulnerably about their experiences with depression. Be encouraged and filled with hope as you learn powerful, Biblical tools and practices to help you lean into an emotionally honest faith, receive empathy and support, and care for others around you who may be struggling. Resources for this Episode: Your Best Life in Jesus’ Easy YokeJourney of the SoulUnforsakenSoul Shepherding NetworkSoul Shepherding InstituteFocus on the FamilyAmerican Association of Christian Counselors

Many of us have either personally experienced mental health issues like addiction, or we know and love people who have. These struggles are a normal part of our humanity, and there is no shame in these experiences. We have access to God’s healing power in the Kingdom of the Heavens right now!Join us for this episode of Soul Talks, where Bill and Kristi unpack valuable tools and techniques for addressing and overcoming addictive behavior. Be encouraged with practical strategies that you can learn and integrate with your discipleship to Jesus. Resources for this Episode:The V.I.M. Plan StrategyThe Soul Shepherding NetworkThe Soul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding CoachesSoul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsYou can read the transcript here. 

Many people are held back in their lives by anxiety. Problems with anxiety are the most common mental-emotional disorder for American adults today. But here’s the good news: there is hope for people who are struggling with anxiety! Jesus heals anxious hearts.Tune into this episode of Soul Talks, where Bill shares vulnerably about his experiences with anxiety. You’ll be equipped and inspired with tangible spiritual formation tools to help care for your own anxiety and mental health, and that of those around you as a wounded healer.Resources for this Episode: Soul Shepherding CoachesSoul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding NetworkSoul Shepherding InstituteYou can read the transcript here. 

When we are leading conversations, preaching, or speaking to others, it can be tempting to rely solely on our own strength — on our own preparation, experiences, and knowledge. But the Lord has given us his Spirit that dwells in us and intercedes on our behalf in the Kingdom of the Heavens! As such, the greatest blessings and biggest impacts of our words come when we are guided by the Holy Spirit.Join us for this episode of Soul Talks, where Bill and Kristi share their speaking experiences and continue teaching about how you can live a Spirit-led life. You’ll be equipped with practices and habits that engage your heart and turn your focus to Jesus, allowing your speaking to be reliant on the Spirit, and abounding in God’s will. Resources for this episode: Soul Shepherding InstituteJourney of the SoulSoul Shepherding EventsYou can read the transcript here. 

When we're serving God with our gifts, it can be easier than we think to become overly dependent on our own abilities and energy without realizing it. In his graciousness, the Lord then often uses periods of trials or waiting to draw us into deeper intimacy with him and to cultivate a longing for his Spirit. And when we allow our work to be Spirit-led, we can be refreshed in Christ — relying on the presence and power of Jesus, and not on our own!Tune into this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi unpack how you can lean into Spirit-led ministry. You’ll be encouraged and inspired to learn how you can experience a fresh awakening to God’s goodness and grace, leading you not only to doing your work for God, but with God.Resources for this Episode: Journey of the SoulSoul Shepherding InstituteSoul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Spiritual Direction Certificate ProgramSoul Shepherding CoachesYou can read the transcript here. 

As Christ followers, how can we find true joy that mingles with the sorrow, stress, and other negative emotions that we experience in our lives? We know that the Risen Lord was a man of great joy! And just like Jesus, we can learn how to care for all of our emotions and ultimately return to joy. Tune into this episode of Soul Talks, where Bill and Kristi unpack how you can absorb the joy of Jesus (hint: it’s not by trying harder or denying your emotions!). Be encouraged with tangible practices and disciplines for genuinely processing your struggles and training to experience the fruit of the spirit of joy!Resources for this episode: Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Spiritual Direction Training ProgramYou can read the transcript here. 

When we feel overly-responsible for our own emotions and needs, we often carry anxiety, shame, or self-condemnation. It can be difficult to treat ourselves with the gentleness and kindness of Christ as we work through our struggles. But the truth is that our Risen Lord offers us patience and compassion in his presence and through soul relationships.Tune into this episode of Soul Talks where Bill and Kristi unpack how we can both experience and offer healing soul care work through our relationships.You’ll be encouraged with tangible tools and practices that can help you feel seen and offer this empathy to others in an open and compassionate way.Resources for this episode: Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding Spiritual Direction Training ProgramAbba's Child by Brennan ManningYou can read the transcript here.  

Being open and honest in sharing our thoughts and emotions takes courage, and can be intimidating. But Jesus is calling us out of our comfort zones and into this vulnerable space through safe relationships, because ultimately it leads us into greater intimacy with him! Join Bill and Kristi for this Soul Talk on vulnerable communication, where they unpack how vulnerable communication helps free us from our shame and opens the door for personal and spiritual growth. You’ll learn how you can create a safe space for others to speak vulnerably, and how, in that, you are an ambassador of God’s love and grace!Resources for this episode: Soul Shepherding Spiritual DirectorsSoul Shepherding InstituteYou can read the transcript here. 

As we get older, sometimes we wish those numbers would go in the other direction! We might even be feeling discouraged in a culture that idolizes youth. But when we lean in, we see that this is actually contradictory to what Scripture says about the eternal and the abundant life of God in us!Tune into this episode of Soul Talks, where Bill and Kristi explore how God’s Word guides us in our aging experiences. You’ll be so encouraged to learn about the hidden, eternal glory of God’s presence and growing in Christlikeness that transcends your physical limitations and pains as you age!Resources for this episode: Aging Faithfully by Alice FrylingJourney of the Soul Your Best Life in Jesus Easy YokeYou can read. the transcript here.